Kori Ellis
07-01-2006, 03:38 AM
Spurs looking for a big man
Web Posted: 07/01/2006 12:00 AM CDT
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA070106.1C.BKNspurs.chart.12d961ad.html
Rasho Nesterovic is gone. Nazr Mohammed could be on his way out. Staff Writer Johnny Ludden takes a look at who could be the Spurs' man in the middle next season. Here's a look at five of the top free-agent centers, including Mohammed.
BEN WALLACE
Size: 6-foot-9, 240 pounds
2005-06 stats: 7.3 points, 11.3 rebounds, 2.21 blocks per game with Detroit
Strengths: Four-time Defensive Player of the Year, including the past two seasons; one of the league's strongest players
Weaknesses: Turns 32 in September; limited offensively; his free-throw shooting makes Tim Duncan look like Steve Kerr at the line.
Outlook: Likely will command at least a four-year contract in the range of $55 million. Spurs don't have those resources and Detroit has no incentive to cooperate on a sign-and-trade with them. Expected to re-sign with the Pistons or leave for Chicago.
* * *
JOEL PRZYBILLA
Size: 7-foot-1, 255 pounds
2005-06 stats: 6.1 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.32 blocks per game with Portland
Strengths: One of the league's top shot-blockers; fairly mobile; at 26, probably hasn't tapped potential.
Weaknesses: Played in only 56 games last season because of injuries; hasn't developed a strong overall offensive game.
Outlook: Lives near Chicago, so Bulls would be an attractive option. Spurs could be in the mix if Chicago lands Wallace, but can't match the money Bulls have to offer. Wasn't happy with Portland teammates' effort last season, but should be more open to returning after Blazers' draft-night moves.
* * *
NAZR MOHAMMED
Size: 6-foot-10, 250 pounds
2005-06 stats: 6.2 points, 5.2 rebounds. .61 blocks per game with Spurs
Strengths: Ranked fourth in the league in offensive rebounds per 48 minutes; capable of big games, like career-high 30 points he scored against Phoenix; improved free-throw shooting to career-best 78.5 percent.
Weaknesses: Poor hands make him turnover-prone; struggles at times with defensive rotations.
Outlook: Bulls will take a long look at the Chicago native. Turned down extension offer from Spurs prior to last season, but open to returning. Spurs open to keeping him, but probably won't offer a starting salary much higher than $5 million.
* * *
JACKIE BUTLER
Size: 6-foot-10, 260 pounds
2005-06 stats: 5.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and .56 blocks with New York
Strengths: Larry Brown often played him over Eddy Curry and Jerome James; good size; at 21, still has plenty of time to develop.
Weaknesses: Considered more of a project than an immediate contributor; foul- and turnover-prone.
Outlook: Restricted free agent, so Knicks can match offer. Spurs director of pro player personnel Dell Demps helped discover Butler for New York. Still, hard to imagine him starting for a championship-caliber team.
* * *
LORENZEN WRIGHT
Size: 6-foot-11, 240 pounds
2005-06 stats: 5.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, .59 blocks with Memphis
Strengths: Decent rebounder; capable scorer.
Weaknesses: Lost starting job in Memphis toward end of season; not very athletic; at 30, his best days are behind him.
Outlook: Made $7.7 million last season, but probably will have to settle for less than half that. Not much of a fit for Spurs.
* * *
Others: Michael Olowokandi; Kelvin Cato; Francisco Elson (restricted); DJ Mbenga (restricted). Spurs also could move Tim Duncan to center and try to sign a versatile forward like Vladimir Radmanovic, Jared Jeffries (restricted) or Tim Thomas.
Web Posted: 07/01/2006 12:00 AM CDT
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA070106.1C.BKNspurs.chart.12d961ad.html
Rasho Nesterovic is gone. Nazr Mohammed could be on his way out. Staff Writer Johnny Ludden takes a look at who could be the Spurs' man in the middle next season. Here's a look at five of the top free-agent centers, including Mohammed.
BEN WALLACE
Size: 6-foot-9, 240 pounds
2005-06 stats: 7.3 points, 11.3 rebounds, 2.21 blocks per game with Detroit
Strengths: Four-time Defensive Player of the Year, including the past two seasons; one of the league's strongest players
Weaknesses: Turns 32 in September; limited offensively; his free-throw shooting makes Tim Duncan look like Steve Kerr at the line.
Outlook: Likely will command at least a four-year contract in the range of $55 million. Spurs don't have those resources and Detroit has no incentive to cooperate on a sign-and-trade with them. Expected to re-sign with the Pistons or leave for Chicago.
* * *
JOEL PRZYBILLA
Size: 7-foot-1, 255 pounds
2005-06 stats: 6.1 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.32 blocks per game with Portland
Strengths: One of the league's top shot-blockers; fairly mobile; at 26, probably hasn't tapped potential.
Weaknesses: Played in only 56 games last season because of injuries; hasn't developed a strong overall offensive game.
Outlook: Lives near Chicago, so Bulls would be an attractive option. Spurs could be in the mix if Chicago lands Wallace, but can't match the money Bulls have to offer. Wasn't happy with Portland teammates' effort last season, but should be more open to returning after Blazers' draft-night moves.
* * *
NAZR MOHAMMED
Size: 6-foot-10, 250 pounds
2005-06 stats: 6.2 points, 5.2 rebounds. .61 blocks per game with Spurs
Strengths: Ranked fourth in the league in offensive rebounds per 48 minutes; capable of big games, like career-high 30 points he scored against Phoenix; improved free-throw shooting to career-best 78.5 percent.
Weaknesses: Poor hands make him turnover-prone; struggles at times with defensive rotations.
Outlook: Bulls will take a long look at the Chicago native. Turned down extension offer from Spurs prior to last season, but open to returning. Spurs open to keeping him, but probably won't offer a starting salary much higher than $5 million.
* * *
JACKIE BUTLER
Size: 6-foot-10, 260 pounds
2005-06 stats: 5.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and .56 blocks with New York
Strengths: Larry Brown often played him over Eddy Curry and Jerome James; good size; at 21, still has plenty of time to develop.
Weaknesses: Considered more of a project than an immediate contributor; foul- and turnover-prone.
Outlook: Restricted free agent, so Knicks can match offer. Spurs director of pro player personnel Dell Demps helped discover Butler for New York. Still, hard to imagine him starting for a championship-caliber team.
* * *
LORENZEN WRIGHT
Size: 6-foot-11, 240 pounds
2005-06 stats: 5.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, .59 blocks with Memphis
Strengths: Decent rebounder; capable scorer.
Weaknesses: Lost starting job in Memphis toward end of season; not very athletic; at 30, his best days are behind him.
Outlook: Made $7.7 million last season, but probably will have to settle for less than half that. Not much of a fit for Spurs.
* * *
Others: Michael Olowokandi; Kelvin Cato; Francisco Elson (restricted); DJ Mbenga (restricted). Spurs also could move Tim Duncan to center and try to sign a versatile forward like Vladimir Radmanovic, Jared Jeffries (restricted) or Tim Thomas.