I think Brand's quote was taken out of context. The interviewer was probably asking him about the all star sub selections by the coaches, so Elton felt no need to mention Yao, since he obviously wasn't really a part of the conversation in the first place. He probably was so adamant about defending his boy that the words just came out wrong, in print at least. That said, I too, hope Yao gets to read this. Someone on the team seriously needs to tell him. JB, I'm looking in your direction.
I want to know whats up with the goofy hair and beard? The guy looks like he's trying to do an Edgar Winter impersonation...
The Clippers are having a great season (at least relative to their sorry history), but that is no excuse for saying absurd statements.
"Kaman=Best Center in the West??? [sbsun.com]" *breaks out in bellowing laughter* MUHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHHHAHAHAAHAHHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHHHAHAHAAHAHHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAH
We are not talking about how good Kaman is. It's about someone think Kaman should be selected to all-star. And Kaman is not that good. According to 82games stats by position, Kaman vs opponent is 15.3-15.3. Yao vs opponent is 23.9-10.2.
Kaman is a very very good Center. he's got great, quick footwork, always active on ther glass, underrated shot blocker and has a decent if limited offensive repetoire. He's the kind of Center who usually gives Yao trouble. I think Yao will have some difficulties with Kaman this time despite his past domination because Kaman simply doesn't foul as much anymore.
That's not fair. Did you know that Kaman always takes the tougher defensive assignment? He has to guard the likes of Chris Bosh, Dwight Howard, Jermaine O'Neal, Dirk Nowitski, Rasheed Wallace, Kevin Garnett, and Chris Webber. Yao might guard Howard and O'Neal for short stretches of time, but Kaman has to guard all of them for the entire game. He's guarding lightning quick PF's, some of which can pull him all the way out to the 3pt line or mid-range at least. It's a tough cover.
Doesn't he play center? That's why he's going to guard Yao. Isn't guarding the people you mentioned Brand's job? I got confused.
Here is my understanding. on 82games, Kaman vs centers = 15.3-15.3 in the real game, Kaman vs his PF opponents should be 5.3 - 35.1
I should have clarified. Kaman takes on the tougher defensive frontcourt assignment vs. any team, whether it be C or PF. Against Miami he'll guard Shaq while Brand guards Haslem. Against Dallas he'll guard Dirk while Brand guards Diop. On offense he'll play center full-time, but on defense he guards the better player. It's weird considering that Brand is the better defensive player, but that's the way Dunleavy's got it set up. Think of it like the rocket's backcourt last year. Wesley would guard the better backcourt player whether it was PG (AI, Nash), or SG (Kobe, Ginobli) while Sura would handle PG duties on offense full-time.
