_BBIB_ wrote:-= original quote snipped =-
Again you have not watched Amare develop this season if you don't think he has improved defensively. He is a helluva lot better.
In fact I was selling him short. He's the 2nd most efficient player in the entire league this year. He's improved vastly at contesting shots this year. He is nearly averaging 10 RPG for the first time in his career.
He is a much more complete player. He may not be an 1st team All-NBA defender, but the idea that you have to be THAT good a defender just to be considered a superstar IMO is fallacious.
Just don't be a liability defensively which Amare doesn't look like anymore.
Beasley is incredibly strong for a 19 year old kid and has the frame to add even more weight. If there is a defender too physical for him to power, he can beat him with finesse. Im telling you guys this guy is going to be a nightmare to defend. I can't wait to revisit these threads
Amare has improved defnesively, but he's still an average defender at best, which is incredibly frustrating if you're a fan of his b/c of his potential on defense with his size, strength and athleticism.
As for offensively, he benefits greatly from not only playing that fast system and with Steve nash, but also due to the fact that Shaq's on that team now. His stats have gone up significantly with O'Neal on the team providing another legitimate threat inside. No other premier big in the league has anyone close to as good as Shaq playing next to them, and no one gets setup for more easy buckets with the exception of maybe Chandler.
Again, all this I'm saying isn't a slight to Amare or Beasley. As I've said before, even after Rose's tournament performance, I'd pick Beasley number 1, regardless of who I have on my team. But just don't expect him to be in that upper eschelon of pf's.