you only need to go back to my first post on the topic to find your answer:squintsdd wrote:Never said Withey would be a game changer, I only implied that he would serve a better purpose than Lopez. I see no point in trading for Lopez, who is NOT starting caliber and has zero defensive skills besides blocking a few shots, when you have a rookie that is known for his defensive abilities already. If blocking shots is what you consider the only thing needed to be a good defender you are seriously mistaken.
"the bad news is that he's not a plus rebounder or defender. i can't imagine a scenario where stotts can keep him in during a close game late. lma is going to have to man up and play a little 5, should this deal go through."
and no, withey is NOT known for his defensive abilities. that's ludicrous. he's a skinny white guy who dropped well into the middle of the second round because there were big doubts about his ability to do anything in the nba. he's nothing more than a raw project.
the problem here is that even if he becomes ben freaking wallace, it isn't happening for a number of years and lamarcus would be long gone by then. "portland's needs" at that point would be anyone's guess.Is Withey a project? Yes, but he's a project that could be more suited for Portland's needs than Lopez is.
you need to go beyond the numbers a tad. new orleans was dead last in the nba in pace, and adjusting his numbers to what terry stotts wants to run should see a liberal improvement in raw rebounding statistics. i still wouldn't call him a plus rebounder, but you can't merely look at "5.6/per" and scoff.While many are saying Lopez had his best year last year I argue back, does 5.6 rebounds from a 25 year old 7 footer really sell you on this guy? Portland desperatley needs guys that can defend and rebound, and he provides neither
