[CONJECTURE] Rox backup center - a list of all free agents

Is Keon Clark expected to receive a big salary? I don't remember hearing much about him last year or even seeing him. It'd be great if we could use part of the MLE on him...have an athletic guy in the frontcourt.

 

I doubt it. if the Rockets gave him a 1.2 offer i'm sure he'll sign here. his game is all bout defense. he'll thrive under JVG...

 

Is it possible to sign Vlade at a veteran minimum? With TMac here I think we'll have player who know how to run without the ball and Vlade's passing ability will be a great asset. Besides, Yao surely can learn from him in terms of passing.

 

Etan will probably take up the full MLE. I think he's a great candidate to replace Cato as our backup 4/5, but I don't know if he's the perfect fit.

Keon Clark's got the idea body for a backup 4/5, but how's his bball IQ and work ethic?

 

Um...Collier played in 20 games for the Hawks at the end of the season. Etan Thomas played in 79 games. My math has Collier at nearly 1.6 more shots per game, and about 0.03 more shots per minute (not really statistically significant).

My personal opinion is that both players are scrubs and Weatherspoon (salary aside) could be just as effective offensively and on the boards (and likely as effective defensively as Collier - don't know about Thomas).

I actually wouldn't be against a Greg Ostertag at the right price, Chris Mihm (who is more effective than a lot of people think on a per minute basis), Brian Skinner or Medvedenko. If Mihm was a better defender he'd be perfect.

 

Yao's injury...
trade yao for Ostertag!

 

1. Stromile Swift
2. Jaron Collins
3. Brian Skinner

 

At first I worried that Ostertag would be a disruption to the team (he's been a problem in Utah before) but now I actually think his attitude would help us since we haven't carved out an identity yet with our new players. He'll get emotional on the bench, and we know he's not afraid to get into it with the big guys. Plus he's a rather big guy himself.

Only thing is he was a Jazz and we know people react to that around these parts.

 

You know, Gadzuric is a wierd player. He shows a lot of flashes and runs the floor extremely well, but you just get the feeling when you watch him that he's really not very good at the game of basketball.

I think he may be best served trading Weatherspoon for one of Seattle's overpaid big men, preferably James.

 

Have you seen these guys play?

Collier and Thomas are polar opposites. Collier is a power forward in a center's body (7-0, 260). Thomas is a center in a power forward's body (6-9, ~270). Thomas is about as much of an offensive threat as Cato- his game is entirely around the hoop, dunks and garbage buckets. He's a heck of a defensive player, blocking shots and rebounding, but he's not the swiftest fellow.

Collier has a pretty solid offensive game, consisting of a decent outside shot and decent footwork around the basket. His problem is he's an average rebounder, not particularly athletic, and doesn't do much but take up space on defense.

JayZ- I'm right with you. Mihm's an interesting target- very solid rebounder with enough offensive game to not be a liability. In his 17 games as a starter, he put up 8-7 with just under a block a game on 47% FG% in just under 24 MPG. That's pretty solid for a guy to come off the bench and spot start in the case of injuries. Only problem is the Celtics have the ROFR- the question is, how much would they match considering they have Lafrentz's huge contract, they're trying to keep Mark Blount, and Kendrick Perkins

I would go after Skinner as my #1- if he's priced himself out due to his good year, next I'd go with Mihm then Ostertag, then Rebraca, Clark, Jarron Collins, and Medvedenko.

The other possibility is taking on a bad contract. I'd bet Seattle would be willing to trade Booth for Weatherspoon- Booth has 3 years left vs. Weatherspoon's 2.

 

Yeah, but he's also a native Texan.

From everything I've heard, Ostertag is a good guy. The reason he didn't always get consistent play in Utah was this: Jerry Sloan worked hard as a player. Ostertag does not. Sloan doesn't appreciate that.

 

The one thing I've always been somewhat impressed about Ostertag is he is a decent defender. He has always put up good block and rebound numbers. One year he blocked 2.12 shots a game with only 19 minutes of play. Not a good offensive player mind you - and as a Jazz fan I'm sure that has been very frustrating as if he was even able ot put up 10 pts a game they would have been serious title contenders for a number of years instead of just the two they went.

But as a backup, cheap, he has good experience and could put in a solid 15 minutes a game for another 3 years or so. There may be better options out there, but I wouldnt ignore Ostertag as a possibility.

 

What about Jerome James? He's the best of the Sonics overpaid, underproductive centers. I think they'd be very open to trading him to us for Spoon, whose contract expires after next season.

James is a very athletic big man who can rebound and block shots, but his head ain't always there. His work ethic has been questioned, and his attitude isn't great. He's like the Cato of two years ago, only not as overpaid(though overpaid nonetheless). He can't play a lick of PF, but he'd be a good option at the backup 5.

 

JayZ, E. Thomas averaged last year 9 pts, 7 rebounds, 1.6 blocks in 24 minutes. Scrub, I think not. If he can be had for cheap, I say go for it.

 

1. Skinnner
2. Mihm
3. Collier


DD