NBA Standings

The Nets, Timberwolves and Warriors have pretty much locked up the 1-2-3 spots in the lottery. What we need to focus on is to stay behind (ahead) of Indiana, Sactown, Philly, Detroit and New York.

I don't really follow college basketball until March. From what little I've seen and from what I've read, Evan Turner is the safest pick, John Wall is the best pick, while DeMarcus Cousins is the wild card.

My point is, we need to position ourselves for the best spot at getting a top-3 pick. That should be the focus of the rest of the season.

almost 2 years ago John Park Williams 15 comments 0 recs |

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How Would Evan Turner Play Alongside of Gilbert?

Would it be a good match? Should we focus on a center instead? I’m hoping we can snag a top 3 pick, but for some reason I doubt it will be the #1 overall. Still, I don’t think a #2 or a #3 is out of the question.

Right now, I see our biggest needs as:
1. defensive-minded center
2. dynamic, play-making shooting guard
3. pure point guard to backup Gil (unless of course we get the #1 and Wall)

So I see the best bet is to pick Wall if we get the #1 (obviously), Turner if we get the #2, Favors if we get the #3, and someone like Cole Aldrich if we slide to around #5 or #6. What do you all think?

"It's OK for the Bullets to trade baskets, as long as they can score on their end." -- Words of wisdom from Phil Chenier

by cuppettcj on Mar 16, 2010 11:57 AM EDT reply actions

I'm not a big Favors fan

He’s underwhelmed me every time I’ve watched, though I do think a part of that is that Tech has awful guard play. Still, his stats are just okay, and I expected a lot more.

You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.

by Mike Prada on Mar 16, 2010 2:06 PM EDT up reply actions

yeah I hate Favors.

Watched GT play twice, and he did nothing.

I think Flip Saunders could handle DeMarcus Cousins. Have you seen the size of Cousins’ shoulders? He just has the natural girth that can clog a middle for twelve years. I think a Cousins/Blatche frontline would be killer.

by John Park Williams on Mar 16, 2010 2:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Here's Why I Pick Favors Over Cousins

Favors Strengths (taken from DraftExpress):

Ability to contest shots
Activity level
Defensive fundamentals
Defensive potential
Lateral quickness
Pick and roll defense
Shot-blocking skills
Versatility to defend multiple positions

In other words, an excellent defensive PF/C whose problems exist on the offensive side of the ball, hence your concerns about his stats. But with Blatche, Thornton, and Arenas, I’m not looking for another polished scorer. I want a defensive stalwart to complement the Lemonhead on a pogo-stick.

Here are Cousins Weaknesses:

Activity level
Commitment to playing defense
Defensive fundamentals
Gambles defensively
Lateral quickness
Body language
Doesn’t always know limitations
Doesn’t always play hard
Focus
High bust potential?
Intelligence
Maturity
Mental toughness

In other words, another red carpet defender to go along with the red carpet we already have manning the paint. Please, Ernie, if you are still making the decisions this off-season, no more red carpet defenders! Think defense, for once!

"It's OK for the Bullets to trade baskets, as long as they can score on their end." -- Words of wisdom from Phil Chenier

by cuppettcj on Mar 16, 2010 2:56 PM EDT up reply actions

Can Favors play center though?

I thought he was strictly a PF.

by Palace of Good Play's Golden Toilet on Mar 17, 2010 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions

for what it is worth here are the other sides. i have not seen either play, so i rely on your thoughts…

cousins strengths:
Ability to get to free throw line
- Excellent skill-level
- Go-to scoring mentality
- Mid-range game
- Pick and roll play
- Scoring instincts
- Ability to create own shot
- Ability to put ball on floor
- Ability to establish position in post
- Ability to face the basket
- Back to basket scoring
- Excellent hands
- Excellent Touch
- Nimble footwork
- Ability to contest shots
- Defensive Post Presence
- Man to man defense
- Post defense
- Shot-blocking skills
- Assertiveness
- Physical Toughness
- Potential
- High-level productivity
- Ability to finish around basket
- Excellent wingspan
- NBA body
- Size for position
- Rebounding tools
- 3-point range

favors weaknesses:
All-around offensive polish
- Lacks significant offensive polish
- Turnover prone
- Ability to create own shot
- Ability to put ball on floor
- Advanced post moves
- Experience
- Not always assertive
- College system makes him difficult to evaluate
- Got by on instincts at college level
- Not productive enough
- Relatively unproven
- Free throw shooting
- Jump-shot

by les boulez bomber on Mar 17, 2010 11:38 PM EDT up reply actions

Good Point

He is listed as a PF/C, but DraftExpress limits him to PF in the NBA. If he can’t play center, that will make me think twice about him, though we could go small with him and Blatche and see if that works.

"It's OK for the Bullets to trade baskets, as long as they can score on their end." -- Words of wisdom from Phil Chenier

by cuppettcj on Mar 18, 2010 11:55 AM EDT up reply actions

did you just compare one players strengths to another’s weaknesses? lol

by les boulez bomber on Mar 17, 2010 11:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Why Not?

It perfectly illustrated my point. Cousins strengths are almost entirely on the offensive side, but he has a lot of problems on defense. It’s the exact opposite with Favors. So what do you want, more offense at the expense of defense, or the opposite? I’ll take the opposite right now, for reasons mentioned above.

"It's OK for the Bullets to trade baskets, as long as they can score on their end." -- Words of wisdom from Phil Chenier

by cuppettcj on Mar 18, 2010 11:52 AM EDT up reply actions

Defense

With Arenas and, hopefully, Howard playing next season the offense will perk up. With Haywood gone we definitely need some defense down low. I think Favors is a better fit for the Wiz than Cousins…and Favors’ offense is better than Cousins’ defense(his offense is better than his stats indicate). I’m convinced Favors can play center in the NBA.

by Mike Uhrich on Mar 19, 2010 12:57 AM EDT up reply actions

He killed Maryland the first game...

But Maryland also has a really short frontline. Nothing like what he’ll see in the NBA, but he is a quality player. I think he will be a starter in the league….

I’ll still take Cousins over Favors. DeMarcus can be the enforcer/bulk we are really sorely lacking down low. At least we dont have to worry about him jumping at every pump fake.

I really think DeMarcus can be a special player and I think it’d be a huge mistake to pass up. I think he could easily beat out McGee and be the starter next year. McGee can be a very good backup center or power forward. He can be a Chris Anderson type guy off the bench if he wants to be, he just has to make the effort Chris does.

by tw10 on Mar 16, 2010 10:57 PM EDT up reply actions

early

I saw him earlier in the season and I wasn’t sure why people were comparing him to Amare. Down the stretch and in the ACC tournament he showed a lot more, especially his athletic gifts. Announcers also pointed out that both he and Lawal played better alongside Zach Peacock than each other. Between that and guard play, we’ve only seen a glimpse of what he can do. if he hits the weights like JaVale has, as opposed to Blatche, he will be an All Star in the NBA.

by Jheiser3 on Mar 17, 2010 10:21 AM EDT up reply actions