Next season any chance we get either Dwight Howard or Al Jefferson? I know recently I keep hearing the Hawks, Mavs, Rockets, and Lakers in the race for Howard next season. But nothing on Jefferson but he may or may not be with Jazz next season since they cant keep him along with milsap. And Jefferson is still only 28 and imo id rather have him over any other FA big man. Thoughts?
They are actually both born in 1985. Here are their comparisons stats wise. However I do believe Dwight is far better defensively. But id still take Jefferson over howard for the fact he has better post play, better jumper, and can make a FT. Howards offense is the occasional lucky hook and dunk. Stats below are career numbers, not this season. Dwight Howard: 18.3ppg - 12.9rpg - 1.5apg - 1.0spg - 2.2bpg - 57%FT - 3.09TOpg Al Jefferson: 16.4ppg - 9.0rpg - 2.1apg - 0.7spg - 1.4bpg - 72%FT - 1.48TOpg
Jefferson is: a) Not young b) Not an star c) Would take up cap room that would prevent you from getting a star d) Terrible on defense. He makes the Rockets better, but not enough to make us a contender, and by virtue of his impact on our cap space would prevent us from becoming a contender. Pass.
Other notable big men FAs this year.... Zaza Pachulia Josh Smith(SF/PF) Andray Blacthe Josh McRoberts Marreese Speights(player option) Elton Brand(old) Chris Kaman Andris Biedrins David West(PF) Chris Andersen DeJuan Blair(PF) Paul Milsap(PF) Emeka Okafor
Howard is on another tier than Jefferson. Jefferson is proof IMO that just because you can score in the post doesn't make you dominant player. It reminds me that while D-mo may have the ability to be a good low post player. He gotta do other things too, superstar players do more than just put the ball in the basket.
Having Howard puts you at another level. Having Jefferson is just another good player on your roster. I am wondering why this is even a question...
I don't want either as number one priority for rockets. I want KLove! But if I had to pick, Howard is the easy choice. Even better for me, sign Howard this offseason. Then send Asik and Jones or zrobinson to MInny for KLove and get them both. Lin, Harden, Parsons, KLove, Howard becomes a pretty intriguing young lineup to go to war with.
Yes, but Jefferson is both not young and not a star. Howard isn't 'young' but he is a star. IMO, we should wait until 2014 free agency. CP3 and Dwight aren't going anywhere, and JSmith/Jefferson/Iguodala don't do enough to make us a contender. 2014 has: Paul George (Restricted) Dirk Nowitizki Pau Gasol Greg Monroe (Restricted) Derrick Favors (Restricted) DeMarcus Cousins (Restricted) The RFAs are all unlikely, but you have to hold out for that chance because just one front office hesitating will give you that 2nd star caliber piece. As a backup plan, I prefer signing Nowitizki (2 year deal with team option 3rd) or Gasol (3 year deal with a team option 4th) vs signing Josh Smith to a 4 year deal. This also gives you one more year to see if one of our young players develops into a star before making a huge investment into a free agent. I'd put a 70% chance on one of Lin/Parsons/GSmith/TRob/DMo/TJones becoming that guy.
Yeah but he isn't a star. If he was 23...I'd say HELL YES because that would mean maybe he could develop into one. At 28, he is what he is. That simple. Dwight is what he is too. He never developed the post game he should have...but he still finishes well around the basket, plays excellent defense, and can pull off a post move or two a game, and grab boards. He's still a star and at 28 you are still going to get a good 5 years or so of great production.
DMo can pass the ball which makes him a good offensive player. Jefferson can't or won't pass the ball which turns him into an average offensive player despite his great skill in the post.
I feel like, if getting Howard isn't going to happen, that Jefferson would be a great pickup. I understand he has some defensive flaws, but isn't that wha Asik is for? His post game is one of the best in the league. He wold come in and fill up a gaping hole we have. Can he play PF? If not i suppose getting him would be pointless.
