We need to be watching to see what the Bulls do with their glut of centers. Obviously, they are keeping Eddy Curry and Tyson Chandler. However, that leaves Brad Miller (25 years old, 7'0" and 260 lbs); Dalibor Bagarac (21 years old, 7'1" and 280 lbs); and Jake Voskuhl (almost 24 years old, 6'11" and 250 lbs). If they don't trade Miller, he is their center for the "transition period." That means they must trade or cut Bagarac and/or Voskuhl. Voskuhl is a Houstonian, but I think Bagarac has much more "potential." (I am getting very tired of this cliche but it communicates the right meaning.) During limited court time Bagarac exhibited flashes of shot blocking ability and offensive moves that showed why Rudy T. had interest in drafting him had he fallen farther in last year's draft (he was taken at #24). Voskuhl had a great college career at Connecticut, but was put on the injury shelf all last year. Should we trade a future second rounder to get Bagarac or Voskuhl now? ------------------
I wouldn't give up much to get Voskuhl. He went to my HS and all, but he really doesn't have much game. The good thing is that he tries hard, and he puts effort in. But he doesn't have any offensive game, and he's a mediocre rebounder and shot-blocker. Bagaric looks pretty cool, and I could see giving up something for him, but the one I'd be willing to trade for (Walt for Brad?) is Brad Miller. Every time I see this guy play, he dominates the glass and plays solid defense. It would be great to have him here. ------------------ I'm looking for a job, so hire me "And I just have to smile and say 'well, I hope so' while I'm really thinking inside how I'd like to just strangle them and take their job."
Vengence: Miller would be my choice too, but I don't think the Bulls will part with him until Curry and/or Chandler solidifies the center spot. That's why Chicago is searching for "veterans" to show their kids the way. ------------------
When the team to beat is LA who has Shaq, you should at least devote one roster spot to a big fella, someone 270lbs+. The Rox have a glut at SG/SF. Anderson and Williams could get us back a big fella. In addition to those you mentioned, consideration can be given to older more experienced guys like Sean Rook, Felton Spencer, and Isaac Austin. It would have been less of an issue if Collier injury status was more certain. ------------------
I'll take none of the above. ------------------ It was the time of the preacher, in the year of '01 Now the preachin' is over, and the lessons begun . . .
I would like to see the rockets go after miller but I dont know if Chicago would be interested. I was thinking walt straight up for him. We get a solid role playing center, they get a veteran and a decent scorer. I think it would be a pretty fair trade value wise, it would just hurt the bulls in the middle. Mabey shandon for bagarac, just throwing stuff out there ------------------
There are two types of players that Shaq Daddy plays against during a typical NBA season: 1.Those that are not big enough to slow him down... 2.Those that are not skilled or talented enough to slow him. I think all the players you mentioned fit in both of those catigories. ------------------
I am no great fan of Shandon's, but this trade would be lop-sided. Bagaric is big, that is his one redeeming attribute. Other than that there is no positive aspect to his game. ------------------ It was the time of the preacher, in the year of '01 Now the preachin' is over, and the lessons begun . . .
I was basketball starved last year and caught a lot of Bulls games on cable. I'm no Bulls fan, but I did begin to appreciate Bagarac's game. I think he may be a real surprise given half a chance. He has the strength and height to throw Shaq off his game, which he did during short stints against O'Neal last year. He gave up the ball too quickly rather than bull his way to the glass, but that's something that can be taught. He has a nice touch, but there were a number of times I wanted him to stuff the ball rather than go for the soft little European lay-in. ------------------
You don't necessarily need size to stop Shaq, you just need speedy guys to cut off the passing lanes and prevent him from getting ball. Traps, and a guy big man who is capable of position defense for a few minutes should help against Shaq. ------------------ "Instruments are like women: After a while, you want to make love to another." - Nicolas Godin of the musical duo Air
I also would not want any of these guys on the team. I'd rather watch Collier get some experience playin D on Shaq than bringing in (and paying) a retread like Rooks, Spencer, or Austin. None of these guys have (a) been able to stop/contain Shaq, nor (b) be consistent enough to retain their starting spot (for cryin out loud). I say bring the big boy Hamilton on board this year and let Shaq have Venison for Dinner !!! ------------------
Don't sell him short offensively, 9 points in 25 minutes isn't too shabby for someone who isn't a featured player, and he was even better per minute the year before in Charlotte, 8 points in 18 minutes. j ------------------ Some days you just can't get rid of a bomb! [This message has been edited by silent j (edited July 14, 2001).]
I hate to say it, but we're not gonna contain Shaq. We can certainly mess with his mind and if your goal is to do that and throw him off his game, then sign A. Mason. I wouldn't do this because the guy is not the right influence for our kids to grow up with, but his girth can help to keep Shaq from getting such good position especially in a 2-3 zone (with Mason in the middle) and a big guy fronting him to deny the ball. With that said, I wouldn't design our team to stop Shaq. If you want to compete with the Lakers you use Shaq's strengths against him. Our team speed and ability to trap will be greater deterrants to Shaq then adding a 270 lbs sluggo to draw fouls. If we run and pester him with traps during his 40-45 mins on the court, that will be more effective. Of course that means we have to have a talented defender on Kobe that can try and go mano-on-mano with him. Yes, Miller would be a better addition to our team, than say Wiz at this point. However, I wouldn't touch Feelslikeaton, Ike Awful, or Sean-get-Rooked. BL: Shaq and Kobe are great players and Phil has assembled a good group of role guys, but the Lakers aren't invincible...we have to get past that and just build our team. My take. ------------------
voskuhl sucks...strake sucks hes a little punani and i dont know how hes still in the league i dont think the rockets would be that stupid ------------------
I would be willing to give the Bulls back the first pick that we got from the Drew trade to get Bagarac. ------------------
I'm gonna have to agree with Shark44 on this one. All of the teams that have had any effectiveness against the top centers have used a good team defense plan and traps. We're not gonna be able to stop a dominant center like Shaq with a big free agent behemoth or aging stiff. We would need a good tandem of players. Look in the past when teams have neutralized dominant centers: 1) 1996 Seattle Supersonics against Hakeem Olajuwon. With a combination of an athletic 6'10" Shawn Kemp, 6'10" Detlef Schrempf, Sam Perkins and Ervin Johnson as well as the harassing guard play of Gary Payton and Hersey Hawkins/Nate McMilan on the passing lanes, the Sonics were able to sweep the Rockets after their 2nd consecutive Championship while Hakeem was arguably in his prime. 2) 1999 San Antonio Spurs against Shaq. The potent twin-towers combination of a healthy 7'0" Tim Duncan and 7'1" David Robinson as well as good all-around team defense led to a 4-game sweep of the Lakers. 3) 2000 Portland Trailblazers against Shaq. A combo of 7'3" Arvydas Sabonis, 6'11" Rasheed Wallace, and the defensive hands and passing lane defense of *cough* Scottie Pippen did shut down Shaq for most of that Western Conference series. If not for that horrendous choke show in the 4th quarter of Game 7 that year, Pippen might have had a seventh ring! (Thank God that didn't happen) I think that if the Rockets can make a decent player out of Kelvin Cato (possible pipe dream) and resign Dream, we have the makings for what could be a good defensive scheme to neutralize Shaq. With Eddie Griffin's apparent talent with defense and shotblocking as well as Hakeem and maybe Cato's potential abilities on defense (remember when he blocked Shaq's last 2 shots in a Rockets win his first year here?) we could have a good frontline to go on Shaq with. Additionally, Shandon Anderson's a good perimeter defender and Franchise and Cat have all the quickness and speed necessary to become great perimeter and passing lane defenders with time. I can realistically see the Rockets becoming a solid defensive team to go along with our potent offense. Of course alot of things still have to fall in place. (CATO) *sigh*...the if's and ahs of having a young up-and-coming team. ------------------ Do your part in the fight against crime....SHOOT BACK [This message has been edited by AxSomebody (edited July 16, 2001).]
