05-22-2024, 07:03 PM
(This post was last modified: 05-22-2024, 07:19 PM by Jakeospikez.)
Gobert on the current Wolves team is nothing like what he was doing for the Jazz. He has Ant and McDaniels as defenders you have to get by instead of Donovan Mitchell & Bojan/Royce O'Neale. He's guarding on the perimeter a lot now. They made the all in trade for a reason and they're in the WCF and are clear favorites. They don't have to break the big unit up at all. Their defense is just fine, #1 in the league. There's plenty of 5 out teams out there, it's not an instant win over non shooting centers. Dunks/layups are better than 3s and preventing dunks/layups is more important than 3pt defense. What holds them back is Rudy's offense not his defense. The Nuggets are one of the best 5 out teams in the entire league and they just beat them, then the goal posts are moved and blame the bench I guess.
There's definitely some anti-Gafford bias that's not just DJJ related. I would like to see what players are out there that are cheaper than Gafford that would fill in the backup big role just fine. How much cheaper? Lets say under $10mil/year then. Zubac is making slightly less but he should be getting a new deal soon and will probably make more then. Not sure there's any legit non-rookie scale player making under $10 mil that is anywhere near Gafford. Hartenstein/Claxton are under $10mil and comparable but they're expiring and about to get paid. Under $10m will mostly get you someone like Theis or Plumlee, guys who aren't anywhere near Gafford's level.
Really bold take to say Clint F'n Capela is better than Gafford. That is straight up... I won't even say all the words that should be used to describe that. Gafford is lightyears ahead as an offensive player and way more athletic. I think there's definitely some recency bias with Gafford and I don't think the regular season dominance can be ignored at all. He's been battling injuries since a little before the playoffs started. He is frequently blocking shots near the top of the backboard and was scoring any and everything once he got the ball near the basket. Can see how he is next year before giving up on him.
edit* decent comparison salary wise -> Kelly Olynyk. If those guys are matched up Gafford is probably gonna be near 100% fg%. Gafford all day not really a difficult choice to me.
There's definitely some anti-Gafford bias that's not just DJJ related. I would like to see what players are out there that are cheaper than Gafford that would fill in the backup big role just fine. How much cheaper? Lets say under $10mil/year then. Zubac is making slightly less but he should be getting a new deal soon and will probably make more then. Not sure there's any legit non-rookie scale player making under $10 mil that is anywhere near Gafford. Hartenstein/Claxton are under $10mil and comparable but they're expiring and about to get paid. Under $10m will mostly get you someone like Theis or Plumlee, guys who aren't anywhere near Gafford's level.
Really bold take to say Clint F'n Capela is better than Gafford. That is straight up... I won't even say all the words that should be used to describe that. Gafford is lightyears ahead as an offensive player and way more athletic. I think there's definitely some recency bias with Gafford and I don't think the regular season dominance can be ignored at all. He's been battling injuries since a little before the playoffs started. He is frequently blocking shots near the top of the backboard and was scoring any and everything once he got the ball near the basket. Can see how he is next year before giving up on him.
edit* decent comparison salary wise -> Kelly Olynyk. If those guys are matched up Gafford is probably gonna be near 100% fg%. Gafford all day not really a difficult choice to me.
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