[druneave3Participant]

I can’t remember a time when there were so many talented or highly touted Bigs in the college game at the same time. Neol, Zeller, Cauley-Stein, Len, Adams, Dieng, Stokes and a large group of second tier guys like Alec Brown, Birch, Withey, Oriahki, Dedmon, Zeke Marshall, Jackie Carmichael, Kadji, and Reggie Johnson. Plus the international guys for the draft. 

Interesting that this is the case when the NBA is transitioning away from the traditional Big; taking the Center position off the All-Star ballot, and teams playing smaller, quicker players at the 4 spot. Is the transformation that 

[druneave3Participant]

 Is the transformation that the NBA is undergoing due to a lack of quality big men over the past several years or in part because the game is changing to a more rapid pace with faster, more athletic players who can get up and down the court? And how will the names listed above be affected by this conversion? 

[JoeWolf1]

 I think it’s due to the fact every team doesn’t have the luxury of having a huge mobile center. The best in the game are 6’11" 270, 7′ 285, Gortat, Gasol, and other top C’s are huge! There just aren’t 30 of them, so teams are adapting. I don’t think the game is transitioning away from big players.

[phila9012Participant]

 the NBA is getting smaller and more skilled all around. Teams are playing 2 point gaurds together some now. Small point gaurds are having major roles and height means less now. Guys like Ty Lawson, Kemba walker, chris paul, darren collison are showing height doesnt matter. Then the teams are looking at skills not height now for every position.

[SiggyParticipant]

 People might not like to hear this, but the game is getting "European-ized," which is actually similar to how the game was in the 80s in teh NBA.  There’s been more emphasis on skill, less specialization, less labels and just playing the team’s best players together, regardless of size.  Teams can get away with playing one big at a time.  The big man is still needed, but the C’s with the greatest potential for rim protection, mobility and rebounding should be in the highest regard.  That’s one of the reasons why I have Steven Adams so high on my board.  His potential in the aforementioned categories is immense.

[Mr. 19134Participant]

 After Zeller I think Adams is the best big man prospect in this draft.

I love the way the game is being played now.  It’s turning into positionless basketball which is great to watch.  Last night against a Hall of Fame big man in Garnett the Sixers had 6’8" 235lb Thad Young playing Center and 6’9" 225lb Dorrell Wright playing PF which would of seemed insane a few years ago, and the Sixers won.

[Author]

Posts