[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

 Easy question. Who do you feel is currently the best center in the NBA and why?

I’ll go with Marc gasol slightly edging out cousins and Drummond. Cousins is easily the most offensively talented center but his maturity issues flare up too often and can cost his team games at times. Plus he takes plays off defensively. Drummond has been an absolute beast on the boards but his post game is still developing at this point and his ft shooting is still a major liability. Gasol is the most well-rounded player of the 3 imo. You can run your offense through him in the high or low post and he is the anchor of one of the league’s best defenses. Plus, he brings great intangibles and by all accounts is a great teammate.

If you disagree or think someone else deserves consideration let me know why.

 

 

 

[trelos6Participant]

The answer is Draymond Green. 

When he plays C, Warriors DESTROY teams. That Curry, Thompson, Iguodala, Barnes, Green lineup has revolutionized the association. 

 

Ok. Back to the real world, regular team, 82 game scenario. I’ll have Marc Gasol or put Anthony Davis at C. 

[trelos6Participant]

The answer is Draymond Green. 

When he plays C, Warriors DESTROY teams. That Curry, Thompson, Iguodala, Barnes, Green lineup has revolutionized the association. 

 

Ok. Back to the real world, regular team, 82 game scenario. I’ll have Marc Gasol or put Anthony Davis at C. 

[herceg_bukuParticipant]

 Nikola Vucevic should be up there, just a small market team and they dont get much exposure nor credit. He is not as good as Gasol defensively, but not bad at all either IMO. Offensively he is very talented and shows it, as well is a very very solid rebounder.

He should get more recognition.

As well i really hope Drummond develops a post up game, i love how he plays and how hard he goes at the boards, i dont want him to become dwight in the sense that he can not make a hook shot over the right shoulder after being in the league for 12 yrs almost.

[herceg_bukuParticipant]

 Nikola Vucevic should be up there, just a small market team and they dont get much exposure nor credit. He is not as good as Gasol defensively, but not bad at all either IMO. Offensively he is very talented and shows it, as well is a very very solid rebounder.

He should get more recognition.

As well i really hope Drummond develops a post up game, i love how he plays and how hard he goes at the boards, i dont want him to become dwight in the sense that he can not make a hook shot over the right shoulder after being in the league for 12 yrs almost.

[mgreener_34Participant]

 Tough question. Demarcus easily is the most talented center in the league, but we still don’t know if he contributed to winning basketball. Drummond is the most eye opening center in the league, but he has some daunting limitations to him offensive game. Gasol seems to be the most complete center, but he doesn’t have any eye opening stats, and he’s obviously taken a step back this year, only averaging 17/8/4 PER 36 with a 46% fg%, and okay 105 DRtg.

This might sound crazy, but Tim Duncan is averaging 13/12/4 PER 36 with a 111 Ortg and a 90 DRtg so far this year…Averaging 10/9/3 with almost two blocks in only 27 MPG. 

He’s been by far the best defensive center in the league so far, protects the paint, makes great passes, and can score in the post when needed shooting career highs from the basket out till 16 feet. 

The only other center in the league who can match that kind of production per minute is Hassan Whiteside with a 110 ORtg and 189 Drt, and 16/13/1, but at the end of the day, who are you guys going to pick to win you a game, Duncan or Whiteside?

Tim Duncan might still be the best center in the NBA

[mgreener_34Participant]

 Tough question. Demarcus easily is the most talented center in the league, but we still don’t know if he contributed to winning basketball. Drummond is the most eye opening center in the league, but he has some daunting limitations to him offensive game. Gasol seems to be the most complete center, but he doesn’t have any eye opening stats, and he’s obviously taken a step back this year, only averaging 17/8/4 PER 36 with a 46% fg%, and okay 105 DRtg.

This might sound crazy, but Tim Duncan is averaging 13/12/4 PER 36 with a 111 Ortg and a 90 DRtg so far this year…Averaging 10/9/3 with almost two blocks in only 27 MPG. 

He’s been by far the best defensive center in the league so far, protects the paint, makes great passes, and can score in the post when needed shooting career highs from the basket out till 16 feet. 

The only other center in the league who can match that kind of production per minute is Hassan Whiteside with a 110 ORtg and 189 Drt, and 16/13/1, but at the end of the day, who are you guys going to pick to win you a game, Duncan or Whiteside?

Tim Duncan might still be the best center in the NBA

[Gold Chain]

 Agreed. I think it’s Duncan, not Gasol or Whiteside or anybody else.

 Pretty amazing

 

 

[Gold Chain]

 Agreed. I think it’s Duncan, not Gasol or Whiteside or anybody else.

 Pretty amazing

 

 

[Gold Chain]

Here’s the rankings of NBA centers by +/-, minimum 15 games played. http://stats.nba.com/league/player/#!/?Season=2015-16&SeasonType=Regular%20Season&PerMode=Per100Possessions&sort=PLUS_MINUS&dir=1&PlayerPosition=C&CF=GP*GE*15

[Gold Chain]

Here’s the rankings of NBA centers by +/-, minimum 15 games played. http://stats.nba.com/league/player/#!/?Season=2015-16&SeasonType=Regular%20Season&PerMode=Per100Possessions&sort=PLUS_MINUS&dir=1&PlayerPosition=C&CF=GP*GE*15

[ropeParticipant]

 That list would prove that +/- is a completely useless stat in assessing a center.

[Gold Chain]

don’t hurt your brain. Better to dismiss it entirely as "completely useless".

 

 

[Gold Chain]

don’t hurt your brain. Better to dismiss it entirely as "completely useless".

 

 

[ropeParticipant]

 That list would prove that +/- is a completely useless stat in assessing a center.

[Hype Machine]

 I’m ignoring stats and suggesting the type of center I’d want to play with in order to win.

It’s high IQ, fundamentally sound guys like Marc Gasol, Bogut and Duncan.

Vucevic and Boogie put up better stats…but in the grand scheme of things aren’t contributing to winning basketball.

[Hype Machine]

 I’m ignoring stats and suggesting the type of center I’d want to play with in order to win.

It’s high IQ, fundamentally sound guys like Marc Gasol, Bogut and Duncan.

Vucevic and Boogie put up better stats…but in the grand scheme of things aren’t contributing to winning basketball.

[trelos6Participant]

A centre needs to hit at least 60% of their FT’s. 

If you can’t do this, you wont be playing at the end of the game.

UNLESS, you dunk everything and the FT’s are AND 1’s. Then, if you make the dunks, you can stay.

 

But if Shaq couldn’t make the dunks with the hack strategy, I don’t hold much hope for the younger guys.

 

[trelos6Participant]

A centre needs to hit at least 60% of their FT’s. 

If you can’t do this, you wont be playing at the end of the game.

UNLESS, you dunk everything and the FT’s are AND 1’s. Then, if you make the dunks, you can stay.

 

But if Shaq couldn’t make the dunks with the hack strategy, I don’t hold much hope for the younger guys.

 

[Mr. HookShotParticipant]

That’s exactly the issue I have against some of these Cs (like Drummond, Jordan, Whiteside, Howard). They’re good on defense and are athletic, but as soon as the game comes to a close they are a liability due to their free throw shooting. 

I believe Gasol is the best center right now, as he can do everything; Memphis runs a big chunk of their offense through him, and that is almost unique in this league. Another option which I haven’t heard that much is Al Horford. His numbers might now scream superstar, be he has a big impact on the Hawks, and also provides a little bit of everthing playing a smart game at the C. 

Side note: I noticed how Roy Hibbert is suddenly shooting 85% on his FTs (65 made from 76), how is that possible? 

[Mr. HookShotParticipant]

That’s exactly the issue I have against some of these Cs (like Drummond, Jordan, Whiteside, Howard). They’re good on defense and are athletic, but as soon as the game comes to a close they are a liability due to their free throw shooting. 

I believe Gasol is the best center right now, as he can do everything; Memphis runs a big chunk of their offense through him, and that is almost unique in this league. Another option which I haven’t heard that much is Al Horford. His numbers might now scream superstar, be he has a big impact on the Hawks, and also provides a little bit of everthing playing a smart game at the C. 

Side note: I noticed how Roy Hibbert is suddenly shooting 85% on his FTs (65 made from 76), how is that possible? 

[Hype Machine]

 Research shows the hack-a-shaq strategy doesn’t work. 

[Hype Machine]

 Research shows the hack-a-shaq strategy doesn’t work. 

[Mr. HookShotParticipant]

Link? Pure point-wise it doesn’t I guess, but it does break the rythm of the game if that is what you want

[Mr. HookShotParticipant]

Link? Pure point-wise it doesn’t I guess, but it does break the rythm of the game if that is what you want

[TRC1991Participant]

 Marc Gasol. Plays both ends of the floor, passes well, shoots efficiently and is a winner

[TRC1991Participant]

 Marc Gasol. Plays both ends of the floor, passes well, shoots efficiently and is a winner

[PulseGlazerParticipant]

 If we count Draymond, the point center, it’s him.  If we stick with traditional centers, Tim has to get the nod this year. Marc is great, but seems a bit less mobile. Demarcus’ shooting percentage is pathetic for a center.

 

[PulseGlazerParticipant]

 If we count Draymond, the point center, it’s him.  If we stick with traditional centers, Tim has to get the nod this year. Marc is great, but seems a bit less mobile. Demarcus’ shooting percentage is pathetic for a center.

 

[canadabasketballisrisingParticipant]

 Its funny this comes up, i am currently trying to trade marc gasol in my fantasy league, and it seems like he has so low value, cant even get G. Munroe *didnt want him)!

[canadabasketballisrisingParticipant]

 Its funny this comes up, i am currently trying to trade marc gasol in my fantasy league, and it seems like he has so low value, cant even get G. Munroe *didnt want him)!

[VCJR THE BEASTParticipant]

 1- Demarcus Cousins- great offense and great rebounding, great FT shooter and can shoot mid range and 3pt. He is a complete package for a Center. He also has post skills and decent defense

2- Marc Gasol- Great Mid range, great FT shooter, great rebounder, great defender, great on offense, great post skills. Boogie is better than him just because Boogie shoots threes and Marc doesn´t.

3- Andre Drummond- Beast rebounder, athletic, decent post skills. Needs to improve on defense and on his jumpshots and on his FT.

4- Hassan Whiteside- Great rebounder, excellent rim protector, athletic, strong, has some post skills. Bad FT shooter and jumpshooter.

5-Rudy Gobert- Second best shot blocker in the league, top 5 rebounder, athletic, strong, plays with hustle, great FT shooter. But he isn´t that good on offense.

 

 

 

 

[VCJR THE BEASTParticipant]

 1- Demarcus Cousins- great offense and great rebounding, great FT shooter and can shoot mid range and 3pt. He is a complete package for a Center. He also has post skills and decent defense

2- Marc Gasol- Great Mid range, great FT shooter, great rebounder, great defender, great on offense, great post skills. Boogie is better than him just because Boogie shoots threes and Marc doesn´t.

3- Andre Drummond- Beast rebounder, athletic, decent post skills. Needs to improve on defense and on his jumpshots and on his FT.

4- Hassan Whiteside- Great rebounder, excellent rim protector, athletic, strong, has some post skills. Bad FT shooter and jumpshooter.

5-Rudy Gobert- Second best shot blocker in the league, top 5 rebounder, athletic, strong, plays with hustle, great FT shooter. But he isn´t that good on offense.

 

 

 

 

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

 Man, I hope some of you guys run front offices.  I WILL give you this: Marc Gasol is indeed WELL ROUNDED, probably more this year than EVER.  

He looks like the second banana in a banana split.

I would go with Andre Drummond.  Really depends on what you need, so if you need rebounding get him.  

PURE TALENT WISE I think Hassan Whiteside is the best center.

Marc Gasol and Cousins can either make your or break you — probably both, many times in the same game.

Gasol has lost a step and is a bit older.  He is also playing too many minutes, and if this continues, the wheels will completely fall off.

The Grizz Joint was half full last night (I was there), then half of THOSE people left at the end of the 3rd quarter (including me).  

Now if I had to build around a 7 footer I would go with Porzingas.  Does he play center much?

I could see how Draymond Green could be considered the best center in the league.  We haven’t had a midget center (though he is LONG and STRONG as anything) since Wes Unseld and Dave Cowens were winning MVP awards.

At the moment, there is no Shaq or Wilt or Kareem out there.  Maybe not even a David Robinson or a Patrick Ewing.  So, pick your poison.  

If I could hedge and go with TWO bigs and let each one spend time at the 5 I would go with Porzingas and Draymond Green.  

A guy like Marc Gasol is good, but he is nearing the point of untradeability.  30 years old.  Just got PAID and he isn’t aging well.  Yeah, he is a 2 time all star but so was Kevin Duckworth.

But really, if you wanted a bit of everything (rebounding, scoring, defense, shot blocking, intangibles, 3 point shooting) I would go with Chris Bosh even though I literally haven’t watched the Heat all season, and they technically are playing him at the 4 (with Whiteside at the 5).  I feel like Bosh is the guy who you can put on any team in the league and he fits right in right away.  He can find out what to do.  He can play small ball or big boy ball.  Either big man spot, too.  If I had to get a center and I didn’t know what the rest of my team looked like, I would go with Bosh.  Just a lot of different ways you can go with him.  

My top 5 center options at the moment:

1.  Bosh: Mr. All Around.  Mr. Underrated

2.  Porzingas: 7’3.  A MONSTER.  Get an old school power forward to box out, get the tough rebound, and set Charles Oakley style picks.  In a current real world draft, I am taking KP in the top 3 with Steph going number 1.  Love him as a 4, but, I can see him playing more center.  You would think that at some point the Knicks experiment more with KP at the 5 and Carmelo at the 4.  The only thing that can beat Small Ball is BIG Small Ball — and KP at the 5 and Carmelo at the 4 is BIG Small Ball.  

3.  Draymond Green: Best Robin in the league.  Yep.  He is a Robin.  Some wise poster here made the comment about Durant and Westbrook, how neither guy is Robin.  That you have Superman and Batman.  Which is true!  Well, Steph is Superman.  Klay is Batman — more human, less alien freak.  But, Draymond Green is ROBIN.  Luke Walton is backup Alfred.  

4.  Andre Drummond: Chairman of the Boards.  Can also score.  How many guys not named Moses or Kareem have done 17-18 and 16ish boards over an entire season in the past 40 years?  Put Drummond’s stats up with Bill Russell’s except Drummond has pretty low blocks totals (although his steals numbers are good).  He and Reggie Jackson are THE GUYS on a 12-10 Pistons team.  Great default center in today’s NBA (assuming the guy can’t hit a jumper).  Athletic, explosive, great rebounder, dunker, and rim protector.  Get a good point guard and some shooters around him and you are looking pretty good.  You can get a backup center to hit a 15 foot jumper.

5.  Hassan Whiteside: could probably be 4.  Ready for prime time?  Who knows?  Does he have the temperament?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[TeslaBallerParticipant]

 Bosh and Draymond aren’t the starting Center on their own teams. How in the name of all things logical could either be the best Center in the NBA? 

 

 

[TeslaBallerParticipant]

 Bosh and Draymond aren’t the starting Center on their own teams. How in the name of all things logical could either be the best Center in the NBA? 

 

 

[TeslaBallerParticipant]

 Bosh and Draymond aren’t the starting Center on their own teams. How in the name of all things logical could either be the best Center in the NBA? 

 

 

[TeslaBallerParticipant]

 Bosh and Draymond aren’t the starting Center on their own teams. How in the name of all things logical could either be the best Center in the NBA? 

 

 

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

 Man, I hope some of you guys run front offices.  I WILL give you this: Marc Gasol is indeed WELL ROUNDED, probably more this year than EVER.  

He looks like the second banana in a banana split.

I would go with Andre Drummond.  Really depends on what you need, so if you need rebounding get him.  

PURE TALENT WISE I think Hassan Whiteside is the best center.

Marc Gasol and Cousins can either make your or break you — probably both, many times in the same game.

Gasol has lost a step and is a bit older.  He is also playing too many minutes, and if this continues, the wheels will completely fall off.

The Grizz Joint was half full last night (I was there), then half of THOSE people left at the end of the 3rd quarter (including me).  

Now if I had to build around a 7 footer I would go with Porzingas.  Does he play center much?

I could see how Draymond Green could be considered the best center in the league.  We haven’t had a midget center (though he is LONG and STRONG as anything) since Wes Unseld and Dave Cowens were winning MVP awards.

At the moment, there is no Shaq or Wilt or Kareem out there.  Maybe not even a David Robinson or a Patrick Ewing.  So, pick your poison.  

If I could hedge and go with TWO bigs and let each one spend time at the 5 I would go with Porzingas and Draymond Green.  

A guy like Marc Gasol is good, but he is nearing the point of untradeability.  30 years old.  Just got PAID and he isn’t aging well.  Yeah, he is a 2 time all star but so was Kevin Duckworth.

But really, if you wanted a bit of everything (rebounding, scoring, defense, shot blocking, intangibles, 3 point shooting) I would go with Chris Bosh even though I literally haven’t watched the Heat all season, and they technically are playing him at the 4 (with Whiteside at the 5).  I feel like Bosh is the guy who you can put on any team in the league and he fits right in right away.  He can find out what to do.  He can play small ball or big boy ball.  Either big man spot, too.  If I had to get a center and I didn’t know what the rest of my team looked like, I would go with Bosh.  Just a lot of different ways you can go with him.  

My top 5 center options at the moment:

1.  Bosh: Mr. All Around.  Mr. Underrated

2.  Porzingas: 7’3.  A MONSTER.  Get an old school power forward to box out, get the tough rebound, and set Charles Oakley style picks.  In a current real world draft, I am taking KP in the top 3 with Steph going number 1.  Love him as a 4, but, I can see him playing more center.  You would think that at some point the Knicks experiment more with KP at the 5 and Carmelo at the 4.  The only thing that can beat Small Ball is BIG Small Ball — and KP at the 5 and Carmelo at the 4 is BIG Small Ball.  

3.  Draymond Green: Best Robin in the league.  Yep.  He is a Robin.  Some wise poster here made the comment about Durant and Westbrook, how neither guy is Robin.  That you have Superman and Batman.  Which is true!  Well, Steph is Superman.  Klay is Batman — more human, less alien freak.  But, Draymond Green is ROBIN.  Luke Walton is backup Alfred.  

4.  Andre Drummond: Chairman of the Boards.  Can also score.  How many guys not named Moses or Kareem have done 17-18 and 16ish boards over an entire season in the past 40 years?  Put Drummond’s stats up with Bill Russell’s except Drummond has pretty low blocks totals (although his steals numbers are good).  He and Reggie Jackson are THE GUYS on a 12-10 Pistons team.  Great default center in today’s NBA (assuming the guy can’t hit a jumper).  Athletic, explosive, great rebounder, dunker, and rim protector.  Get a good point guard and some shooters around him and you are looking pretty good.  You can get a backup center to hit a 15 foot jumper.

5.  Hassan Whiteside: could probably be 4.  Ready for prime time?  Who knows?  Does he have the temperament?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[TeslaBallerParticipant]

When you look at the games who’s the best center? You may have fallen in love with what Duncan and Gasol used to do but your not looking at today’s game. The epic rebounding stats might have you thinking Drummond till you see the FT%. 

The only possible answers to who is the best center in the NBA are DeMarcus Cousins and Hassan Whiteside. That’s it. If your not giving 1 of those 2 names as your answer then your over thinking or trying to change the criteria and skew the question in your favor or just plain lying to yourself. 

The better question is how long till were all saying Kristaps Porzingis is the best center in the NBA? 

 

 

[Gold Chain]

months, if not weeks.

And if we’re talking about which center we’d like to have for the next 2-10 years, it’s Porzingis, no-brainer.

[Gold Chain]

months, if not weeks.

And if we’re talking about which center we’d like to have for the next 2-10 years, it’s Porzingis, no-brainer.

[TeslaBallerParticipant]

When you look at the games who’s the best center? You may have fallen in love with what Duncan and Gasol used to do but your not looking at today’s game. The epic rebounding stats might have you thinking Drummond till you see the FT%. 

The only possible answers to who is the best center in the NBA are DeMarcus Cousins and Hassan Whiteside. That’s it. If your not giving 1 of those 2 names as your answer then your over thinking or trying to change the criteria and skew the question in your favor or just plain lying to yourself. 

The better question is how long till were all saying Kristaps Porzingis is the best center in the NBA? 

 

 

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

 ^^^

Cousins has TALENT but he doesn’t win and he is a head case.

Whiteside might also be a head case but he is younger and more athletic.  A MUCH better shot blocker too.

Not a lot of separation in my Top 5.  I will take Drummond though based on the ELITE talent of rebounding.  Same scoring with Whiteside being better in FT% and shot blocking.  But, Drummond is leading a team.  Whiteside isn’t the leader of the Heat.

I will STILL take Bosh all around as the top center.  Multiple tool guy.  Can play small ball or Big Boy Ball.  

Great points about Draymond Green.  Probably a top 15 MVP candidate right now.  Maybe even top 10.

Whiteside has the most UPSIDE right now, but Porzingas has the most UPSIDE of any guy in the league.

Marc Gasol is old school.  Tim Duncan is even older school.  Cousins is the best fantasy type center right now.  A guy who wins and does great things on PAPER.  But, tomorrow, next year, yeah the top 5 will look different.  As of now though, you can’t tell me that Bosh, Porzingas, Draymond, Drummond, and Whiteside aren’t in the top 5.  Night in and night out, I am going with one of those guys.  PURE TALENT puts Porzingas and Whiteside inside the top 5 along with Drummond.  But, intangibles still matter.  Leadership and winning still matters which is why Chris Bosh is at the top of my list with Draymond Green coming in at number 3.  

But if you had to go with a big man combo at the moment (for now and in the future) I think you go with Dr. Dray and KP.  Multiple skill sets.  Length.  Shooting range.  One guy plays the 4 on offense and the 5 on defense.  Interchangible.  They check off all the boxes.  Great talents.  They would produce absolute matchup nightmares.  

Gotta have varied skill sets now to play inside.  A center has to be able to think and play like a 4 and vice versa.  That’s why I would go with Bosh at THIS moment, then some other guys, maybe, a bit further out.

Then you look at the 2016 Dream Team picks and I think I would make Draymond Green and Drummond LOCKS to make the team.  If you need a legit center, then I think they go with Drummond.  If they just go with a bunch of small ball guys then I think they roll with Anthony Davis, Draymond, Kevin Love, and Blake Griffin.  

I think you have more "locks" than spots now.  

2016 Dream Team Locks: Steph, LeBron, Russ, Durant, CP3, Anthony Davis.  That’s six.

I would also say go with Paul George.  Doing some awesome things this year, a versatile guy and also has a "promise" from Coach K.  Seven.

Kawhi Leonard.  Another wing.  But a great two way intangibles guy who can do everything.  8.

Ok, Harden.  Mr. Stats.  Legit 2 guard.  9.

Then you pick from Klay Thompson (great scorer, surreal shooter, but could be the odd man out), Blake Griffin (doing his thing for several years now), Kevin Love (close to a lock if he continues to rediscover his game?), Andre Drummond (Mr. Rebounds and can score inside plus block shots), and Draymond Green (five tool guy at the 5, or 4).

Ok, that is 14 guys.  Wow.  This is hard.

We ASSUME that Chris Paul is a lock.  But why?  He is old, his knees are older, and his numbers are down.  PLUS you have the best two guys on the planet right now playing point guard, in Steph Curry and Russell Westbrook.  How many more minutes are there?  LeBron can run the show.  Harden can hog the ball.  Not sure you NEED a third string point guard.

So, no Chris Paul.

Then I think you look at the OTHER guys.  Look at the bigs.  AD is a LOCK unless he gets hurt.  Dray just does too much.  Kevin Love can be the stretch 4.  Outlet passes.  Then, hey, I want an athletic shot blocker.  So gimme Andre Drummond.  He fulfills that role that Tyson Chandler used to play.  So, no CP3.  Maybe then you can take off Blake Griffin.  Enough power forwards already, and he doesn’t hit the 3 or protect the rim.  So, you go with some other options, and let Drummond be the high flying alley-oop artist.

That’s my 2016 Dream Team

Starters:

PG Steph

SG Harden

SF  Kevin Durant

PF  LeBron

C    Anthony Davis

Bench:

PG Russell Westbrook (instant offense 6th man)

SG Klay Thompson

SF Paul George

PF Kevin Love

C  Draymond Green (this second unit might be BETTER)

Reserves:

SF Kawhi Leonard (or he could START)

C  Andre Drummond (you can play small ball all you want, but you need AT LEAST one shot blocking center)

Reserve: Ok, I will hedge my bets by going with Chris Paul.  Break glass in threat of point guard emergency.  The last pick SHOULD come down to Klay and CP3 — and I LOVE Klay’s 3 point stroke, and the Warriors have a point trillion shot at running the table.  Having two point guards only works if you bring Russ off the bench as an instant offense serial killer, umm, I mean 6th man.  Then you also make room for BOTH shooting guards (start Harden and bring Klay off the bench or vice versa).

Also gives you the option of a SMALL BALL DREAM TEAM that might not even feature LeBron James.

Steph, Russ, Klay, Durant, and Draymond Green.  Basically a version of the current Warriors squad on steriods.  

Klay just makes everything better.

Drummond is on this team as the ace in the hole.  Gives you the old Tyson Chandler type presence along with some of the Blake Show stuff.  Great fit here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

 ^^^

Cousins has TALENT but he doesn’t win and he is a head case.

Whiteside might also be a head case but he is younger and more athletic.  A MUCH better shot blocker too.

Not a lot of separation in my Top 5.  I will take Drummond though based on the ELITE talent of rebounding.  Same scoring with Whiteside being better in FT% and shot blocking.  But, Drummond is leading a team.  Whiteside isn’t the leader of the Heat.

I will STILL take Bosh all around as the top center.  Multiple tool guy.  Can play small ball or Big Boy Ball.  

Great points about Draymond Green.  Probably a top 15 MVP candidate right now.  Maybe even top 10.

Whiteside has the most UPSIDE right now, but Porzingas has the most UPSIDE of any guy in the league.

Marc Gasol is old school.  Tim Duncan is even older school.  Cousins is the best fantasy type center right now.  A guy who wins and does great things on PAPER.  But, tomorrow, next year, yeah the top 5 will look different.  As of now though, you can’t tell me that Bosh, Porzingas, Draymond, Drummond, and Whiteside aren’t in the top 5.  Night in and night out, I am going with one of those guys.  PURE TALENT puts Porzingas and Whiteside inside the top 5 along with Drummond.  But, intangibles still matter.  Leadership and winning still matters which is why Chris Bosh is at the top of my list with Draymond Green coming in at number 3.  

But if you had to go with a big man combo at the moment (for now and in the future) I think you go with Dr. Dray and KP.  Multiple skill sets.  Length.  Shooting range.  One guy plays the 4 on offense and the 5 on defense.  Interchangible.  They check off all the boxes.  Great talents.  They would produce absolute matchup nightmares.  

Gotta have varied skill sets now to play inside.  A center has to be able to think and play like a 4 and vice versa.  That’s why I would go with Bosh at THIS moment, then some other guys, maybe, a bit further out.

Then you look at the 2016 Dream Team picks and I think I would make Draymond Green and Drummond LOCKS to make the team.  If you need a legit center, then I think they go with Drummond.  If they just go with a bunch of small ball guys then I think they roll with Anthony Davis, Draymond, Kevin Love, and Blake Griffin.  

I think you have more "locks" than spots now.  

2016 Dream Team Locks: Steph, LeBron, Russ, Durant, CP3, Anthony Davis.  That’s six.

I would also say go with Paul George.  Doing some awesome things this year, a versatile guy and also has a "promise" from Coach K.  Seven.

Kawhi Leonard.  Another wing.  But a great two way intangibles guy who can do everything.  8.

Ok, Harden.  Mr. Stats.  Legit 2 guard.  9.

Then you pick from Klay Thompson (great scorer, surreal shooter, but could be the odd man out), Blake Griffin (doing his thing for several years now), Kevin Love (close to a lock if he continues to rediscover his game?), Andre Drummond (Mr. Rebounds and can score inside plus block shots), and Draymond Green (five tool guy at the 5, or 4).

Ok, that is 14 guys.  Wow.  This is hard.

We ASSUME that Chris Paul is a lock.  But why?  He is old, his knees are older, and his numbers are down.  PLUS you have the best two guys on the planet right now playing point guard, in Steph Curry and Russell Westbrook.  How many more minutes are there?  LeBron can run the show.  Harden can hog the ball.  Not sure you NEED a third string point guard.

So, no Chris Paul.

Then I think you look at the OTHER guys.  Look at the bigs.  AD is a LOCK unless he gets hurt.  Dray just does too much.  Kevin Love can be the stretch 4.  Outlet passes.  Then, hey, I want an athletic shot blocker.  So gimme Andre Drummond.  He fulfills that role that Tyson Chandler used to play.  So, no CP3.  Maybe then you can take off Blake Griffin.  Enough power forwards already, and he doesn’t hit the 3 or protect the rim.  So, you go with some other options, and let Drummond be the high flying alley-oop artist.

That’s my 2016 Dream Team

Starters:

PG Steph

SG Harden

SF  Kevin Durant

PF  LeBron

C    Anthony Davis

Bench:

PG Russell Westbrook (instant offense 6th man)

SG Klay Thompson

SF Paul George

PF Kevin Love

C  Draymond Green (this second unit might be BETTER)

Reserves:

SF Kawhi Leonard (or he could START)

C  Andre Drummond (you can play small ball all you want, but you need AT LEAST one shot blocking center)

Reserve: Ok, I will hedge my bets by going with Chris Paul.  Break glass in threat of point guard emergency.  The last pick SHOULD come down to Klay and CP3 — and I LOVE Klay’s 3 point stroke, and the Warriors have a point trillion shot at running the table.  Having two point guards only works if you bring Russ off the bench as an instant offense serial killer, umm, I mean 6th man.  Then you also make room for BOTH shooting guards (start Harden and bring Klay off the bench or vice versa).

Also gives you the option of a SMALL BALL DREAM TEAM that might not even feature LeBron James.

Steph, Russ, Klay, Durant, and Draymond Green.  Basically a version of the current Warriors squad on steriods.  

Klay just makes everything better.

Drummond is on this team as the ace in the hole.  Gives you the old Tyson Chandler type presence along with some of the Blake Show stuff.  Great fit here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[OhCanada-Participant]

 Marc Gasol. If Gasol was on the Heat in place of Whiteside they would be a better team. If Gasol was on Sacramento in place of Cousins they would be a better team. If Gasol was on Detroit in place of Drummond they would be a better team. Even if you replaced him with Draymond Green in Golden State they would somehow improve. 

On the flip side if you replaced Gasol with any of those guys Memphis would likely struggle. 

Cousins is by far the best talent but talent doesn’t always translate to success.

 

 

[OhCanada-Participant]

 Marc Gasol. If Gasol was on the Heat in place of Whiteside they would be a better team. If Gasol was on Sacramento in place of Cousins they would be a better team. If Gasol was on Detroit in place of Drummond they would be a better team. Even if you replaced him with Draymond Green in Golden State they would somehow improve. 

On the flip side if you replaced Gasol with any of those guys Memphis would likely struggle. 

Cousins is by far the best talent but talent doesn’t always translate to success.

 

 

[Author]

Posts