Pick Your Player, With Guidelines!
by Michael Levin on Jul 28, 2010 6:00 AM PDT
in Read and React
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PrintIt's Hump Day, so let's get freaky and try something new. Homework assignments! Let's say you could add one player to the fold for the rest of his contract. You don't have to trade anything for him, he's just automatically on the team. Salary is something to consider, but not dwell upon (specifics later).
Here's the Sixers roster as it stands with a loose depth chart provided by a scientifically-qualified Depthchartist (me):
PG - Jrue Holiday, Louis Williams
SG - Evan Turner, Jodie Meeks, Willie Green
SF - Andre Iguodala, Andres Nocioni, Jason Kapono
PF - Elton Brand, Thaddeus Young, Jason Smith
Feel refreshed? Good. Here are the rules:
1. Said player can not be a rookie or sophomore.
2. Said player can not be making $8 million or more this coming season.
3. Said player can not have scored over 20 points per game last season.
4. Said player can not be Joakim Noah. Obviously.
5. Said player can not have been a top 5 draft pick.
6. Said player can not have a PER greater than 18.25 (Sixers leader last season -- Lou)
The PER site from Hollinger is linked above, Hoopshype has great contract stuff, and any ol' site will tell you about points and draft position. This was more difficult than I thought it would be. The factors I looked at until my eyes turned red and blinky were defensive rebounding (DR%), defensive multiplier (dMULT), Win Shares per 48 minutes (WS/48), and length/amount of contract compared with the player's age -- go to Basketball-Reference or Basketball Prospectus for specifics.
My pick would be Marcin Gortat. I thought a great deal about 3 other big men (if they're brought up in the comments, I'll divulge their identities), but settled on the Polish Hammer, who we've discussed numerous times as a possible addition in the past. Despite a raw offensive game, his defensive rebounding percentages have been phenomenal playing with or in place of Dwight Howard at a 23.6% clip. In that limited time, his dMULT hovers around .950 in the past two seasons, meaning he has held his opponents to 95% of their usual offensive production.
He's still just 26, and while a lack of a true offensive game is worrisome, paired with Speights or Hawes, he'd get his points off dump passes and put-backs, while his mate demands the ball outside the paint. With Jrue, Andre, and Evan slashing and drawing the defender, the Hammer would get plenty of opportunities for uncontested throwdowns. At around $7 million per year until the 2014 offseason, he's very cost-controlled for a starting center (and overpaid for a backup). I'd bump Brand to the bench and let Mo/Spence fight it out for the 4-spot. The only concern is that he's never gotten a chance to play significant minutes for an extended time and without the services of Mr. Howard, his weaknesses could be exposed. But that's the idea -- nobody we'd get under these rules is a sure thing.
There are many cases that can be made for others who meet the criteria. Make them for me, people. Winner gets Tanner's favorite hat.
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He'll have stiff competition from
Duincy Qouby. They may actually cancel each other out.
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The Artist Formerly Known As The Artist Formerly Known As Michael Bourn
by Michael Levin on Jul 28, 2010 6:06 AM PDT up reply actions
Javale McGee.
He’s 7 feet with a 7’6" wingspan. He has good leaping ability and can run well. This would fit in with the sixers running game.
His career per 36min:
14.9 pts, 9.2 rbs, 3 blks
PER – 17.0
TS% – .536
DR% – 18.5%
OR% – 11.2%
0.094 WS/48
18th pick in the draft in 2008, still on rookie contract.
"I admire his competitiveness. As much as I admire it, I thought that he was trying too hard."- Eddie Jordan
all info derived from www.basketball-reference.com, www.draftexpress.com
"I admire his competitiveness. As much as I admire it, I thought that he was trying too hard."- Eddie Jordan
He was one of the other three I considered.
You are a finalist for the coveted Tanner hat.
I’m worried about him defensively figuring it out which hurts his chances of succeeding with Speights/Hawes, but he’s got a ton of upside and I like the research. Tip of the cap to you, Jefu.
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by Michael Levin on Jul 28, 2010 7:11 AM PDT up reply actions
It’s a good hat.
"I'm a beast ready to be unleashed." -- Paul George
by Tanner Steidel on Jul 28, 2010 7:48 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
First of all, this is fantastic. Secondly, I go with Eric Gordon. He gives me a guard who fits with Jrue/Turner (not ideally, because I’m not sure how Turner will fair against threes yet), and allows me to trade Iguodala for picks, young bigs, etc.
Good call
Totally forgot he wasn’t a top 5 pick. I will now shut my ears in the oven door as punishment. (/Dobby’d). But since this is more of a pick ONE player and live with him thing, I can’t assume we’d go on to trade Iguodala for picks and youngins. So if we had to add one player, I’d rather have Gortat/Iguodala/Turner than Gordon/Iguodala/Turner and have one of them off the bench.
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by Michael Levin on Jul 28, 2010 7:22 AM PDT up reply actions
Jason Thompson would be my choice he’s 24 years old.
He plays with enegry, he’s 6-11 and 250, he also averaged 12 and 8.5 last year.
We would just be trading out frontline for the Kings frontline 09-10 frontline….
holla
"We're not talking about me and Darko in the same sentence." - Chris Webber vs KAHN!
by caseycheesecake on Jul 29, 2010 8:51 AM PDT up reply actions
Im assuming that the player has to be a 3rd year player starting this season
Robin Lopez: His brother misses out on the PER
Jason Thompson
DeAndre Jordan
Zaza Pachulia
David West: missed out by 287k and .99 on the PER
Louis Scola
Jeff Green
Courtney Lee
Corey Brewer
Marcus Thornton
Anthony Morrow
Anthony Randolph
Russel Westrbook
That’s a nice listing. In approximate order of who I would be interested in, I would go for:
Scola (I didn’t realize he was that cheap)
R. Lopez
Anthony Randolph
Thompson
I gave Robin and JT strong consideration but they weren’t in my final four (Gortat, McGee, two others yet to be mentioned)
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by Michael Levin on Jul 28, 2010 8:21 AM PDT up reply actions
Eh
I suppose I should’ve given him more thought, but he didn’t make the cut. Such a limited upside. Solid player though.
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by Michael Levin on Jul 28, 2010 8:27 AM PDT up reply actions
I think jeff green was also top 5
"I'm a beast ready to be unleashed." -- Paul George
by Tanner Steidel on Jul 28, 2010 8:16 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Exactly
How’s everybody like my rules now, suckaaaaaaaaaaaas?
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by Michael Levin on Jul 28, 2010 8:20 AM PDT up reply actions
Calm down there booker. I cant research while at work but out of all the players proposed in the comments I’d go with mikey’s boy gortat. He’s pretty young and provides a defensive presence at center that the sixers currently lack (sorry tony battie’s mom).
"I'm a beast ready to be unleashed." -- Paul George
by Tanner Steidel on Jul 28, 2010 8:27 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Coincidentally,
These are Tony Battie’s parents.
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by Michael Levin on Jul 28, 2010 8:30 AM PDT up reply actions
Booker T?
And a random lady?!
I write about basketball players with Ridiculous Upside. I know you'll love it.
by Scott Schroeder on Jul 28, 2010 1:14 PM PDT up reply actions
Queen Sharmell, Scott
If we’re gonna be fo’ realz friendz, you gotta know these things.
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by Michael Levin on Jul 28, 2010 1:22 PM PDT up reply actions
I like Gortat the best but also...
Brandon Bass…is he one of the other two?? I figure its got to be a 4 or 5…
Didn’t give Bass much time, Hickson was considered — not one of the two.
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by Michael Levin on Jul 28, 2010 9:22 AM PDT up reply actions
I like that but my only concern is that knee injury suffered in the finals. Big men and knee injuries are not a good combo.
"I'm a beast ready to be unleashed." -- Paul George
by Tanner Steidel on Jul 28, 2010 8:51 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Agreed
Gave him a lot of consideration also, but the injury, and having one year left on his deal with the prospect of signing a bigger contract kept me at arm’s length.
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by Michael Levin on Jul 28, 2010 8:53 AM PDT up reply actions
T-rex arms of jay bilas’ dream player arms?
"I'm a beast ready to be unleashed." -- Paul George
by Tanner Steidel on Jul 28, 2010 8:57 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
“or”
"I'm a beast ready to be unleashed." -- Paul George
by Tanner Steidel on Jul 28, 2010 8:58 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Bilas, most definitely
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by Michael Levin on Jul 28, 2010 9:22 AM PDT up reply actions
What is Greg Oden's PER?
I’m willing to take a risk on him.
But my top choices would be Thompson and Scola
He was also the number 1 pick in the draft so, according to headmaster michael, he still wouldn’t be eligible
"I'm a beast ready to be unleashed." -- Paul George
by Tanner Steidel on Jul 28, 2010 8:53 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
All of these things are correct
Hence why the rules are in place, and I am a boss, like Rick Ross.
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by Michael Levin on Jul 28, 2010 8:54 AM PDT up reply actions
I'm Going With Andray Blatche
Look at his numbers after the trade last year, he wouldn’t have been available under the guidelines if we went on those numbers alone. And it’s not like it’s a small sample size, he put work in for 30+ games after that trade went down. 23 years old and 6-11. He came into the league too young and he’s just starting to finally mature into a ball player.
Either way the player needs to be a PF/C and the knock on Blatche is his laziness on D which I think can be coached. I think McGee doesn’t have the offense that Blatche has. I also like the DeAndre Jordan and Robin Lopez picks. If Anthony Randolph can get on the court he’d be the choice for sure.
Hey-O!
That’s one of the other two. There’s still one out there, but Blatche/McGee were both viable options for me and if either of them played better defense, I would’ve pulled the proverbial trigger and shot my proverbial gun into someone’s proverbial skull.
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by Michael Levin on Jul 28, 2010 9:24 AM PDT up reply actions
I actually think I’d rather take my chances with Mo Speezy.
Derek Bodner
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by Derek Bodner on Jul 28, 2010 9:30 AM PDT up reply actions
Length and post moves
give Blatche and McGee the nod for me. I also think that if they wanted to, they could become very good defenders.
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by Michael Levin on Jul 28, 2010 9:41 AM PDT up reply actions
ego and attitude kill Blatche for me. I’ll take laziness and stupidity over ego, laziness, stupidity and hostility.
I also think Speights has pretty decent post moves.
Derek Bodner
LibertyBallers || @derekbodner || derek.bodner@draftexpress.com
by Derek Bodner on Jul 28, 2010 10:02 AM PDT up reply actions
Wall should straighten him out
I haven’t seen a post move from Speights except for his stepback jumper with minimal elevation. Basically non-existent footwork.
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by Michael Levin on Jul 28, 2010 10:08 AM PDT up reply actions
I disagree. He’s got a hook with both hands and solid footwork, IMO. Only thing preventing him from developing further is his love for the 17 footer.
Derek Bodner
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by Derek Bodner on Jul 28, 2010 11:27 AM PDT up reply actions
I think I can count with one hand how many times I’ve seen him utilize that hook. I don’t see good footwork down low. Hopefully he’s added some new things this offseason.
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by Michael Levin on Jul 28, 2010 12:24 PM PDT up reply actions
Haywood? Ilyasova? Jordan Hill?
cmon youre killing me… I thought of Blatch but he seems like wayyy too much of a head case….seems like TO.
No. Nien. Nyet.
Come on shova, my momma didn’t raise no fool.
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by Michael Levin on Jul 28, 2010 9:41 AM PDT up reply actions
Headcase.
"We're not talking about me and Darko in the same sentence." - Chris Webber vs KAHN!
by caseycheesecake on Jul 29, 2010 8:53 AM PDT up reply actions
Oh and he’s only 21 so he hasn’t even come close to tapping his potential yet.
by Jack Murray on Jul 28, 2010 10:02 AM PDT up reply actions
Success
He was the 4th. Although, Nicholas, I received an email one minute before from a fellow by the name of Vincent who correctly nailed the Paul Millsap call. Therefore, Vinny, Jefu, and Jack Murray get to fight to the death for Tanner’s hat.
My money’s on Jefu since he’s a ninja and all.
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by Michael Levin on Jul 28, 2010 10:20 AM PDT up reply actions
Beat me to it, Mike, but just to review...
1. Millsap is entering his fifth season in the NBA.
2. He is making $7.6m this coming season.
3. He scored less than 12 points last season.
4. Millsap is not Joakim Noah.
5. Millsap was a 2nd round pick.
6. Millsap’s PER was 16.8.
That's the V.Moniest thing I've ever read.
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by Michael Levin on Jul 28, 2010 10:25 AM PDT up reply actions
And don't forget...
…he’s the perfect Elton Brand replacement.
My second choice would be John Salmons.
He always seems to turn it on when he joins a new team, although he is the wrong side of 30.
Third choice is a toss-up between Jameer Nelson and Josh Childress.
However, if pressed, I’d have to go with Childress.
My list:
SG: Eric Gordon
SF: Batum, Danilo Gallinari
PF: JJ Hickson, Serge Ibaka, A. Randolph
C: DeAndre Jordan (cheap contract)
I didn’t even think Gordon. He’d be up there too.
Derek Bodner
LibertyBallers || @derekbodner || derek.bodner@draftexpress.com
by Derek Bodner on Jul 28, 2010 11:27 AM PDT up reply actions
He was drafted three years ago, but his rookie season was last season — therefore, DQ’d.
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by Michael Levin on Jul 28, 2010 2:40 PM PDT up reply actions
Randolph excluded
due to PER
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by Michael Levin on Jul 28, 2010 12:25 PM PDT up reply actions
charlie villanueva
versatile c/f shooting range of a shoot guard and can play down low with the best of them at 6’11’’ 240
by broncopride on Jul 28, 2010 12:42 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
This was a hard one, but I went with Tony Battie because he can give us additional depth in the front court while also providing a valuable veteran presence for our younger players both on and off the court.
by Naismithball on Jul 28, 2010 2:31 PM PDT reply actions 7 recs
Yeah, we really should sign Tony Battie… If only we had the 29th best GM on our team. Wait…….
Let the Jruth be told.
by guitarmouse35 on Jul 28, 2010 7:56 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Chris Kaman
Don’t know his salary, but he fits the other guidelines, and would fill our center void.
by beastispassword on Jul 28, 2010 6:22 PM PDT reply actions
He's making 11.3 mil
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by Michael Levin on Jul 28, 2010 6:34 PM PDT up reply actions
Can’t we splurge a little bit mikey??
Let the Jruth be told.
by guitarmouse35 on Jul 28, 2010 7:57 PM PDT up reply actions
In That Case
Channing Frye…young player who also fills the center spot
by beastispassword on Jul 28, 2010 6:58 PM PDT reply actions
Cool thread topic!
"We're not talking about me and Darko in the same sentence." - Chris Webber vs KAHN!
by caseycheesecake on Jul 29, 2010 8:59 AM PDT reply actions
He does
But he’s a too similar to Hawes and plays little defense — dMULT of 1.244 last season. That’s huge to the point where it may even be a typo.
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by Michael Levin on Jul 29, 2010 11:37 AM PDT up reply actions
Can I take DeJuan Blair in next years PYP.
He’s already blown both knees so he’s more advanced than Millsap to replace Brand.
by briztoon on Aug 1, 2010 8:12 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs
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