Now that we traded Gasol, it's pretty obvious the team is trying to recreate the center formula of Dwight Howard/JaVale McGee, but with DJ replacing JaVale. So, maybe it would be interesting to compare these two guys... are they very similar players at this point in their career (they are almost the same age too - McGee is only a few months older)? I'll leave this here and you guys tell me what you think:
Thanks Karacha. I think the biggest stat separating Jordan & McGee is the Minutes per game. I love Javalle, but he could never really go more than 20mpg. Jordan is basically the same player, but can give you starters minutes if needed. Will definitely come in handy with trying to reduce wear & tear on AD.
he was probably better last year than i thought from watching him. his advanced numbers are actually better than howard's last year, though i think role and some of the way these things are calculated worked against howard (being embiid's backup can tank your numbers, i think). we're definitely doing the mcgee/howard thing again now. which is, i suppose what everyone wanted?
It's not what I wanted, but I'm not complaining. It's a proven formula that can win a championship when combined with a healthy LeBron and AD. Now we add a great playmaker in Russ and more shooting with our new guys and we may be cooking up something pretty tasty.
one thing i've always wondered: how did dj slip to the second round? just on size and athleticism alone, you take a shot. totally bizarre to me. anyway, that was a loooong time ago.
some folks are going to want to avoid some parts of that article, but i think it's interesting that the narrative has been that DJ's washed up when he's been net positive (small, but positive) even in his declining years.
Well written and balanced article about DJ. But, I seriously doubt he starts at the 5 like the article suggests.
That was my initial thought, but at the same time it wouldn't surprise me. I think Vogel and Dwight really like to use Dwight as that backup spark. So, I could see a scenario where DJ starts, gets 10-12 minutes a game to start the 1st and 3rd quarters. Then Dwight gets more minutes off the bench, 18-20. AD fills in the rest. I don't think Frank knows and I think there's a lot of decisions to be made within the next month and there might even be tinkering after that. This is assuming the scenario that AD gets more C minutes, but isn't there full time, but probably is part of the closing lineup. I just keep thinking back to how happy AD was at DJ's presser.
He was sleep walking through the Suns game. But, he's been in the league a long time. I expect DJ to step up when the real games start.
Had a nice little 6 point, 3 bucket flurry in the 4th. But yeah, this is preseason. No one is who has a spot on this team, especially one of the older vets, is going to go full tilt. That's why the G League squad closed the gap last night. They're fighting for their NBA careers and auditioning for other teams.
He looked good in the first game. I don't think any of our guys are trying very hard right now. I mean, he's not what he used to be athletically, we all know that... but he can still finish a couple of lobs and get some rebounds. That's all we really need him to do, no unrealistic expectations here.
Two great passes and two great catches and throw downs ….. the leaping backward dunk and the top of his leap one hander he timed and controlled perfectly. And another floating lob to him. Great weapons to have both he and Dwight’s vertical capabilities.