resurgence of the big man?

[blacknapalm]

don't get me wrong, we're not seeing the dominance of the 90s, but let's look at the landscape. fyi, i'm going to include some PFs in this range. forgive me if i forget anyone obvious, i'm doing this off the top of my head. also, don't worry about tier rankings so much. a couple could be switched, i just did it to be more organized.

established/elite tier:
- m. gasol
- noah
- howard
- boogie cousins
- LMA
- al jeff
- duncan
- dirk
- griffin
- bosh
- love
- bogut? when healthy

young but elite:
- AD

almost elite:
- horford
- millsap (big reason why hawks are doing so well imo)
- vucevic
- p gasol?
- DJ
- ibaka
- favors
- z bo

young with tons of promise:
- drummond (will be crazy if he develops more of a post game)
- gobert (really interested in this guy, his per 36#s are insane. think he can be what hibbert was supposed to be. 70% FT shooter so should be able to develop a jump shot. light on his feet to finish in traffic as well. monster rim protector w/ DPOY potential)
- gorgui dieng
- steven adams
- jonas

solid starting rotation guys:
- robin lopez (think he could be a bit underrated)
- plumlee bros
- whiteside
- zaza

then factor in guys like jusuf nurkik showing some promise when he straight up ate gasol's lunch the other day, len showing he can be a solid guy, etc.

also embiid will be awesome if he stays healthy and flashes that back to the basket game.

what do you think of today's big men? play a different style obviously but i think we have a much healthier crop than we did say, 10 years ago.

are you as high on gobert as me? any players you're excited in seeing more of?

[T_L_P]

Are we talking new era players? If it's just elite bigs, I don't know how Duncan and Dirk can't be mentioned. :confusedshrug:

[blacknapalm]

Are we talking new era players? If it's just elite bigs, I don't know how Duncan and Dirk can't be mentioned. :confusedshrug:

kinda ya, but that's my bad. i was so focused on thinking of the newer guys, but yes, they're established elites. i'll amend now.

i guess my main point is this: i thought the league would be in major trouble when duncan, dirk, KG and to an extent gasol retired. now...i feel like there's some upcoming guys to at least be serviceable in those areas and i think we can get a dominant one or two out of that group. obviously i think AD is there already. one or two more additional guys would be awesome. it def doesn't look as bleak as it did say, 2-3 years ago.

[LONGTIME]

No mention of Steven Adams :biggums:

[livingby3's]

Glad you got Len's name in there. He's been doing work since being inserted into the starting unit. Hopefully Horny can up Len's minutes and his health permits it.

[blacknapalm]

Glad you got Len's name in there. He's been doing work since being inserted into the starting unit. Hopefully Horny can up Len's minutes and his health permits it.

len's proving to be a starter. still raw but making progress. i still want him to get more of a tougher/mean streak going. he has size. also needs to develop in PNR, whether that be pick n pop or better at rolling

[j3lademaster]

I'm with you on Gobert being a dpoy someday. Dat length.

[blacknapalm]

I'm with you on Gobert being a dpoy someday. Dat length.

he has a standing reach of 9'7". that's legendary.

thought it was apt to bring this up again. he leads the league in blocks per 36 minutes (3.7). also worth mentioning that he's holding defenders to 38.6% at the rim. this factors in blocks, deflections, altered shots, etc. that means he's not just peeling his man to gamble on blocks. he's a legitimate elite rim protector. insane length and quick feet. utah would be smart to play him as much as possible next to favors. he's such a difference maker on defense. i'm trying to figure out who to compare this guy too. mutumbo?

meanwhile, len is holding his own mini block parties. i've also been impressed with his PNR defense as it seems like he can guard a couple different positions (at least momentarily).

nurkic is showing out too, especially offensively. he's gotta be one of the most skilled young bigs in the league. also no slouch on defense. he doesn't have the same explosiveness as the above two to cover ground but he holds his ground very well. he positions his feet well to contest shots. also has that mean streak attitude.

future is looking bright w/ these up and comers

[andremiller07]

Alex Len is going to be a really good 2 way big man

[La Frescobaldi]

that power forward from Lithuania with the name I can't even begin to pronounce but he's over on the Rockets has some nice moves in the paint, have not seen enough to know about his defense though. Motiejunas, however you say it !!

Pekovic is due back next week too, he's got some of the best paint moves I had seen in awhile and my current favorite player but he's got glass ankles it seems like.

Faried can show some nice stuff too although he's kinda weak compared to some of these guys. No mention of Kevin Love though?

[EricGordon23]

Noahs been nothing but a thug all year. Hes not in the elite tier anymore. Pgasol or Al horford would be better on the bulls than that bum

[Hotlantadude81]

don't get me wrong, we're not seeing the dominance of the 90s, but let's look at the landscape. fyi, i'm going to include some PFs in this range. forgive me if i forget anyone obvious, i'm doing this off the top of my head. also, don't worry about tier rankings so much. a couple could be switched, i just did it to be more organized.

established/elite tier:
- m. gasol
- noah
- howard
- boogie cousins
- al jeff
- duncan
- dirk
- griffin
- love
- bogut? when healthy

young but elite:
- AD

almost elite:
- horford
- millsap (big reason why hawks are doing so well imo)
- vucevic
- p gasol?

young with tons of promise:
- drummond (will be crazy if he develops more of a post game)
- gobert (really interested in this guy, his per 36#s are insane. think he can be what hibbert was supposed to be. 70% FT shooter so should be able to develop a jump shot. light on his feet to finish in traffic as well. monster rim protector w/ DPOY potential)
- gorgui dieng
- steven adams
- jonas

solid starting rotation guys:
- robin lopez (think he could be a bit underrated)
- plumlee bros
- whiteside

then factor in guys like jusuf nurkik showing some promise when he straight up ate gasol's lunch the other day, len showing he can be a solid guy, etc.

also embiid will be awesome if he stays healthy and flashes that back to the basket game.

what do you think of today's big men? play a different style obviously but i think we have a much healthier crop than we did say, 10 years ago.

are you as high on gobert as me? any players you're excited in seeing more of?

lol at Noah and Love being elite.

[houston]

It been all-nba quality big that won championship since 94 until now so the bigman always been around.

[qrich]

No mention of the rebounding & field goal percentage leader, tied 2nd in blocks, tied 9th in double doubles?

[Imtheman]

Where's Hibbert op

Or deandre Jordan

[La Frescobaldi]

No mention of the rebounding & field goal percentage leader, tied 2nd in blocks, tied 9th in double doubles?
you mean like these guys?

1. DeAndre Jordan, LAC 13.7
2. Andre Drummond, DET 13.0
3. Tyson Chandler, DAL 12.0
4. Zach Randolph, MEM 11.4
5. Pau Gasol, CHI 11.3

lol lots of people are sleeping on the fact that the league is a freaking powerhouse of big men

[russwest0]

No mention of Steven Adams :biggums:

Adams looks good, everyone in OKC keeps wondering why he isn't getting at worst 30 minutes per game but Scott Brooks dumbass will regularly give Perkins more minutes than Adams in some games.

[Fudge]

Ibaka
Monroe

[qrich]

you mean like these guys?

1. DeAndre Jordan, LAC 13.7
2. Andre Drummond, DET 13.0
3. Tyson Chandler, DAL 12.0
4. Zach Randolph, MEM 11.4
5. Pau Gasol, CHI 11.3

lol lots of people are sleeping on the fact that the league is a freaking powerhouse of big men

Meant Jordan specifically, but RoLo got mentioned :lol:

[dunksby]

LMA, Bosh, Ibaka, Favors, Monroe are other established talented and skilled big men, honorable mentions, guys like Valancinuas, Olynyk and Zaza. I'm sure I missed a few too which means this league is deep with big man talent.

[blacknapalm]

hasaan whiteside would like his name submitted. 23/16/2/2 today. len just finished up with 14/13/1/2

[Jasper]

2 years ago , I stated it was the PF era.
What has evolved over the last two years , is an influx of centers , from europe as well as the college ranking , that basically is transitioning to more of a versatile center.

In a micro cosom' I'd say Gasal' brothers are a perfect example .
Mark 's defense , now has an elite passing prowl , and his mid range jump shot is a serious weapon.
Pau - has groved a 2nd option to a team that was more one demisional , and his passing has improved as well.

We haven't even talked about big men (5) board work and outlet passing.