Your guess for who will be our starting center next year

[MightyMouseOps1]

Throwing out some other options:

I would rather trade for John Henson than overpay for bismack Biyombo. Henson and Biyombo offer similar skills IMO.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Nikola Vucevic available in the next year. If you look at Vogels bigs in Indiana, he had Hibbert, West, Mahimi, and Turner. All of those guys play with a tough, physical defensive mindset. Vucevic is a poor defender but pretty good offensively.

Vucevic would be a good pairing with someone like Biyombo or Henson IMO. Meyers would also be a good pairing with Henson or Biyombo

Order of my Preference:
1. Whiteside
2. Okafor- has to be paired with a defensive big but exceptional offensive skills.
3. Horford
4. Monroe/Vucevic - has to be paired with a defensive big
5. Dwight - declining IMO but can still be effective. I am more concerned about his mentality on the court than his skills at this point.
6. Henson
7. Biyombo


8. Mahimi
9. Ezeli

Realistically I think we can land anyone from 4-8 above. I did not include Pau Gasol on the list because I believe he is too old and does not make us a championship team.

 

[jlprk]

I'm still fully aboard the Cole Aldrich train if the can't get Horford Whiteside or Howard. Biyombi looked pretty impressive moving his feet o the perimeter but he's too limited offensively to be anything more than a backup.

All aboard the Cole train! Who needs steam.

 

[jlprk]

I suspect a lot of people are voting on who they want, rather than trying to predict who will actually be the center. Otherwise, it would be surprising to me that so many people think that both Olshey will target Whiteside and that Whiteside will choose to sign with Portland. Whiteside would be a great add, as would Horford. I don't think either player is highly likely to end up in Portland, though.

I agree that there's a lot of wishful thinking in here. If people had to wager real money on my question, I suspect we'd see much different answers. I agree that I'd much rather us sign Whiteside or Horford than Biyombo. I just don't think it's as likely.

Each year, Olshey strikes out on his big free agent, then signs underrated ones. Our big men are pushed around inside. We need size. Ezeli bodied Plumlee like he's a kid. So I voted that Olshey will succeed in getting Ezeli because he's obtainable. I didn't say that Ezeli will be his first choice on July 1.

 

[Boob-No-More]

In order of preference:
~ A Horford (age 29) - He'd be a nice fit, but I don't think we have a good chance of getting him.
~ H Whiteside (age 26) - His age fits our window, and at the lower max of $21.5M he wouldn't kill our cap space. Has he matured enough to not be a distraction?

Whiteside blocks more shotsm but Horford is a better defender, especially in the pick and roll, where is where we (C.J. and Dame especially) need the most help.

Of course, Horford is also a much better offensive player, and it''s not even close. He's great in the pick and roll, pick and pop and in the paint.

Whiteside will be cheaper and have fewer suitors, but if there is anyway to get Horford, he has to be our No. 1 target. He would help this team in so many ways at both ends of the court.

I wont be disappointed of we get Whiteside. It will just mean Hordford wasn't interested.

~ F Ezeli (age 26) - Although he's restricted, there's a good change GSW let him walk if the offer is high enough. Only a slightly better rebounder, rim protector and scorer than Plumlee and one year older than Plumlee.

With his history of knee injuries? Absolutely not! He hasn't played more than 46 games since 2012-13 and completely missed 2013-14 season after off season knee surgery.

BNM

 

[Boob-No-More]

Each year, Olshey strikes out on his big free agent, then signs underrated ones. Our big men are pushed around inside. We need size. Ezeli bodied Plumlee like he's a kid. So I voted that Olshey will succeed in getting Ezeli because he's obtainable. I didn't say that Ezeli will be his first choice on July 1.

He's spent more time in a suit sitting behind the bench than in a uniform sitting on one over the past three seasons. He's played in a total of 92 games over the last three seasons. That's not Oden bad, but it's awfully damn close. Too close for comfort, if you ask me.

BNM

 

[Sarni]

I don't think Biyombo has priced himself out. His max is still affordable and if we were convinced that he could get similar defensive numbers as he's been getting in the playoffs plus work on his offensive game a bit, then he'd be a good 3rd/4th candidate behind Whiteside, Horford and maybe Howard. He's a rebounding monster which would suit a 3-point shooting team like Blazers very, very well. He's probably the most realistic candidate out there and if we went for him as No. 1 target then I'd probably expect Olshey to get this done. I'm more and more convinced with him during these playoffs, he's stepped his game up and with the history of players improving while at Blazers I could see good future for him.

Whiteside is still a better target, as is Horford but both will be very hard to sign.

 

[BonesJones]

I don't think Biyombo has priced himself out. His max is still affordable and if we were convinced that he could get similar defensive numbers as he's been getting in the playoffs plus work on his offensive game a bit, then he'd be a good 3rd/4th candidate behind Whiteside, Horford and maybe Howard. He's a rebounding monster which would suit a 3-point shooting team like Blazers very, very well. He's probably the most realistic candidate out there and if we went for him as No. 1 target then I'd probably expect Olshey to get this done. I'm more and more convinced with him during these playoffs, he's stepped his game up and with the history of players improving while at Blazers I could see good future for him.

Whiteside is still a better target, as is Horford but both will be very hard to sign.

Are you suggesting we max Biyombo?

 

[Sarni]

Are you suggesting we max Biyombo?

Not sure. What's his max this year? I just meant that it'll be within Blazers cap range, no that we should be paying this really. I'm not sure what his max is though, I'm poor with this stuff. EDIT: His max is $21.5M. No, that's defo too high and no one will offer him that based on 5 games.

We have to spend the money somewhere though so if we get turned down by Whiteside and Horford (and we most likely will) then Biyombo is a decent option. Anything around $12M and he's bound to consider.

 

[Orion Bailey]

Next year can indeed get us to the 1-4 spots, or I would say 1-3 spots for the playoffs. With Meyers playing like he did as last season progressed, and remember holding Cousins to 2 out of 11, Chief holding down key players, CJ cooking, and Dame outsmarting, Blazer defense can make the quantum leap needed to beat the Warriors, Spurs, Thunder, or anyone in the playoffs.

But Orion, why did you leave Mason out of your lineups?

In my lineup, Meyers would be the 5 and Mason the 4, with excellent possibilities for rim defense and rebounding.

I did leave Plums out becaused his lack of an outside shot will hurt him at PF. He needs to be a C unless he develops a 12-15 foot jumper.

 

[blue9]

So he's a slightly better and stronger Ed Davis. Like I said, I like the guy, just not sure we need him for the money we would spend. Ed and and Plumlee still end up with better PERs than him somehow.

Exactly - Biyombo would be an upgrade to Ed Davis, but probably a +0 if replacing Plumlee.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

I'm still fully aboard the Cole Aldrich train if the can't get Horford Whiteside or Howard. Biyombi looked pretty impressive moving his feet o the perimeter but he's too limited offensively to be anything more than a backup.

I like Cole despite the hell I'll get from MM for saying so. He showed some skill out there, and deserves to start and play 24-28 minutes for a team.

 

[Boob-No-More]

I like Cole despite the hell I'll get from MM for saying so. He showed some skill out there, and deserves to start and play 24-28 minutes for a team.

Yeah, Aldrich would definitely be an under-the-radar typical Neil Olshey signing.

Of course, I'd much rather have Horford or Whiteside and even Dwight Howard may have a bigger impact but Aldrich is definitely underrated and under used.

One additional reason to go after Aldrich (if plans a, b and c fall through) is it hurts the Clippers (NO GOOD CLIPPERS!) . They FINALLY got a legitimate backup center to throw out there for a few minutes when other teams go to Hack-a-Jordan.

If you look at Aldrich's per 36 numbers, they actually compare favorably to Jordan's. His blocks per 36 are actually better, rebounds a little less and scoring a little more. Although Jordan is regularly near the top of the league in FG%, his offensive game is limited to dunks (his average FGA distance is 1.2 feet and the year he led the league in FG%, almost 92% of his shots were less than 3 feet from the basket).

Aldrich does have limited range, but he has some legitimate low post moves and has range out to about 10 feet. He's stronger and better at finishing around the basket than Plumlee.

Because he can actually make a FT, his TS% is basically the same is Jordan's. In terms of advanced stats, he actually had a higher BLK% and a higher PER than Jordan and a comparable WS/48. I'm not saying he's as good as Jordan, but he'll come a lot cheaper and may leave us enough left over to sign, or trade for, another significant piece.

BNM

 

[dviss1]

Because Meyers makes things a lot easier for others by spacing the floor and hasn't peaked like Monroe yet..

1. Not a fan of a guy who's team got better when he left, and the team he went to got worse.

3. Even though I'm not a Monroe fan, saying he doesn't space the floor is absurd. Being an inside scoring threat helps space the floor.

 

[dviss1]

I don't think Biyombo has priced himself out. His max is still affordable and if we were convinced that he could get similar defensive numbers as he's been getting in the playoffs plus work on his offensive game a bit, then he'd be a good 3rd/4th candidate behind Whiteside, Horford and maybe Howard. He's a rebounding monster which would suit a 3-point shooting team like Blazers very, very well. He's probably the most realistic candidate out there and if we went for him as No. 1 target then I'd probably expect Olshey to get this done. I'm more and more convinced with him during these playoffs, he's stepped his game up and with the history of players improving while at Blazers I could see good future for him.

Whiteside is still a better target, as is Horford but both will be very hard to sign.

If we sign BB to a max deal soccer moms would be jumping off ledges...

 

[PtldPlatypus]

One additional reason to go after Aldrich (if plans a, b and c fall through) is it hurts the Clippers (NO GOOD CLIPPERS!) . They FINALLY got a legitimate backup center to throw out there for a few minutes when other teams go to Hack-a-Jordan.

As an aside, this weekend my 10-year-old son was helping me with some yard-work yesterday. I asked him to grab the clippers to cut a root that was in my way, and his immediate response (in unison with my wife, who was also out there) was to yell "NO GOOD CLIPPERS!"

They were referred to as the no-good-clippers for the rest of the day.

 

[Chris Craig]

Of course we want Whiteside, and if we get him he will be our starter at the 5. But, if we get Horford, he will probably start at his natural position the 4, leaving plumbs at the 5....if we get both Horford and Whiteside( I know we cant, it's not possible, and it won't happen) but if we did Olshey is a god

 

[B-Roy]

I like Cole despite the hell I'll get from MM for saying so. He showed some skill out there, and deserves to start and play 24-28 minutes for a team.

Another thing I like about Cole is that he's now had two straight seasons of 10%+ Assist %. That's pretty rare for a center, especially a backup one who is really just been told to be a finisher on offense. Perhaps there is some untapped playmaking potential there for Stotts to play with.

 

[Chris Craig]

Or they will suspend him for the first game of next season

 

[Boob-No-More]

Of course we want Whiteside, and if we get him he will be our starter at the 5. But, if we get Horford, he will probably start at his natural position the 4, leaving plumbs at the 5....if we get both Horford and Whiteside( I know we cant, it's not possible, and it won't happen) but if we did Olshey is a god

Horford has been a starting center his entire NBA career. In today's NBA there is no reason he can't continue to do so.

The only reason to move him to the 4 is if you have someone else on your roster that is a better 5. We don't have that. Ideally, I'd want a stretch 4 to pair with Horford. If Aminu can continue to improve his 3-point shooting, we may already have that - or we may already have that if we retain Meyers. Horford could pair well with either. With Hordford's versatility on defense, we could let him play center on offense and guard the other team's PF on defense when playing with Meyers.

BNM

 

[Strenuus]

Given the track record, Biyombo is like our Aminu signing. Great in the playoffs, see if he can do it here kind of thing.

 

[Boob-No-More]

Given the track record, Biyombo is like our Aminu signing. Great in the playoffs, see if he can do it here kind of thing.

I need to see more. In the MIA series, they were without Whiteside and Bosh. Their biggest starter was Luol Deng who has been a SF most of his career. Their best "post presence" was Josh McRoberts. McBob is a crafty passer and floor spacer, but rim protector comes in dead last in his strengths column.

Biyombo has been in the NBA for five seasons now. He was a starter his first two seasons in CHA and put up very Vonlehesque numbers. This is really the first time in five full seasons Biyombo has shown flashes of being anything better than slightly below average.

Still, you could say the EXACT came things about Chief until last years playoffs with DAL.

So, the questions become, has Biyombo finally turned a corner, or is this a temporary blip? Is he really big enough to be a starting center in the Western Conference, or is he destined to be a career backup (which he is in TOR when Valanciunas) and if he is, how much are you willing to pay him to be your backup center, because he can't really play PF in today's NBA?

BNM

 

[Pinwheel1]

Is he really big enough to be a starting center in the Western Conference, or is he destined to be a career backup (which he is in TOR when Valanciunas) and if he is, how much are you willing to pay him to be your backup center, because he can't really play PF in today's NBA?

BNM

Playing devils advocate....

He does have the same standing reach as Dwight, and a longer wing span.
One inch shorter than Whiteside's....but he seems to be a better leaper at this point than both.....

 

[Boob-No-More]

Playing devils advocate....

He does have the same standing reach as Dwight, and a longer wing span.
One inch shorter than Whiteside's....but he seems to be a better leaper at this point than both.....

He is a good weak side help defender, but he's not a good man-to-man defender against bigger centers. At least not yet. He has the physical tools, but doesn't seem to have a feel for post defense. He goes for a lot of fakes and is often out of position.

BNM

 

[Pinwheel1]

He is a good weak side help defender, but he's not a good man-to-man defender against bigger centers. At least not yet. He has the physical tools, but doesn't seem to have a feel for post defense. He goes for a lot of fakes and is often out of position.

BNM

I agree, I am just saying he is big enough. As they say ...."you don't play defense with the top of your head".
He has a taller standing reach than Bogut, Adams, Towns.......

 

[Jon]

why not Whiteside AND Horford?

 

[B-Roy]

why not Whiteside AND Horford?

Because the CBA isn't written by toddlers.

 

[santeesioux]

It's going to be Dwight Howard and this forum is going to implode.

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

Of course we want Whiteside, and if we get him he will be our starter at the 5. But, if we get Horford, he will probably start at his natural position the 4, leaving plumbs at the 5....if we get both Horford and Whiteside( I know we cant, it's not possible, and it won't happen) but if we did Olshey is a god

I think it's possible. Gotta persuade them that if they both come that Blazers will be contender. That Horford will be at his natural position of PF. My only question is if Horford can play defense as a PF in the new smaller, quicker NBA?

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

Because the CBA isn't written by toddlers.

It's possible, would require renouncing Harkless and Leonard and trading Davis, although if they would each take about 1.5 million less each year maybe could do it by trading Vonleh instead of renouncing Harkless.

 

[Boob-No-More]

My only question is if Horford can play defense as a PF in the new smaller, quicker NBA?

I think he can, but I think it negates one of the main reasons you try to sign him - his pick and roll defense. In today's NBA, most teams (at least most good teams) run a high pick and roll with the center being the one setting most of the high picks. It is the stretch 4's job to create space. If you have Horford guarding stretch 4s, he's no longer involved in the bulk of the pick and rolls you're trying to stop.

Whiteside is a better rim protector, at least in terms of weakside help defense, but an inferior pick and roll defender. If you let Horford guard the other teams 5, to take advantage of his stellar pick and roll defense, you have Whiteside chasing stretch 4s and that completely negates his biggest strength.

Horford and Whiteside would work well together on offense, but pairing then together on defense would be a waste of one, or the other's, biggest strength.

BNM