22 replies to this topic

[DJlaysitup]

OK in order to allow our best PF prospect (Al Horford) to not have to play center at 6'9 1/2" - we need a 7 footer. I will count 6'11' as close enough but not 6'10" or below. 6'11" and above are my 7 footers:

Dwight Howard
Tim Duncan
Joakim Noah
M. Camby
Brook Lopez
Mehmet Okur
Andrew Bogut
Samuel Dalembert
Zaza Pachulia
Jeff Foster
Shaquille O'Neal
Brad Miller
Chris Kaman
Tyson Chandler
Big Z
Eddy Curry
Kwame Brown
T. Diop
Andris Beidrins
Darko Milicic
Joel Pryzbilla
P. Brezec
Jamal Magliore
Pau Gasol

and I'm likely leaving a few out....we HAVE to get a center IMHO. There are a bunch of 7 footers. Why can't we have one instead of starting a 6'9 1/2" center?

[MaceCase]

Jason Collins is 6'11.5" so boom we set.

[DJlaysitup]

CrawfulToCrawesome, on 30 July 2010 - 03:50 AM, said:

Jason Collins is 6'11.5" so boom we set.

.I was trying to keep the list down to actual competitive NBA players (starters and decent backups)....he wasn't on any of the top 50 NBA current centers over 6'11" lists that I searched.....but he might just surpize us !

(I realize you are kidding CTC)

[macdaddy]

How many on that list does Horford have any problem defending? I count 2 maybe 3. I understand Horf would rather play the 4 but the truth is the dude's an all star CENTER already. I don't think having a seven footer is critical at all.

[jerrywest]

macdaddy, on 30 July 2010 - 09:28 AM, said:

I don't think having a seven footer is critical at all.

It is critical against every competitive playoff team.

[Peoriabird]

macdaddy, on 30 July 2010 - 09:28 AM, said:

I don't think having a seven footer is critical at all.

Not Critical but it would be very helpful.

[niremetal]

jerrywest, on 30 July 2010 - 09:40 AM, said:

It is critical against every competitive playoff team.

Last year's East champions have a center who is 6'10. It wasn't being overmatched by Shaq and Big Z that gave us trouble against Cleveland. And no one on the Heat, Bulls, Mavs, Spurs, or Jazz will leave Horford shaking in his boots.

So unless "every competitive playoff team" refers just to the Magic and Lakers, that's just not true.

Edited by niremetal, 30 July 2010 - 10:01 AM.

[lethalweapon3]

http://www.hawksquaw...j-ramos-anyone/

~lw3

[Chinky_eyed_hawk]

I dont think the size we need is a height problem as much as it is a SPACE problem. We need someone to clog up the lanes on defense and allow spacing on the offensive side weither it be in the paint or being able to pick and pop. You can be as tall as anyone in the league, but if you cant stop the opposition for moving you around and man handling you whats the point of being taller that your advisary?

[Jody23]

The Hawks may not need a true seven footer per say, but they need more size in their main front court rotation. I know many like to point to Kendrick Perkins to justify playing Horford at center because Perkins is 6'10. However, Perkins is much bigger than Horford. His size and length allow him to defend at the center spot without needing help. The difference in the way the defended oppossing centers in the playoffs clearly show that. The Celtics also had the size and/or length of Garnett, Wallace and Davis who were also great defenders. This Hawks present front court does not have that type of size or defensive capability. Period. If nothing changes personnel wise, the Hawks will once again struggle defensively inside and on the boards come playoff time.

[niremetal]

Jody23, on 30 July 2010 - 10:33 AM, said:

The Hawks may not need a true seven footer per say, but they need more size in their main front court rotation. I know many like to point to Kendrick Perkins to justify playing Horford at center because Perkins is 6'10. However, Perkins is much bigger than Horford. His size and length allow him to defend at the center spot without needing help. The difference in the way the defended oppossing centers in the playoffs clearly show that. The Celtics also had the size and/or length of Garnett, Wallace and Davis who were also great defenders. This Hawks present front court does not have that type of size or defensive capability. Period. If nothing changes personnel wise, the Hawks will once again struggle defensively inside and on the boards come playoff time.

Dwight averaged 21 and 13 against the Hawks and 22 and 11 against the Celtics - after averaging 10 and 9 against the Bobcats. The Celtics didn't beat the Magic by shutting down Howard or keeping him from getting his on the boards. They beat them by covering the Magic's perimeter players like a heavy blanket. If anything, this year's playoffs showed that shutting down Howard is neither necessary nor sufficient to beat the Magic.

[HAWKSFAN89]

Jason Collins is gonna come out next season in beast mode. All muscle. I hear he's been working on his 3-point shot as well.

[KB21]

Also note that Dwight Howard is neither 6'11" nor 7'0". He's 6'10". He's actually 6'9" without shoes on. What makes him so effective is his length, not his size. He's the best center in basketball because he is so freakishly long and athletic, not because he is the biggest or most physical.

[buckeye242424]

KB21, on 30 July 2010 - 08:32 PM, said:

Also note that Dwight Howard is neither 6'11" nor 7'0". He's 6'10". He's actually 6'9" without shoes on. What makes him so effective is his length, not his size. He's the best center in basketball because he is so freakishly long and athletic, not because he is the biggest or most physical.

Dwight Howard is not 6'9. Not a chance in hell....

[niremetal]

buckeye242424, on 30 July 2010 - 09:31 PM, said:

Dwight Howard is not 6'9. Not a chance in hell....

He was 6'9 without shoes at the pre-draft combine measurement in '04:
http://www.draftexpr...ht-Howard-2888/

I think he grew about another half-inch or 3/4-inch after that, but he's no taller than 6'10 without shoes (--> 6'11 with shoes).