Germany Looking to Adopt Chris Kaman

[mkwest]

Kaman contributed 20 (8-12 shooting) points, 4 rebounds & 2 blocks in 21 minutes action to help Dirk & Germany beat New Zealand 89-71.

Boxscore

[Point forward]

QF match now, Germany screwing Brazil (sans Nene, Varejao, Barbosa) apart with 45-26 at halftime. Dirk is leading the way as usual, and Kaman is concentrating on controlling the boards and playing some tough D.

[Point forward]

Dirk on O and Kaman on D lead GER to an easy win. Kaman impresses with a double double (12/13) with a half dozen blocked shots and looking very strong on D.

[loflin3hree5ive]

Thanks for the update. Very encouraging.

[Point forward]

GER loses vs CRO, and Kaman is neither good nor bad (12 points but foul trouble). Let's see how the last match turns out.

[thanumba2clippersfan]

I'm glad to hear an update on Kaman. I hope that he doesn't get hurt or that this extra play in the Olympics makes him fatigued during the regular season.

Is it true that Kaman's grandparents are German?

[mkwest]

I'm glad to hear an update on Kaman. I hope that he doesn't get hurt or that this extra play in the Olympics makes him fatigued during the regular season.

Is it true that Kaman's grandparents are German?

I think it was his great grandparents. I read that he had some ankle soreness in his 2nd game. I'm not sure if that's the same ankle he sprained last season though.

[SaintofKillers]

Kaman is godlike on the German team which I'm glad to see as Dirk has never played with a low post threat before. Is there no limit to his offensive arsenal? Every time he gets deep, it's an automatic two. Your only option is to sag off and make him shoot jumpers but he sticks it in your face too.

If only they ran more plays for him, fixed the idiotic substitution patterns, and he didn't get into too much foul trouble there's no question he'll be killing.

[Point forward]

YES BEIJING HERE WE COME GER 96 PUR 82

Kaman was GOLD today, he went for 12/13 and played some SICK defense down low. He already had 9 rebounds at halftime and did the dirty work for Dirk, who torched PUR in return. Kaman is most def an asset for us.

He is still a bit foul prone and visibly un-integrated into our offensive schemes, but gawd, his presence alone makes the team better. He makes easy points down low and is such a defensive wall for the other team. He looks like a young Zo Mourning out there, hustling and banging people around... and he is only at maybe 60%. CK, Germany is proud of you!!

[Det the Threat]

YES BEIJING HERE WE COME GER 96 PUR 82

Kaman was GOLD today, he went for 12/13 and played some SICK defense down low. He already had 9 rebounds at halftime and did the dirty work for Dirk, who torched PUR in return. Kaman is most def an asset for us.

He is still a bit foul prone and visibly un-integrated into our offensive schemes, but gawd, his presence alone makes the team better. He makes easy points down low and is such a defensive wall for the other team. He looks like a young Zo Mourning out there, hustling and banging people around... and he is only at maybe 60%. CK, Germany is proud of you!!

+1

We finally made it!!!!!!

[JJ LoDuca]

God-like, unlimited offensive arsenal, gold?? Words I never thought would describe anything about Kaman. Thanks to those of you who have been keeping us updated on our center!

[SaintofKillers]

^ In FIBA he is. He looks like a totally different player here. For one, his jump shot is almost automatic now, he can even hit it by fading away to the middle ala Jermaine O'Neal. The lack of 3-second rules hides some of his defensive inadequacies since he and Dirk do a nice job just clogging the interior. But in the low post? He's nearly NBA-level Tim Duncan.

The scary thing is he has yet to fully grasp the system since he only arrived a week ago and he has problems with the ball so he often fumbles passes but once he does, I expect an even deadlier Kaman.

[JJ LoDuca]

^ Good info. FIBA competition isn't exactly NBA-level, but its good to hear about his bright spots. However, I have to say, don't expect him to get sharp with those catches-- he fumbles the ball like he plays with baseball gloves all the time (less now that Livingston isn't firing passes at his head). I think it has some to do with him not paying full attention (he has that super-fast brain activity, remember).

[GuyverX]

Nice to hear his jumper is looking good...although that can be a double edged sword if he goes to that more than his low post game (like he did towards the end of the season). But yeah, he's going to fumble some passes no matter how well he's a accustomed to the system.

[mkwest]

It's great to hear that his jumper is improving. I like that his offensive repertoire his expanding, but sometimes I would just like to see him just slam it with authority. He attempted more dunks last season, but it seems that he has to pretty much be pissed to do it.

[SaintofKillers]

Yeah, it's a double-edged sword but I like that he's not falling in love with it and that he's patient. He'll face up and survey the situation -- find cutters and if nothing's developing, he'll back them down.

And thanks for bringing it up because I forgot about it: he certainly lacks explosion. He's unstoppable around the rim and has some nice finesse moves but I'd like to see him throw it down and go strong. There was one play where he split a double team easily, got inside and laid it up softly with both hands like he's trying to put a crown and it rolled out. He's got decent hops and the upper body to dunk the ball, it's definitely a mental thing.