Our team assessment so far...

[parson]

... we're a good defensive team and a poor offensive one.

Surprised? According to this: http://www.basketball-reference.com/lea ... tings.html we're 10th in the NBA in defense (adjusted for strength of opponent offense) but we're 23rd in offense (again, adjusted for strength of opponent defense). That gives us a net rating (adjusted) of 20th.

Not sure what to make of this. When I watch the games, I see us being killed by 2s and 3s. It appears we're poor defenders on the perimeter. I see that we are weak so far as rebounding goes. It appears we're poor defensive rebounders.

Yet, apparently, offense is our weakness.

Sample size still too small, perhaps?

[Jamaaliver]

We need a wing player with size who can play both defense AND offense. All of our current options can only do one or the other.

We need a second ball handler who can consistently create for others.

We need a veteran PG to backup Teague.

[Jamaaliver]

OH, and a Center capable of putting up big numbers either starting or off the bench. Our current crop of backup bigs are terrible...

[parson]

We need a wing player with size who can play both defense AND offense. All of our current options can only do one or the other.

No argument. However, you do realize you're describing an allstar, right?

[parson]

If we could get a Center for a pick, I'd love to see how Millsap could handle the 3.

[Jamaaliver]

We need a wing player with size who can play both defense AND offense. All of our current options can only do one or the other.

No argument. However, you do realize you're describing an allstar, right?

LOL, I was trying to describe Evan Turner. An acquisition I desperately wish we'd made last season. Turner and Hawes would have been a huge help last playoffs against Indiana (Paul George may have had to actually play defense) and this season.

If we could get a Center for a pick, I'd love to see how Millsap could handle the 3.

On that, I must respectfully disagree. Millsap is too effective at PF to switch. Plus we've seen the results during his last two years in Utah. The Jazz had difficulty finding PT for him at the 4 with Derrick Favors/AL Jefferson/Enes Kanter all warranting time in their very crowded frontcourt.

Millsap's reception to and production while playing SF was not very encouraging.

[Rip2137]

Millsaps reaction to playing the 3 was disappointing. The Jazz didn't have difficulty finding time playing him at the 4....they gave him all the minutes there basically which is why so many Jazz fans wanted him gone. Favors looked better defensively by a wide margin and not far off offensively.

Millsap can dominate at the 3 if he goes to the block, but sadly, he turns into a jumpshooting 3 that doesn't defend well there either.

I honestly think Mike Scott could be a pretty solid 3 for us, but the starting unit needs Korvers spacing far too much to move him to the bench and he is too much of a defensive liability at the 2.

I would love a upgrade at the 2 (Carrol is a bench guy) but I think we are a solid team right now as built.

I will throw in I am still a non believer in Evan Turner despite his start.

[parson]

LOL, I was trying to describe Evan Turner. An acquisition I desperately wish we'd made last season.

You threw me off with the "with size" description. Turner's not a big 3.

Turner and Hawes would have been a huge help last playoffs against Indiana (Paul George may have had to actually play defense) and this season.

Then we couldn't have signed Millsap. I'm just not a fan of Hawes. And, in Antic, we have someone who is a lesser version of Hawes.

Millsap's reception to and production while playing SF was not very encouraging.

Then we may lose him (to trade). If we ever acquire a true Center (didn't you comment we have an undersized Center and an undersized PF?) and if Millsap will not play SF, what's left?

[MaceCase]

If we ever acquire a true Center (didn't you comment we have an undersized Center and an undersized PF?) and if Millsap will not play SF, what's left?

A rotation.

Can't play 48 minutes a night so someone goes to the bench.......unless said center also has the qualifiers of being ridiculously overpaid and/or an All Star actually deserving of extended minutes but even then look no further than Detroit's handling of Josh, Monroe and Drummond compared to the Lakers handling of Pau, Bynum and Odom.

[Jamaaliver]

Then we may lose him (to trade). If we ever acquire a true Center (didn't you comment we have an undersized Center and an undersized PF?) and if Millsap will not play SF, what's left?

Then we couldn't have signed Millsap. I'm just not a fan of Hawes. And, in Antic, we have someone who is a lesser version of Hawes.

I like Millsap's game very much. But i don't believe he is a long term solution. I view him as more of a stopgap, unless there really was a handshake agreement on that short deal we gave him.

I understand your view of Hawes. But from a production standpoint, the 30+ points, 15+ rebounds, ballhandling, we could have gotten from the Turner/Hawes combo would be very useful. And even better, they'd make solid trade pieces as they approach Free Agency....maybe even enough to get a shot at Asik.

[theatlfan]

I like Millsap's game very much. But i don't believe he is a long term solution. I view him as more of a stopgap, unless there really was a handshake agreement on that short deal we gave him.

The two year contact gives us Early Bird Rights to Millsap after next season meaning we can go over the cap to sign him and give him a contract up to $16.625M (or the max... whichever is less).

Only mention this to mean that there isn't really a need for a handshake agreement. Having the ability to go over the cap and offer really whatever we want is quite enough to give even without an official handshake.