Could we use a young center next to Al that...

[Coda]

Blocks more shots per minute than Amare, Duncan, DHoward, Yao, Okafor and Bogut?

Gets more rebounds per minute than LMA, RWallace, Okur, Josh Smith, Lebron, David West, and Dirk?
Gets 95% of the rebound per minute of Amare and AJamison?
Gets 90% of the rebounds per minute of KG, Bogut and Odom?

Is a legit 7-footer?

Is only 22 years old?

Would we want such and individual even if he has very little offensive skills and hasn't developed into a dominating force by age 22?

Debate or flame as you see fit!

[C.lupus]

Is this a rhetorical question or do you have a particular player in mind? If it is rhetorical, then my answer is yes. If we have Foye, Al, and another consistent wing scorer, then offense from the C is less important.

[shrink]

I think I know who you're talking about, and I'd say yes, though his limited minutes are a cause for concern with a projection that makes comparisons with KG and Duncan.

[Calinks]

Well who is this mystery player first, then I'll let you know what I think.

[Klomp]

Does it have to be a young guy next to Al? In my mind, there are two guys in the league who would complement Al perfectly. Its too bad one is a free agent this year and the other plays for a division rival.

The two players are Marcus Camby and Kurt Thomas. Both are pretty good defenders, while being able to stretch the defense on offense.

[prefuse73]

this has got to be Sene or O'Bryant, in which case, I would welcome either one provided we don't give up much for Sene and/or we can sign O'bryant on the cheap.

[prefuse73]

If we can get camby with walker/buckner and either boston or miami's 1st next year, then sure. I would like us to improve next year, but I wouldn't mind being in position to draft Thabeet next year. He may be pretty decent after one more year of college ball.

[Worm Guts]

Does it have to be a young guy next to Al? In my mind, there are two guys in the league who would complement Al perfectly. Its too bad one is a free agent this year and the other plays for a division rival.

The two players are Marcus Camby and Kurt Thomas. Both are pretty good defenders, while being able to stretch the defense on offense.

I would say it doesn't have to be a young guy but younger than Camby. Camby is already 34, its unlikely he has more than 2-3 more productive years left and Wolves are still probably 2 years away from competing.

[Coda]

Just checking back. I'm surprised that no one has figured this out. Maybe someone has, and they are afraid to type the name!

One additional clue: This player started most of the past season

Good luck, I think you will be very surprised when you figure out who this mystery man is.

[Devilzsidewalk]

I have zero confidence in Wittman giving a guy like Patrick O'Bryant or any other young center playing time. I thought Richard could've offered a lot more this season, but Wittman would rather play the physically overmatched Gomes/Jefferson frontcourt even against beastly froncourts like Okafor/Mohammed

[mwithers]

He's probably talking about Darko Milicic. He's 22 and 7' and has 1.6 bpg and 6.1 rpg while starting 64 games for Memphis and only averaging 23.8 mpg.

[Devilzsidewalk]

Darko is too psycho, don't want him on the team

[Coda]

mwithers has it.

While looking at per48 stats for center possibilities, I was very surprised to see him up with many of the better shot blockers and rebounders. Makes me rethink my view of the guy. Granted Detroit should have never drafted him where they did. But that doesn't mean he can't develop over time and have a productive career. He has some of the skills we are looking to pair with Al and may (I only said may) have some upside as well.

[shrink]

Well, Darko would probably be attainable on a deal based around expirings and a slight perk. I also believe he has tremendous upside, but that video of his cursing out the refs in Italy was over the top. The salary is a concern, but he's someone I'd consider

BTW, I was wrong about who I thought you were talking about -- my guess after your first post was Jason Smith

www.nba.com/playerfile/jason_smith

[Devilzsidewalk]

Well, Darko would probably be attainable on a deal based around expirings and a slight perk. I also believe he has tremendous upside, but that video of his cursing out the refs in Italy was over the top. The salary is a concern, but he's someone I'd consider

BTW, I was wrong about who I thought you were talking about -- my guess after your first post was Jason Smith

www.nba.com/playerfile/jason_smith

after seeing that, i just can't support having Darko on the team. Not because I was morally distraught after watching it, its just that it shows a lot about his personality and its hard win when you're relying on guys with that kind of mind-set

[C.lupus]

A wise man once said "wierdos don't win championships".

[PeeDee]

What was he like 17 in that video? He had to have been around that age. If I'm pretty sure of one thing, it's that a lot of people are **** when they are that young. I know I was. (no offense to the young posters on this board.)

[Devilzsidewalk]

What was he like 17 in that video? He had to have been around that age. If I'm pretty sure of one thing, it's that a lot of people are **** when they are that young. I know I was. (no offense to the young posters on this board.)

no, that was like a year ago

*edit Sept 6, 2007

[C.lupus]

I'm actually more concerned that he is making $7 million, can't earn more than 24 MPG on losing teams, and hasn't improved his stats over the last three years. I'd offer Jaric straight up and if they balked (which they likely would), then move on. Diop could give us similar numbers for less money.

[Devilzsidewalk]

I really want Diop. I don't know if I mentioned that yet.