George O'Brien
ASFN Icon
The Suns have been killed on the boards for the last few games including giving up 21 offensive rebounds to the Wizzards. So while it is likely that the Suns would have defeated the Wizzards if Kobe was on the team, it is still a big concern that the Suns are getting pounded. Certainly having Amare back would help, but I am not convinced he will completely solve the problem the Suns have at center.
Part of my concern has to do with the steps necessary to get Kobe. Since the cost of moving Eisley is likely to be excessive, the only way the Suns can clear enough cap would be to move White (the idea of moving Marion is a non-starter). But if the Suns move White, then it would mean going into next season with only Voskuhl and Lampe.
Last night the Suns were out rebounded by the Wizzards by 18 boards -- on a night that White grabbed 9 boards! Currently Voskuhl plays only 24.5 minutes a game because he averages 4.2 fouls per game. Over the course of the season, White has grabbed half again more rebounds per minute than Voskuhl, but he makes more fouls per minute than Voskuhl. As inadequate as Voskuhl and White are, Voskuhl without White cannot help but be worse.
Maybe Lampe will go from being an interesting project instantly to a 20 minute a game guy. It seems unlikely. The Suns could sign someone for a veteran minimum, but it is unlikely such a player would contrbute as much as White does -- and White is inadquate.
None of the centes in this year's draft appear to be more than projects. Okafor is the only guy that might help and it would take some difficult moves to be in position to take him. Okafor has more game than White, but he is still an out of position PF rather than a center.
Some people have suggested that the Suns could simply "write-off" next season and find someone using the mid cap exemption in the summer of 2005. But not only does that mean losing another year, it is not self evident that there is anyone who will be available that would help much.
This has led to the claim that the Suns don't really need a competant center because the Jordan Bulls only had Longley. I don't buy it. Kobe is a great player, but there will never be another Michael Jordan.
Some people have sugested that there just aren't any good centers out there. But if that was case, how is that the Suns get killed on the boards EVERY game and cannot keep opponents out of the paint?
I know that having Kobe would be wonderful, but so would getting bigger be wonderful.
Part of my concern has to do with the steps necessary to get Kobe. Since the cost of moving Eisley is likely to be excessive, the only way the Suns can clear enough cap would be to move White (the idea of moving Marion is a non-starter). But if the Suns move White, then it would mean going into next season with only Voskuhl and Lampe.
Last night the Suns were out rebounded by the Wizzards by 18 boards -- on a night that White grabbed 9 boards! Currently Voskuhl plays only 24.5 minutes a game because he averages 4.2 fouls per game. Over the course of the season, White has grabbed half again more rebounds per minute than Voskuhl, but he makes more fouls per minute than Voskuhl. As inadequate as Voskuhl and White are, Voskuhl without White cannot help but be worse.
Maybe Lampe will go from being an interesting project instantly to a 20 minute a game guy. It seems unlikely. The Suns could sign someone for a veteran minimum, but it is unlikely such a player would contrbute as much as White does -- and White is inadquate.
None of the centes in this year's draft appear to be more than projects. Okafor is the only guy that might help and it would take some difficult moves to be in position to take him. Okafor has more game than White, but he is still an out of position PF rather than a center.
Some people have suggested that the Suns could simply "write-off" next season and find someone using the mid cap exemption in the summer of 2005. But not only does that mean losing another year, it is not self evident that there is anyone who will be available that would help much.
This has led to the claim that the Suns don't really need a competant center because the Jordan Bulls only had Longley. I don't buy it. Kobe is a great player, but there will never be another Michael Jordan.
Some people have sugested that there just aren't any good centers out there. But if that was case, how is that the Suns get killed on the boards EVERY game and cannot keep opponents out of the paint?
I know that having Kobe would be wonderful, but so would getting bigger be wonderful.
