Byron Mullens

[spectre]

He's been up and down lately offensively (pretty much couldn't buy a bucket last night)...but his defense has steadily improved. Anyone catch the double block he had vs NOLA? I'm also seeing him battle more for boards, he's setting better screens and guys aren't totally blowing by him when he's out towards the perimeter.

That's the kind of improvement I want to see more than anything. If he can keep that up and then fit into whatever future offensive system we have then he'll end up being a helluva get for a 2nd rounder.

[Dcarnys]

I've been high on the Mully horse for awhile now. I've always thought he's had good potential but was just burred under alot of talent in OKC. Hopefully he keeps improving and he could be a really solid player.

[GoBobs]

seems like he has made some strides in his rebounding and defense. I would like to see him score close to the basket a little more and lean on that when his jumper isn't falling.

[Chef]

he is a solid 2nd unit guy who can spot start when needed. great pickup for the price.

[Brad]

He's a cool guy, too. Down to earth and normal. He gets it.

Really hard to root against a guy like Byron. Keep in mind, he just turned 23. I think he's got a lot of potential, but a long way to go as well.

[ohara831]

No doubt this was one heck of a get for Charlotte. He'll get good playing time on the team for a few years as long as he sticks with Charlotte. Hope he likes it here.

[BigSams50]

A steal for a second rounder. Solid backup at the 4 and 5 spot

[spectre]

seems like he has made some strides in his rebounding and defense. I would like to see him score close to the basket a little more and lean on that when his jumper isn't falling.

He has a little bit...I don't think he was exploding to the basket like he has a few times for dunks when we first got him. Definitely agree tho I'd like him more into the paint and less outside the 3 line.

Course my stance is I don't expect much of anything offensively right now because we aren't even running (or it's not getting thru to the players) a real offense.

Main thing is he's showing effort to improve.

[Brad]

His game is more (pardon the correlation) like Dirk Nowitzki than a traditional C. Silas made that comment, and I think it's true. He's more of a face up type of guy than a banger. I dont think he'll ever be a rebounder / defensive presence as a C, but he'd be a pretty good offensive option if he keeps working hard.

[DY_nasty]

His defense is straight out of a middle school game

[spectre]

His defense is straight out of a middle school game

...but it's getting better. No way in hell would he have gotten those consecutive blocks at the beginning of the season.

Enduring this season you have to grasp whatever dull spot of sunshine eeking thru that you can DY!

If we do get rid of Silas maybe we should keep the big guy coach.

[TheBeagle]

...but it's getting better. No way in hell would he have gotten those consecutive blocks at the beginning of the season.

Enduring this season you have to grasp whatever dull spot of sunshine eeking thru that you can DY!

If we do get rid of Silas maybe we should keep the big guy coach. Consecutive blocks on Jason Smith can't erase him getting owned by Jason Maxiell over and over and over and over and over and over....not to mention Bosh and countless others over the year but still....Jason Maxiell???

Overall, he has made strides during the season in taking the ball to the hoop and rebounding and I don't think he's a lost cause on defense.

[spectre]

That was really bad; a part of that tho was he & Smack just haven't learned to work together. Thing is he would regularly get owned by Maxiell & Smith when we first acquired him.

Little steps...

I've never said nor insinuated that Mully is a a future starter and he's making progress to that end. Best case I see him ultimately as a 7th man type.

[BigSams50]

That was really bad; a part of that tho was he & Smack just haven't learned to work together. Thing is he would regularly get owned by Maxiell & Smith when we first acquired him.

Little steps...

I've never said nor insinuated that Mully is a a future starter and he's making progress to that end. Best case I see him ultimately as a 7th man type.

This. He will improve with more pt. I could see him being our best backup big man for a while

[Mustachio]

This. He will improve with more pt. I could see him being our best backup big man for a while


This and the 7th man talk from spectre are how we need to be thinking now a days. No one on this team is guaranteed a spot in the future, but there are some very good pieces on this roster and we can't discard them because of a mediocre season on a bad team without much structure. Henderson doesn't have to be a super star SG, and Mully doesn't have to be an All Star power forward. We are building a team here, and even 3rd options and bench players need to be respected. If we keep judging and wishing away decent players because they aren't super stars we will be in perpetual rebuilding mode.

Mully is a great piece, whos young and cheap. Hes actually perfect for us. If you are using the OKC roster as a guide to rebuilding... Mully is our younger, cheaper Nick Collison.

[Black]

According to Bonnell, Mullens will start at center tonight over Bismack. No word on whether or not Bis will play or not, Bonncell says he's "worn down". I don't blame him, he's played a lot this year.

I would imagine it's going to be:

Kemba
Hendo
Brown
White
Mullens