Name 5 better sixth men than Mo Taylor. Heck, name ONE outside of Bobby Jackson. Mo is overpaid, but he produces.
MoT gets the most minutes of our PFs, so he should be looked at as a starter, a poor one. While I will agree that a lot of team lack the depth to have a quality 6th man, there are quality bench players out there. Plus, since he gets over 27 minutes a game, MoT stats are inflated above the normal bench players. Beyond his high salary, my biggest problems with MoT are that, for the number of minutes he plays, he doesn't get enough rebounds (or blocks, stls, assts, etc). His shooting percentage is low for a PF and his FT percentage is not spectacular either. His only plus is that about every fifth game or so he gets hot and can dominate on offense (but he has more games where he is off). On a quick review for better bench players(stats may be lower due to less minutes): Memphis - Swift, Outlaw and Battier LAC - Wilcox, Jaric and possibly Ely Port -Woods, Miles, Patterson, DDavis Boston - JWelsh Orlando - Gooden Indiana - Harrington, Bender Dallas - Jamison
I wonder Chad Ford perdicted Rockets would protect Bostjan Nachbar, Mike Wilks. I bet Boki would leave Rockets when his rookie contract expire. As to Mike Wilks, he's a type of player that are a dime in a dozen. Is there any need for Rox to protect them?
I strongly doubt that Cato would be left available. Name me another team outside of us and the Kings that have the luxury of two productive centers. That said, I can see the other PFs being offered, especially if we're trying to grab a PF upgrade in the offseason using the trade exceptions. Remember that Charlotte's salary cap next year will only be 30 million. That's tiny, and it's not like they have anyone to sign with Larry Bird rights (they can not draft FAs, even restricted). They are on the record saying they aren't interested in taking bad contracts, bribes or no, and staying in the black is a high priority. If they field a minimal squad of 12, you're looking at an average salary of 2.5 million. If that squad of 12 has just one player making 8 mill, the remaining 11 would have to have an average salary of 2 mill. If they except just one single bribe and draft a Penny Hardaway? Most everyone else better be cool with making the minimum. Economics will be critical for the Bobcats. I'd expect them to insist on only 2005 or later draft picks, as well. In short, Charlotte will SCOUR for low wage players. Evan
