Jaric

[karch34]

Have your thoughts on Jaric changed recently (aside from Lima)?

He's been playing well recently and seems to have a nice fit with the team. He's our worst/longest contract so there's some value in trading him, but would what we get for him improve the team or just be a financial move.

With Foye coming back this puts Marko as primarily SF and I'm just wondering how we have everyone fit. If we keep Gomes at PF and Al at C, then I see it working with 1-3 being Foye, Telfair, McCants, Brewer, and Jaric. But if we want to try to get to Gomes at SF and Al at PF, which are their best positions then we get into a log jam. Or is this just immaterial since we don't have a true C and will role with a rotation at PF/C of Al, Gomes, Smith, and Walker?

[Devilzsidewalk]

Jordan/whomever
Jefferson/Smith or Walker
Gomes/Brewer
McCants/Jaric
Foye/Jaric

if we go Beasley/Rose, other SF or guard, then we got to deal somebody, too many bodies

[deeney0]

if we go Beasley/Rose, other SF or guard, then we got to deal somebody, too many bodies

I disagree, I think Jefferson/Gomes/Foye/McCants/Jaric/Brewer has enough players who can play multiple positions that you can still draft anybody. Drafting Beasley might mean you don't bring back Craigers, and drafting Rose might mean you don't bring back Bassy, but it doesn't necessitate a trade, even if you bring in a defensive C.

[Devilzsidewalk]

I don't want Jefferson to play more than 10 minutes or so on average at center though.

[horaceworthy]

Jordan's just so flippin' unpolished, it's tough to justify picking him over guys like Beasley and Rose, maybe even Gordon.

[karch34]

Jordan's just so flippin' unpolished, it's tough to justify picking him over guys like Beasley and Rose, maybe even Gordon.

Agreed. Not saying Jordan will be bad, but if we're picking at the top can you pass on the players that might be more talented and pick for the need? Would this be Bowie over MJ because you already have Drexler?

[Devilzsidewalk]

Jordan is not my recommendation, but just outlining potential scenarios: I think if the Wolves pick a guard or SF, then it makes no sense to have Gomes, Brewer, McCants, Foye and Jaric. Even if its Beasley unless they're going to play him and Al in the frontcourt mostly, which I don't agree with at all.

The way I see it theres 144 minutes between PG/SG/SF and Foye and McCants are 30 mpg player at least, Gomes Jaric and Brewer 20-30 easy too. Somebody has to go, probably 2 people if we're going to draft a PG/SG/SF in the top 5 as they should be getting 25-30 mpg to start out with as well.

What I'm afraid of is spending a top pick on Derrick Rose or something, then giving him the McCants/Brewer treatment with the minutes. Such a stupid waste imo.

[Krapinsky]

^^^Further agreed. Jordan just had 8/8 in a 5 OT game against Baylor. He played 33 minutes only too even though he only had three fouls. I think he needs to stay in school.

[funkatron101]

My thoughts haven't changed.

I always wonder which Jaric will show up. He will continue to have flashes of brilliance in between mediocrity.

[deeney0]

Jefferson has played nothing but C the last few games, and he did much better against the true centers - Beans and Camby - than he did against Amare, the hybrid PF who scored on him with speed and taking him out to 15 feet.

Not saying I wouldn't rather play him at PF, but Doleac, Madsen, and Richard have been getting DNP's, and the Wolves have been playing well. If you want 38 minutes at C to come from someone other than Jefferson, you're not talking about a rookie C, you're talking about acquiring a vet.

[Devilzsidewalk]

Jefferson has played nothing but C the last few games, and he did much better against the true centers - Beans and Camby - than he did against Amare, the hybrid PF who scored on him with speed and taking him out to 15 feet.

Beans and Camby can't score though

[deeney0]

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Beans and Camby can't score though

They usually score very efficiently - Beans averages 10 ppg on 63% shooting, Jefferson held him to 2.5 ppg on 25% shooting. You can count the number of centers who are true inside scoring threats on one hand.

[deeney0]

Centers who average more than 35 minutes a game: Kaman, Howard, Ming, Jefferson, Miller, Camby. That's it. I think Al playing less than 10 mpg at C next year is a pipe dream. KG played more than 10 mpg at C when Rasho/Kandi/Blount were on this team.

[PPAW4Life]

Why do people dislike Al at the Center?

[revprodeji]

He cannot defend the position or keep the center off the glass.

Do not worry, our record will improve, we will get the 4-7 pick and get Hibbert and they will look good together.

[JBoog35]

My thoughts haven't changed.

I always wonder which Jaric will show up. He will continue to have flashes of brilliance in between mediocrity.

I agree 100%. If Jaric's stat line was 15 pts 8 boards, 10 assists a game on avg. He'd be Jason Kidd. He is not Jason Kidd, he is flashes of Jason Kidd. If he had the numbers every night he'd never leave the starting line up and we'd be thanking our stars we locked him into a decent deal. That being said, I will continue to hate him until he brings his woman to watch his games ala Eva Longoria style. She needs to be there, more people will show to the games and I'll have something to watch if we're losing.

[funkatron101]

-= original quote snipped =-

They usually score very efficiently - Beans averages 10 ppg on 63% shooting, Jefferson held him to 2.5 ppg on 25% shooting. You can count the number of centers who are true inside scoring threats on one hand.

Agreed.

I am starting to feel comfortable with Al at center.

[deeney0]

He cannot defend the position or keep the center off the glass.

Last time Al was outrebounded by a C was... when?

SAS and HOU - oh wait, he was playing PF those games, for some reason Doleac got 20+ minutes in each game. As a C, Al hasn't been outrebounded by anybody in 2008. He had trouble a few games in December and everyone, myself included, jumped to conclusions.

[funkatron101]

-= original quote snipped =-



Last time Al was outrebounded by a C was... when?

SAS and HOU - oh wait, he was playing PF those games, for some reason Doleac got 20+ minutes in each game. As a C, Al hasn't been outrebounded by anybody in 2008. He had trouble a few games in December and everyone, myself included, jumped to conclusions.

I think it is partially because most of us heard directly, or through the grapevine that Al prefers the PF spot. That was a while back. If he keeps performing well, who knows, maybe he will like it. Then a guy like Beasley will seem more like an option for us. Heck I may even keep Gomes at PF, and try Beasley at SF.

Perhaps a little weak defensively, but Brewer or Jaric could help with that.

[slinky]

rev, i agree with you that we will improve our spot so what i am about to say is moot...(which is also why I would advocate exploring trade offers with that pick, it will lose value each win we get)

But given our current pick were you guys wanting to pick jordan with the first pick in the draft or was it assumed we would trade back?

With the first pick you take the best player available after that you can draft based on need.

I like jaric a little more, he has been playing better now that he is not asked to be strictly a PG, but more of a point forward. With that said, I am more comfortable RIGHT NOW with him out there then i am with mccants. His turnovers are alarmingly high for someone who isnt asked to facilitate. And his defensive effort has been lacking the last few games.