I am very aware of people who have great playoff season flukes (Bonzi, Boobie, etc). I don't think Gortat is one of them. I've seen him here and there in the regular season, he's definitely got game. The only question you can ask is if he can do it full time as a starter. He's the best (restricted) FA center out there. He's solid on the offensive AND defensive side (unlike guys like Camby). He's athletic. He's got height, which we are sorely lacking. And it's strictly my gut feeling that Gortat can be a good starting center in the league. To top it off, he is Morey's first target. We know Morey has done his homework, and he's definitely evaluated if Gortat is capable in major minutes. I hope we get him, and it would be a major boon if we get him for a fair price.
for those who say that Houston needs a lotta money to sign him, i say: Do you think Morey and Les are stupid to make this offer knowing that they cannot give him enough money?!!!
Camby consistently averages around 10+ ppg and we all know he is a great defender. He isn't Shaq offensively, but I wouldn't call him an offensive deadweight, and certainly don't see how you could possibly rank Gortat ahead of him in either category, considering there is little evidence to go on to date pointing to Gortat ever being a consistent offense threat. That said, I'm with you that he should be able to put up 10 ppg with starter like minutes, but like you, just a hunch.
On Yao: out for next season is likeliest scenario now. Wants to get his body right before continuing and will do whatever that takes. about 21 hours ago from txt from Ric Bucher twitter 21 hrs ago... this been posted anywhere yet?
Well, they did this to Rashard Lewis few years back. I think it was Morey who sent them a basket gift, that included a Rockets jersey that says Lewis.
He is all over the news on the Polish Gazeta site. They have him in Red and White - it doesn't hurt that those are the Polish Flag colors too.....My friend is sendin ghim a message in Polish.
First, Gortat's a lot cheaper than Camby. Cheap is good, when you're considering a back-up. Camby is too expensive to be one. Second, it's natural that Camby's PPG would be a lot higher because his MPG is, too. However, his points per minute is 0.34 (16 per 48) vs. Gortat's 0.30 (14.5 per 48). They're very similar in how often they score the ball while in the game. However, Gortat's FG% is higher, so he's at least more efficient. Third, they're also very similar in their rebounding and blocking. Comparing the two per 48 minutes: Camby: 17.2 rebounds, 3.3 blocks Gortat: 17.1 rebounds, 3.0 blocks The difference is that Camby has a huge contract. Gortat does not. He's a lot cheaper, for about the same defensive presence and higher offensive efficiency. Also, Gortat is 10 years younger that Camby is, and has an incredible potential to grow even better. Camby is undoubtedly in the twilight of his career and his declining (and getting injured). There's absolutely no logic whatsoever to go after Camby while someone like Gortat is available.
Great find! I have quite a lot of hope now. With just Yao's medical exception alone (hopefully we don't have it and he can play next season, but just sayin'), we could sign Gortat over what Orlando could offer him. In addition, I think he's a guy that Morey may end up offering 2+ years too, enticing him even further. I'm becoming more and more confident that we can sign the big guy. I look forward to hearing his loud BMW M5 around town.
I'm not saying I'd rather have Camby. I'm just pointing out it was a strange jab at Camby - when he could have picked a bunch of other overpaid centers who have holes offensively, or defensively, or both, and are more overpaid. I would point out, though, that per 48 minutes are kind of overrated. I don't think the stat guys even use per 48 minutes anymore. They do use per minute stats, but I think look at per 36 minutes or something like that (nobody plays 48 minutes per game). But more than just that - it's difficult to compare with a guy like Gortat specifically because he's gotten so few minutes. Will he stay as productive if he plays more, get more productive, get less productive? It's hard to tell...that's the risk. Anyways...I like that attempt to sign him. I do think there is some significant risk, but prefer signing Gortat to trading for a Kaman or Camby type. He'll be much cheaper, he's younger, not as injury prone, seems to be fairly athletic for someone his size, and is a solid defender...which I think is key. The Rockets will miss Yao as much, if not more, defensively as they do offensively.
This would be a good signing. But let's face it. The Rockets next season will need to be a blue colar team. No Yao and no McGrady, means the team will have to make a new identity. I do hope they sign Artest to a decent deal. Gortat; Hayes; Dorsey; Cook Scola; Landry; Battier; Budinger Artest; Taylor; White Brooks; Lowry This team could get into the playoffs. It won't scare anyone, but last seasons team had a blue collar discipline that should not be extinguished. Let's not blow it up, rebuilding is sooo tough.
Per X minutes is all the same stat, just different weights. You calculate the per minute value, then multiply by the number of minutes. Whether you multiply by 36 or 48 doesn't matter. Using 36 minutes is just a better indicator of how much they'll probably produce in reality, but when comparing, it really does not matter. Gortat has gotten a few opportunities to start, and when he did, he produced almost exactly what his per minute stats would've indicated. In fact, he did it at the highest level in the playoffs, getting 11 points and 15 boards. The guy can do it. Daryl Morey believes it, and I believe Daryl Morey.
yes, thank you. i know how simple math works. i was pointing out, for your benefit, that the stat guys don't use per 48 minute stats anymore. I said I like him. But I'm not going to go out and say he will be a super productive player if given the minutes yet, because every situation is different. Playing 40 minutes in one playoff game, and playing well, is different than being a starting center, getting 25-35 minutes per night, and being expected to product consistently. Again, my HUNCH, based on what I've seen, what the options are, what the statistics say, and how I feel about Morey's decisions overall, is that this is the team's best move.
Go Morey, Get a center for the team. The center position was one of the problems heading into the off season. The team needed a back up but since the Yao fiasco, The Rockets, right now, is like a doughnut. No center team.
I think that if Gortat gets the same offer from other teams, ultimately he will sign with the Rockets. The fact that he will be getting major minutes is too alluring. Not to mention,
