07-23-2023, 07:51 PM
(07-23-2023, 04:36 PM)mvossman Wrote: I'm looking at stuff like EPM and DPM, which have both as plus defenders. Holmes is a better rebounder and rim protector, but Powell is probably better P&R defender. I think their on court defensive impact is roughly the same, but what Powell brings is more subtle, which is why folks are complaining about him more than they probably should.
I think that's a fair assessment of Richaun Holmes defensively several years ago. If he can be that player again, he would be a good solution to our center problem. I hope that happens. I just think that's unlikely.
If all we did at the center position was bring in Holmes, then "polishing a turd" would be a more accurate statement, but we just spent a lottery pick on a center and Holmes is just a stopgap.
I really like the Lively pick. I already stated that I would rather wait on trading assets to see what we have in Lively this season. The disappointment is in not having a backup plan if Portland matched Thybulle. The Mavericks position that there was no one else available in free agency post-Thybulle was and is foolish.
Paul Reed would have fit in very well with what we needed. I think Derrick Jones Jr. would be a good rotation player for us as well. What will not help us win games this season is money under the luxury tax and an empty roster spot.
Wood was definitely not a better defensive center, and it seems clear that he had a negative impact in the locker room as well.
He played really well for some stretches last season. He often looked like our second-best player pre-Kyrie. There's obviously something very wrong there though given the fact that literally no NBA team seems to want a player that talented.