We need a legit big

[Gyp Rosetti]

We've had a lot of who's going to replace Wes threads and ideas being bounced around the last few days and rightfully so but even after the AJ trade, I'm equally concerned with our lack of depth at the 5. We have Jefferson who can play some 5 and do well against many a team but he's more of a 4 naturally. Okur is coming back from injury. Koufos was traded. So who the hell can we get? Re-signing Fes to a deal seems like a must. But even if we do, I feel like we could still use one more legit big who could play some defense at the 5. Who's out there?

Is the artist formerly known as Theo Ratliff still able to walk and fielding phone calls?
Can Amundson play some 5?
Who else?

 

[Bodhi]

We've had a lot of who's going to replace Wes threads and ideas being bounced around the last few days and rightfully so but even after the AJ trade, I'm equally concerned with our lack of depth at the 5. We have Jefferson who can play some 5 and do well against many a team but he's more of a 4 naturally. Okur is coming back from injury. Koufos was traded. So who the hell can we get? Re-signing Fes to a deal seems like a must. But even if we do, I feel like we could still use one more legit big who could play some defense at the 5. Who's out there?

Is the artist formerly known as Theo Ratliff still able to walk and fielding phone calls?
Can Amundson play some 5?
Who else?

I'd personally say if Wes goes our much bigger need is the 2 and backup pg positions. As far as the 5 spot, KOC made his move and is satisfied with front court at this point I assume, so talking about things that likely wont happen is kind of a waste of breath.

 

[Edgewriter]

Jefferson, AK, Fes, Sap, Evans, Memo, That's a deep front line. Add in Deron's buddy Augusstine from our summer league roster and we are pretty deep. Even though Evans, Augustine, and Fes are raw, there is talent there.

 

[TheMulletMutilator]

We've had a lot of who's going to replace Wes threads and ideas being bounced around the last few days and rightfully so but even after the AJ trade, I'm equally concerned with our lack of depth at the 5. We have Jefferson who can play some 5 and do well against many a team but he's more of a 4 naturally. Okur is coming back from injury. Koufos was traded. So who the hell can we get? Re-signing Fes to a deal seems like a must. But even if we do, I feel like we could still use one more legit big who could play some defense at the 5. Who's out there?

Is the artist formerly known as Theo Ratliff still able to walk and fielding phone calls?
Can Amundson play some 5?
Who else?

Good points. AJ wasn't a solve all solution but he is a very nice addition. I think they will re-sign Fes and that will be that unfortunately. Next year they will try to lure over Tomic. We'll see though.

 

[kabenac]

AJ and Ratliff are the same height...

 

[Twin Towers]

We don't need anyone else if we sign Fesenko. Once Okur comes back we will be loaded. Fesenko won't even get playing time. Its a great 4 man front court. And if we keep AK its a 5th man against certain teams.

 

[Gyp Rosetti]

Jefferson, AK, Fes, Sap, Evans, Memo, That's a deep front line. Add in Deron's buddy Augusstine from our summer league roster and we are pretty deep. Even though Evans, Augustine, and Fes are raw, there is talent there.

Did you even read what I posted?

 

[TheMulletMutilator]

I am just daydreaming of a front line of Jefferson and Tomic. Would that make Paul be a bench player once again or would he be traded?

 

[Doc Cherno]

Good gawd, if Fes improves even a little over last year I think we're in decent shape up front with a lot of good combinations, many of which bring shot-blocking skills. AJ, Sap, Memo, Fes, Evans, AK all have unique skill-sets. Could we be better? Sure. But I feel better about this bunch than some of the redundancy we've had the last couple of years.

I totally agree that our biggest need right now is at the 2. Even (or especially) if we let Matthews walk, we need 2 more 2s who can play a combo of a lot of minutes. I, for one, would like Matthews back. Not my money, obviously, though. After this year his contract looks a little high, but not bad, depending on if last year was a fluke. If not him, then I think a realistic hope is Brewer and Mason.

 

[Gyp Rosetti]

Good gawd, if Fes improves even a little over last year I think we're in decent shape up front with a lot of good combinations, many of which bring shot-blocking skills. AJ, Sap, Memo, Fes, Evans, AK all have unique skill-sets. Could we be better? Sure. But I feel better about this bunch than some of the redundancy we've had the last couple of years.

Um, how? That's the same core except Jefferson instead of Boozer which is no difference and maybe even a step down defensively, and Evans instead of Koufos. Unless, Evans magically grows, I don't see how he'll hold down the fort at the 5.

 

[TheMulletMutilator]

Good gawd, if Fes improves even a little over last year I think we're in decent shape up front with a lot of good combinations, many of which bring shot-blocking skills. AJ, Sap, Memo, Fes, Evans, AK all have unique skill-sets. Could we be better? Sure. But I feel better about this bunch than some of the redundancy we've had the last couple of years.

I totally agree that our biggest need right now is at the 2. Even (or especially) if we let Matthews walk, we need 2 more 2s who can play a combo of a lot of minutes. I, for one, would like Matthews back. Not my money, obviously, though. After this year his contract looks a little high, but not bad, depending on if last year was a fluke. If not him, then I think a realistic hope is Brewer and Mason.

While it is not your money entirely(money you might spend buying merchandise etc) it still hampers us down the line in years to come. So the question is whether you want to pay Matthews a lot more than he is worth to us or use that money wisely and fill out our remaining needs?

 

[BabyPeterzz]

I wouldn't be surprised if Augustine makes the roster, we'll have to see how he does in TC. With his history with Deron and his SL performance it would make sense.

I agree, we need to figure out our SG situation now, then tackle the mythical big man problem once again.

 

[BabyPeterzz]

I am just daydreaming of a front line of Jefferson and Tomic. Would that make Paul be a bench player once again or would he be traded?

I would think Tomic would be Memo's replacement.

 

[TheMulletMutilator]

I would think Tomic would be Memo's replacement.

Next year? Maybe. We'll see.

 

[Cece]

 

[homeytennis]

There's an entire league of 2s and 3s who would die for a minimum contract.

 

[Gyp Rosetti]

Delicious!!!

 

[freakazoid]

We have Jefferson who can play some 5 and do well against many a team but he's more of a 4 naturally.

I agree with this, and I have to laugh every time some refers to AL as a center, as if he's a natural 5, but the fact of the matter is that we got the best option that was available.

 

[BENTLEY]

PG - Deron, ? (see below)

SG - Brewer, Luther Head

SF - CJ, Hayward, Evans

PF - Millsap, AK, Evans

C - Jefferson, Memo, Fes, Augustine

I'm almost tempted to suggest Dee Brown as backup PG and reunite the Illini, but it might be too painful to give Dee another shot. I actually really like Patty Mills (RFA) and at SG I'm on the Rudy Fernandez bandwagon - although I'd like to know more about what his beef is. If it's just playing time then Utah can provide him that at SG. Then there's the whole working this out with our personal bully, Paul Allen.

 

[Doc Cherno]

Fes actually intimidates players from taking it straight to the basket in a way that neither of Boozer will ever be capable doing. If you've ever played ball against someone built like Fes (though probably shorter), it is like running into a wall with huge elbow buttresses that might swing down onto your skull for your +1. I don't think AJ is any kind of defensive stopper, but in the games I've seen him play he actually looks to intimidate on defense. I think the jury is out on AJ's overall defense until we see if he can play in a system. If he misses a position he'll know it from the bench. Boozer may have had cinder block feet, but he was also smart (he went to Duke). He knew where to be. Now did he commit to defend once he got there? Not usually. More like, "Hey, I made my rotation and waved my arms like you said coach, now keep me in and run another pick and roll for me." AJ isn't used to that. My biggest fear is that he may be too much of a one-on-one player once he gets here, but my feeling is that he'll thrive and commit to defending. When is the last time Boozer had two blocks in one play let alone three (see video making the rounds)? And yes, he can play the 5 against most of the league. You need a Fes, obviously, to try to tire out your Dwight Howards. Having a little more offense to make the Dwight bodies work on both ends of the court is even better. If Fez would've just spent the summer playing catch with a marble or raquetball I think we'd see pretty big strides. I don't know how many easy points he gave up fumbling the ball.