Post by Juju Erving on Dec 3, 2010 10:07:38 GMT -5
Free Agent Class of 2011: The Big Men (and a few SFs)
Chris Andersen
Previous Team: Denver Nuggets
Age: 33
Ratings: B D+ C- B+ A- C
Statistics: 36.8 MPG, 15.5 PPG, 11.3 RPG, 1.3 SPG, 2.1 BPG
Obtaining a good big man is extremely tough in this league. Andersen is a good big man and therefore he should or at least I can see him receiving a pretty nice payday. At 33 years old he's a bit on the old side, but that is easy to ignore as he does 11.3 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 2.1 blocks a game. He's clearly one of the better rebounder/defenders in the league and he's also a good inside scorer. With Curry re-upping, one could only hope that someone can at least steal Andersen away from the Nuggets for the sake of the West.
Al Horford
Previous Team: Phoenix Suns
Age: 25
Ratings: B C C- A B A
Statistics: 34.8 MPG, 13.2 PPG, 10.4 RPG, 4 BPG
Fresh off of his rookie deal, Al Horford will probably recieve max offers from many teams this off-season. At 6'10 245, he's not what one would call physically imposing (at least in relation to other centers out there) but you would never guess it after watching him play. It's a block party when Al Horford is in the game. He plays big as hell and it shows in his 10.4 rebounds and 4 block a game averages. To top everything off he does provide decent post scoring and he's just turned 25. And though it may not mean anything, the A scouted is very pleasing on the eyes.
Pau Gasol
Previous Team: Portland Trailblazers
Age: 31
Ratings: A- C C B+ A- C
Statistics: 34.5 MPG, 21.5 PPG, 11.8 RPG, 3.4 APG
It seems I had completely missed this trade as I was surprised to find Gasol on the Blazers roster. Anyway, my opinion of Gasol is charged by hate as he somehow made my team significantly worse when I obtained him a few seasons back. I guess he's a good big though *shrug*. Gasol is crafty in the post and he has a decent mid range jumpshot. His rebounding is top notch and he's also a good passer for his position. He can't block shots though and some guys feel that big men who cannot block shots are garbage. Will be interesting to see how much he gets. He was very good this past season.
Troy Murphy
Previous Team: Golden State Warriors
Age: 31
Ratings: C+ A C B+ B+ D
Statistics: 32.8 MPG, 12.2 PPG, 10.3 RPG, 1 SPG, 1.7 BPG
Troy Murphy is the perfect center/power forward on an outside offense team. Getting 48% from downtown out of your big man is the ultimate floor spacer. What's good about Troy Murphy is the fact that he's not only an amazing jumpshooter, but he also a legitimate rebounder and defender. He nearly blocks 2 shots a game! Talk about extremely valuable. He should receive a bunch of offers.
Ben Wallace
Previous Team: Washington Wizards
Age: 37
Ratings: C D+ C- A B- D
Statistics: 23.2 MPG, 2.5 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 2.5 BPG
Should Wallace decide to stick around, he's one of many old head that will be highly coveted in the upcoming free agency period. Wallace cannot score to save his life, but coming off a season where he averaged 6.8 rebounds 2.5 blocks in just 23 minutes a game, Wallace is the type of rebounder/defender that EVERY team wants on their squad. Along with his hall of fame defense comes championship experience. Wallace was the defensive anchor of the two time champion Chicago Bulls and although he is far removed from his prime, the 37 year old veteran still shows flashes of the defensive dominance.
Samuel Dalembert
Previous Team: Cleveland Cavaliers
Age: 30
Ratings: B- C- D+ A- B C
Statistics: 32.2 MPG, 11.6 PPG, 10.1 RPG, 1.5 BPG
His ratings are a bit underwhelming but you can't deny his impact. In 82 games with the Cavaliers this season, Dalembert averaged nearly 12 points to go along with 10.1 boards and 1.5 blocks a game. Not bad for a guy that was a MLE signing. After such a successful season with the Cavaliers, I fully expect there to be a bit more competition for a guy like Dalembert in this year's free agency. Like I've mentioned a few times before, the 5 isn't a deep position.
Yi Jianlian
Previous Team: Milwaukee Bucks
Age: 23
Ratings: B+ B+ C- C+ B- B
Statistics: 33.6 MPG, 15 PPG, 6.4 RPG
A 7 footer with B+ B+ scoring at 23 years old? Enough said. Yi will be extremely desirable this free agency and rightfully so. He averaged 15 points and 6.4 rebounds in starter’s minutes for a very good MIlwaukee Bucks team and he may still have some potential left in him. Just how much potential is a hard call. He's gone through 5 training camps already but he does have that B scouted rating which is always nice to see despite the fact it may not mean a thing. The personal opinion of how much potential Yi has left by prospective general managers will probably dictate the amount of money that he throws at him. Will be interesting to see where Yi Jianlian signs and how much he gets.
Carl Landry
Previous Team: Memphis Grizzlies
Age: 28
Ratings: B+ C D+ B B B
Statistics: 27.1 MPG, 16.6 PPG, 7.7 RPG
The 20th overall pick of the 2007 draft has given the Grizzlies 4 very strong years, including one with averages of 20 points and nearly 9 rebounds a game. Even with this he has flown under the radar in spite of numerous attempts by the Grizzlies to package Landry up in a deal. But shit I say keep him. They might be able to retain him for cheap at the very least he's a very good post scorer that hits free throws and rebounds at a nice rate.
Sean Williams
Previous Team: Golden State Warriors
Age: 25
Ratings: C D+ D+ A- C+ B
Statistics: 25.6 MPG, 5.4 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 3 BPG
Sean Williams has virtually no offensive game and he turns it over too much, but he's going to receive offers from every single team in the league. Can you guess why? You got it! His connect only has the flyest of buds.
Jeff Green
Previous Team: Cleveland Cavaliers
Age: 25
Ratings: B B B C+ C+ B
Statistics: 30 MPG, 10.7 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 3.8 APG
Why not? I figured he was at least worth a mention since he is still 25 and has some decent looking ratings. Green plays significant minutes for the East Champion Cleveland Cavaliers so that has to count for something. Green can score inside as well as hit jumpshots but he is not very efficient at doing so. He does offer some good rebounding from the wing and he's also a good passer as well. If he has any potential left he could shape up to be a good starter.
Tayshaun Prince
Previous Team: San Antonio Spurs
Age: 31
Ratings: B+ C+ B+ A- C C
Statistics: 38.1 MPG, 15.1 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 3.4 APG, 1.4 SPG
Prince is just a rock solid player all around. He can score inside as well as hit the jumpshot. He also provides great rebounding, passing and defense from the 3. It's his ability to do a little bit of everything that makes Prince one of those 5th starters that every team would love to have on board. He's only 31 as well. I don't expect him to get a large contract but he will receive offers from a ton of teams.
Jerry Stackhouse
Previous Team: New Orleans Hornets
Age: 36
Ratings: A- A- C+ C C- F
Statistics: 35.1 MPG, 22 PPG, 4 RPG, 3.4 APG
Even at 36 years of age, Jerry Stackhouse is one of the few players in the league that can boast A- A- scoring ratings. He's in the boat with guys like Allen Iverson, Steve Nash, Ben Wallace, etc. as he's another valuable, old player that could very well be calling it quits. If he does decide to return next season, he'll be able to provide an excellent boost of scoring (on great efficiency) as well as very good passing from the shooting guard spot.
Other Notables:
Robert Traylor (Previous Team: Dallas Mavericks)
Kenyon Martin (Previous Team: Memphis Grizzlies)
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