Agree that Ezeli played terribly in game 7. But the guy is just 26 and put up around an 18 PER last year. On this contract, it's an absolute steal for Portland, especially considering guys like Mozgov are getting 4 years 64 million this offseason
How the f**k does 29 year old Ian Mahimni get over twice as much per year, and two additional years on his contract over Ezeli? They're essentially the same player! Except one is 3 years younger.
Per gets inflated for centers. Al Jefferson had a 18 PER also. Your flaws aren't as glaring on a 73 win team. Harry Barnes isn't going to look so good in Dallas either.
He's 26 and terrible. There is a reason he only got $7.5 million when NBA owners are spending like they are insane. The free and open market has passed judgement on Ezeli. Just think about it.
Ezeli just isn't very good at basketball and doesn't really protect the paint. Mahimni on the other hand is good at protecting the paint. They are very different players.
it's just such a weird deal for this market. he's not the next hakeem, but the guy somehow went into free agency with a 17.7 PER and 0.171 WS/48 with a plus/minus that says a 73-9 team was better with him on the court than off the court and he couldn't catch half of a mozgov or mahinmi? and for whatever our individual opinions are, most of the nba world talked him up all season, which would seem to indicate there was a market. it's not like "hey, he misses some defensive rotations" has ever kept a big man from cashing in. mozgov had a worse year and has at least as big of an injury issue. just weird how some guys find the sucker in the market and some guys don't. probably showing why hanging around until the end of free agency is more cost effective than offering someone liker anderson 20M per year, even if anderson fits a need for our offensive style. the free and open market misprices players all the time. you just hope you end up on the good side of the inefficiency.
I'm a bit biased as a fan of the Rox considering it seemed like he consistently killed us......BUT I have to disagree hardcore. I think he makes a really good player given the right fit. He is big and has good hands. More than you could say for most
It's ridiculous they got him for 7 million. If Ezeli stays healthy, this vaults them into the top 4 in the West.
I don't think JVG actually believed that. I think he was just talking Festival up because of Mark Jackson. He's slow, clumsy and has a general terrible feel for the game.
http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/20...s-one-of-the-leagues-efficient-rim-protectors Can't discount how much this could have to do with the time in which he gained minutes for the Warriors. However the stat's claim that Ezeli is an extremely competent defender.
Aminu will likely be the Blazers starting PF next season. Lillard/McCollum/Turner/Aminu/Ezeli(or Plumlee)
Something just hit me really hard. Anthony Toliver got 2 years 16 million. Ezeli's agennt dod screw up, its not because of his play in the finals, Barnes played like garbage and this got a max. No reason Ezeli shouldn't have gotten 2 years 20 mill guraranteed.
Gasol's problems on defense are movement-related--he's terrible in space, he can't defend the pick-and-roll. That makes him a major defensive liability overall. But he's very good at contesting shots at the hoop.
Ezeli's knees are crap. Barnes' aren't. That's the difference, not his play in the Finals. Ezeli has played in like 50% of his team's games over the past 3-4 years. No one trusts him to stay healthy, which is a value killer.
Yes there IS a reason. Festus Ezeli is a "big". We all know what that means for NBA contracts. Yet, he didn't even get a player option. It's a TEAM option next summer. He was put in the best possible situation by having very good coaching and being surrounded by great players.
