[NicD]

Regardless of wether skill or athleticism should be valued more, in today's game you have to draft athleticism in order to compete.

Look at a guy like Mike Penberthy, who was in the Lakers camp 2 years in a row and could just shoot the lights out. He couldn't compete running the court from end to end, couldn't keep up with changes of direction defensively, and began to get his jump shot packed (dare I use that old term, but it really fits here) before he was eventually cut. It's not always about heighth or about big men.

I blame it on MJ. When he came along, every NBA owner and GM realized that basketball had moved beyond what Magic and Larry could provide. They couldn't make the type plays MJ could, sell merchandise, or fill arenas the way MJ could. And the one thing that seperated MJ from the pack most noticeably was his athleticism.

The emphasis on athleticism and lack of skill is largely responsible for a lot of what's right and wrong with the game today.

[Chops]

Originally posted by <b>NicD</b>!
Regardless of wether skill or athleticism should be valued more, in today's game you have to draft athleticism in order to compete.

Look at a guy like Mike Penberthy, who was in the Lakers camp 2 years in a row and could just shoot the lights out. He couldn't compete running the court from end to end, couldn't keep up with changes of direction defensively, and began to get his jump shot packed (dare I use that old term, but it really fits here) before he was eventually cut. It's not always about heighth or about big men.

I blame it on MJ. When he came along, every NBA owner and GM realized that basketball had moved beyond what Magic and Larry could provide. They couldn't make the type plays MJ could, sell merchandise, or fill arenas the way MJ could. And the one thing that seperated MJ from the pack most noticeably was his athleticism.

The emphasis on athleticism and lack of skill is largely responsible for a lot of what's right and wrong with the game today.

Nice post! Welcome to the boards.

I agree with what has been said, athleticism is a necessity. Sure we would love to have 5 guys that have big hearts and work hard and have awesome fundamentals, but you have to be athletic now. That is what wins games.

[Amareca]

Originally posted by <b>I'm Just Saying</b>!


I couldn't agree more and I think Elton is an excelent player but I think these PF's were better than him in his first 3 seasons or are better now:

Rasnheed
Webber
Dirk
Malone
Duncan
KG
O'Neal
Walker
K-Mart

LMAO Kenyon Martin???

I would also take Brand over Rasheed and Walker ANY day.

[H2O]

Originally posted by <b>I'm Just Saying</b>!


Cheapskate? There is a salary cap, or hadn't you heard about it.
The Clips have some nice players, but no one (including Brand) who'll ever be 1st or second team All-Pro. IMO the all-pros are the ones who are worth max money and can take you to the title.

I have another post on this board wihich

http://www.basketballboards.net/foru...threadid=12970

where I talk about "what it takes to win in the NBA" The consensus is that you need an all-pro an all-star sidekick and a good supporting cast.

If a team signs it's near-all-star players to max contracts, they're doomed. It's not necessarily cheapness, maybe it's good business.

But anyways, Sterling has bird rights to all of the key players on the team, with the possible exception of olowakandi, Since I dont think he signed him to the proper extension. But if he had, he would be able to sign brand, kandi, odom etc. all to max contracts. that's the way bird rights work. You can go over the cap to resign your free agents. Im unsure whether they could reatain Dre Miller or not but if he were willing to spend, im sure it could be done. The cap must be exceeded eventually, if you want your team to really excel. (with the exception of the spurs, who have incredible management, but hey, they're struggling right now) And this is the first time I've EVER heard anyone dispute that Sterling is cheap and unwilling to spend money to make his team a contender.

[BEEZ]

Originally posted by <b>I'm Just Saying</b>!


I couldn't agree more and I think Elton is an excelent player but I think these PF's were better than him in his first 3 seasons or are better now:

Rasheed
Webber
Dirk
Malone
Duncan
KG
O'Neal
Walker
K-Mart

I would not take KMART over Brand I would not take Rasheed over Brand I wouldnt even take Malone over Brand right now

[jazzy1]

Athleticism is not overemphasized. It makes the game easier on teams to have great athletes. Great athletes gets a team easy buckets cuts down on the possesions in a game,can cause teams to make adjustments. Kobe Bryant, TMAC, Vince Carter, Pierce, Iverson, Finley, all these guys are athletic and can play the game,every team needs great athletes to compete in the NBA. I'd take a chance on a great athlete before I'd take a player with smarts and savy. Whats the difference between Ben Wallace and Eduardo Najera its the hops both are garbage men but Ben's athleticism gives him an advantage.

Andre Miller or Steve Francis and baron Davis. Davis and Francis I'd take over Miller their athleticism make the game easier for them Miller always has to find ways to get players off balance use angles catch defenders napping. Francis and Davis can simply blow by defenders or out jump them.I'm not saying that athleticism is all you need but it enables a player easier ways to play the game. You need smarts and athleticism to be great but its not overemphasized in the game ,you can always find a spot in the game for a great athlete.

[I'm Just Saying]

Originally posted by <b>BEEZ</b>!


I would not take KMART over Brand I would not take Rasheed over Brand I wouldnt even take Malone over Brand right now

Originally posted by <b>BigAmar</b>!
LMAO Kenyon Martin???

I would also take Brand over Rasheed and Walker ANY day.

My statement was over the last three years or NOW. I think Rasheed, Walker and Malone were better over the last three years and I'd take K-Mart today if I had enough scoring at other positions.

MY POINT HOWEVER, IS THAT BRAND IS NOT LIKELY TO BE THE BETTER PF IN ANY PLAYOFF GAME OTHER THAN THE FIRST ROUND. TO MAKE HIM A MAX PLAYER AND THE BEST PLAYER ON THE TEAM WOULD NOT BE WISE.

[benfica]

Quote:
"I blame it on MJ. When he came along, every NBA owner and GM realized that basketball had moved beyond what Magic and Larry could provide. They couldn't make the type plays MJ could, sell merchandise, or fill arenas the way MJ could. And the one thing that seperated MJ from the pack most noticeably was his athleticism."

I disagree with the above statement. I remember the NBA prioir to Magic and Larry, it was already moving to more athleticism. There was Wilkins, DR. J, Thompson and many other high flying acts. Before the Magic and Larry era, the NBA wasn't even on prime time. The playoffs were delayed broadcast. There wasn't much TV interest. The league was what soccer is today, maybe in even worse shape.

Larry and Magic changed the game and made it popular, Jordan extended it.