trast66 wrote:nate33 wrote:80sballboy wrote:Win or lose, I have to say I'm impressed with Parker and Portis. I don't know if either is a starter on a good team and they are certainly taking advantage of bad teams or one like Minnesota, who is basically close to tanking. Take away what they will be asking for, assuming Portis still wants his $14-16M, I wouldn't mind having at least one back but for a lot less than that. I don't care what the defensive metrics say, Parker can help you off the bench with his size, his passing, his versatility, but I wouldn't even pay him half that $20M TO. Portis can be a stetch 5 but his lack of foot speed and athleticism eliminates his ability to protect the paint. His lack of elevation also shows in his inability to convert some puppies.
But both can be useful role players and they play hard. At least with a contract in sight.
Agreed.
I'd be fine if we brought one of them back. I don't think we can bring back both though. That's too much money for not enough defense. Portis has been a slightly better player statistically, but my eye test says that Parker is more talented. The Wizards are a long way away from competing for a title, so I think we're better off taking the high risk high reward gamble on Parker. Also, Parker will probably be cheaper. Finally, we've got no clear cut option for a starting PF of the future, whereas we already have Bryant slotted as the center for the future.
We would be the worst defensive team in the league.
What can I tell you. Good defensive bigs are hard to find.
The alternative is to not sign either Parker or Portis and try and find a starting caliber forward who plays good D with the MLE. That's no easy task.