Pech vs Blatche....Dirk vs Garnett

[BruceO]

These players kind of have those molds of dirk and garnett. Before Pech got to play I was excited about him and I rate him at about the same ability more or less as Blatche. I rate Pech slightly less cause I have concerns about his fluidity, he doesnt know the offense that well yet so seems to in my eyes float alot. Either way how do you think these players will develop. What do you think we will have two years from now when it comes to each of these players. Who do you think will be more valuable and what skills do you think they'll have by then

[nate33]

Blatche is kinda similar to a poor man's Garnett, but Pecherov is nothing like Dirk. Pecherov is more like a Mehmet Okur. He might end up being a move mobile version of Okur, but I don't see him ever having the ball handling skills and shot-creation ability of Dirk.

Years from now, I think Pecherov will be the more valuable player. Blatche definitely has more talent, but I wonder about his work ethic. I know Pecherov is going to keep improving for years. I'm less certain about Blatche.

[LesWizerables]

I'm not feeling Opec's game at all. A set-shooting 7-footer who plays 25 feet from the basket is a waste if you ask me. At least Blatche crashes the boards and mixes it up in the paint. I need to see more from Opec before I'm even willing to make the Okur comparison.

[jimij]

As Nate says, if it's two years from now that we're discussing I think I'd have to go with Blatche because his defense will be light years ahead of Pecherov and since I don't think either one's offense will be fully developed by then.

Blatche should be getting a little more respect from the officials by then and hopefully will stop committing all the silly fouls so he'll really be able to help us with his D whereas other than rebounding, I'm not sure how much help OP will ever be on that end of the court. With the offensive firepower we already have on this team, I don't think either guy could be one of the main focal points of the offense within just 2 years.

Long-term I think Blatche has the higher ceiling because of his offensive abilities, but I think OP might be the better player (the Okur comparison is spot on) because he's more dedicated to reaching his potential. I hope I'm wrong.

[GhostsOfGil]

I'm not feeling Opec's game at all. A set-shooting 7-footer who plays 25 feet from the basket is a waste if you ask me. At least Blatche crashes the boards and mixes it up in the paint. I need to see more from Opec before I'm even willing to make the Okur comparison.

isnt that wat okur is?? okur is not a great rebounder because he floats around the perimeter all the time kinda like opec

[hands11]

I like the comparisons.

I think OP will develop and contribute sooner. He knows what wants to do, he wants to spot up shoot all the way to 3 range and rebound. He just needs to gain more game time experience so he can get in sync. He will be scoring his set shot and rebounding before Blatche develops his full game.

But Blatche will have more game in 3-4 years as long as there is space for him to develop a game here. He can do more things including handle the ball, drive, eventually hit from the outside more, more dunks, blocks, etc, etc.

It will be a nice problem to have once they develop.

I give the node to OP in 1-2 years but AB in 3-4.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Because Blatche can defend I'd say he's got the greater upside.

Pecherov does seem like Mehmet Okur, version 2.0; whereas, Blatche is more like a cross between Dalembert and Rasheed Wallace.

Andray's already a good defender and once he gets a bit stronger and he lets the game come to him he'll blow up as a player. Big time talent is something I think he displayed outplaying Okafor. Blatche will be an 18 to 20 points and 10 rebounds with 2 blocks type player for years in this league is my guess.

[jimij]

I still think the best comparison for Blatche is Camby. They're both long and lean and can be excellent defenders. I don't see either one as a cornerstone on offense, but I think they're more like 14/15 and 10 type guys. If AB can be Camby v2.0, he'll be a steal at his contract.

[BigA]

They don't need to be Dirk or Garnett. If just one turns out to be comparable to Okur or Camby in terms of contribution, that would be great value considering one was a mid-1st and the other a mid-2nd.

If both develop close to those upsides it would be a real coup for Grunfeld and the rest of the organization.

[tkunit]

I don't know what games you guys watch but Opec crashes the boards twice as hard as Blatche.

Sadly he doesn't always get the board but he brings the effort.

[wateryd]

if blatche doesn't become the better player it will be a case of unfulfilled potential. he has such a wide array of skills; right now that's limiting him a bit. he's a capable ballhandler, but how many times have we seen him make a turnover while bringing the ball up court on a fast break? he has great defensive instincts but he's overly aggressive and doesn't have great body control yet. he's a good shooter but he's too quick to take an outside jumper most of the time. but his court vision and awareness is really off the charts for a player of his experience. when he was rolling earlier in the season he shocked me with great passes at least a couple times a game. and he's great at finding that spot right next to the basket and getting the ball and making a move to the basket, although he certainly needs to become a better finisher. and how about those ball fakes he makes? for all the talk about his bad off court decisions, i feel his basketball IQ is very high. and he needs to bulk up, big time. right now when he guards big men they can back him down with relative ease. his help D is obviously fantastic, and that's where his blocks from.

pecherov seems to have a more limited skill set. he shoots and he crashes the boards. you can tell he wants to learn, though, he's always hanging around jamison and when the team huddles up late in games, it's usually him and mason that are the only non-starters in the huddle with the guys in the game. he should be a solid rotation player, but i think blatche has the ability to make an all-star team or two if he puts all of his pieces together.

[wermolwermol777]

Years from now, I think Pecherov will be the more valuable player. Blatche definitely has more talent, but I wonder about his work ethic. I know Pecherov is going to keep improving for years. I'm less certain about Blatche.

Exactly, while I have been as down on Pech as possible, I am probably the first to admit that his work ethic is going to get him to places. On the other hand I see Blatche get tired at the end of games, I see him choke at free throws after someone has said something funny.

I am as big a Blatche fan as the next guy, but in 4 years, Pecherov will be the better player. In 7 years it won't even be close.

[doclinkin]

The concern here is injury. The big Euros have a long ugly history of health problems in the feet and lower back.

A bouncy active guy like Opec has the same profile. He's got the work ethic and size and enthusiasm and effort on the glass to succeed. But he already has a fracture on the foot. And continued swelling and the like. It's to his benefit right now that his upper body is less developed. Less strain.

In that respect his outside stroke will actually help him. He can draw the defenders away from the paint and get fewer ath-elites trying to sit on his neck blocking shots etc. If he can avoid the career-changing injury he could be a new archetype for comparison. Not Memo-like not Okur-esque; but fans from other teams will say, we need a Pesh-type: high energy big active 'footer with an outside shot. Like Varejao with a jumpshot.

But if not, he can still slow down to become a Mehmet-mimic. More of a plodder, but the outside shot gets better.

Blatche. I think he'll add a little to his game every year, I'm not too concerned. He doesn't burn as hot, but he's got a steady improvement vibe about him. Remember, Opec has played in pro leagues for a few years. Blatche is just outta highschool and rehab. He looks like he'll add a little to his game every offseason and on-season almost by accident. Seeming to hold still or backslide for a time, then put together a few steps forward. He may not become the superstar his skills hint at, but he'll be a solid pro for many years, putting together a useful toolkit and improving his game year after year.

[fishercob]

This is the greatest thread ever!

[DaRealHibachi]

Has it been 4 years already..???

[nate33]

Blatche is kinda similar to a poor man's Garnett, but Pecherov is nothing like Dirk. Pecherov is more like a Mehmet Okur. He might end up being a move mobile version of Okur, but I don't see him ever having the ball handling skills and shot-creation ability of Dirk.

Years from now, I think Pecherov will be the more valuable player. Blatche definitely has more talent, but I wonder about his work ethic. I know Pecherov is going to keep improving for years. I'm less certain about Blatche.

I stand by my analysis, though I wish I included the "poor man's" modifier when comparing Pecherov to Okur.

Pecherov is indeed more valuable than Blatche because Pecherov is effectively worthless while Blatche's value is negative. I'd rather have Pecherov on this roster earning the vet minimum, than Blatche earning $7M a year.

[fishercob]

nate you pegged Dray's value relative to Pech's perfectly!

[keynote]

[MF23]

Wow @ the comments here.