Uh, you do realize Brand outperforms K-Mart in every statistical way except steals, 3P%, and turnovers (by a very slim margin). Martin is not Elton Brand. That said, I'm really big on K-Mart. I think his toughness and attitude would allow him to survive in the West, and next to Yao Ming, he would thrive. He brings a will to win, and his ability on the fastbreak might provide Yao the luxury of not wearing himself down to complete the 3 on 1 opportunities. He's not exactly a max-type player however; I wouldn't even talk to him unless he's willing to back off the 80-mill type demands.
I think Elton Brand is the ideal fit for the Rockets. The 'good numbers on a bad team' arguement doesnt hold much water for him, because he's scoring at an efficient rate (20 ppg; 50% shooting). The thing about Brand is that you dont primarily think of him as a scorer. When you mention Brand you think: great rebounder, great shot blocker. He doesnt have to score to help his team win. He could easily be to Yao, what Otis Thorpe was to Hakeem, a hard-nosed rebounder who can hit the 12 foot jumper. Kenyon Martin is a good player, and probably a better scorer than Brand, but not as good of a rebounder or shot blocker. When Martin has to ball he can do more things with it than Brand can, but is that want you want from our PF? Whenever Martin has the ball, the floor is cleared for him so he can have space to work. He's probably a shade better in 1on1 defense, but Van Gundy's defense relies more on rotation and help defense, where Brand shines. Whether Brand or Martin is better as a player depends on who youre asking, but Brand's style of player better suits the Rockets better than any PF on the market.
i would also say no to brand. He is mainly a post player, how would him and yao have room to operate together? I could be wrong but i dont think brand has a good jump shot.
But he doesnt NEED to be a post player, because his value transcends beyond just a post player (if you even want to call him that). He doesnt need to command the ball to help the team win. Truth is, he can get his points in a variety of ways; he gets alot of points from putbacks and rolling to the basket, as well as a solid jump shot -- meaning he gets alot of his points through his own hustle plays. Defenders cant sag off him because he has a game outside 10 feet, (unlike Cato). They also have to be wary of him crashing the boards, plus he also plays great defense (unlike Taylor). Either way ... it's doubtful that we get Brand via trade without parting with Francis -- who should be directed towards getting McGrady -- so the point is moot anyways. My opinion was just that Brand is the ideal fit for the team.
I'm not sure about Brand's jump shot, but I know he gets A LOT of points from offensive boards and put backs. I think he is #1 in offensive boards per game.
No no, i meant that Kmart sucks. and how he would make the clips and bulls would have sucked even more had they KMART isntead of Brand... I would love to get Brand for say a cat and Mot, but we all know MOt ain goin to that crap hole again.
Can't see Clips considering anything like that with Q and Brand and Wilcox. I do see Brand being moved, maybe even straight up for Terry or to Seattle for Murray and Potapenko or ... Francis? I don't see him in Staples home gear next year.
Brand has a solid low post game, K Mart doesnt (as of yet). I think that is one of the big things that sets the two apart. Martin has the potential....but he hasnt realized it all yet. I dont think he should be paid the max unless you can go to him down the stretch, which means a polished low post game. Down the stretch the Nets go to Jefferson, not Martin.
You had me until you made the Elton Brand comment. So you think K-Mart would win in a Clipper uniform? Get real.
If NJ can't afford to pay him what he is demanding then why would Rox be willing, unless 85% of his salary were picked up thru very disposable players leaving here for Joisey/Brooklyn? If Thorn says he'd take Mo straight up and Rox give KMart Mo's contract + 15%, then suddenly he sounds affordable. Why would Nets do that?
i would love to have Martin on our team. i do not care if he is not the tallest person on the floor. but he has heart and he can jump. I would also love to have Brand on our team. Those are IMHO 2 of the best fitting Power forwards for the rockets.
DOn't get Kmart...the reason he's thriving is cuz of KIDD. Rox should get someone like Rasheed Wallace to form THE TWIN TOWERS with Yao.
I'll never understand you guys' fasination with Brand's stats. He plays very well and his fundamentals are great, but if I'm in a big game and I have to choose between K-Mart and Brand, I'm taking Martin. He relishes the spot-light. Plus there is nothing that Brand really does better than K-Mart. Brand has more range, but not by much. Other than that, I like K-Marts explosiveness, we have a steady player in the post, we need some ying with our Yang. K-Mart would be the perfect player to take some of the physical abuse off Yao's back. All that being said, he's not worth the Max.
pga- Brand is a much better rebounder than Martin, especially offensively, and is also a much better shot blocker. I would also say Brand is a better man to man post defender...What exactly does Martin do so much better than Brand? Run the fast break? Brand isn't on the tier of Duncan/Garnett or probably Nowitzki, but he's on the next level down, which IMO is a tier above Martin.
Brand could fit into any style. KMart needs a running style, IMO. I thought KMart played TD decently, tho he was beaten and overmatched, in last year's Finals. He's improved. He's a ballplayer.
