Offseason Center Targets

Jimmy76 · Post #1 » by **Jimmy76** » Wed Jan 12, 2011 9:31 pm

Just a brief glance over the options:

Perkins- An excellent post defender, good overall defender, solid rebounder but turnover prone compared to his offensive contributions. Took a hometown discount with his last contract and probably wants to stay in Boston but he's unrestricted.

Deandre Jordan- Extremely athletic though a little short on fundamentals and BBIQ and horrifically bad ft shooter but proving that he can play in the NBA this year. Restricted but will Sterling pay up for Jordan with another big money center on the roster that probably can't be moved along with a Gordon extension coming up and Davis still making 13-14 million?

Marc Gasol- Solid all around center and would add some passing to our front court which would be a new and nice element to have. Restricted but a famously cheap organization like the clippers. If memphis is still high on thabeet where do they slot him in? Are they willing to pay both Randolph and Gasol?

Nene- Older than the others but low on minutes thanks to injury issues earlier in his career (perfectly healthy last 3 years.) Not a great rebounder but a good defender and extremely efficient from a scoring and turnover perspective. Like Gasol an underrated passer (not amazing but better than any bigs we have now.) Would be nice to have a vet presence as well. Unrestricted and might be easier to grab if Denver doesn't see him as part of rebuilding.

Post #2 » by **slick_watts** » Wed Jan 12, 2011 9:52 pm

Nice breakdown.

I think, ultimately, what type of center you go for depends on whether or not you beleive Serge Ibaka is the PF of the future. Of the availble players, I think Marc Gasol represents the best fit next to Serge. He has a refined game, understands the nuances of position and at 25 years old he's still young enough to fit with what the Thunder are doing. A Gasol / Ibaka starting front court would offer terrific balance.

dream_catcher_9 · Post #3 » by **dream_catcher_9** » Wed Jan 12, 2011 10:13 pm

I think our big addition will be Cole Aldrich. I know he is in the d-league now, but he brings things to the table that we need at a real cheap price for the foreseeable future. Defense, boxing out, setting screens, efficient offense.

Post #4 » by **slick_watts** » Wed Jan 12, 2011 10:25 pm

The two games I watched Aldrich play he did not look good. My hopes are much lower than they were in the summer. I wouldn't hold off on acquiring a center with the expectation that Aldrich will develop...

dream_catcher_9 · Post #5 » by **dream_catcher_9** » Wed Jan 12, 2011 10:35 pm

That's only 2 games. He still has shown the ability to block shots, be physical, and set good screens. Give him some time.

Jimmy76 · Post #6 » by **Jimmy76** » Wed Jan 12, 2011 10:41 pm

I haven't given up on aldrich but he isn't a sure enough thing that we don't sign a definitely good center if we get the chance

Post #7 » by **slick_watts** » Wed Jan 12, 2011 10:43 pm

Jimmy76 wrote:I haven't given up on aldrich but he isn't a sure enough thing that we don't sign a definitely good center if we get the chance

Right.. I haven't given up on him, either, but if the guy can't even get out of the D-League (where he isn't even the best player on his team), then Sam Presti isn't going to sit on his hands and do nothing in his last year of cap flexibility. That's just naive and silly (or cheap, which I'm not eliminating as a possibility).

Balkman32 · Post #8 » by **Balkman32** » Wed Jan 12, 2011 11:01 pm

Who is the best player on the 66ers?

Post #9 » by **slick_watts** » Wed Jan 12, 2011 11:03 pm

Balkman32 wrote:Who is the best player on the 66ers?

From what I've seen / heard, Latavious Williams has been the most impressive.

wiff · Post #10 » by **wiff** » Wed Jan 12, 2011 11:35 pm

Honestly I'd be ok with any of those guys. Jordan the least favorite but would still go for it since the kid can jump out of the gym. He's a very big kid too. Pretty mobile.

I have questions about Perkins health, obviously he needs to get some minutes and show he can still play, but if he keeps doing what he was doing Perkins is the kind of guy this team can use. A very solid defensive anchor. He isn't spectacular but he gets it done.

I do think Gasol would really help this team a ton in the post. I agree with Slick I think Gasol is a very good compliment to Ibaka as well.

I don't think you can really go wrong with any of these guys for what the Thunder need. Even Nene.

I'd love to get Noah but it looks like he's untouchable.

But it's time this organization lands a Center. This franchise and the one they are about to inherit haven't had a legitimate center since Jack Sikma in 1986.

I really like Harden but I'd have no problem giving up Harden and hopefully an extended Jeff Green along with more parts to bring in a top 5 Center.

Dwight Howard is out there.

Why not just announce you are after him Presti?

Howard, Ibaka, Durant, Thabo and Westbrook.

With that team Durant could average 35 and Westbrook could go for 25. Howard, Ibaka and Thabo won't score like nuts but their defense will be. Those three along with both Durant and Westbrook that could potentially be a hall of fame defense. Everyone of those guy can lock someone up.

Anyway all solid ideas. Well except for Thabeet. I was hot on the kid in college. But I don't think he is going to get much better unfortunately. I love the kids size. But he just seems to be ineffective.

Devilanche · Post #11 » by **Devilanche** » Thu Jan 13, 2011 2:56 am

dream_catcher_9 wrote:I think our big addition will be Cole Aldrich. I know he is in the d-league now, but he brings things to the table that we need at a real cheap price for the foreseeable future. Defense, boxing out, setting screens, efficient offense.

I think it'll be a hopeful move to project him even as 9th man of the rotation so long as we don't get to see him in regular or even garbage minutes yet.dj white did well in d league last season and when green was out but he didn't get worked into the rotation so that's alot we got to be hopeful on.

We already got at least 7 of the rotation set with the unknown being who fill green and krstic slot.I really prefer we signing 1 center and 1 of our own stepping up. Collsion and ibaka are not center unless we want to go small.

I'll be over the moon with either Perkins/gasol/deandre/nene.

bbms · Post #12 » by **bbms** » Thu Jan 13, 2011 3:04 am

Marc Gasol over Nene, Nene over Perkins, Perkins over Jordan.

The difference between Nene and Marc it's Marc's age and size.

Devilanche · Post #13 » by **Devilanche** » Thu Jan 13, 2011 3:07 am

I rather buy potential. Deandre over Perkins. Perkins is older , his offense is as good as it'll be. Deandre blocking beside ibaka will be a treat to watch better than a slam dunk contest.
BUT Perkins playoff experience is so damn attractive

Clangus · Post #14 » by **Clangus** » Thu Jan 13, 2011 4:40 am

Gasol is my favorite option.

BadWolf · Post #15 » by **BadWolf** » Fri Jan 14, 2011 11:44 am

hope for Aldrich
nene over Jordan over perkins over gasol
gasol is just to similar to krstic
Nene would be a perfect fit

of the less available guys
d12, then bogut, then horford

Devilanche · Post #16 » by **Devilanche** » Fri Jan 14, 2011 1:33 pm

BadWolf wrote:
of the less available guys
d12, then bogut, then horford

lol that's an understatement.
I do prefer Bogut Defence o Horford offence though.

edit: stats wise seemed that Krstic had a great game last night. I didnt manage to watch it but it seems that although he did well in the first half with 10pts/9 rebounds yet only played around 23mins. Too bad Brooks is stubborn on a 9 man rotation. Would love to keep him as part of a 10 man rotation.

bbms · Post #17 » by **bbms** » Fri Jan 14, 2011 3:58 pm

Yeah, Krstic is like Snorlax.

He played really good first quarter.

Hoopz Afrik · Post #18 » by **Hoopz Afrik** » Sat Jan 15, 2011 5:21 pm

This might be out of left field but what about some kind of move for Chris Kaman (considering he comes back healthy). Provides a legit post threat and I think compliments Serge pretty well.

fallacy · Post #19 » by **fallacy** » Sat Jan 15, 2011 6:55 pm

LeBron_da_Don wrote:This might be out of left field but what about some kind of move for Chris Kaman (considering he comes back healthy). Provides a legit post threat and I think compliments Serge pretty well.

Kaman is a ball hog who doesn't play defense.

The exact opposite of what we need

Post #20 » by **sonictecture** » Sun Jan 16, 2011 1:39 am

I think Kaman's reputation as a ball hog or a turnover machine are a little overblown. Within the context of his career with the Clippers he's been asked to play numerous roles on the team, from primary option, which he struggled with in terms of efficiency, but Kaman wouldn't be the first option with OKC.

What Kaman can do is score from the low post, mid post and elbows. Kaman isn't a dominate rebounder, but seems to represent an improvement and probably becomes the teams best rebounder. Defensively, Kaman has size and within a good team defensive scheme should be no worse than M. Gasol. Kaman's age fits within the targeted range and he may actually be attainable.

My primary concern regarding Kaman is lack of health.