<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>From @<a href="https://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA">WojYahooNBA</a>: "They [Memphis Grizzlies] don't think they're a champinoship contender."</p>— Chris Mannix Show (@ChrisMannixShow) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChrisMannixShow/status/288091418419941378" data-datetime="2013-01-07T01:15:21+00:00">January 7, 2013</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>From @<a href="https://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA">WojYahooNBA</a>: "I think there's a very good chance they move [Rudy Gay] or one of their big salary guys in February."</p>— Chris Mannix Show (@ChrisMannixShow) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChrisMannixShow/status/288091661257547777" data-datetime="2013-01-07T01:16:19+00:00">January 7, 2013</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> would love to see what Holinger has written about Gay in the past
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Remember when Mem went on that nice run 2 years ago sans R. Gay and ppl thought they'd be better WITH him? They aren't.</p>— Haralabos Voulgaris (@haralabob) <a href="https://twitter.com/haralabob/status/288105326518079488" data-datetime="2013-01-07T02:10:37+00:00">January 7, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>He just seems to sap the energy out of the team with the way he floats through games, his horrible body language and lackluster effort.</p>— Haralabos Voulgaris (@haralabob) <a href="https://twitter.com/haralabob/status/288104661611855872" data-datetime="2013-01-07T02:07:58+00:00">January 7, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Every once in awhile his talent shines through and he plays a nice game, but for the most part the bad outweighs the good. Net negative 100%</p>— Haralabos Voulgaris (@haralabob) <a href="https://twitter.com/haralabob/status/288104919892897792" data-datetime="2013-01-07T02:09:00+00:00">January 7, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
That is actually where my thoughts floated too. First they will try and trade Gay. Now obviously you and I know that he sucks, but is some dumb team like the Bucks or other talent starved team going to trade for him? Maybe, maybe not. Then, they will look to move Zbo, who is declining. Not sure who would take on his deal at this point. Which leaves Gasol. I think an Asik + Patterson for Gasol swap makes a lot of sense for both sides. Memphis gets a serviceable center at half the cost and a young big in Patterson whom they can let walk if they so desire. Houston upgrades talent without putting too much of a hit on their cap room.
I like Omer, but that would be an awesome deal for the Rockets. Marc Gasol is probably a top 3 center in the league.
I've always wanted Gasol from the Grizzlies but Asik is growing on me. I don't think an upgrade at C is what the Rockets need most.
Gasol would be awesome here though, he has great hands, he sets good screens, hits his FT's, nice touch around the basket, nice 17 foot jumper, great passer, hell he even blocks a couple shots a game. His numbers aren't crazy but if you pair him up with Harden in the PnR I think he could explode.
The only reservation I might have there is I'm not sure how he'd adjust to playing on a really fast paced team. He seems kind of slow running from one end to the other. The Grizzlies play at one of the slowest paces in the league, and he's probably a big reason why.
I used to believe Marc Gasol would explode if you separated him from Z-Bo, but his NBA zone will probably always be between 14/7 and 15/9. It's just what he is.
Yeah, but not all 14/9 is equal. Gasol's high basketball IQ, superb passing, and excellent position defense makes him close to elite in my view, even if the points and rebounds aren't overly impressive. Again, I'd worry about his conditioning and ability to run up and down the floor. Asik seems to do pretty well running the floor, but I'm not sure if Gasol has that in him.
I'm not saying Gasol isn't worthwhile because his pts/rebs aren't special. He brings quite a bit of chemistry and intelligence on offense. Still, there are times when I think he fails to assert himself when the opportunity is there. On defense, I think Asik is better.
What do you mean similar limitations? Asik and destroy runs with the best of them. IMHO Gasol would be an upgrade but is probably not that big of an upgrade, and would cost significantly more than Asik, and by trading for him you lose out on the ability to acquire a max player. I can't believe I'm saying this but it might be better if we say no to Marc Gasol.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Everywhere I turn I read about how great Shane Battier's defense is. But when I look at my metrics, the <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23s">#s</a> tell a different story.</p>— Haralabos Voulgaris (@haralabob) <a href="https://twitter.com/haralabob/status/213372380570062851" data-datetime="2012-06-14T20:48:34+00:00">June 14, 2012</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Bruce Bowen, now there was a great lockdown defender. Shane Battier has never scored in the top 5 for any year we have recorded data.</p>— Haralabos Voulgaris (@haralabob) <a href="https://twitter.com/haralabob/status/213372635537616896" data-datetime="2012-06-14T20:49:35+00:00">June 14, 2012</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Note this isn't a knock on Battier, more a knock on the golden boy of defense and "hidden stat" reputation the press gives him.</p>— Haralabos Voulgaris (@haralabob) <a href="https://twitter.com/haralabob/status/213373427011162112" data-datetime="2012-06-14T20:52:43+00:00">June 14, 2012</a></blockquote>
I'm curious what Voulgaris's stats said about Battier the few years before we traded for him and then his first few years with us. Shane's defense has definitely regressed with age, but he was an elite overall wing defender for about a 4-5 year stretch there, I think.
