01-02-2023, 12:30 PM
(01-02-2023, 12:17 PM)Kammrath Wrote: The interesting thing looking back on Wood is that coming out of college (2015) he was considered a 3-4 tweener, almost athletic enough to be a 3, but not quite, almost strong enough to be a 4, but not quite.
Then when he was in DET (2019-2020) the question many started asking was "can you play him at center?"
He thrived at PF in DET so much that one reporter said, "he might be Detroit’s best player and greatest hope to develop a future star." But the style of play in the NBA has shifted a LOT in even the last three years and so now I think it is pretty clear Wood is strongest at C. I think in the right system he can absolutely still play PF, but C should be his main spot.
And again, many in DET saw that already 3+ years ago and believed he was the perfect prototype for the "modern big man."
I think this is a good characterization (and why I indicated this summer that I thought he would play with another big on the floor). I think it is still an open question whether he is good enough defensively to be a starting center on a good team, but there isn't anything to doubt at the other end of the floor.
With that said, and knowing what they knew 3+ years ago, Detroit still decided to go with Mason Plumlee and rookie Isaiah Stewart at center the next season and got nothing for Wood. Houston tried for quite a while to trade him too and Sweeney's time in Detroit (and the Mav's need to open roster slots) was probably the reason they eventually found someone to take him.