OFFICIAL: Omer Asik a Houston Rocket (3 year/$25.1 million)

Derailing the thread but whatever, enjoy!

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Now that I can't help you with.

 

Overpaid.

 

The more I find out about Asik, the less I think this statement is true. Under McHale's tutelage, he can become our Tyson Chandler.

If you are willing to believe that, and Tyson Chandler is a $14M/season player, then Asik is certainly worth $8M/season.

 

Is Asik equivalent to Chandler? How far apart are they in defensive prowess at this point?

 

I think Perkins is a better comparison.

 

The biggest benefactor of this will be DMo. Asik will allow him to develop naturally...DMo won't have to be the anchor on defense.

 

Don't think so. What makes Perkins a good defender is his sheer strength and presence in the low post. Asik has some of those qualities, but his biggest asset on defense seems to be his footwork and his ability to move both inside and out on the pick and rolls. I think he can be a better defender than Perkins for that reason.

 

Let's keep our fingers crossed on that! Hope he is the next tyson chandler!

 

Yeah, Perkins is a bit of a stiff. Asik is more of a mobile big man.

 

Apparently Morey thinks so, since he keeps saying Asik is one of the top 2 or 3 defensive centers.

 

Exactly.

For those of you who haven't seen him play or weren't aware of him being able to do this effectively, check out the brief video at rockets.com of him.

You'll notice him being able to stay in front of both D. Wade and Harden. NOT easy to do.

For those of you bashing his offense... two words for you - Dikembe Mutombo. He was a real force offensively, huh?

Seriously, the guy's main problem is going to be staying out of foul trouble.

He'll get dunked on, but it's because he will be in POSITION to defend the rim much more consistently than anyone has for us since Deke.

Anyone bashing this guy for his contract doesn't understand NBA basketball and what true value he brings to a team.

 

Which is SO much of what the league is about now days...

Great pick up, without a doubt.

 

Omer deserves every cent of his contract. So does Lin. You'll see, Clutch.

 

Perk may be on his level as a rebounder (and that is even questionable), but in no way is he as good at defending the post and being able to stay in front of someone as Asik.

 

Jeremy Lin hater!

 

Exactly. Asik is superior to Perk in every way except brute strength. And Asik holds his own on the post very well, he pushes Dwight/Bynum out of their comfort zones so they take bad shots.

 

Omer comin' yo! Omer comin'!

 

Yes, a combo of 2 7-footers on the floor together, with the Turkish Hammer defending the paint, and D-Mo scoring at will on the other end. Asik is also a good offensive rebounder. Should be a good combo.