No I like to think I am not a homer but I'd like to know where I went wrong Was it Jefferson, Chandler, Nene? Was it Peke because if that is the case then I would understand how I am just such a Homer. Which I am not.
This is perhaps the most idiotic thing I've ever read here. Yao was never and I mean NEVER even close to Dwight defensively. That statement is just pure moronic.
When the Rockets were 3rd and 2nd, Yao played in 48 and 55 games. You're proving my point buddy. Yao was never a great defensive player. Everyone knows this. He never even made a all defensive team.
Yao was a good defensive player, but much of his defensive impact wouldn't show up on the stat-sheet. Yao literally forced opponents to change their shots at the last minute, causing them to miss countless layups and shallow jump-shots. Yao's shot-altering presence is sorely missed. Asik is a more mobile and versatile defensive player, but doesn't alter shots the way Yao did.
He never had to be a great defensive talent. He was big enough to be a clear deterrent for teams driving in the paint. As far a timing, shot-blocking, footwork, etc. I agree he is nowhere near close to the defensive player that Dwight was a couple years ago, but that doesn't mean he wasn't an extremely affective tool in a defensive system.
Haven't read through the thread, but here's my list: Better, right now Dwight Howard - Despite his lower production, he's still better. Marc Gasol Tyson Chandler Joachim Noah Al Horford Andrew Bynum* Brook Lopez - His overall offensive impact > Asik's defensive impact Tim Duncan Probably better, but Asik's playing on their level DeMarcus Cousins Al Jefferson Marcin Gortat Nikola Pekovic Greg Monroe Roy Hibbert - Asik's played better this year, but Hibbert hasn't been himself JaVale McGee - Incredible production, but won't get full PT due to boneheadedness Young Guys Andre Drummond - I'd take him over Asik Larry Sanders - Close. Enes Kanter - Can't tell what he'll do in full PT. Derrick Favors - See above.
Forgot: Nikola Vucevic, under "young guys". He is young and has more 2-way potential Anderson Varajao would go under "better right now" Nene and D.Jordan are on a similar level but Asik is playing better than both.
He's somewhere around 10. Interchangeable with a handful of other centers so he could move up or down spots.
Bogut, before his injury, is one of the best rim protectors in the league. It will all depend on his health. It's not like the guy is injury prone as those are all freak injuries. Al Jefferson, never like the guy. To be an effective post player, you need to be a willing passer. The dude is a black hole. http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-ball-dont-lie/al-jefferson-finally-figured-shooters-help-him-open-001412437.html Realized that after 8 years, and then proceed to be a black hole once again. Roy Hibbert. Not much to say, except that he regressed. Nene is anchoring a top 5 defense in Washington. There's the reason why Morey coveted him. He does have the nagging injury problem. Pekovic, good man defense, poor help defense. His offensive skill is legit though. Brook Lopez's PER is 25.0 and his WS/48 is .184 this season. That's star level, and his defense improved also. His rebounding rate is back at his rookie level, which is not too bad. His vanilla multi-years RAPM/xRAPM is trending upward. Bosh shows he can be a pretty good #1 option in Toronto. Anyway, he's more a PF than a C. Monroe is the opposite of Asik. Great offense, bad defense. Cousins, overrated post game and shoot too much long range 2s, but he's oozing with talent. Andrew Bynum - Knee shot. Pau Gasol - Too old, but short contract make him a decent rental. If the Rockets get him... he's most effective when he plays the C position. So there's that.
