George O'Brien
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From Republic article quoting D'Antoni:
"I think we can play them both together," he said, meaning McDyess could play center alongside Stoudemire at the forward position. "(McDyess) is strong enough. He played (center) for me a lot in Denver. He's as strong as Jake Voskuhl is."
While Stoudemire's game is predicated on explosive quickness, McDyess is able to step out and hit the midrange jump shot or to post up. That could free up Stoudemire inside when McDyess is outside or allow him to come from the weak side for offensive rebounds when McDyess is in the post.
"I think they can complement each other for periods," D'Antoni said. "With Shaq (O'Neal) out there, we'll have to go to Jahidi White.
"But we can play Dice with Amare or behind Amare. We want (Stoudemire) to develop an all-around game. We want him to be like Kevin Garnett, to be a big inside presence."
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Almost every discussion about acquiring Dice has focused on what a louse he was and how his only value to the team will be th cap relief he would provide next summer. The general perspective was that they might take him back for the veteran minimum, but no more than that. The rational for that was that he would be a backup to Amare and compete with Harvey for the spot - and Harvey is really inexpenisve.
But what if Dice could play center? At 6'9" 245 he is about the same size as Amare. He used to be a great rebounder, post defender, with a good jump shot and low post skills. He is clearly not going to be as athletic as he used to be, but he could easily be more athletic than Voskuhl.
Voskuhl is making $1.5 million this year, $1.7 next year, and $1.9 the following year. He attracted a certain amount of attention last summer and has certainly contributed. He might be attractive to a team looking for a backup center at a reasonable price. (For example, the Clippers have Olden Polynice on their roster making $1 million who has played a total of 6 minutes).
Trading Voskuhl would free up playing time for Lampe. Dice is likely to be able to do much of what Voskuhl did plus he can shoot. If he can't play, then the Suns will end up using Amare and Carbakapa at the #5 and #4 slots. If Dice can play, then the money saved by trading Voskuhl would be available to pay Dice next year a bit more than the veteran minimum.
I Dice does not work out, then at least it would free up a little more money for the FA market.
Any thoughts?
"I think we can play them both together," he said, meaning McDyess could play center alongside Stoudemire at the forward position. "(McDyess) is strong enough. He played (center) for me a lot in Denver. He's as strong as Jake Voskuhl is."
While Stoudemire's game is predicated on explosive quickness, McDyess is able to step out and hit the midrange jump shot or to post up. That could free up Stoudemire inside when McDyess is outside or allow him to come from the weak side for offensive rebounds when McDyess is in the post.
"I think they can complement each other for periods," D'Antoni said. "With Shaq (O'Neal) out there, we'll have to go to Jahidi White.
"But we can play Dice with Amare or behind Amare. We want (Stoudemire) to develop an all-around game. We want him to be like Kevin Garnett, to be a big inside presence."
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Almost every discussion about acquiring Dice has focused on what a louse he was and how his only value to the team will be th cap relief he would provide next summer. The general perspective was that they might take him back for the veteran minimum, but no more than that. The rational for that was that he would be a backup to Amare and compete with Harvey for the spot - and Harvey is really inexpenisve.
But what if Dice could play center? At 6'9" 245 he is about the same size as Amare. He used to be a great rebounder, post defender, with a good jump shot and low post skills. He is clearly not going to be as athletic as he used to be, but he could easily be more athletic than Voskuhl.
Voskuhl is making $1.5 million this year, $1.7 next year, and $1.9 the following year. He attracted a certain amount of attention last summer and has certainly contributed. He might be attractive to a team looking for a backup center at a reasonable price. (For example, the Clippers have Olden Polynice on their roster making $1 million who has played a total of 6 minutes).
Trading Voskuhl would free up playing time for Lampe. Dice is likely to be able to do much of what Voskuhl did plus he can shoot. If he can't play, then the Suns will end up using Amare and Carbakapa at the #5 and #4 slots. If Dice can play, then the money saved by trading Voskuhl would be available to pay Dice next year a bit more than the veteran minimum.
I Dice does not work out, then at least it would free up a little more money for the FA market.
Any thoughts?