The Center Position

by wilson7117 on Jun 23, 2011 3:10 PM PDT

Lots of talk about PG's today but there's the still the question nobody wants to think about (myself included): What if Oden is never healthy?

With Camby's expiring contract and the uncertainty of the new CBA, it would be nice if this were addressed as well.

What options do people see for improving the center position long term?

I don't think Nene, Horford or Gasol are plausible. The best one I've thought of is Al Jefferson. With the lackluster season the Jazz had and if they draft Kanter its possible he becomes tradable. Something like Camby, Batum and a future first rounder could be conceivable (although Utah might just not trade with us period).

Obviously not ideal, but I will say I think its important we get a center with enough of an offensive game to actually be guarded by the opposing teams center. I thought it really hurt us in the Dallas series when nobody had to guard Camby and both Chandler and Nowitzki could focus on Aldridge. As much as I love LA, he's no Duncan or Nowitzki and while he can dominate almost any other PF, he's struggles against many centers. That's why I'm not all that excited about FAs like Chandler or Dalembert. Plus, it would allow Oden to play a Bynum like role at ~20min/g if he's healthy since both Al and LA could play with Oden.

But what are other people thinking?

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call me crazy

but I’d even take Fesenko from the Jazz if he could be had for cheap.

by BornWinner on Jun 23, 2011 3:43 PM PDT reply actions

You're crazy

by McSuck on Jun 23, 2011 3:52 PM PDT up reply actions

I would take Fesenko to, he is a free agent so we can sign him outright.

But he would only be a backup to both Oden and another Center otherwise he isn’t good enough to play more than 10 minutes a game.

by VinnyB on Jun 23, 2011 6:04 PM PDT up reply actions

I'm more concerned about the C than the PG

You can’t keep using LMA as a center, he’s going to get beat up.
And there’s nothing wrong with a C who cleans the boards and plays D. GO didn’t have much of an offensive game, he went #1. Offense can come later.
I’d really like to see the Blazers draft a C and PLAY HIM. You’re covered if Camby/GO are out, you don’t have to burden LMA. If the pick works, Camby is excellent trade bait at the deadline. Or maybe you don’t have to offer GO.

by GoForthAndDie on Jun 23, 2011 4:11 PM PDT reply actions

I'm perplexed as to why this isn't being mentioned more either

Camby is an expiring contract like Miller, and he’s much more ineffective at this point relative to position. McMillan wasn’t even starting Camby at year’s end, and our inside defense is terrible. I dont think Camby will hold up this year for many minutes, and he’s certainly not the player he was 2 years ago.

I guess the assumption from the fan base is that Oden will come back strong and injury free.

Henne is the greatest and the Dolphins will go 14-2 this year and win the SB

by zeusmith on Jun 23, 2011 4:27 PM PDT reply actions

well when camby's contract expires

portland can use that money to get Dwight Howard…..

by TheShougPanther5 on Jun 23, 2011 5:23 PM PDT reply actions

rec.

i’ve been feeling for some time that, position-wise, center is much shakier than point guard. upgrading pg with younger talent is all well and good if possible, but our first priority oughta be getting a starting center who we can count on. greg and marcus will be hopefully be great in limited minutes, but i’m plenty tired of hopefully. dre is much more dependable as a starter for the coming season than camby/oden. plus, with a solid starting center, lamarcus and gerald can consistently play their ideal positions. if we have to choose, and we probably will, i’d prefer a center with greater defensive chops than offensive. but particular emphasis on minimal injury history.

by williamswonder on Jun 23, 2011 5:30 PM PDT reply actions

LA & AL

Would probably put up so many points in the point it really wouldn’t matter that jefferson is a turrible defender(Camby off the bench would help that

Get it done... Paul.

by 420Phenom on Jun 23, 2011 6:42 PM PDT reply actions

At this point, I would concede to taking Jefferson, but not as a first choice

But first I would look into a possible sign and trade with Chandler, see about Emeka Okafor, possibly some combo of Dalembert and another player from Sac, Maybe Biedrins depending on health, Robin Lopez, Brendan Haywood possibly—-again depending on health, Kaman, Mozgov, Turiaf, and Varejao.

Nene would be my #1 choice to go after in a sign and trade, but Denver won’t do it. Chandler would be #2. Surprisingly, I think Okafor could be good in Portland, but after the top two I don’t know what order I would put them in. Maybe Okafor, Jefferson, then Dalembert? Robin Lopez would be high on my list because the Suns are hell bent to keep Gortat, and Lopez is young and cheap still. The only players I would offer from our roster are Camby, Babbitt, and Armon. Throw the second rounders in if you need to.

Obviously all of this depends on Oden, but I think Portland HAS to look into dealing Camby. Today was a great success for roster balance, with the exception of the front court.

by Eric Loftin on Jun 23, 2011 9:15 PM PDT reply actions

Great success at roster balance? Is that what you call having 8 guards and two of them

being combo guards?

by VinnyB on Jun 23, 2011 10:24 PM PDT up reply actions

Patty and Armon don’t count, because I think they’re gone, so:

Felton/Smith
Matthews/Roy
Wallace/Batum

How is that not balanced?

by Eric Loftin on Jun 23, 2011 11:00 PM PDT up reply actions

i hope we draft nothing but centers for the next 10 years

by riccc_l on Jun 23, 2011 10:41 PM PDT reply actions

I HOPE!

this is a testament to the health of one Gregory Oden. He looked healthy on Kimmel!

by ASco05 on Jun 23, 2011 11:54 PM PDT reply actions

Free Agents...

So I took a look at the free agent list on ESPN. The guidelines that I used are first, they have to be a Center or big enough PF to play Center. Second, they have to be under 30 years old. Third, I’m looking primarily at guys that might be willing to take mid-level money, so no high production guys like Nene or Dalembert. Their price tags will be too high unless it’s a Sign and Trade. And fourth, they have to have averaged more than 10 mpg, so Ajinca and Fesenko were out.

The list that meets that criteria is Chris Wilcox, Josh McRoberts, Aaron Gray, and Ronny Turiaf.

Aaron Gray is the only one of these guys that is a true Center. At the same time, he’s the only one that doesn’t have the versatility to backup both the 4 and 5 if Oden is healthy. If you’re looking for toughness, Wilcox and Turiaf fit the bill best. If we want a bit more offense, McRoberts would be the guy. Would McBob come back here for mid-level money? I’m not too sure myself… I do think Turiaf should be the first choice, with Wilcox as a fall back plan.

The ideal situation to me is for Camby to still be here and be the starter until Oden is back. Maybe Camby can be traded at the deadline next year, or maybe he can just retire next summer and Portland can get the savings. But I think the center they bring in should be young enough to be here for a few years, good enough to start if Camby is injured, but not someone that there would be a debate if Oden is healthy. Oden must be the clear starter when he’s able.

PG – Felton, Smith, A.Johnson
SG – Matthews, Roy, E.Williams
SF – Wallace, Batum, Babbitt
PF – Aldridge, Turiaf, Pendergraph?
C – Camby/Oden, Turiaf, C.Johnson

Six guards. Six wings. Six forwards. Six bigs. Balance. Role definition. Synergy. :)

by Rodney Gustafson on Jun 24, 2011 11:00 AM PDT reply actions