I think even after this team has fully gelled and get in a groove, i still believe we are one piece away from truly contending this year. Our backcourt is all good and could match up with anyone in the NBA; but our front court is what is really worrying when we are matched up against some of the better team in the playoff.
let's assume by the time the playoff rolls around, we will be down to a 8 man rotation (3 bigs rotation):
Spurs: T. Duncan, A. McDyess, M. Bonner or D. Blair
Lakers: P. Gasol, A. Bynum, L. Odom
Nuggets: K. Martin, Nene, C. Andersen
Celtics: K. Garnett, K. Perkins, R. Wallace
Magics: R. Lewis, D. Howard, R. Anderson or M. Gortat
Cavaliers: J. Hickson, S. O' Neal, A. Varejao or Z. Ilgauskas
As you can see our post defense is probably the worst out off all these contending teams. The team that really worries me is the Lakers, there whole team not just there front court is just so big and long; Our front court player is going to have there hands full just trying to guard P. Gasol and A. Bynum; also add in the fact that they also have to help out on K. Bryant and R. Artest... And most likely the 3rd big will be M. Bonner over D. Blair; and i could tell you right now that M. Bonner is going to be SUPER INEFFECTIVE when matched up against the Lakers... Lakers have always been one of the top team in guarding 3 pointers and P. Gasol, A. Bynum, or L. Odom is just going to eat him alive in the post. I'm hoping that D. Blair will be the 3rd big since even though he's undersized but at least he's tough and could impact the game other than hitting the 3's.
Right now we have a abundance of perimeter players on this team, who we could try moving for another big:
Bulls: R. Mason + M. Bonner + I. Mahinmi for T. Thomas + J. Pargo
what this does: it gives us a super athletic 4 with a decent J and shot blocking ability, but could be a bit of a head case.
Clippers: R. Mason + M. Bonner + Pick for M. Camby
what this does: it gives us one of the top rebounder and shot blocker in the league, but is injury prone.
I'm almost sure that this is the team we're gonna have the rest of the season. If you're really worried, then pray that our guys play better than their guys.
Also, they play the games for a reason. If they gave championships based on rosters, I don't think I'd watch.
A note on Camby from Marc Stein's Weekend Dime.
http://espn.go.com/nba/dailydime/_/p...trade-eligibleContending teams all want an extra big man, no matter how good they think their small-ball team is, because you'll eventually have to deal with the Lakers' array of 7-footers if you have any le aspirations.
That's why the Los Angeles Clippers continue to get calls with offers for veteran center Marcus Camby.
But the Clips, sources say, continue to tell those callers that Camby is off limits.
That stance unexpectedly appeared to loosen up at last February's trading deadline, when the Clips and San Antonio Spurs discussed a Camby deal, but the message we got this week from two well-placed sources is that L.A. is not willing to listen to proposals for Camby, who's in the final year of his contract at $9.2 million.
Especially with Blake Griffin not expected back until after Jan. 1.
The spurs are going to have to use Ratliff against the lakers.
Ill take a injury prone camby over a healthy matt bonner any day. Any day that he can play of course. Lol. Matts good but he will not get us over the mountain. We have a damn good despite the ruff start but we need some real help in the block. Its a problem that stares you right in the eye and dares u to prove it wrong.a lot of people here disagree but if we want it all we will have to make a call. Bottom line.
Bonner will get exposed by the Lakers.
M. Bonner will always struggle against team the guards the 3pt shot well, and the upper tier playoff team all guard the 3's really well. That is why i'm not reading much into M. Bonner's good performances against average defensive team during the regular season. And part of us on the forum predicted a complete meltdown by M. Bonner in the playoff last year, and we were spot on correct.
And what's really obvious is whenever a post player sees M. Bonner guarding him, you could totally tell that there eyes just lights up, and just start bullying there way to the basket.
Its one thing to have D. Nowitzki shooting J's over you but you can't let him you around and take you to the hole like he was doing against M. Bonner... his lack of toughness is something that really bothers me.
With the rotations we've seen from Pop the past two years, I can't say I'd be shocked, but I'd be surprised if Ratliff were not in the rotation towards the end of the season and in the playoffs. This team just isn't long enough and doesn't have enough rim protection in the front court to not play him.
Because the Spurs have specific players who provide a specific skill they need and don't have a clearly defined top 8 players, an 8 man rotation is highly unlikely. Of course, this will also be predicated on who the Spurs are playing, but anything under 9 would be surprising and I actually expect we'll see a 10 man rotation.
Camby, to me, makes perfect sense this season and did last season. But I'm not sure it's wise to give up a ton of depth for him. Depth is the Spurs greatest advantage over most teams arguably. The Clippers are supposedly reluctant to move him any way, so it'd be tough to do in terms of giving them what they want and not giving away too many players to match his salary (because it would decimate the depth). People say "trade Mason, Bonner, Finley", yeah and have no one to space the floor other than Ginobili.
This is a no brainer. Three keys to beating the Lakers:
1) Parker will have to absolutely destroy the Lakers troika of PG's. Not just win the match-up, but annihilate them.
2) McDyess and Ratliff have to be able to adequately guard the Lakers long front line.
3) The Spurs bench will have to thoroughly dominate the Lakers bench. It can't even be close.
I'm not worried about Bryant, because I think the Spurs are about as equipped to handle him as anyone. Bogans has enough size/strength to theoretically not get murdered in the post; Hill has the length and quickness to theoretically make him work and Ginobili, if he's healthy and in a groove, is capable of coming as close as anyone, save for Wade, to matching Bryant's all-around game at the SG position.
You think our post defense is worse than JJ Hickson and a busted Shaq/Big Z? The Cavs' bigs get destroyed every game consistently. Nene and K-Mart? We have one of the best defenders of all time (Duncan) and one of the better post defenders of his generation (Dice).
I swear, basketball is a simple game. I don't understand where people come up with these kind of claims.
Not that I'm arguing with you, but the spurs HAD one of the best defenders. Hes still above average, but he's no longer one of the best.
at 2.05 bpg, Timmy is .4 blocks a game away from the league leader and is currently 7th in the NBA.
he's also 1st in the blocks to personal fouls ratio
Just like Timmy to a scoop shot, "get that weak stuff outta here!"
I guess the thinking is the sheer length and mass of the Cavaliers centers (O'Neal 7'1'' 325, Ilgauskas 7'3'' 260) would have a better chance than the Spurs', which are smaller (Duncan 6'11'' 240, Ratliff 6'10'' 235), but more mobile. Mobility and length are more important than strength against Bynum and Gasol, who are 7'0'' 285 (really 7'1'' 272) and 7'0'' 250, because neither is a bruiser in the mold of an O'Neal. Gasol in particular lacks strength and is strictly a finesse player. I agree with you that the Spurs centers would have a better chance than the Cavaliers centers at adequately guarding the Lakers centers.
Nene and Martin are a solid defensive duo, yet it was apparent that neither had the length to match the Lakers in the playoffs last season. This is what I'm concerned about: Nene 6'11'' 250, Martin 6'9'' 240, Anderson 6'10'' 228, Duncan 6'11'' 240, McDyess 6'9'' 245, Bonner 6'10'' (really 6'8'' 1/2 - 6'9'') 240, Ratliff 6'10'' 235 (though he looks bigger, particularly weight wise). As you can see, very little separation size-wise. McDyess is a solid defender, but one of the best of his generation? That's taking it too far.
Basketball is a cerebral game.
Its actually 2.00.
he's also 1st in the blocks to personal fouls ratio
Just like Timmy to a scoop shot, "get that weak stuff outta here!"
The Lakers don't guard the three against the Spurs. They basically leave it wide open and dare our guards to knock them down. They prefer to clog the middle and stop Tony and Manu from going crazy in the paint.
Matt Bonner has struggled against the Lakers because he chokes, not because the Lakers guard the three well.
Agree. Camby would give the spurs a fighting chance. If they go in with Bonner playing big minutes they are not get past the Lakers.
Ratliff basically has to be the third big in order to give the Spurs their best chance at beating the Lakers.
Bonner's playing time should be predicated on whether or not the team as a whole is shooting the 3 (even mid-long range) well. If the team as a whole is struggling in this regard (I'm guessing Finley plays sparingly; Mason not at all, save for a blow out either way), then you'll probably see Bonner play more. If they're shooting the ball adequately and the Lakers have to respect them, then Bonner will probably play less.
If I had to hazard a guess, I'd say they'd struggle shooting the ball with the rotation I outlined. It's simply a matter of percentages. Guys like Parker, Ginobili, Jefferson, McDyess and Hill can all make shots from various ranges at a decent clip, but not one is a dead-eye shooter. A healthy and in a groove Ginobili is the closest thing to it and arguably McDyess if he's in a groove, but overall the percentages are against this happening. Particularly because it's difficult, even with good shooters, to shoot well against the Lakers because of their length, quickness and athleticism.
Mike Dunleavy won't confirm reports of trade offers for Marcus Camby
Coach says the forward has been 'great' and that the team has 'a lot of guys that have a lot of interest from a lot of people.'
Mark Medina
Clippers Coach Mike Dunleavy declined to confirm a recent report that said that various NBA teams have made trade offers for starting forward Marcus Camby.
In the last year of a contract worth $9.1 million, Camby goes into Sunday's game against the San Antonio Spurs ranked fifth in the league in blocks (2.1 per game) and sixth in rebounding (11.0 per game).
"Marcus has been great," Dunleavy said. "We have a lot of guys that have a lot of interest from a lot of people."
As for the rest of the Clippers roster, Dunleavy said the team has no immediate needs beyond forward Blake Griffin fully recovering from a stress fracture in his left knee that has kept him out for all 21 games.
Camby avoided interviews after today's practice, but said earlier in the week that extra stretching, conditioning and effort has helped him averaged double digits in rebounds for the last seven seasons.
"We have a lot of guys capable of scoring," said Camby, who averages 8.4 points per game. "We need guys who go out there and do the little things to balance out our team. That's what I try to focus on."
The Cleveland frontline is one of the worst in the league defensively. Shaq and Big Z get lost in the pick and roll, JJ is arguably the worst starter in his position, and despite their length, they barely block/alter shots.
As you say that, Lou Amundson beasts on them. Nah, they aren't good at all, and neither should ever be used in the same breath as Tim Duncan.
Don't underestimate our talent. Once (or if) we put it all together, it will be a beautiful thing.
Are you kidding? Didn't you see how Ray Allen destroyed Bogans? Bogans is a great defender but he has his limits. He struggles against taller guards. IMO we currently don't have anyone to guard the Kobe, the wades, or the LEbrons. Unless RJ steps it up and becomes a consistent defender we don't have anyone that can match them body wise.
Their is no single defender in the league that can guard Kobe and Lebron. Their are only a few players that can even slow them down, and their not wearing a spur's uniform.
RJ will never be that guy.
Agreed that no one can stop elite scorers like Melo,Kobe, Lebron, and wade. However we need somone that can at least make them work for it.
I don't see defense being too big of a problem. I see turnovers as the problem. If Hill still cannot run the offense properly, we may have to shift him to SG, his natural position, and trade for a point guard.
Quoted myself in the general trades discussion from the think tank.Rumor has it that Ramon Sessions may be shipped out. And I like Ryan Gomes from the Wolves. Because Sessions cannot be traded until 3 months after he signed his contract. This deal would need to be done after the timeline.
The Spurs give out Roger Mason ($3,780,000) + Ian Mahinmi ($989,670) + Matt Bonner ($3,256,500) = $8,026,170
The Timberwolves give out Ryan Gomes ($3,892,500) + Ramon Sessions ($3,670,667) = $7,563,167
Don't bother checking this with trade machines because it wouldn't work as I have explained earlier. The numbers work in the CBA.
Explaination for the Spurs: We get a backup PG in Ramon Sessions and shift George Hill to full time SG, he can handle PG duties in sporadic minutes or when there is an injury. George Hill's natural position is the SG, and his potential can be maximised there. he is clearly not a playmaker, he is a slasher though. We also get a competent backup small forward/power forward in Ryan Gomes and get size for the SF spot. You would not want Michael Finley playing minutes, would you? The Spurs also get some tax relief, albeit only a little. Oh ya, Sessions can play some 2 guard for a while too, so you can play both Sessions and Hill together for some stretches when guys like Manu and Tony need some rest.
Explanation for the Wolves: Both Sessions and Gomes do not fit the team's future plan. They have Flynn and Rubio's rights. They are also long contracts. The Wolves have expressed interest in the 2010 FA class (that is what Kahn said), with players like Joe Johnson and Rudy Gay to accompany Al Jefferson and Kevin Love. Our expiring contracts give the Wolves more cap space come 2010. They also get a prospect in Ian Mahinmi, not much, but hey, it is something. If the Wolves don't like him, he is just another expiring contract. The Spurs might add a 1st, though, but the Wolves have too many draft picks or we might give them Malik Hairston. Roger Mason and Matt Bonner are what the Wolves need to stretch the floor. The Wolves lack shooters.
So, do both teams do it? I thought a lot about this and it is certainly not a one-sided trade.
I live in LA and have a good amount of Laker's game, and this team do look very scary. This team just got so much length and because of that it disrupts the opponents offense, as you could see last year in the final, the Magics were one of the top 3pt shooting team, but they struggled against the Lakers because of their length, they were able to bother a lot of the passes and just overall disrupt what the Magics were doing. As much there's talk about the Lakers losing a bit with R. Artest, but let me tell you this Laker's team is even better than last year's team with a healthy A. Bynum and R. Artest.
Some of you are talking like we are one of the better post defensive team in the NBA, that's not true at all, we are at best a average post defensive team, not that i'm trying to undermine this team...
T. Duncan: he's still one of the better post defender in the league but he's no where near what he was a few years ago where he was able to hold down the whole interior defense on his own. The only player in this league that is capable of doing that is D. Howard.
A. McDyess: let's not get carried away, "one of the better post defender of our generation?!?!" he is a decent post defender who works hard on every play, but he's nothing special or close to being one of the better post defender of our generation.
M. Bonner: provides 3pt shooting and effort on the board; but would be seriously exposed when matched up against the more physical post player in the playoff; even D. Nowitzki out-physicaled him last year in the playoff.
D. Blair: outstanding rebounder and i been fairly impressed with how much he improved on D in the span of two month. though undersized, i think he needs to eventually have a increase in his minutes at the expense of M. Bonner.
T. Ratliff: he is a fringe player, let's admit it, this guy was brought here to fill the K. Willis role. people are talking like pop is preserving him for the playoff, but the truth is that he's not, limiting his minutes to 10-15 mpg would be preserving him for the playoff, but being a constant DNP-CD just means that he is probably not going to be in the rotation.
Out of all these contending team, only the Cavs are equivalent of us in terms of post defense. LOL to the poster who suggested K. Martin and Nene to be trash on defense; lets just say i would take any of the two over what we have in the post other than T. Duncan. Bigs are supposed to play like Bigs; not stand behind the 3pt line and shoot 3's all days.
K.
The fact of the matter is that roster decisions shouldn't be made based on what other teams are doing, especially this early in the season. In December, its all about us. Reduce our turnovers, fix some mistakes, and get a solid rotation. Then judge us for what we are and see where to go from there.
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