It looks like Chase is more than enough of a replacement to Von

well yes he does! basketball IQ, passing, know how to move in the offensive system and has a good work ethic..

the only thing i miss from Von is his fearless drive to the basket.. no second thought, just do or die.. i mean either score or turnover.. not really efficient but fun to watch, just like russian roulette..

 

Thank you !

Interesting point, but yeah, I would still take Von over Taylor, wouldn't you?

It depends on when we are asking, right now, I would try to get a big for him......but before a replacement wing....so it all depends on timing.

DD

 

His athleticism surprised me too. Which is really weird, because you don't expect that sort of talent from the 40th pick. Usually you get either boneheaded athletic freaks at that position, or shooters who are otherwise stiffs. It's pretty clear that Budinger's game is on par with even lower tier lottery picks. While possessing good size and shooting ability. How he fell that far(and even Morey bypassed him twice in the 2nd round) is beyond me.

 

Chase >> Von >>>>> JT

I did love me some Von, but yes he was a headcase and yes his defense was suspect at best. Chase will be top 3 in steals of the draft, maybe only behind Blair and Mills if he works out (at 58).

I couldn't help but laugh watching Von play for Olympiacos tonight. He's coming off the bench, and it's not like he's the 6th man either. I just love his trademark 'hold up hands in ball catching position whilst giving PG stare of death to pass him the ball', wish I still saw him around the Rockets sometimes...but I also understand why he's not.

 

Remember the 2008 draft and the disappointment of not getting CDR?

Chase >>CDR>> JT

 

you're going to pay 3M for 3rd string player?

 

I am not going to get into contract details but for the record we are paying $23 million for a guy on the bench.

DD

 

Which they wouldn't be paying, if he was a free agent like Von Wafer was.

 

we chinese fans like Chase too
smooth jazz~~

 

So here is an interesting question.

From a pure basketball standpoint, does it even make sense right now for Ariza to be starting over Budinger?

I mean -- Ariza right now is entitled to the starting job by virtue of being the "big free agent acquisition" and the man they're paying lots of money, but right now Chase is playing so much better than him that it isn't even funny.

There is exactly ONE thing that Ariza does better than Chase: play passing lanes and get steals. And even that one thing is a double edged sword. Case in point: on one possession last night, Ariza was guarding Durant (en route to getting torched repeatedly), and saw that gambling for the steal was probably a bad idea, but did it anyway. Durant gets the ball, Ariza is badly out of position, and it appears to be a sure-fire layup. Naturally Shane Battier recognizes the situation and smartly gets in position to surprise Durant and draw an offensive foul. (Another reason why I laugh at people that think that Battier will ever get benched or traded.)

In every other aspect of the game, Chase is better. He is a better shooter, better rebounder, better passer, better at fundamental defense, better at moving off the ball, better at scoring off the dribble, better at running the fast break (do yourself a favor and rewatch last night's game and see Chase's running on every fast break...it is a revelation), better at finishing around the basket, better dunker, better basketball IQ.

In my opinion, the only reason why Chase is a bench player and Ariza is starting is that Ariza is the big money free agent veteran and Chase is a 2nd round rookie. Beyond that, from a pure basketball standpoint, Ariza is to me clearly inferior no matter how you look at it.

 

That reverse alley oop last night would have been SICK if he couldve gotten it.

 

Replacement for Wafer?

Please, Chase Budinger is replacement for McGrady.

 

Watching Chase this year feels like watching Yao his rookie year...I keep wondering how much better he's going to get.
Every game he surprises me with something different...his shot's really smooth, but I never knew how well he could drive and finish. And his defense is pretty darn good...great lateral quickness. His leaping ability at his height is great, no doubt due to volleyball...okay I'm going on and on.
He's definitely been a bright spot on a team I didn't think would do so well this year, but they've all suprised me, bigtime.

 

It looks that way so far, but Ariza is a proven player and Chase has only played 5 games. I think Adelman is seeing the same thing though...I'm sure as the season goes on if Chase continues this level of play you'll see him eating up more of Battier's and Ariza's time...which is good not just from having a more efficient player on the court, but it gives the other guys more rest for the long seaon.

It's exciting to watch him out there though, he certainly is a surprise...how does Morey find these guys?

 

Bud reminds me of Peja before the injuries. Silky smooth jumper that allows him to get the buck sometimes because people have to get up on him.

 

If only Andersen could become a consistent contributor each night, I'd be feeling really good about this roster right now.

 

I have been saying all year that starting Ariza and Battier is not good, it puts too much pressure on Brooks to be the guy setting them up...because neither of them can do it themselves.

I agree, Chase would be playing better than either of them......

But, we are winning, so if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

DD

 

You have got to be a woman! I like women that like sports!

 

Glad to see Chase continue to play good in the regular season. Hopefully he keeps it up.

 

That's no woman