EPTOn June 26 2014 23:20 TwoToneTerran wrote:
I would wager I am in the top 5 of minutes used watching basketball on TL. I understand Asik's value, but he is a big man with a valuable skill so he will for sure have to be overpaid to be kept. Period. You don't get good value deals on big men when free agency hits and everyone knows they're a good starter level player unless it's a player who can only get the max and is worth more than the max.
I would wager I am in the top 5 of minutes used watching basketball on TL. I understand Asik's value, but he is a big man with a valuable skill so he will for sure have to be overpaid to be kept. Period. You don't get good value deals on big men when free agency hits and everyone knows they're a good starter level player unless it's a player who can only get the max and is worth more than the max.
Your argument is contradictory. Either his skill is valuable and therefore worth paying a lot, or you believe his skill is not as valuable as others perceive it, and and therefore he's overpaid. You can't say you believe in his value and at the same time believe he'll be paid too much for that value.
He will not turn the Pelican's defense into a top 10 defense, or atleast we shouldn't assume he would. You have to realize the Pelican's defense is not just a lack of defensive talent and rim protection, but that Monty employs an aggressive ball pressure and fast switching system. Asik doesn't benefit for this, mostly because while he's a good rotating defender, he can't make up for the guards getting blown by when they cheat on steals or close out on open 3 point shooters when the team starts going for ill advised doubles. This is what causes Davis so many problems, despite everyone acknowledging he has the makings of a generational defensive player -- Davis can't do crap about open shooters and guys waltzing into the lane, no matter how great a defender he is.
What will fix the pelicans defense is surer feet on the aggressive traps and presses and more cognizant closing out on swing passes to jump shooters -- as well as rim protection when the aggressive play leads to open drivers. Asik could very well provide an important defensive piece to the puzzle that is the Pelican's horrible performance, but he can't solve the problems that I know are still there.
I could literally write an individual essay for each important pelicans players' defense and the system. Asik should certainly help, but top 10 defense? That is lofty expectations.
What will fix the pelicans defense is surer feet on the aggressive traps and presses and more cognizant closing out on swing passes to jump shooters -- as well as rim protection when the aggressive play leads to open drivers. Asik could very well provide an important defensive piece to the puzzle that is the Pelican's horrible performance, but he can't solve the problems that I know are still there.
I could literally write an individual essay for each important pelicans players' defense and the system. Asik should certainly help, but top 10 defense? That is lofty expectations.
I just looked and and saw how bad your defense was. Good lord, 27th. I didn't realize it was that bad.
I'll rephrase my statement. I believe the Pelicans will be a top-10 defense when Asik is on the court. Or if you want to use general defensive rankings, I believe the Pelicans will overall raise their ranking by at least 10 spots. Meaning they'll be at least 17th or better. Assuming at least decent luck in health for the team. As in Asik/Davis both play 50+ games.
