[Azyiu]

Originally Posted by GH0STrider

Ben wallace (although he is not a offensive post player) is a very good and underrated passer. That is one of the reasons the bulls brought him in. When he is on- he is a damn fine passer, rebounder, and shotblocker.

Speaking of Big Ben, he is one of my fav forwards... ok, what is up with Skiles not even playing him in the 4th in most games? Ok, I know it goes both ways, man. Anyway, he is by far the best post defender you have got, and you have been involved in more than a few close 4th qtrs. Why not insert him to play in the 4th, man? You worry about other teams are going to play heck-a-Ben? Come on, you have an assistant for big men, make him work with Ben on his FTs and shooting, man! Or at the very least, assign some sort of such drills to Ben. My way of thinking is, if you don't feel comfortable playing a certain guy, it is fine, but at least make his minutes consistant. On the other hand, If he wants PT in the 4th, he must do something about his shooting or at least his FTs.

[ibzrg1570]

Honestly, I think it might be too late in his career for him to bring his shooting and FT% up. He's been playing defense almost exclusively for 11 years and likely won't change. The Bulls really do need a scoring big man to help out.

[GH0STrider]

Originally Posted by Azyiu

Speaking of Big Ben, he is one of my fav forwards... ok, what is up with Skiles not even playing him in the 4th in most games? Ok, I know it goes both ways, man. Anyway, he is by far the best post defender you have got, and you have been involved in more than a few close 4th qtrs. Why not insert him to play in the 4th, man? You worry about other teams are going to play heck-a-Ben? Come on, you have an assistant for big men, make him work with Ben on his FTs and shooting, man! Or at the very least, assign some sort of such drills to Ben. My way of thinking is, if you don't feel comfortable playing a certain guy, it is fine, but at least make his minutes consistant. On the other hand, If he wants PT in the 4th, he must do something about his shooting or at least his FTs.

The reason he hasn't been playing in 4th quarters is cause they are getting blown out. What is the point of risking injury to the only legit center this team has when your already down by 20 plus points?? Espeacially when gordon is shooting 30 something percent and hinrich is on the bench with 5 fouls? There is no coming back from that my friend. His free throw shooting was NOT what pax brought him to chicago for. When he was signed that was something the media started bitching about. Whould you not sign shaq cause he can't shoot ft's worth a damn? would you not sign one of the best defensive players in nba history because he can't shoot ft's? No, you would sign both of them free throws be damned cause you know these guys are the type that push your team over the top.

Originally Posted by ibzrg1570

Honestly, I think it might be too late in his career for him to bring his shooting and FT% up. He's been playing defense almost exclusively for 11 years and likely won't change. The Bulls really do need a scoring big man to help out.

It's never to late to improve anything. But like I just told Azyiu- his free throw shooting is not why he was paid the big bucks to become a bull. No offense but you guys sound as stupid as the chicago media for bitching about that. WHo cares??? This guy is an amazing rebounder, shot blocker, and a 4 time defensive player of the year. If this team plays the way they should be it shouldn't come down to free throws.

as for your comment on the bulls needing a scoring big man-
way to state the obvious and reiterate what I just said. There aren't to many post players in the league right now. Most teams could use one.

[Azyiu]

Of course, Paxson didn't sign Big Ben for his FT. But can you imagine, like Derek suggested, if he would've just work on that part of his game? Say, let's not being greedy here, he averages 65% at the line? I think the Bulls would be a much more dangerous team when the game is on the line in the 4th.

Hell, even Shaq made most of his FTs when they count.

[GH0STrider]

Originally Posted by Azyiu

Of course, Paxson didn't sign Big Ben for his FT. But can you imagine, like Derek suggested, if he would've just work on that part of his game? Say, let's not being greedy here, he averages 65% at the line? I think the Bulls would be a much more dangerous team when the game is on the line in the 4th.

Hell, even Shaq made most of his FTs when they count.

Point to me one game for the bulls when big ben missed FTs when they counted? I've watched every bulls game since he signed. His missed FTs were never the result of a bulls lose. The guy can't shoot FTs. so what? A good part of the nba can't defend and give up a lot more points then ben misses out on with FTs.

[smueske]

The T-Wolves weren't going to win a championship with Garnett anytime soon. I think they made the right choice by getting rid of him while he was still valued and investing in young talent. It'll take a few years, but Al Jefferson's already on his way to being a great center. With Randy Foye back and a few lottery picks in the coming seasons they'll be a contender in the near future.

I'd like to think so, but I'm not counting on it. I'm not convinced that Garnett was the problem and he's one of the best players in the league. Hell, with the addition of Sprewell they made it to the second round of the playoffs. The year after Flip leaves, he brings the Pistons to the championship series, so you can't blame the coach either. It just seems that we always get rid of the best players on whatever team they play on. I mean, look at the Vikings. Getting rid of Moss was the dumbest thing they ever did. I mean if anyone can make Jeff George look like a quarterback ...

[GH0STrider]

Originally Posted by smueske

I'd like to think so, but I'm not counting on it. I'm not convinced that Garnett was the problem and he's one of the best players in the league. Hell, with the addition of Sprewell they made it to the second round of the playoffs. The year after Flip leaves, he brings the Pistons to the championship series, so you can't blame the coach either. It just seems that we always get rid of the best players on whatever team they play on. I mean, look at the Vikings. Getting rid of Moss was the dumbest thing they ever did. I mean if anyone can make Jeff George look like a quarterback ...

Actually with the addition of sprewell and cassell the wolves made it to the conference finals- which is the third round to be exact. They beat denver in 5 and the kings in 7 before falling the the eventual western conference champion lakers in 6.

[smueske]

Shit, yeah, I forgot about the Kings. Still, I think the point is that the problem was not Garnet or "the supporting cast". The problem is consistency. The Wolves need a core line-up that remains in place for several years. I hope that will be the case this time, but I don't think so. I guess we'll just wait and see. I'd like to be proven wrong.

[GH0STrider]

Eh... I think it is the supporting cast in addition to consistency. They never stick around long enough to find consistency. Kg was the only wolve loyal enough to stay put it seems.

[Azyiu]

Originally Posted by GH0STrider

His missed FTs were never the result of a bulls lose.

Of course, he never got to play in the final minutes in the 4th in a close game! Then again, I don't blame him for missing FTs either. So many other things could've been done in the duration of a game to avoid a loss, those miss FTs are just some of them.

Originally Posted by GH0STrider

The guy can't shoot FTs. so what? A good part of the nba can't defend and give up a lot more points then ben misses out on with FTs.

And thanks for bringing up a good point here. See, the Euro League or the Chinese CBA might be boring or much LESS intense in comparison to the NBA; but all those players can shoot! Either at the line or from the perimeter. See, IMO, this is a much deeper issue than just the NBAers missing shots or can't shoot to save their lives.

Coaches at the college level or even in the high school level just don't seem to teach or stress shooting anymore. They seem to focus more on playing team D (which is good) and player's individual athleticism and stuff.

IMHO, when you are getting paid playing ball, I think you should at least work on your shooting; especially when you are in the NBA. I mean, come on, you can't even make a 15-ft shot from the foul line with NO defender on you?

Off topic

With the US dollars getting weaker by the week, I bet owners like Michael Heisley wishes he didn't move the Grizzlies to Memphis, huh? Man, it used to be like CAD $1.5 or more to USD $1, and now it is mere CAD 98 cents to USD $1!!!!!