Kaman is so good it isn't even funny

[UKRAINEFAN]

Another key to his success is that he plays with Blake a lot; they know each other's moves and Blake sets him up real well. I hope that Damien can learn to work better with him also. By the way i am really impressed with Blake's defense. Despite his physical limitations i consider him much better defender than Lillard or McCollum. He is not as physical as Matthews but he stays with his guy a little better, anticipates better. And his focus is more consistent than Batum's, so i put him right up there with those guys.

 

[santeesioux]

I should stop questioning free agent signings in the summer, i was lukewarm to Kaman at the time. The way he acts on Twitter endeared him to me rather quickly though.

 

[riverman]

I love that Kaman heckles with a sense of humor in the locker room! He seems to make basketball fun again for some of these guys

 

[mook]

I wonder if we'd acquired Lopez over the summer instead of Kaman, we'd be starting Kaman instead and marveling at what a fine addition Lopez has been to the bench.

Not that I think Kaman is necessarily better, or a better fit with our starters. I just think it's interesting how the subject never even comes up, especially given his amazing production. The reason why centers never win 6THMOY is because if they are that good, they almost always start. Quality 7 footers are such a rarity.

 

[Pinwheel1]

27 minutes last night for Lopez
21 minutes for Kaman. (7-10 10 rebounds)

I can live with that ratio. (Give or take a minute or two)

 

[illmatic99]

I wonder if we'd acquired Lopez over the summer instead of Kaman, we'd be starting Kaman instead and marveling at what a fine addition Lopez has been to the bench.

Not that I think Kaman is necessarily better, or a better fit with our starters. I just think it's interesting how the subject never even comes up, especially given his amazing production. The reason why centers never win 6THMOY is because if they are that good, they almost always start. Quality 7 footers are such a rarity.

Good thought here.

I have a feeling this would not as work as well (in aggregate) if Kaman started and Rolo came off the bench. Kaman thrives on touches, which would be unavailable with the starters. And Rolo doesn't have the one on one moves that Kaman does to carry the offense for the bench unit.

 

[donkiez]

The Kaman signing is the definition of buying low. I remember wanting him on our team back in the pre Lopez days when he was an all star. I remember one game with us vs the Clips where he was just unreal. I've been real down on him the last few years, like a lot of others. Goes to show you what a healthy body and good environment can do for someone.

He is quickly becoming one of my favorite players and my biggest problem with this team is that I have to many favorite players.

 

[Boob-No-More]

I wonder if we'd acquired Lopez over the summer instead of Kaman, we'd be starting Kaman instead and marveling at what a fine addition Lopez has been to the bench.

Not that I think Kaman is necessarily better, or a better fit with our starters. I just think it's interesting how the subject never even comes up, especially given his amazing production. The reason why centers never win 6THMOY is because if they are that good, they almost always start. Quality 7 footers are such a rarity.

Yep, and we are so lucky to have two! Remember when Aldridge wanted a "real" center to bang down low against the other team's biggest player? Now he has two and has to be ecstatic.

Rolo:
27.6 mpg
11.8 ppg
7.1 rpg
1.5 bpg
.556 FG%
PER = 19.5

Kaman:
19.5 mpg
10.7 ppg
6.9 rpg
1.3 bpg
.580 FG%
PER = 21.2

Total:
47.1 mpg
22.5 ppg
14.0 rpg
2.8 bpg
.567 FG%
PER = 20.2

That's pretty damn good production out of the center position.

Kaman is 7th in the league in FG%. Lopez is 14th.

Lopez is 11th in the league in ORB%. Kaman is 7th in the league in DRB%

Plus, neither player has the physical wear and tear of playing big minutes and with 12 fouls to give, we don't have to worry about either getting into foul trouble.

According to 82games.com (for games played through 11/13), we're neck and neck with NOP for the best production in the league from the center position.

NOP Center Position:
OWN = 24.5
OPP = 17.8
NET = +6.8

POR Center Position:
OWN = 24.2
OPP = 17.3
NET = +6.9

And the only reason NOP ranks so well is Davis slides to center about 30% of the time for them.

Meanwhile...

Spencer Hawes:
17.2 mpg
7.4 ppg
4.2 rpg
0.9 bpg
.434 FG%
PER = 13.8

BNM

 

[magnifier661]

The only question is "Will Bill Simmons publicly eat crow in his next Grantland episode?"

 

[noknobs]

You should see how easily Kaman climbs trees and catches fish in his mouth. He has a lot of abilities.

What's really opened doors for him though is having opposable thumbs.

 

[Sinobas]

Kaman's numbers per 36 have been consistently good throughout his career...even though he was a forgotten man last year, his numbers were great. This year, he's actually putting up the best numbers of his career. Hope we can re-sign the guy! Remember Sabonis was a 32 year old rookie and had many great years for us.
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/k/kamanch01.html

 

[Sinobas]

Kaman shooting 58% from the field, 13 boards 2.5 blocks 20 points per 36.

Those are better numbers than Dwight Howard

 

[Sinobas]

Sabonis' rookie season, when he was 31, he shot 57%, 12 rebounds 1.5 blocks and 22 points per 36 (also shot 38% from 3).

 

[tlongII]

What is Kaman's contract situation? Is he under contract for only one year?

 

[andalusian]

What is Kaman's contract situation? Is he under contract for only one year?

partially guaranteed for next year, $1m if they let him go, $5 if he is retained (team option).

 

[magnifier661]

What is Kaman's contract situation? Is he under contract for only one year?

We get him for a guaranteed one more year if we want him.

 

[Boob-No-More]

Sabonis' rookie season, when he was 31, he shot 57%, 12 rebounds 1.5 blocks and 22 points per 36 (also shot 38% from 3).

I had mentioned a while back that Kaman's per 36 numbers last year with the Lakers (and a coach who had no idea how to use him) would be the best for any big man off the Blazers bench since Sabonis was a rookie. It's eerie how similar Kaman's current per 36 numbers are to rookie Sabas.

BNM

 

[e_blazer]

We get him for a guaranteed one more year if we want him.

Barring injury or Meyers Leonard somehow becoming an actual NBA center instead of a stretch 4, I don't see much IF in that statement.

 

[magnifier661]

Barring injury or Meyers Leonard somehow becoming an actual NBA center instead of a stretch 4, I don't see much IF in that statement.

Remember we used to be thin at 5? Hahaha