re: NBA Free Agency Thread: Day 21

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It's sad how much the center position has deteriorated since the 80s.

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Noah is arguably the best center in the league

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That's more of a negative commentary on the state of the position.

I agree with Noah not being dominant. Very solid in what he's asked to do, but he's never going to explode for 30+ points, 20+ rebounds in a game like we've seen past dominant centers do. He's not capable of it.

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That's more of a negative commentary on the state of the position.

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True.

This was posted on the NBA website regarding voting for this year's All Star ballots:

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The All-Star Ballot

“The league will announce Wednesday a change to its All-Star ballot that will, for the first time, allow fans to vote for three undefined “frontcourt” players instead of having to vote for two forwards and a center. With more and more teams playing smaller than in the past, the definition of “center” was becoming increasingly difficult – not to mention finding enough quality big men for whom to vote.” – NBA.com, written by David Aldridge

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Darren Wolfson: NBA source w/ a big stake in the #Twolves/Cavs talks verifies @Chris Sheridan report: Gibson, Mirotic, McDermott on the table for Love.

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Wow. Bulls ain't foolin' around.

I forgot all about Pau

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This new generation of centers pales in comparison to the last generation.

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To be fair, most of the difference we are seeing is driven by the rule changes that have taken place.

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In 1998, the hand check rule was changed to say, "A defender will not be permitted to use his forearm to impede the progress of an offensive player who is facing the basket in the frontcourt."

In 2000 two more changes were implemented. First, there was a clarification on the hand-check rule,

In the backcourt, there is no contact with hands and forearms by defenders. In the frontcourt, there is no contact with hands and forearms by defenders except below the free throw line extended in which case the defender may only use his forearm. In the post, neither the offensive player nor the defender is allowed to dislodge or displace a player who has legally obtained a position. Defender may not use his forearm, shoulder, hip or hand to reroute or hold-up an offensive player going from point A to point B or one who is attempting to come around a legal screen set by another offensive player. Slowing or impeding the progress of the screener by grabbing, clutching, holding “chucking” or “wrapping up” is prohibited.

And,

Any defense is legal on the strong side. Defenders must remain on the weak side outside the paint unless they are double-teaming the ball, picking up a free cutter or closely guarding an offensive player.

In 2001, there was more clarification:

No contact with either hands or forearms by defenders except in the frontcourt below the free throw line extended in which case the defender may use his forearm only.

In 2002,

Illegal defense guidelines will be eliminated in their entirety.

A new defensive three-second rule will prohibit a defensive player from remaining in the lane for more than three consecutive seconds without closely guarding an offensive player.

There is a misconception that zone defenses balance out the removal of the hand-checking rules. That's not true because of the institution of defensive three seconds. Because of that, big men could no longer hang out in the paint. That opens up the paint for driving wings.

The intended effect happened, and the game moved away from the big man.

Finally, in 2004-05, the rules were, "introduced to curtail hand-checking, clarify blocking fouls and call defensive three seconds to open up the game.

The last five words of that last clarification is crucial, "to open up the game." There is no question that the intention of the rule changes was to open up the game because the people that made the rule changes said why they were doing it, and they said that it was to open up the game.

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Solid Article about the decline of the Center position

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Darren Wolfson: NBA source w/ a big stake in the #Twolves/Cavs talks verifies @Chris Sheridan report: Gibson, Mirotic, McDermott on the table for Love.

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Well...the Cavs should be concerned because Chicago can offer quality white players with potential.

Think about this: The Bulls refused to give up Taj Gibson in pursuing Melo, but now they will supposedly give him up for Love?

That makes no sense. I call BS.

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Chicago columnist Joe Cowley said yesterday the TWolves were the ones putting this stuff out there, not the Bulls.

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That was what I was thinking is what happened. Minnesota tried to push the envelope and got burnt.

Even if that is the package, that is laughable compared to what they could possibly get from Cleveland

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Think about this: The Bulls refused to give up Taj Gibson in pursuing Melo, but now they will supposedly give him up for Love?

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Exactly, especially for a player at a position they don't need when you have four guys like Noah, Gasol, Gibson and Mirotic

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Chicago package > Cleveland package

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If you're not counting Wiggins in Cleveland's package, sure

A 6th man, a player that has played overseas his whole career and a rookie scorer that has only faced Summer League competition so far.

Look, I like Mirotic and Dougie Fresh, but if I'm a GM, give me the guy that doesn't really have a ceiling for his potential in Wiggins