Post by Juju Erving on Mar 19, 2011 12:29:55 GMT -5
2020 Potential Free Agents: The Long Men
The Centers...
Eddy Curry[/u]
Current Team: Boston Celtics
Age: 35
Ratings: B- C- F+ B A- D
Statistics: 33.6 MPG, 22.2 PPG, 12.3 RPG, 3.2 BPG
Curry is old as hell, has fell off big time ratings wise and yet has still found a way to get big things done. Over 22 points and 12 rebounds a game to go along with 3 blocks puts 35 year old Eddy Curry amongst the very top of the league as far as big men. One half of the Celtics twin tower duo, Curry has played a huge part in the recent success of Boston. He will be a huge pick up for any team trying to win should he decide to stick around next year.
Alex Harper[/u]
Current Team: Miami Heat
Age: 25
Ratings: B+ C- C- A- C+ C
Statistics: 20.6 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 2 BPG
I really liked the deal that sent Amir Johnson to the Warriors in exchange for Alex Harper and you can see why. Scoring wise, Harper had shown a bunch of potential last season with his 15 points on good percentages from the field and the line (for a big). This year Harper has taken a step forward, averaging nearly 21 points to go along with just under 9 rebounds and 2 blocks. He is shooting a whomping 52.2% from the field which is good for 4th in the league. Obviously better rebounding would be desirable, but it’s hard to complain about a 25 year old that can really score in the post as well as block shots.
Gus Gilchrist[/u]
Current Team: New Jersey Nets
Age: 27
Ratings: B- C D A- B+ C
Statistics: 29.8 MPG, 10 PPG, 10.7 RPG
To go along with mediocre scoring ability, Gilchrist can’t block any shots and that hurts his value in this league. However, considering his average of a double-double in just under 30 minutes per game, it’s safe to say that he can be an integral part to any team. The Nets are one of the better rebounding teams in the league and they have the addition of Gus to thank for that. Best of all, he should sign for pretty cheap this off-season. MLE type of deal.
Andrew Bogut[/u]
Current Team: New York Knicks
Age: 33
Ratings: B C D A C+ D
Statistics: 33.1 MPG, 14.3 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 3.1 BPG
Bogut is getting up there in age but he’s still blocking shots like a monster to go along with decent post scoring. The Knicks recently acquired Andrew Bogut from the Washington Wizards and although the addition of Bogut has not seemed to have a huge impact on the Knicks record thus far, his production cannot be denied. 14 points and just over 8 rebounds to go along with 3 blocks a game. Very nice addition for any contending team here and he shouldn’t be too expensive.
Al Jefferson[/u]
Current Team: Philadelphia 76ers
Age: 33
Ratings: B C- C- A A C
Statistics: 37.9 MPG, 19.9 PPG, 13 RPG, 3.1 BPG
Unlike many before him, Jefferson has managed to retain not only his ratings, but also his production in old age. Averaging just about 20 points to go along with 13 rebounds (6th in the league) and 3 blocks, 33 year old Al Jefferson is still one of the best big men this league has to offer. The deal the 76ers made to acquire Jefferson did not appear to be in their favor, but you can’t argue with the results. The 76ers currently have one of the best teams in the league and a large part of that is due to Jefferson. Every contender’s dream right here.
Sean O'Mara[/u]
Current Team: Philadelphia 76ers
Age: 22
Ratings: B+ C- D B+ A- C
Statistics: 36.8 MPG, 22.6 PPG, 12.2 RPG, 2.9 BPG
If Sean O’Mara decides to test free agency, the whole league will drool at the chance of possibly being able to sign this kid. At just 22 years of age, O’Mara already boasts the stats of an all-leaguer. About 23 points, 12 rebounds and 3 blocks all while anchoring one of the best defenses in the league is nothing short of amazing. There is no doubt that O’Mara would be the cream of the crop should he decide to field offers this upcoming off-season. Expect him to be highly coveted and receive a ton of MAX offers.
Andre Drummond[/u]
Current Team: Chicago Bulls
Age: 23
Ratings: B D C A- A- B
Statistics: 33.2 MPG, 12.4 PPG, 11 RPG, 3.9 BPG
Like Sean O’Mara, Andre Drummond is a stud big man from the 2015 UOSLR Draft. Where they differ? Well, O’Mara is a prolific scorer while Drummond’s main claim to fame is his unwavering focus on defense. The Bulls are the clear #1 team in the league on the defensive end and Drummond’s production plays a large part in that. Not only does he give you 11 rebounds next to the rebounding leader Dwight Howard, but he also gives you elite shot blocking with damn near 4 a game (3rd in the league). The fact that he chips in 12.4 points a game while shooting over 50% is just gravy. MAX offers all the way.
Andrew Wiggins[/u]
Current Team: Toronto Raptors
Age: 23
Ratings: B C- D+ A- B- B
Statistics: 36.2 MPG, 18.2 PPG, 10 RPG, 1.3 SPG, 3.3 BPG
Damn. Yet another good big man that was selected in top 5 of the 2015 draft. Wiggins hasn’t developed the way I expected him to as far as his ratings are concerned. I guess it really isn’t a huge problem when he is producing as well as he is. 18 points to go along with 10 boards and over 3 blocks a game allows him to be comfortably compared to his draft mates in spite of not having ratings as good as them. Wiggins also gets over a steal a game which isn’t the most common thing amongst big men. It goes without saying that this 23 year old would be a welcome addition to any team. He probably receives straight maxes as well.
Joakim Noah[/u]
Current Team: Memphis Grizzlies
Age: 33
Ratings: B- C C B+ A D
Statistics: 29.9 MPG, 10 PPG, 10.9 RPG, 1.2 SPG
Noah’s move to the Memphis Grizzlies has really helped preserve and prolong his career. Now instead of having to anchor a defense as a starter, Noah is now being asked to provide great scoring and rebounding off the bench as a 6th man. Seeing as he’s the reigning two-time 6th Man of the Year award winner, the move has worked wonders. 10 points and 11 rebounds in about 30 minutes a game? Nice numbers old head.
Emeka Okafor[/u]
Current Team: Memphis Grizzlies
Age: 35
Ratings: B- D+ C- B B+ D
Statistics: 30.1 MPG, 6.4 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 3 BPG
His ratings look rather shitty to say the least but the 35 year old center out of Connecticut is still producing very respectable numbers. Should he decide to stick around for another year, he and his shot blocking will be a very welcome addition to any team. Three a game to go along with 9 rebounds in 30 minutes of action? Very, very solid.
Patric Young[/u]
Current Team: San Antonio Spurs
Age: 27
Ratings: B D+ D+ A- A- C
Statistics: 35.1 MPG, 9.6 PPG, 11.6 RPG, 1.1 BPG
If you’re looking for a big that can score or change shots in the paint, then you’re looking at the wrong guy. If you’re looking for a big that can lock up post scorers mano-y-mano while also providing some superb defense, then Patric Young is your guy. A career San Antonio Spur, Young had shown a lot of potential to be a dog in his first year as a pro but he was never able to improve. Because he was so good coming in, he has managed to be a legitimate big in this league. He should receive a lot of offers as any team would love to have a guy like this off the bench.
Dwight Stone[/u]
Current Team: Los Angeles Clippers
Age: 24
Ratings: B- D+ D+ A A B
Statistics: 34.2 MPG, 10.3 PPG, 11.1 RPG, 1.3 BPG
Dwight Stone is nearly identical to Patric Young as far as style of play and season averages. Sporting a solid A in both defense and rebounding, Stone is obviously one of the better looking young bigs in the league ratings wise. 11.1 rebounds per game on a great rebounding team like the Clippers (6th in the league) is extremely valuable. 1.3 blocks per game isn’t much and it hurts Stone’s value, but perhaps the fact that he plays excellent post defense can off-set that a little. Should receive a lot of offers. Not sure if he’s max worthy though, but I figure he may receive a few in the open market.
Dexter Pittman[/u]
Current Team: Los Angeles Clippers
Age: 30
Ratings: A- D C- C+ C+ D
Statistics: 22.2 MPG, 11.3 PPG, 4.9 RPG
Dexter Pittman is not much of a defender or rebounder and can’t shoot jumpers or free throws. But the one thing that he can do, he does well. Pittman has always been able to put the ball in the basket due to either good post moves or brute strength and the 30 year old has shown more of those abilities this season. Averaging 11 points in just 22 minutes of play, Pittman gives you the kind of production you expect out of a scoring big off the bench. The 52% shooting from the field makes for a nice touch.
Amare Stoudemire[/u]
Current Team: Los Angeles Lakers
Age: 35
Ratings: A- C- C A- B D
Statistics: 34.6 MPG, 14.6 PPG, 11.3 RPG, 3.8 BPG
35 year old Amare Stoudemire still has good ratings and has the numbers to go along with those ratings. 15 points, 11 rebounds and 3.8 blocks (4th in the league) is simply amazing production out of an old head like Stoudemire. He is finally in the final year of an albatross deal which is nice for the Lakers as they have not been able to field any depth around their stars due to his 33 million dollar salary. Talking about eating good.
Trey Thompkins[/u]
Current Team: Oklahoma City Thunder
Age: 28
Ratings: B C+ C- A- A- C
Statistics: 32.6 MPG, 13.2 PPG, 11.7 RPG, 2.1 BPG
Thompkins is actually a big of a surprise to me. I did not realize how solid he was until my research today. 13 points to go along with nearly 12 boards and 2 blocks is sick production for an under the radar type of guy. The C+ outside and the fact that he is 28 and also does not turn over the ball makes him really attractive in my opinion. Expect him to receive a lot of offers should he test the market.
The Power Forwards...[/color]
Blake Griffin[/u]
Current Team: Denver Nuggets
Age: 29
Ratings: A- C- C A- A C
Statistics: 36.5 MPG, 22.7 PPG, 12.9 RPG, 1.5 SPG, 1.8 BPG
Griffin was looking a tad suspect early in his career but he has really stepped up his play in the last few seasons. The 29 year old power forward out of Oklahoma is a double-double machine and these aren’t just any double-doubles… they are 23-13 double-doubles to go along with 1.5 steals and just about 2 blocks a game. Sick stuff. Should receive a ton of huge offers.
Ryan Miller[/u]
Current Team: Houston Rockets
Age: 22
Ratings: B C C+ A B+ B
Statistics: 30.1 MPG, 9.8 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 3.2 APG
Ryan Miller has very nice ratings. Unfortunately he has yet to really sim up to them. His numbers aren’t horrid, but 10 points and 8 rebounds a game are definitely underwhelming numbers out of a starting power forward in this league. This could easily be overlooked if he stole the ball nicely or blocked some shots but he doesn’t block shots or steal the ball either. He does average over 3 assists a game which is solid and he happens to be 22 which is a huge plus. Definitely not worth a max as it stands but shit… someone might give it to him.
Allyn Camby[/u]
Current Team: Houston Rockets
Age: 23
Ratings: B C- C A- C+ C
Statistics: 30.4 MPG, 9.3 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 2.8 BPG
The 2nd low scoring, low rebound big man for the Rockets. There is one major difference that makes Camby’s low pro scoring and rebounding a lot more acceptable though and it’s his shot blocking. Just about 3 blocks a game in 30 minutes of play makes Camby valuable to every team in the league. He should receive a ton of offers from both rebuilding and contending teams.
DeMarcus Cousins[/u]
Current Team: Memphis Grizzlies
Age: 27
Ratings: A- C- C B+ A- C
Statistics: 36.5 MPG, 24.1 PPG, 13.4 RPG, 1.7 BPG
Cousins is yet another big man that was selected top 5 in the 2015 BBS Draft. And he’s arguable the best of the bunch. His impact was immediately felt as he was a 21/11 big man coming in and the Grizzlies immediately transformed into contenders in the process. Now two championships later, it’s clear that Cousins is as good as it gets as far as power forwards. 24 points, 13 rebounds and nearly 2 blocks a game? Well damn. He’s old for a guy coming off his rookie contract, but best believe he will receive straight MAX offers from teams that have the money to do so.
Jarvis Varnado[/u]
Current Team: Oklahoma City Thunder
Age: 31
Ratings: C D F+ B+ C C
Statistics: 24.5 MPG, 2.4 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 2.1 BPG
His ratings aren’t much. Actually, they are pretty horrible. Can’t score inside or shoot at all, F+ handles, C rebounding? But shit… when you block shots like Varnado does, you’ll always be able to find work. Varnado is one of the better shot blocking bench bigs you can find and should receive a lot of MLE/LLE type of offers this off-season.
Yi Jianlian[/u]
Current Team: Portland Trail Blazers
Age: 30
Ratings: B- B D+ B- B- C
Statistics: 35 MPG, 9.2 PPG, 11.3 RPG, 2.2 BPG
Yi Jianlian is tough to figure out. The guy hasn't gotten any major burn in years and when he finally gets the opportunity to start again, he goes ballistic. 9 points, 11 rebounds and 2 blocks a game? I mean with his ratings it doesn’t even look like that production is even possible for a solid team like the Blazers. Weird stuff. But ya… he gets the mention due to his amazingly good simming right now.
Jared Sullinger[/u]
Current Team: Utah Jazz
Age: 27
Ratings: B D+ D+ B A- C
Statistics: 30.4 MPG, 12.9 PPG, 9.7 RPG
Jared Sullinger isn't a star and probably isn't even a starter on a great team due to his inability to block shots or steal the ball but he's been solid for the Jazz this season. 19 points and just under 10 rebounds a game in 30 minutes of play is very solid production. He's been slowly but surely improving over these last few seasons and would be a solid addition for contending teams looking for a nice bench big with the MLE.
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