re: Chad Ford: 6 and Ajinca for Jahlil Okafor?

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People talk about raw stats like it means anything when it comes to winning

I couldn't care less about the empty stats Okafor put up last year.

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Nah, the raw stats are just a measure of the skill. Of course, it's easy to discount them when it supports what you're trying to convey. History tells me not many 20 year old centers can step in and replicate those "empty stats". Give me a break

Just the other day you were preaching about bringing in guys on the cheap who we can grow.. Uncover these hidden gems, so to speak. Yet you are against bringing in a skilled 20 y/o 7ft'er with a huge ceiling, and he's only making an averaged of $5m over three more seasons Doesn't make sense

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You know who else was a 20/10 guy on a bad team? Kevin Love. Al Jefferson put up beast numbers too.

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The Al Jefferson comp comes up a lot... the guy was the best player on multiple playoff teams while being a defensively liability. His inability grow as a defender is irrelevant to Okafor.

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And guys like that are liabilities against great teams

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Hey, get to the playoffs first, then win two series, then you can try your hand at beating great teams.

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In terms of roster construction, do we want our two best players (and eventually, two highest paid players?) to be big men? With a pace and space coach?

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For one, it's more about mitigating risk than constructing the roster. You are getting a guy with a high ceiling who is already above league average, versus drafting a Hield or Murray who are not a sure thing.

This roster is wide open as it is. You add a piece wherever you can. As for the term "two big men", yes they are big, but arent back to the basket, lumbering logs. As it is, Davis is taking nearly 30% of his shots from 16+ feet out the past two seasons with improving accuracy. He's expanding his game (young guy expanding his game, who knew!).

We act like the roster has to be constructed as "X", or else it doesnt work. Okafor would be here til 2020 for ~$5m a year - you go out and add more pieces... the roster isnt done. As AD shot develops, he spreads things out more. You saw it work in PHO with Amare (Brett Brown just so happens to comp Okafor to him) and Marion... two perceived "big men".. it's all about the skillset, for me