Fried Chicken and Bonghits: The Al Jefferson Thread 2.0

[Mystical Apples]

Using a ton of cap space on an center would be a poor use of resources for this team. The frontcourt needs a lengthy defensive big who moves the ball and doesn't need touches (the opposite of Whiteside). The focus will be upgrading the point guard spot and either resigning Batum or another wing

[MasterIchiro]

Using a ton of cap space on an center would be a poor use of resources for this team. The frontcourt needs a lengthy defensive big who moves the ball and doesn't need touches (the opposite of Whiteside). The focus will be upgrading the point guard spot and either resigning Batum or another wing

JDR was saying we have enough to sign Batum and still have 30 million.

[yosemiteben]

He's playing against backups mostly.

I was referring to last year, when he started.

So, to be clear, your argument is that you don't think Cody can start because his defense isn't good enough?

[Braggins]

I do like Cody at center, but I would love to get someone like Horford or Whiteside. I would much prefer Horford, but that aint happening. Whiteside being from NC makes thing interesting. I don't care for his BBIQ but all the tools are there and we could potentially be a defensive powerhouse with him owning the paint.

[MasterIchiro]

He's playing against backups mostly.

I was referring to last year, when he started.

So, to be clear, your argument is that you don't think Cody can start because his defense isn't good enough?

He was a starting center last year?

[MasterIchiro]

I do like Cody at center, but I would love to get someone like Horford or Whiteside. I would much prefer Horford, but that aint happening. Whiteside being from NC makes thing interesting. I don't care for his BBIQ but all the tools are there and we could potentially be a defensive powerhouse with him owning the paint.

Upthread someone was saying Whiteside needs to many touches to be effective.

[yosemiteben]

Using a ton of cap space on an center would be a poor use of resources for this team. The frontcourt needs a lengthy defensive big who moves the ball and doesn't need touches (the opposite of Whiteside). The focus will be upgrading the point guard spot and either resigning Batum or another wing

JDR was saying we have enough to sign Batum and still have 30 million.

If he said that then he was wrong.

We have around $40M in cap space for next season. Batum is likely to get a near max, there are too many teams with cap space and too few wing FAs next summer. Let's assume we spend $20M per year on Batum (highly likely and worth it IMO). We'll then have $20M to fill 6 roster spots, and that still leaves Marv as an UFA.

ETA: And that assumes Lin exercises his player option for next season, which is highly unlikely IMO. We probably won't be able to resign both Marv and Lin unless both give us discounts.

[yosemiteben]

He's playing against backups mostly.

I was referring to last year, when he started.

So, to be clear, your argument is that you don't think Cody can start because his defense isn't good enough?

He was a starting center last year?

I'll take that as a yes.

[MasterIchiro]

I was referring to last year, when he started.

So, to be clear, your argument is that you don't think Cody can start because his defense isn't good enough?

He was a starting center last year?

I'll take that as a yes.

Take it as you wish.

[JDR720]

Cody would be fine as a starting C.

I dont think he is strong enough/good enough rebounder to guard most starting centers.

[Braggins]

I do like Cody at center, but I would love to get someone like Horford or Whiteside. I would much prefer Horford, but that aint happening. Whiteside being from NC makes thing interesting. I don't care for his BBIQ but all the tools are there and we could potentially be a defensive powerhouse with him owning the paint.

Upthread someone was saying Whiteside needs to many touches to be effective.

Hmm. Hes averaging 10.5 shots per game this season in about 30 minutes. I haven't seen him play a ton, but I wasn't really under the impression that he was a high usage player or someone that demanded the ball a lot.

[JDR720]

Using a ton of cap space on an center would be a poor use of resources for this team. The frontcourt needs a lengthy defensive big who moves the ball and doesn't need touches (the opposite of Whiteside). The focus will be upgrading the point guard spot and either resigning Batum or another wing

JDR was saying we have enough to sign Batum and still have 30 million.

If he said that then he was wrong.

We have around $40M in cap space for next season. Batum is likely to get a near max, there are too many teams with cap space and too few wing FAs next summer. Let's assume we spend $20M per year on Batum (highly likely and worth it IMO). We'll then have $20M to fill 6 roster spots, and that still leaves Marv as an UFA.

that guess was based on when the cap goes up to like 100 million in a few years. resign batum now + the other guys we have on pretty cheap contracts by then (Lmab/MKG/Kemba/Frank etc) should leave us plenty of cap money.

[MasterIchiro]

Cody would be fine as a starting C.

I dont think he is strong enough/good enough rebounder to guard most starting centers.

Yup. It's a dangerous experiment. He hasn't been asked to guard starting centers. He's been asked to hit jumpers and expand his shot to the 3-pt line.

[Mystical Apples]

Using a ton of cap space on an center would be a poor use of resources for this team. The frontcourt needs a lengthy defensive big who moves the ball and doesn't need touches (the opposite of Whiteside). The focus will be upgrading the point guard spot and either resigning Batum or another wing

JDR was saying we have enough to sign Batum and still have 30 million.

Outside of major injury Lin will be a free agent next summer but the 1st round draft pick makes it a wash. Assuming $50 million in active contracts that's around $40 million for FA. Assigning Batum a $22 million annual salary (give or take who knows) leaves approximately $18 million when factoring the MKG and Lamb deals.

Hopefully they'll acquire a target in-season via trade on a longer contract. Then resign Batum and use the remaining money or trade on a secondary but needed frontcourt defender. That would be ideal.

http://www.spotrac.com/nba/charlotte-hornets/cap/2016/

[yosemiteben]

Cody would be fine as a starting C.

I dont think he is strong enough/good enough rebounder to guard most starting centers.

Yup. It's a dangerous experiment. He hasn't been asked to guard starting centers. He's been asked to hit jumpers and expand his shot to the 3-pt line.

Well we have been one of the most dominant defensive rebounding teams in NBA history the last two seasons and are on pace to again this season, so I'm not too worried about our rebounding. Our fans seriously underestimate the dominance of this team on the defensive glass under Cliff regardless of our personnel, it's been amazing.

I think Cody has proven to be a more than competent defender. I don't understand how we can see how this team has performed on defense the last two seasons with Al as our center, then say we are worried about Cody's defense.

[Mystical Apples]

Either way point guard is the major priority

[mrknowitall215]

Cody would be fine as a backup C.

FTFY QFT

[Mystical Apples]

I dont think he is strong enough/good enough rebounder to guard most starting centers.

Yup. It's a dangerous experiment. He hasn't been asked to guard starting centers. He's been asked to hit jumpers and expand his shot to the 3-pt line.

Well we have been one of the most dominant defensive rebounding teams in NBA history the last two seasons and are on pace to again this season, so I'm not too worried about our rebounding. Our fans seriously underestimate the dominance of this team on the defensive glass under Cliff regardless of our personnel, it's been amazing.

I think Cody has proven to be a more than competent defender. I don't understand how we can see how this team has performed on defense the last two seasons with Al as our center, then say we are worried about Cody's defense.

yep in the absence an expensive center lengthy wings plus mobile bigs can accomplish the same thing. Charlotte's defensive rebounding is impressive and relatively because of forward and guard activity.

[Liver_Pooty]

Either way point guard is the major priority

This.

[JDR720]

I dont think he is strong enough/good enough rebounder to guard most starting centers.

Yup. It's a dangerous experiment. He hasn't been asked to guard starting centers. He's been asked to hit jumpers and expand his shot to the 3-pt line.

Well we have been one of the most dominant defensive rebounding teams in NBA history the last two seasons and are on pace to again this season, so I'm not too worried about our rebounding. Our fans seriously underestimate the dominance of this team on the defensive glass under Cliff regardless of our personnel, it's been amazing.

I think Cody has proven to be a more than competent defender. I don't understand how we can see how this team has performed on defense the last two seasons with Al as our center, then say we are worried about Cody's defense.

Its more about Cody being overpowered by centers that have 35+ pounds on him, not to mention a lot more length/higher reach than he does which will hurt his rebounding. His defense is good, mainly his perimeter defense which would most likely be useless vs centers who mostly stay in/around the paint.

Al is at least large enough to take up some space and not get overpowered easily.