Center situation - Dallas-Mavs.com Forums

Flying Tiger · 04-10-2001, 11:22 PM

What do we do about are lack of skill in the paint. Do we try to stick it out with Bradley or Booth until Wang developes, or do we try to acquire someone in the off season to fill the gap? That is the only place I think that the Mavs are lacking.

turbo.mav · 04-10-2001, 11:25 PM

how about everyone go into the chatroom right now

djb · 04-10-2001, 11:26 PM

I think Booth's moved ahead of Bradley in the rotation. I'd love to see what he can do after a full training camp and some summerleague action. Wang's still a year or two away from contributing, so I hope the Mavs look for a suitable backup/starting 5 this offseason in addition to a 2 guard. Antonio Davis, Dale Davis (unlikely), Hakeem Olajuwon (unlikely), Christian Laettner..I'd love to see any of those guys in Mavs uni's.

LonestarROB · 04-10-2001, 11:27 PM

Well, I like Booth, so we gotta re-sign him. IMO we should either do a sign and trade with Bradley or just let him walk. We need someone who can be a force in the paint. Not someone who will score 23-26 points a game but someone who wont get pushed around.

turbo.mav · 04-10-2001, 11:28 PM

Did i miss the memo about the chat room.. does it have cooties or something

MavsFanFinley · 04-10-2001, 11:28 PM

First, I think we need to resign Booth. He comes first. I don't mind resigning Bradley at all, BUT, by God it better come at a reduced price. I have no hope for him to improve but is a good center for off the bench. Im not sure about Wang, let's wait and make sure China let's him come back and play. If so, I wouldn't look for him to make a significant contribution at the center position or any position really.

The Mavs definitely need to get someone at that spot though. I want Antonio Davis but I think Orlando has him.

MavsFanFinley · 04-10-2001, 11:32 PM

Rob, I disagree that we should just let Bradley go. Believe it or not, he's more valuable than that. I have no problem signing-and-trading him though. We could get a good forward or guard for him.

Who all is available? I wouldn't mind Laettner but he got pushed around some too and was foul prone. What about John Amaechi (sp). I hear he's regretted resigning with Orlando.

Flying Tiger · 04-10-2001, 11:33 PM

I agree with Rob. He doesn't need big points. He just needs presence and rebounds.

Hales233 · 04-10-2001, 11:37 PM

I see the future as Booth and a big-name free agent such as Antonio Davis. Possibly Bradley could hang around but only in a limited role.

djb · 04-10-2001, 11:37 PM

I agree Bradley should be re-signed since he CAN be effective given the right situations. But we still need a more effective low post presence at the 5. Someone who can provide OFFENSE down low.

djb · 04-10-2001, 11:39 PM

I'd go into the chat room but I really need to take a shower and get to work on finishing up another web site tonight! The Mavs game already took up enough of my productivity time tonight [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

Maringa · 04-11-2001, 08:30 AM

DJ, I agree with your comments.

Right now (during the last 3 to 5 games), the Mavs have had some offensive struggles. With the exception of Booth, Bradley's scoring is almost zilch along with few points from Eisley and Nash. That means that a team double teaming Finley or Dirk leaves the Mavs with only two other scoring options, Howard or Dirk/Finley. This is where we are in trouble. Nash needs to start hitting his shots again, because we are not going to get them from Bradley....

madape · 04-11-2001, 08:56 AM

The Mavs have four legit scoring threats in the starting linup. A scoring center is not what we need. Do you really want to take the ball out of the hands of Dirk, Finley, Steve and Juwon? If all four of these guys have a sub-par game, the Mavs will lose every time (as happened in the Spurs game). The probability of that happening are extremely low. What the Mavs need out of the center position is exactly what they have in Booth and Bradley- shotblocking and rebounding. I agree that we might need to get bigger down low in certain situations. However, whoever we get in the offseason is going to need to split some serious time with Bradley/Booth/Howard/Wang. Do you think the Davises would be willing to take a significant reduction in minutes to come here?

LAM0015 · 04-11-2001, 09:14 AM

yes, it would be wonderful to sign a guy that could score 20 points a game and play tremendous defense from the center position. but to get a player like that, we'd have to lose part of our core, in all likeliness. scoring from the center position isn't a main concern

thanks, bye

Flying Tiger · 04-12-2001, 05:46 PM

It's not scoring I'm worried about. He does have a lot of blocks and a few rebounds, but not enough for a guy his size. I guy that tall should never miss a ball under the goal or get it taken away as easlily as he does. Hold it above your head for goodness sakes! We need a guy that wont foul as much, but when he does, makes the guy miss the shot. He also has too many turnovers. I know clumsiness comes with the height, but grab the ball with two hands and don't let go. Also, if a call goes the other way, just accept it and don't throw a fit about and get a technical. Man!

Hales233 · 04-12-2001, 05:48 PM

Does anybody else agree that we should go after Antonio Davis through free agency, or somebody like Ben Wallace (2nd in the NBA in rebounding) in a trade?

Flying Tiger · 04-12-2001, 06:47 PM

I think it would be great to have a rebound specialist on the team. But remember what happened last time we had one? ...Rodman

I think we should give some one like Donell Harvey a chance, but I'm sure Nelly has a good reason for not giving him much of a shot.

Evilmav2 · 04-12-2001, 06:53 PM

Jeff Foster would be the answer as a backup center-forward. He is one of the best kept secrets in the NBA right now. He is a superb rebounder, an excellent defender, can hit an open jumpshot, and he has a mean streak (he says his idol growing up was Bill Lambier). He has forced his way into getting a lot of PT with the Pacers, but he will never be able to surplant Jermaine O'Neal in the starting lineup. I bet we could pick him up for a song, and his high energy, high intesity, physical game would be just what the doctor ordered for our unphysical frontline...

Mavinator · 04-12-2001, 07:04 PM

Oh god, getting Jeff Foster to Dallas would be great...

Evilmav2 · 04-12-2001, 07:16 PM

Did you see him last night Mavinator? He is the glue holding the team together on the defensive end (along with developing monster O'Neal)...

Mavinator · 04-12-2001, 07:28 PM

I unfortunately haven't gotten to see a lot of Pacers games this year, but that kid hustles for everything, and he is an absolute monster on the boards. What is this, his second year in the NBA? He'd fit in perfectly with the young Mavs... Do you know his height and weight off the top of your head, Evilmav?

Mavinator · 04-12-2001, 07:30 PM

I just realized I didn't really answer your question- I saw some of his minutes last night, but I didn't see the whole thing. I'm a big fan of his.

On an entirely unrelated note, watching Bo Outlaw block a shot by Dikembe Mutombo is a beautiful thing...

Mavinator · 04-12-2001, 07:46 PM

Player Profile
Jeff Foster 10
Position: F-C
Born: 01/16/77
Height: 6-11 / 2,11
Weight: 242 lbs. / 109,8 kg.
College - Southwest Texas State '99

Ranks #1 in the NBA in Offensive Rebounds Per 48 Minutes(6.0)
Ranks #12 in the NBA in Defensive Rebounds Per 48 Minutes(10.4)
Ranks #4 in the NBA in Rebounds Per 48 Minutes(16.3)

Flying Tiger · 04-12-2001, 07:51 PM

Never heard of him. But judging by the numbers, he could definantly be useful in Dallas.

Hales233 · 04-12-2001, 08:36 PM

EvilMav, Jeff Foster is the next Scot Pollard (which is a good thing) [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-cool.gif[/img]

Mavinator · 04-12-2001, 08:45 PM

Except he's younger, a better rebounder, and less greasy...

LonestarROB · 04-12-2001, 08:47 PM

And not to mention the hair [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img] .

Hales233 · 04-12-2001, 08:49 PM

lol...anyone beat pollard in the hair dept. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-blush.gif[/img]

djb · 04-12-2001, 08:50 PM

Foster's free throw shooting could use some work though. Other than that, you guys are right about the Pollard connection.

Hales233 · 04-12-2001, 08:53 PM

i just love tough guys like Pollard and Foster, that can play the 4 and 5, and won't back down from guys like Shaq and Duncan

djb · 04-12-2001, 08:57 PM

Yea but Foster looks too much like a choir boy. Pollard's got that crossdressing/goth/samurai look to intimidate Shaq [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

LonestarROB · 04-12-2001, 08:58 PM

Jerome Williams would be a really nice pickup IMO .

Hales233 · 04-12-2001, 09:00 PM

Junk Yard Dogg likes to bang down in the trenches

Flying Tiger · 04-12-2001, 09:01 PM

Sorry again, but what does IMO mean? I've got to learn the lingo if I ever want to use it.

djb · 04-12-2001, 09:02 PM

imo = in my opinion

Flying Tiger · 04-12-2001, 09:54 PM

Thanks