<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ghoti @ Feb 22 2008, 01:17 AM)
<{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Hassell is a really great role player, but he is nowhere near as good a ballhandler or passer as Lucius was.
Hassell is a better defender, though.
People are making too big a deal of his offensive inabilities. When you watch him for a while, you'll see that is exaggerated. He is not a bad offensive player at all.
He's not a guy you run plays for or rely on to create offense, but he can take advantage of what a defense gives him and he always keeps them honest. You absolutely have to guard him at all times. He's not even a guy (like Jamaal Tinsley or Carlos Arroyo) who the other team encourages to shoot.
I've been a fan of this guy for a long time. I wasn't crying too much when the Nets were forced to take his contract, even if it is about double what it really should be.
Devean George's game makes my eyes bleed, so watching him for the rest of the season would be a Malik Allen level exercise in torture.
Now I get the sweet, mellow, pleasurable experience that is "The Capital" instead. Niiiiiice.</div>
I agree... and while Hassell isn't that bad on offense I think Lucious was a better shooter from deep. Hassell is a better defender, not that Lucious was a slouch in that area. I hope Diop and Ager contribute more than Michael Cage and Don MacLean.
Is Diop the new Todd Mac? Better shot blocker, hands not as good.