Bill Simmons' Noah Trade Proposal

[knoxville7]

Can you explain why please? I think he can play both positions but I like the matchup problem he presents at C. There's not many stretch 5s in the league. Hawes is the only guy I could think of. I'm perplexed why you don't think Portis would be able to play C. Especially with some weight lifting. Having Bobby and Niko is a match up nightmare for every single team in the league. That opens up a ton of driving lanes and it's not like Bobby is afraid to mix it up down low either. Bobby is a little thin to play the 5 full time this year, but by next season, I actually think it's our best option unless we draft a young stud at C or Felicio transforms himself into a starting C.

ive been explaining why this whole time. and if your best argument for why its a good thing is a comparison to spencer hawes, a bench player, then that should tell you all you need to know right there

 

[knoxville7]

Well what does he lack exactly? He's the same height as Deandre Jordan, though minus the crazy wingspan. He actually has very similar measurements to Greg Monroe. Like almost exactly the same. It can't be a purely physical thing. If putting him against Greg Monroe is clearly setting him up for failure.

Aldridge and Ibaka technically aren't centers, though I'd say they could could certainly play the position fine. Aldridge even refused to play center during this offseason. That aside, Portis' measurements don't stray too far from either, but he is not as long as Ibaka.

ill put it this way to you then....how do you feel about portis guarding any of those guys?

 

[clonetrooper264]

No way Portis is 20 pounds bigger than Noah. I just can't see it.

Sometimes people surprise you. That said, I'm pretty sure Noah is way over the 232 he's listed at currently. No way Portis weighs more than him.

 

[knoxville7]

yep, you cant trust the listed measurements height or weight on these guys

 

[clonetrooper264]

ill put it this way to you then....how do you feel about portis guarding any of those guys?

Ibaka, Monroe, Gobert, Jordan, Pau - totally fine
Vucevic, Kanter, Aldridge - physically fine, but as a rookie they'll probably beat him with skill moves. A year or two down the line? Fine.
Howard, Jefferson, Cousins, Gasol- About as well as I would feel with any of our current big men...not so hot.
Drummond - Not sure. Portis is active enough to prevent the lob game imo and Drummond doesn't really have a real post game, but he is bigger and stronger than most players in the league, so hard to say.

This is all as of right now. Portis has a lot of learning to do, but that'll come as he plays. He's active, has solid height at a listed 6'11, and is a decent mix of quickness and strength. He's got a decent defensive IQ from what I've seen. He can get stronger as the years go on. Would he thrive at PF? Sure. Would he flop at C? I'd say no.

 

[Scoot26]

Is Portis a center right now? No.

Can Portis become a center in this league? Absolutely. Learn the game, learn the moves, build the body for it, and he can definitely play the position.

 

[Enasic]

ive been explaining why this whole time. and if your best argument for why its a good thing is a comparison to spencer hawes, a bench player, then that should tell you all you need to know right there

strawman much? or fail to comprehend much? i was pointing out the rarity of a stretch 5....not that portis would make a good stretch 5 because of hawes. so hardly even the right argument, yet alone my best argument. portis will be a much, much better player than hawes.

 

[knoxville7]

strawman much? or fail to comprehend much? i was pointing out the rarity of a stretch 5....not that portis would make a good stretch 5 because of hawes. so hardly even the right argument, yet alone my best argument. portis will be a much, much better player than hawes.

and why do you think hawes is the only one you can think of? maybe because its not prudent to have your center playing outside the paint much?

 

[knoxville7]

Ibaka, Monroe, Gobert, Jordan, Pau - totally fine
Vucevic, Kanter, Aldridge - physically fine, but as a rookie they'll probably beat him with skill moves. A year or two down the line? Fine.
Howard, Jefferson, Cousins, Gasol- About as well as I would feel with any of our current big men...not so hot.
Drummond - Not sure. Portis is active enough to prevent the lob game imo and Drummond doesn't really have a real post game, but he is bigger and stronger than most players in the league, so hard to say.

This is all as of right now. Portis has a lot of learning to do, but that'll come as he plays. He's active, has solid height at a listed 6'11, and is a decent mix of quickness and strength. He's got a decent defensive IQ from what I've seen. He can get stronger as the years go on. Would he thrive at PF? Sure. Would he flop at C? I'd say no.

I guess youre a lot higher on portis than I am...I don't like him matching up against any of those guys myself

 

[Enasic]

and why do you think hawes is the only one you can think of? maybe because its not prudent to have your center playing outside the paint much?

Just because you have the ability to shoot 3s doesn't mean you have to play outside the paint all the time. The versatility is a huge plus though. There's not many talented centers at all these days. Most can barely shoot free throws. I'm not saying play Portis at the 5 and stand him out at the 3 pt line all game long........but he's a great mid-range shooter, he can shoot the 3, he can post a little bit, and he would be a major match up problem for the rest of the league.

I'm still not seeing any of your reasonings against Portis playing there.

 

[Enasic]

....and how does anyone feel against other centers going against Howard, Cousins, and Drummond? They abuse everybody. Noah included, even in his prime. Howard used to own Joakim.

 

[clonetrooper264]

I guess youre a lot higher on portis than I am...I don't like him matching up against any of those guys myself

I didn't even mention Towns and Okafor lol. Portis matched up just fine against Towns in preseason, just saying.

 

[nbafan23]

I didn't even mention Towns and Okafor lol. Portis matched up just fine against Towns in preseason, just saying.

He played against Towns in college and SL. He destroyed KAT in their SL matchup.

 

[Axl Rose]

how about we just sign a new center? Horford and Whiteside will be available

Whiteside would be a pretty good fit i just wonder if we could snatch him from MIA. Horford seems possible

 

[Enasic]

how about we just sign a new center? Horford and Whiteside will be available

Whiteside would be a pretty good fit i just wonder if we could snatch him from MIA. Horford seems possible

No chance Miami let's whiteside go. Horford is a good player. A bit injury prone...doesn't really put us over the top. Past his prime. Would rather get younger

 

[nbafan23]

No chance Miami let's whiteside go. Horford is a good player. A bit injury prone...doesn't really put us over the top. Past his prime. Would rather get younger

Also Horford is 6'10" and not a true center himself. He played PF alongside Noah at Florida. The one time the Hawks got passed the Magic was when they moved Horford back to PF and started a legit center against Howard.

 

[Axl Rose]

No chance Miami let's whiteside go. Horford is a good player. A bit injury prone...doesn't really put us over the top. Past his prime. Would rather get younger

i would agree there

are there any good centers in the draft?

 

[Gustavus Adolphus]

How about we put Portis on the floor, draw up some plays for him and have him guard the best defensive match-up there is? Whether that is center, forward, or guard

 

[Scoot26]

How about we put Portis on the floor, draw up some plays for him and have him guard the best defensive match-up there is? Whether that is center, forward, or guard

What an excellent idea sir!

 

[nbafan23]

How about we put Portis on the floor, draw up some plays for him and have him guard the best defensive match-up there is? Whether that is center, forward, or guard

:thinking: