Realistically, we had zero chance. Melo was always going to the Knicks; the wait was just a formality. And I don't think we were ever close to Deron. And we have zero chance at Dwight.
He says "I don't know what else I can do." I have an idea... how about playing well in the 4th quarter. How about working on your game so that the team actually rely on you in the post, rather than scoring being a non factor in the playoffs when teams double you. How about learning how to shoot free throws. How about playing man defense instead of going for every fake a skilled post player throws your way. This guy will NEVER be great, if he really believes that he does not know what else he can do. His game is full of warts, most of which he can fix fairly easily. He is the best center in a very weak NBA, but he is not Olajuwon, Robinson, Shaq or even Ewing.
Umm... the guy is already great. Can he be greater? Sure. He can improve his post game even more. There is no reason why he can't average 25-27ppg with the pathetic big men that are his peers. And he can improve on his ft shooting. He's a top 3 player in the NBA, by all positions. And this is one of the most talented eras in basketball.
Maybe for guards and fowards but the center position right now in the NBA is at an all time low quality. With Yao and Shaq retiring, the dominant big man era is gone. Dwight is the lone big man. I mean, Kelvin Cato would probably be a top 5 center in today's NBA.
No, it is not one of the most talented era's in basketball. Furthermore, being the best center in this era is nifty, but nothing that great. He couldn't even play Yao well. He is an all star, but he is not "great". He cannot consistently carry a team down the stretch. He commits stupid fouls, struggles against doubles, does not fight for positioning and too often is no where to be found at the end of games. That smells of very good, not great.... further, his attitude, that he "does not know what else he can do", does not bode well for him ever being great.
In general, it is; it's one of the best eras for PGs (Rose/Westbrook/Paul/Deron/Rondo/Nash/Wall), SGs (Kobe/Wade), SFs (Bron/Durant/Melo), and PFs (Griffin/Zbo/Amare/Love/Bosh/LMA). And other guys on the come up. But yes, it's a down era for centers(very down). But still, he's a top 3 player in today's league. And if he is more dominant offensively, he can be #1.
Haha, I'm just being devil's advocate but ... How many championships in the past 10 years have been won by an inside-outside duo with no depth otherwise? Sounds like the Rockets formula for (arguably) the most frustrating five years in franchise history (2004-2009).
I'll give you PGs, but it gets very blurry and debatable after that. I would argue that there is definitely not a rich abundance of great or SGs OR SFs in the league, for example.
CP3 and Dwight would be the best duo the NBA has to offer out of any possible duo there could be in the NBA.
How can anyone say Dwight isnt great??.. If youre measuring greatness to how your idols played in the 80's/early 90's then why not just lockdock the HOF... Since no one is worthy because they dont compare statistically to the Jordan's, Kobe's , and Hakeems... Give this man his due.... It aint his fault he head and shoulders better than the 2nd best center...
SFs? Really? LeBron Melo KD Pierce Gay Granger Wallace Deng etc. There's quite a few good SFs in the league. I agree that SGs may not be at that same level.
Clippers would still have their young players, cap space, and that Minny 2012 draft pick to acquire depth.
First of all, Wall doesn't belong on that list, and Westbrook/Rondo are debatable. Late 80's had PG's (Magic, Stockton, Isiah, Mark Price), SF's (Bird, Wilkins, Pippen, Worthy, King, Chambers), SG's (Jordan, Drexler, Dumars (and arguably English, Blackman)), and PFs (Malone, Barkley, McHale, Rodman).
so youre laying Mark Price is better than Westbrook and Wall?(of course as of now ,absolutely)... All those people you mentioned besides the obvious ones(Jordan,Magic,Malone,Barkley,Bird) all have people in this era that would compare favorably to them.... and by the end of their careers would prob be better statistically... Its crazy how yall define greatness toward old schoolers because basically they're old school in comparison to present day stars...
Yes, Price is better than Westrbook and Wall. Both of those guys are young and have the potential to become better than he was, but as of now neither is better. I'm actually sure the Thunder would be better with Price because he can pass and shoot, something their current PG struggles with at times.
But could price get 6 rbs a game.. or stay in front of these athletic PG's in Sg's bodies??... Sorry but Price would be 6th man at best in todays NBA ... But will I penalize his NBA legacy for that ?...No (and neither will most of you)... But you'll penalize Westbrook because he didnt play in Price's era...
No, we penalize Westbrook b/c he's not a good perimeter shooter and doesn't have good court vision or particularly high basketball IQ. Right now, Steve Nash can't get 6 rebounds a game, and he can't stay in front of these athletic PG's. Does that mean he should be coming off the bench? Prime Price could start (and be an upgrade) for almost any team that isnt PG-centric (Dallas, OKC, Miami, LAL, Orlando, Toronto, etc... and arguably Boston).
