Cats interested in Diop?

[dnbman]

To get back on the topic of Diop signing, let's see what management could be thinking:

1. Diop will provide a giant rock in the middle for defense and a tall target on offense. (whether his hands are steady or not.)
2. We can then let Okafor concentrate on his man rather than playing the entire interior, knowing there is a solid anchor behind him.
3. By concentrating less on the offensive end, he will be more active offensively from 5-10 feet.

Mohammed becomes a solid bench player at either position, though primarily at C. Diop could also come off the bench, obviously. However, I'm guessing we start off with a grinding D line and then bring in Mohammed for more offense.

The trio allows us to play with our younger players in more situations to find out whether than effective rather than simply throwing Davidson in at the 4 when Okafor has foul troubles in the first.

I think if the contract is fairly short term, it could be a pretty good signing for us. If Ajinca develops early, Diop would likely be 1-2 season rental anyway. However, Okafor is going to have to demonstrate some ability to hit further from the basket as a 4.

One thing is for sure: for whatever reason, our interior defense looked lost often last year. I don't think the lapses were solely limitations of the players. However, bringing in a guy who can be a tall, solid interior defender so we don't have lay-up drills can't hurt. We can always work on transitioning Okafor back to that spot once we have a sure fire 4.

[spectre]

DNB that's a good post. I've been speculating over on RealGM, but I haven't really given thought that Mek would feel more comfortable if he knew the paint was better covered. He does look kind of awkward out on the perimeter, but maybe he also knew that if anyone got buy it it was usually a highlight dunk.

I still think Diop at full MLE is major retail, and supposedly he doesn't have very good hands hence more weakness inside on offense...but your post at least made me reconsider somewhat.

Also on the years. Supposedly we're bidding against Dallas and Miami. I'm thinking since we all have the same amount to offer the "winner" will be the one willing to go the most years.

[GoBobs]

I have to say pass, he doesn't run the floor well enough. Paired with oak we would be pretty slow in the front court. Doing some sort of sign and trade for Nzar would be kind of a wash but I doubt we could pull that off. New Jersy is so thin in the middle if he was that good they would have resigned him.

[BIGCatBobcat]

Diop and Nazr are the same person aren't they? Size is a big deal in the NBA of course, and when you have room and there's a guy out there you have to try. But, I don't see the Bobcats adding him to add somebody, unless we're not bringing in Anjeca until next year or something...I just don't see it but if he comes our way I'd be happy.

[dnbman]

Diop and Nazr are the same person aren't they? Size is a big deal in the NBA of course, and when you have room and there's a guy out there you have to try. But, I don't see the Bobcats adding him to add somebody, unless we're not bringing in Anjeca until next year or something...I just don't see it but if he comes our way I'd be happy.

No, Diop is much more defensive oriented while Nazr is much more offensive. Diop is also two inches taller than Nazr. He gives us some height that we're desperately lacking.

I'm not saying Diop is a completely new thing for us, but he does provide some tools we don't have. Even though he'd be expensive 15-20 minutes a night, he'd come in and be a sure defensive force when Okafor or Nazr were playing 4 or on the bench. We don't have that now in the slightest.

[Slam]

I still think Diop at full MLE is major retail, and supposedly he doesn't have very good hands hence more weakness inside on offense...but your post at least made me reconsider somewhat..

I agree. We are going to end up with a whole lot of money invested in bench/role players which will handcuff what we can spend on our starters.

If they want Diop because he can block shots, why not sign POB - who will come a WHOLE lot cheaper?

[dnbman]

I agree. We are going to end up with a whole lot of money invested in bench/role players which will handcuff what we can spend on our starters.

If they want Diop because he can block shots, why not sign POB - who will come a WHOLE lot cheaper?

I'm not saying I support signing Diop; I'm just trying to understand it. These are the questions that come to mind:

1. With our many questions about the talent on our roster, how much is an absolute-- if limited-- known commodity worth?
2. Is the difference between the overall effect of Diop palpable enough to warrant signing him over a POB or the like?
And most importantly:
3. How long?

I don't mind Diop this year. I just don't see him in any long term plans. However, if we signed him to a two year deal, he may be a perfect 09-10 contract to trade.

Do you make the short term commitment knowing that either: 1. the long term commitment is either on the team (Ajinca, Davidson, Okafor, whowever) and just needs to be developed, or 2.) the long term commitment is not realistically available this year, so you wait until the right deal arises?

Basically, the only realistic scenario that's been entertained outside of signing Diop is a few fringe 4s and Villanueva. If you're not going to make a big trade for a star, do you roll with what you have or pick up a moderately expensive rental?

[Slam]

I was ok with the idea of bringing a Diop/Steven Hunter/Stro Swift type in 2 years ago, but now I just don't see the worth. If we had have done that then we could have used our 2nd round picks on Hollins and Davidson another way, but I don't want to end up like the Nets and have bigs take up half of our roster spots but only have 2 that have a clue.

I think that spending on a 1 dimensional player like Diop as much as we would have to in order to sign him would be to big a blow to our bottom line.

In answer to your questions:
1. Like I said, we are heading towards half of our playing spots being taken up by raw bigs. We wouldn't get 25c in the dollar for most of them, so their worth isn't that great.

2. I don't see Diop having that greater impact than someone like POB because he is so 1 dimensional, so I don't think he's worth the extra cash.

3. If we had to? 2 years with the 2nd year being a team option

[ammofan]

I would love that signing....

I think having a defensive minded Center would help okafor grow more on offense. He could focus more on developing post moves rather than staying up all night trying to figure out how to be bigger than Sean May so he can fill up the whole paint.

[ohara831]

Word is he is verbally committing to Dallas. Oh well.