Lively was taken at 12. Rockets can go get Hartenstein or trade up to draft Edey. Clingan is better defensively and probably the best defensive center prospect in a minute. He is easier to replicate than Reed Sheppard though. Though there is something to be said that Clingan would be one of the few humans on the planet that could guard Jokic/Embiid 1v1 and not need help.
This Steven Adams from a couple of yrs ago? YES. But we don't know what he's going to look like now! Let’s hope not this ^ I don't know how we as fans can not see that we do not need a center who can defend. These playoffs have been physical and defensive. Dallas was going through Chet AND over the top of him too, which is the main reason which is the main reason OKC lost the series. The Minn vs Denver series will be decided in the paint. The Knicks are able to hang with the Pacers, even with all of their injuries, because of Hardenstien in the middle. Sure Brunson is a monster but Hardenstien has been manning the middle; with rebounding and block shots. All we can count on so far is Sengun and defense is not his forte, Adams is a big guy, over 30yrs old coming off of a leg injury and Landale, is not someone who I think any of us wants. I would LOVE either Sarr or Clingan but I can live with Ware. However, WE NEED A CENTER!
So the way you judge defensive players hinges entirely on if they've ever been dunked on before? LOL, that really does explain quite a bit of the discourse we've seen around here lately.
Boston is in the finals and has not played with a center since their only one is injured. If denver wins tonight, they will also have made the finals without a defensive center.
Our starting center is one of the more athletic centers in the NBA. Our backup center is one of the strongest guys in the NBA. In theory, you could think about eventually replacing the 3rd string center (Jock Landale) with a super long, bouncy lob threat/rim protector dude with limited skills (you can pick these types of guys off waivers, like Mo Bamba/Bol Bol), but I don't see how it makes a big difference. The center position is our strongest position, since we got Steven Adams to back up Alpi.
Jaxson Hayes would be the kind of guy you could give a minimum contract to as a 3rd string center. He can jump...not much else. Dumb fans like that kind of player a lot, and overvalue them, because they get the occasional highlight dunk. Those are the low IQ fans who like low IQ players like Stromile Swift.
Just an example. But we don't know what a 30yr old big is going to be after, coming off of a leg injury and being out for over a yr. The Texans drafted an OT in Rnd 2, which I thought was smart. Both of their OTs were injured last yr. and although football and basketball is different, you just don't know what players are going to be like coming off injuries.
Jokic is big and he has extremely long arms. He can effect opposing players with his standing reach, plus he can rebound outside.of his area, without jumping.....he is an enigma.
It's a simpleton's idea of an example. Adams is 30, but he's always been a plus defensive big and is more than competent to be a backup defensive big. Showing a random poster is either dishonest or indicates that you judge defense based on a child's understanding of the game. The Rockets currently have 3 centers on the roster, a very good starter, a plus backup, and a plus 3rd string guy. It's the deepest position on the roster.
he's an amazing rebounder, but he's a horrible rim protector. The main part of defense for a center he sucks at, nobody is afraid to go at him.
If you think Sengun is one of the more athletic centers in the NBA. There's no reason for us to debate this issue.
He's not a defensive center in the sense of rim protection, however because of his size and arm length, he defends just by his position. No, he does not jump....he can't jump! But what he does is he blocks the basket. And with his standing reach, it makes it harder for some players to get a clean look. That's what Im saying.
Completely untrue, teams drive at him like he's not there. He does not block the basket at all, and guys get great looks against him constantly.
jus sayin - its all in flux... its a copycat league... Seems everything is 'the only way' - until the next guy has success doing something else... lol. "Bigs are unplayable - too detrimental on D..." "It's all about outscoring your opponent - defense doesnt really matter..." "3 is more than 2 - its all about the 3ball..." "U gotta have superstars..." "U gotta trust the process..." etc etc... lol...
