The ROX made the selection of Malick Badiene 6'11 234 out of Senegal. JVG understands that to compete against the SHAQ's. Duncan's, Sheed's, the Big Ticket(Garnett), Dirty Dirk(Love His Game), Amare, and other PIMPS in the Western Conference, you need SIZE and Athleticism. The ROX now have Yao at 7'6, Cato at 7'0, Eddie at 6'10, and Badiene at 6'11 to combat the Giants of the Western Conference. I am not fool enough to compare the ROX's players with the other Western Conference ALL-Stars, but as a team, size causes all types of match up problems for other teams. Look at San Antonio with Robinson and Duncan on the interior of their defense. They dont give up a bunch of layup and a free lane to the basket. Their size allow the to clog the lane and to contest or change most shots around the paint. This is the main reason they are one of the league's top defensive teams and not to mention World Champions. I think that the Rockets should try and duplicate the Spurs plan of going Big at the PF and C positions. I would start Yao and Cato along with Francis, Mobley and Posey. JVG will stress on the ball defense and with that great interior size, it will make up for many defensive lapses and give up only a few easy baskets. No more allowing a team to walk the ball down without any defensive pressure. I would man up teams all the way down the court. That's how teams do the ROX 's when they want to get us out of our offensive rhythm. This is my opinion. With three offensive scores on the floor in Francis, Mobley and Yao, they should get about 75% of the ROX's shots. With Cato and Posey, you have guys who can score on rebounds and on the break and dont need to take a bunch of shots to help the team. P.S. I would not allow Moochie to take a shot unless it is a layup, if he ever gets off the bench. Let me know what you think of my opinion!!!
I dont think Bandine will be getting big mins against the likes of Shaq, Duncan, Dirk, Amare, etc. anytime in the next season or two. Man, this guy is really being overhyped with some of you. PS - There is already a sticky at the top talking about this guy.
In the entire NBA....size rules. There's only one guy who is 5-5. Average guy is 6-7!!!! The bigger....the better. In the Eastern Conference, Size Rules too!!!! This guy isn't that great. I don't know.....he was supposed to be a #18-20 pick......and instead, #44? What the heck happened? I BET......we didn't even work him out...just like Eddie Griffin. We just drafted him because he was still available...or maybe we did.
You forgot a 7 footer: Collier. Codell, hype is relative. We know the draft was deep and we know there were a lot of guards picked. For the 44th pick it would appear we got good value. You know how I feel about the team we already had. Contrary to many on this board this is a team that has all the bases covered. It is over a year now since Chad Ford has said that and JVG, I am sure, is beginning to recognize it too. To add this fella who some have reluctantly compared to Amare, Nene and Keon is amazing to me. Worst case scenario, he is another Cato and best case he is at least another Nene.
If Badiane even play for Houston next season his stat line will look like one of these: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/3414
