Zack Lowe Piece on Pelicans and why I think Asik to New Orleans is inevitable

You had CH at hello.

 

In this lifetime I would never compare D-Mo to the Dream, period.

However, I am eager to see what D-Mo learned over the summer. He definitely is heavier but how much stronger is the question. He is mobile but is still learning how to be crafty with his offensive and defensive moves. In another thread, I voted for T-Jo to be the starting PF this year because a 7-footer always takes more time to mature. That even included Olajuwon, good as he was coming out of UH.

I believe D-Mo primarily is a PF but, like an Otis Thorpe (minus the rebounding skills and oversized mitts), in time he will be able to slide over to play center for limited minutes.

T-Jo is the one with all the pressure to perform this year. I hope he has been working on his mid-range game.

 

While I don't think his previous postseason performances help my argument (which I think you're missing to begin with, but oh well) but it doesn't necessarily prove anything. All those stats you're posting are from 20 games. The first 15 of which he wasn't even a starter yet. I just find it hard to make a definitive statement that a player can't perform in the postseason based off 20 games early in his career. That said, fair point.

I'm going to go ahead and say I DO NOT want LMA. This board severely overrates him. Don't get me wrong, I think he's a better overall player than Anderson, but he will cost twice as much. He is an inefficient scorer who is in love with long 2's, and his career TRB% (the percent of total potential rebounds he grabs) is LOWER than Anderson's (SHOCKER!) Yes, he's a better defensive player (though I'm not convinced he would be a great backup C with the absence of Asik) and he has a legitimate post game, but his entire package is not worth the max, which he will command.

I'm not saying Anderson is the obvious answer and that Morey should do everything he can to get him. I've said several times that we should wait, probably till the deadline, then rob a team that is desperate. My point was merely that, 1) we overrate Asik, and 2) y'all underrate Anderson. That doesn't mean Anderson is as valuable as Asik, I would say he's not, but it's closer than some here want to believe.

 

If we could somehow swing Love, however, that would be great. It's difficult though, because they'll have no interest in either Lin or Asik.

Also I'm afraid that if the Wolves put together a healthy season they will be good enough to convince Love to stay. They have some good pieces...

 

I don't want the Rockets to lose Asik just for Ryan Anderson..thats just my opinion