How has Joel looked?

[Natebishop3]

I just got home from work. How is Joel looking so far?

 

[BBert]

Pretty damn tough. He's moving well. It's amazing.

 

[JfizzleBlazer]

He looked like he could provide fouls at least.

 

[Nikolokolus]

I'll be honest I think he looks a step slow.

 

[VanillaGorilla]

I'll be honest I think he looks a step slow.

Agreed. It's unreasonable not to expect that though.

 

[Natebishop3]

Right now I'll accept a Joel that's a step slow. We're THAT desperate for a center right now.

 

[JfizzleBlazer]

I'll be honest I think he looks a step slow.

hoping it's just that he doesn't trust his knee yet.

 

[jlprk]

Przybilla's attitude provoked Brian Cook to push him and get thrown out. Joel's presence provoked Camby to fear for his job and get 9 rebounds, 4 points, 1 assist, and 1 block in the first 10 minutes.

 

[KingSpeed]

Joel had a great first game. Taking charges, grabbing rebounds, setting picks to free up Nic for open shots. Didn't seem a step slow in that game at all. Second game, he did what jlprk said.

 

[barfo]

And how many of you said Joel would never play again?

barfo

 

[Natebishop3]

And how many of you said Joel would never play again?

barfo

 

[BoBoBREWSKI]

My wife thinks he's looked great!

Considering I thought he'd probably never play again, I cant be happier with the way Joel has played so far. The toughness he brings alone is worth every penny he makes. We are incredibly soft without him. He plays good D, blocks a few shots, grabs a few rebounds, and knocks a few opponents on their ass... cant ask for more from a guy coming off the bench (and after 2 major knee surgeries). He also gets the crowd at the RG fired up. Love me some Joel!

 

[Mediocre Man]

For me he looks tough, and sets a good pick, but he seems a step slow and doesn't have quite the lift he had before. That might work itself out though

 

[craigehlo]

He's x1000 better than Sean Marks.

That being said, he's looking pretty pedestrian so far. Here's hoping he can regain more quickness.

 

[MIXUM]

better then marks but slow

 

[HailBlazers]

Tough

 

[THE HCP]

He's x1000 better than Sean Marks.

That being said, he's looking pretty pedestrian so far. Here's hoping he can regain more quickness.

How can you "regain" something he never had? He's been great in my opinion. We are a better team with him then without him.

 

[VanillaGorilla]

How can you "regain" something he never had? He's been great in my opinion. We are a better team with him then without him.

You think he's as quick now as he ever was?

 

[HailBlazers]

You think he's as quick now as he ever was?

No but I think its ridiculous to even compare it right off the bat. Give him some time, $hit.

 

[mook]

I think he looks great. His stats have sucked, but he's never been a big stats guy. Camby is a better center and puts up better rebounding and blocked shot numbers (even when Przybilla was 100%) but the difference isn't as great as the numbers make it seem. He sets brutal picks and pushes guys around and is an excellent post defender. He clears space for rebounds and driving lanes and physically intimidates people.

You try and dunk on Camby and you may get blocked, but when you try and dunk on Przybilla you may get hurt.

He's not at full speed yet, but I am thrilled to have him back.

 

[HailBlazers]

Great Post Mook, your on a Roll today.

Przybilla is our modern day enforcer!

 

[THE HCP]

This team is dying for some toughness, and that's what JP brings!

 

[Draco]

And how many of you said Joel would never play again?

barfo

I said he would never return to being an acceptable starter or great bench caliber NBA player. I'm happy for him so far, but he has yet to prove he regained enough athleticism to attain either of those. I dearly hope I end up being ultimately wrong, especially with the Oden micro-fracture, but I think its still to early to tell.

If Joel ends up beating Sean Marks for our backup C spot but is a below average backup center in the league I will not consider his return a success.

 

[Drttimmy]

I only saw him play the Washington game, and the thing that stood out were the small things and fundamentals that so many of our players neglect. It was strange watching a shot go up and immediately Joel is looking for a guy to body and block out WHILE the ball is in the air. If Aldridge and Batum did that consistently, they'd put up much better rebounding numbers. Maybe there's something for flowing through gaps and attempting to board that way, but we have too many guys trying to do that. He definitely helps plug some major needs.