Too many people are overstating the value of a true center today....

Who is going to block shots and keep people out of the paint?

Do you not remember the defensive issues we had with Chuck Hayes at Center?

 

I disagree, if you had a quality center with athletes to match Miami's athleticism, they'd be somewhat over-matched.

The problem is that they aren't any great bigs out there hardly. As good as Howard and Bynum are, I wouldn't necessarily give them the "indomitable" qualities.

 

This. We need a couple of players who can protect the rim.

 

But they don't have to be Tyson Chandler or Perkin-type players. A weak-side help defender like Ibaka with above average perimeter players can be effective and a good defensive scheme can be effective.

There is more than 1 way to have a good defense.

 

I don't care about getting a center that badly, my problem was that the picks we got outside of Lamb were for Best Player Available according to our draft board picks, despite the fact both players could play basically the same position and there is not a true need for the either position due to the people we have on our roster.

Parsons proved extremely solid in filling the Battier role as a defensive SF, Budinger only got time when Martin was out, Morris barely touched the floor to develop any game at the position and truthfully, the team played small ball with two PGs enough that we at times didn't even have a SF on the court.

WHY DRAFT TWO MORE WHEN THERE IS ALREADY A LOG JAM AT THE POSITION?

I mean we lost Chase, but we also picked up one or two from the Dalembert trade. Morris as I said needs time at either the SF or PF position so that he can develop and not rot on the bench. Montejunas is coming and from all indications, he is more PF then he is center and we could have used at least one of those picks to secure a young PG as a backup. Unless you made the picks for someone else which doesn't seem to be the case, we are over loaded at the forward position and the trade value because we are overstocked is probably low for everyone of them save Monetjunas and possibily White.

 

You don't need a traditional 7-foot defensive beast to win in the NBA. But you better make sure you're loaded at your other positions. Lebron/Wade/Bosh, KG/Allen/Pierce, Jordan/Pippen/Rodman, etc.

Given that the Rockets aren't loaded with all-stars at their wing positions, I'll go out on a limb and say having a good defensive inside presence probably isn't a bad thing.

 

If you aren't loaded with all-stars period, you got no chance to win against an OKC or Miami Heat squad unless they have mega-injuries.

 

Perkins was worthless in this NBA finals. I think having a true center is more of a luxury in this NBA than anything, and is certainly not required. It all depends on the makeup of your team. If you are playing a slower paced half court game, then perhaps it is more needed. If you have nash running the point and are doing more fast paced play, a center is more of an afterthought.

 

Exactly. I know I'm a broken record, but why did we trade Dalembert? I was happy with Camby and Dalembert.

 

To get out of the West, besides OKC, you still have to go through the Lakers and the Spurs who both have pretty damn good big men. Why do you think OKC has a "Perkin-type" player on their roster? Also, at 6'10 and with a 7ft 4 wing span, Ibaka isn't exactly a shrimp-sized big man.

 

You mean like Dallas last year? Or the Pistons of a few years back? Or even Dwight Howard or Mutumbo as lesser examples.

You can get away with lesser overall offensive talent, which is what "stars" are usually based upon, when you have that stalwart at center. This has been shown over and over in past years. It's not about lesser overall talent. Because casual fans don't usually skip over defense when judging players. Centers that can change the game through defense are stars in terms of swaying results. Even if they don't put up gaudy numbers.

 

Judging from the teams in the Finals this last season, I will have to say, "Your entire team." So, Parsons, Leuer, Camby, White, Jones, Patterson, Dragic, Lee, Lamb, et cetera, ad libitum, ad infinitum, ad nauseum...

 

The same reason we traded Bud: Was taking up PT while having run out of potential for substantial improvement.

 

I wouldnt necessarily consider Bosh an elite center..and he made Perkins look silly.. We dont need a 7 footer per se, but we need somebody around 6'10 -11 who can jump and block shots..alter shots

 

I think we'll probably resign Camby. He'd be good for about 27 minutes a game. Then we'll probably go small with Scola at the 5 for about 10 minutes a game and then D mo and Smith can split the rest. That's the way I see it.