Okay, if you could have any starting sf in the league in the place of WW, who would you NOT want? I can think of at least 5. ------------------ I am so exasperated that I could expectorate.
I'll see your five, and raise you another 5. ------------------ http://www.nba.com/theater/video/taylor_m_dunk_120299.mov
RocketExpert, I think that should be a 3 and raise you another 3! If salary matching were no object and based on the depth charts listed on NBAtalk, I would prefer Walt to the following; Roshown McCleod - Hawks (but it's close) Adrian Griffin - Celtics Derrick Coleman - Hornets - Derrick's a better player, but IMHO Walt is a better fit Fizer - Bulls -a rookie playing out of postion Anthony Mason - Heat (no comment needed) Kenyon Martin - Nets -before you all go ballistic, we are talking strictly 3 with outside shooting to open up the lanes for Steve, Cat and Shandon. Clearly, Kenyon has tremendous upside but will actually be the 4 for the Nets. In which case, I take Walt over Van Horn but it's close. The "maybes" without much deep thought: Cliff Robinson, Sean Elliot, Corliss Williamson and Juwan Howard. That's 10 of the 28 other teams. But then again, the entire comparison is *very* difficult. Sure, I would like the Rocks to have Grant Hill, but obtaining him was next to impossible. ------------------ GATER [This message has been edited by GATER (edited September 11, 2000).] [This message has been edited by GATER (edited September 11, 2000).]
Coleman? SF? you´ve gotta be kidding me, right? LOL. ------------------ "The world is full of kings and queens who blind your eyes and steal your dreams. It´s Heaven and Hell!"
Some of you guys must be confused listing power forwards as small forwards. ------------------ ballplayer
Here's 10 Walt Williams Walt Williams Walt Williams Walt Williams Walt Williams Walt Williams Walt Williams Walt Williams Walt Williams Walt Williams ------------------ Discombobulation Imminent
okay, here are some of the starting SFs in the league that I would NOT want instead of Walt: Corliss Williamson Pippen Juwan Howard whoever the Pistons will have on the court at sf same for Atlanta same for Hornets Ron Artest or Fizer(who will start there?) Sean Elliot or whoever the Spurs have at sf uh, whoever the nets will have at sf Mason(consistently at the 3? no thanks) LJ(didn't he start there? I could be mistaken) Anyway, not too shabby looking of a list, IMO. ------------------ I am so exasperated that I could expectorate.
I would prefer Williams at the SF over MOST SF's in the league FOR THE ROCKETS! It's a question of fit - what we need is someone who doesn't demand the ball and can stroke the 3. I'd obviously prefer it if Walt could play some semblance of defense!! Maybe a Sean Elliot prior to injury would have been ideal, but those don't just grow on trees!!! ------------------
Thanos and ballplayer, Part of the confusion is due to the fact that some teams do not have a clear SF/PF situation. For example, the Hornets have two starting forwards in Coleman and P.J. Brown. The Nets start Van Horn and Martin at forward. Fizer, Jamison, and Anthony Mason are all listed as 3's on a depth charts. Mason was 0 for 1 from the arc all of last season. Cut some of us some slack. NBAtalk is a business and in most instances that's who they list as 3's. If they can't get it right, how can you expect amateurs to be perfect? Det the Threat, Your dislike for the Wizard is well documented. Will you be sure to make yourself available to us for some fun comments if Walt has a good season??!! ------------------ Suffering from Hoops-withdrawl - when's tipoff? [This message has been edited by GATER (edited September 11, 2000).]
Definitely, I hope he has a good season. Actually, I do not dislike him at all, I just think that the other players that were mentioned are better, but I could be wrong. Maybe it is true that he fits the Rockets' system much better than a lot of the other SF's. It just seems to me that when you look at his career, he has never been able to play clearly above average on a consistent basis, that's why I think these other guys might be better. If he plays a great season, I will be happy and will be around so you can tell me about it (unless Clutch has banned me by then ).
MJ's hasn't signed with anyone and I'm sure he's willing to dump the Bullets. You know he'd love to play with Cato and Bullard! --- Dan Langhi for Prez!
If I remember corectly, Wiz used to put Larry Bird to shame. You think I'm funny? You laughing at me? ------------------ In order to be a success in life, you need 2 things: 1. Don't tell everything you know.
Here's my list: (1) Billy Owens (Det) (2) Howard (Was) (or D Scott, if Howard plays the 4) (3) Corliss Williamson (Tor) (4) Elliot? Or whoever the Spurs start with at the SF spot. (5) JR Rider (LAL) if the Lakers are stupid enough to let this guy start. Otherwise, whoever else they plug in (Fox). (6) Whoever Cleveland starts (Weatherspoon?) There are alot of others that I consider dead-even with WW, or just a hair above: Peja (Sac) Glen Rice Posey (Den) Sczerbiak (Min) Crawford (Atl) Whoever Miami starts (Mason?) caveat: some of these guys might not start, but they are my best guess given the uncertainty surrounding some NBA rosters. ------------------
Hmmmm... don't they have Keith Van Horn at the 3? ------------------ "There are three kinds of lies: Lies, Damned Lies, and STATISTICS..." - Mark Twain -
I haven't been much of a Walt advocate, mainly because his contract is way to big for a guy with his limits in versatility (especially on defense). But that list does show he is better than more than a couple of other starting SFs in this league. Here is another way to look at it, how many non-starting players would you rather plug in our starting SF slot over Walt Williams? I'll also start with the premise of ignoring age or contracts (which usually works against Walt, but not every time--LJ/Detlef), so it is just focused on current skill and contributions to the team this year. Guys I would rather have off others bench to play our 3 spot: Tim Thomas or G. Robinson (whoever doesn't start) Joe Smith or Wally (ditto) Shawn Marion or C. Robinson (ditto) Rodney Rogers (not a big fan, but he is better than Walt) Donyell Marshall Larry Johnson Ruben Patterson Detlef Schrempf Darvin Ham Tyrome Nesby Robert Horry Artest or Fizer (I'll take the other things they can do over scoring less) Morris Peterson (ditto) Mike Miller (ditto) In sum, 3 teams have three better players than Walt who can man the SF position. They are the Suns (Robinson, Marion, Rogers, and maybe a 4th in Rex), Bucks (Robinson, Thomas, Ham) and T-Pups (Garnett, Smith, Wally, and Sam Mitchell is a close 4th). Walt is OK for now. But I don't foresee him having a starting position for long because he is a relatively weak link relative to others small forwards. [This message has been edited by Desert Scar (edited September 13, 2000).]