flaco wrote:parsnips33 wrote:Fadeaway_J wrote:Bam is tricky. He's great in a switching system, but it's not so easy to build that kind of team in most drafts, and he isn't an amazing post defender or shotblocker. Offensively, he's a Jack of all trades master of none kind of guy. You need to build with a particular approach in mind to get the best out of him, which is why he isn't picked as frequently as his talent would indicate.
Kinda my thinking. Feels like he'd pretty much be a 4 in most of these drafts given his size, and people probably are more inclined to get a floor spacer at that position.
I don't think you counter a guy like Shaq/Wilt with size. No matter whom you select, he'll be overpowered by Shaq. The modern game is all about pace-and-space. I think the best approach is to run Shaq off the court by a) attacking before the D is set around him, b) spreading the floor and forcing him to defend the perimeter and c) spamming the PnR and forcing him to defend in space. Thing is, the majority of voters believe the optimal way to counter Shaq is by drafting another behemoth of your own and letting them battle it out in the paint. Since our games are won by vote, it may be wise to go with the consensus. Personally, I'd almost never use Bam at the 4. His biggest strength is he can defend 1 through 5. It's way easier to find a switchable PF than to find a switchable Center.
Actually, I generally prefer your method of dealing with Shaq. The problem is, Bam isn't some amazing pick-and-roll player either, nor is he a great floor spacer who can drag Shaq away from the basket. There are better options for that strategy even among more conventional bigs.
I agree Bam should play the 5 regardless though.