Buying and Selling

by Tommy Dee on May 30th, 2009 at 11:01 am

So here’s my take on a few stories that have come out over the past few days.

Amar’e is Better than Bosh (Buying)

Great interview by BT yesterday, which isn’t surprising because BT has the ability to get anything out of anyone he interviews. He’s cool and relentless at the same time. Injuries or not I’m buying the idea that Amar’e is better than Bosh, but it’s pretty close. Bosh is a better pick and pop player, but no where near the stallion that Amar’e is on the pick and roll and Amar’e's jumper is improving.

Amar’e is simply a stronger athlete, which to me is the deciding factor. Sure, I understand the hesitation fans may have about Amar’e and his contract and who you’d rather have at what number, but at the end of the day, contract or not, Amar’e is the better player.

Donnie Walsh Loves Thabeet (Selling)

No chance. Sure, Walsh knows shot-blocking is a need, but he can’t see Thabeet as a fit in this system. With space, Thabeet could become a decent post player down the road but he’s WAY too slow to play in 7 Seconds or Less.

Plus, and most obviously, he’s soft.

Lebron Won’t Leave Until He Wins in Cleveland (Buying)

Frank Isola had this note, and this is the thought process that I’ve been struggling with. A lot of my Lebron confidence comes from the fact that he’s winning this year, which I still believe will happen.

“…Even if the Cavs rebounded in 2010 and won the championship, it would seem a stretch that LeBron would celebrate Cleveland’s first NBA title as well as his single greatest achievement while plotting an exit strategy all within three weeks. James is a shrewd businessman but one has to believe that the euphoria of the moment would provide him with enough incentive to stay in Cleveland for, say, another three years. Then we can start the LeBron-to-the-Knicks scenarios all over again in 2013…”

It would be hard to imagine Lebron losing this year, winning next year and then leaving, but should he lose this year and next, I can see the frustration being high enough to bounce. And if he wins this year and next, or wins this year and loses next, I believe it’s easy for him to go. That puts the odds in NY fan’s favor.

Tyler Hansbrough Will have David Lee Impact (Selling)

Hansbrough doesn’t have the length or ability to finish with both hands around the basket that Lee possesses. But he does have a lot of heart. Heart is a great quality, but it also is an easy way to find you in a suit on the sidelines because of injury. They are two completely different players and Hansbrough could find some minutes on a bad team and have some impact,  like Lee did, but if he lands on a good team his minutes will be scarce early.
  • Chris Alvino

    On Hansbrough, Tommy is right. He and Lee are different players. Lee looks a bit bigger. I think Hansbrough will be a bit quicker in the pros than Lee. I think Hansbrough will be a decent player in the pros.

  • KBT1615

    How Can You Not Buy The Thabeet One He is Mobile, Athletic and Block Shots come on.
    Soft Centers are the most mobile ones you aren’t soft and can’t get up and down the court. Except Yao but his feet always break and he isn’t as athletic.

  • Cheech

    Thabeet may be agile for a guy who is 7’3″ but he is no place on this team in this system. He is a half court lane clogger. He is too soft to be a big impact defensively (currently), although he will block his fair share of shots. We dont need someone who is 7’3″ and slow who can stand next to the basket and block shots and then not make it down the court. We need an athlete who can get up and down the court and block shots. I would dare say Shaun Williams of the Nets would be a better fit with us then Thabeet. That kid Vernado (of Mississippi, i think?) would probably have more of an impact with us.
    Speaking of him. Tommy i know you ran a post or two about him in the past. Where is his current draft status? Could we nab him early second round?

  • paulempson

    Here here….

    Coudlnt agree more