Post by KingsOfKings on Mar 19, 2008 2:52:56 GMT -5
The purpose of this is to outline possible starters out of free agency. The most I'll list for a position is 5, but I may list fewer if the selection is weak at a certain position.
Centers
1. Jermaine O'Neal - The hype is on Kenny George, but O'Neal is the best center in free agency in my opinion. He can score 20 ppg with 11 rpg with good playing time and in the right system. He's still holding onto his career with C potential.
2. Kenny George - This guy will rebound very well and block a bunch of shots. He'll probably get enough putbacks to score 8-10 ppg, doesn't have great scoring ability or quickness, but his size, defense, and shotblocking ability will make him a big pickup this offseason.
3. Pau Gasol - He is equally as good as Jermaine O'Neal, but with D potential, a team is not likely to get as many good years out of him. He would still be an excellent 2 year signing for a team that's lacking good post play.
4. Eddy Curry - His scoring is solid, but his defense and rebounding are a little subpar for what most teams would like from a big man. He'd be good alongside a really strong defensive/rebounding power forward.
5. Wayne Simien - He doesn't really light up the board ratings-wise, but he has a little potential still, and he has B+ ratings in the "Big 3" -- inside scoring, defense, and rebounding. He can be
Considered: Sam Dalembert, Jamaal Magloire, Chris Wilcox, Etan Thomas, Darko Milicic
Power Forwards
1. Dirk Nowitzki - I hate to say it since his scoring comes from the outside primarily, but his ability to score, his excellent defense, and good rebounding place him at the top. His C potential indicates to me that can be a strong player for 3 more years or so.
2. Nene Hilario - He put up impressive numbers last year, showing that he's capable of scoring inside, playing good D, and rebounding impressively well. He doesn't have the elite D that Nowitzki has though, setting him back just a tad.
3. David West - He's down to D potential, so he'll probably only give you 1 or 2 good years, but he has put up some monster numbers in the past. He has inside scoring, defense, and rebounding that can be positives as a starter.
Considered: Chuck Hayes, Jason Maxiell, Ryan Gomes, Antawn Jamison, Antoine Walker, Jared Jeffries
Small Forwards
1. Paul Pierce - His scoring ability all over the floor and very good defense make him the strongest small forward in this free agency group. He should give a team another couple seasons, even though he is 34.
2. Boris Diaw - I skipped over some more well-rounded scorers in favor's of Diaw's all-around game. I tried to get this guy for my 6th man, but he should be starting. He has excellent handling and rebounding for a forward. At 29 years old, he's a good longer-term pickup.
3. Tayshaun Prince - He can be a nice 2nd or 3rd scorer and play some strong D. If he's a 1st scoring option, I'd question how good that team really is. He should give a team 3, maybe 4 good years.
4. Richard Jefferson - He is another good secondary scorer that plays good defense. He's probably a step behind Tayshaun in scoring, handling, and rebounding, but still a very startable player for a few more years.
Considered: Darius Miles, Shane Battier, Lamar Odom, Hedo Turkoglu
Shooting Guards
1. Kevin Martin - Over time, he has made good improvements to his game. I gave him credit for much improved defense and great outside shooting. He's only a 3rd scoring option probably but he will help an offense with his solid handling.
2. Michael Redd - This may be a sin to say that he's a step below Martin, but Martin has improved a lot defensively and there's really not that big of a difference in the offense anymore.
3. Acie Law IV - I'm not really sure why he doesn't play, because his ratings look fairly good. He's young-ish with promise and just daring a team to pick him up and start him.
Considered: Even these are a stretch, maybe Allan Ray, Francisco Garcia, Daequan Cook, Stephen Jackson
Point Guards
1. Mike Conley Jr. - He has just enough scoring to make good use of his awesome handling and defense. He's great point guard material that could help a lot of teams. He's young and should last for a 5-6 year deal.
2. Allen Iverson - He's still an excellent scorer, and he has good handling and defense. His D potential and "oldness" mean that he won't really last forever.
3. Aaron Brooks - Just feeling kinda meh about the rest of them...was call it a 4-way tie between Aaron Brooks, Luke Ridnour, Leandro Barbosa, and Earl Watson...then realized Brooks is only 26. tadaa!
4. Earl Watson
5. Luke Ridnour
Considered: Leandro Barbosa
Summary
So much for the huge free agency class...there are a few major impact players, but not many of them have both lasting power and signability.
Centers
1. Jermaine O'Neal - The hype is on Kenny George, but O'Neal is the best center in free agency in my opinion. He can score 20 ppg with 11 rpg with good playing time and in the right system. He's still holding onto his career with C potential.
2. Kenny George - This guy will rebound very well and block a bunch of shots. He'll probably get enough putbacks to score 8-10 ppg, doesn't have great scoring ability or quickness, but his size, defense, and shotblocking ability will make him a big pickup this offseason.
3. Pau Gasol - He is equally as good as Jermaine O'Neal, but with D potential, a team is not likely to get as many good years out of him. He would still be an excellent 2 year signing for a team that's lacking good post play.
4. Eddy Curry - His scoring is solid, but his defense and rebounding are a little subpar for what most teams would like from a big man. He'd be good alongside a really strong defensive/rebounding power forward.
5. Wayne Simien - He doesn't really light up the board ratings-wise, but he has a little potential still, and he has B+ ratings in the "Big 3" -- inside scoring, defense, and rebounding. He can be
Considered: Sam Dalembert, Jamaal Magloire, Chris Wilcox, Etan Thomas, Darko Milicic
Power Forwards
1. Dirk Nowitzki - I hate to say it since his scoring comes from the outside primarily, but his ability to score, his excellent defense, and good rebounding place him at the top. His C potential indicates to me that can be a strong player for 3 more years or so.
2. Nene Hilario - He put up impressive numbers last year, showing that he's capable of scoring inside, playing good D, and rebounding impressively well. He doesn't have the elite D that Nowitzki has though, setting him back just a tad.
3. David West - He's down to D potential, so he'll probably only give you 1 or 2 good years, but he has put up some monster numbers in the past. He has inside scoring, defense, and rebounding that can be positives as a starter.
Considered: Chuck Hayes, Jason Maxiell, Ryan Gomes, Antawn Jamison, Antoine Walker, Jared Jeffries
Small Forwards
1. Paul Pierce - His scoring ability all over the floor and very good defense make him the strongest small forward in this free agency group. He should give a team another couple seasons, even though he is 34.
2. Boris Diaw - I skipped over some more well-rounded scorers in favor's of Diaw's all-around game. I tried to get this guy for my 6th man, but he should be starting. He has excellent handling and rebounding for a forward. At 29 years old, he's a good longer-term pickup.
3. Tayshaun Prince - He can be a nice 2nd or 3rd scorer and play some strong D. If he's a 1st scoring option, I'd question how good that team really is. He should give a team 3, maybe 4 good years.
4. Richard Jefferson - He is another good secondary scorer that plays good defense. He's probably a step behind Tayshaun in scoring, handling, and rebounding, but still a very startable player for a few more years.
Considered: Darius Miles, Shane Battier, Lamar Odom, Hedo Turkoglu
Shooting Guards
1. Kevin Martin - Over time, he has made good improvements to his game. I gave him credit for much improved defense and great outside shooting. He's only a 3rd scoring option probably but he will help an offense with his solid handling.
2. Michael Redd - This may be a sin to say that he's a step below Martin, but Martin has improved a lot defensively and there's really not that big of a difference in the offense anymore.
3. Acie Law IV - I'm not really sure why he doesn't play, because his ratings look fairly good. He's young-ish with promise and just daring a team to pick him up and start him.
Considered: Even these are a stretch, maybe Allan Ray, Francisco Garcia, Daequan Cook, Stephen Jackson
Point Guards
1. Mike Conley Jr. - He has just enough scoring to make good use of his awesome handling and defense. He's great point guard material that could help a lot of teams. He's young and should last for a 5-6 year deal.
2. Allen Iverson - He's still an excellent scorer, and he has good handling and defense. His D potential and "oldness" mean that he won't really last forever.
3. Aaron Brooks - Just feeling kinda meh about the rest of them...was call it a 4-way tie between Aaron Brooks, Luke Ridnour, Leandro Barbosa, and Earl Watson...then realized Brooks is only 26. tadaa!
4. Earl Watson
5. Luke Ridnour
Considered: Leandro Barbosa
Summary
So much for the huge free agency class...there are a few major impact players, but not many of them have both lasting power and signability.
