Post by RManske2 on Feb 13, 2011 19:23:39 GMT -5
Instead of writing an article for both power forwards and centers, the final installment of the potential free agent class articles will focus on the post players. The reason for this is because many of the players seem to be interchangable between the two positions. In addition, the list of potential post players to be highlighted is really not that impressive this coming offseason. With that said, here is a look at some of the players to keep an eye on in the upcoming free agency period.
Amar'e Stoudemire - New York Knicks
Current Stats: 21.1 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game[/b]
Perhaps the most sought after player in the upcoming free agency class with be New York's Amar'e Stoudemire as he is coming off his second straight double-double season. By the time next season starts, Stoudemire will be 25 years old and entering the prime of his career one would assume and has the ability to play either the power forward or center position. In his four years in the league, the superstar has made three straight All-Star Games and was also named to the All-League First Team in 2005.
During his brief career, Amar'e has averaged a double-double with 23.0 points and 10.2 rebounds. While his scoring this year is down from the prior two years where he averaged 26.8 and 25.0 points respectively, a lot of this can be attributed to the talent that surrounded him this year, including another free agent in Tracy McGrady. By testing the market, Stoudemire will guarantee himself a max contract, whether it is the 7-year variety offered to him by his current team or a 6-year deal offered by likely any team that can afford to do so, the big man will have plenty of options as to what he wants to do. As mentioned in the article discussing the small forwards, this offseason could be a pretty tense time around the Big Apple as to what arguably their two best players will decide to do. While there have been recent rumors that both McGrady and Stoudemire would appear together in an exclusive primetime interview to announce their decision, in a show cleverly entitled "The Decisions", these rumors have been denied by agents for both players.
Tim Duncan: Los Angeles Lakers
Current Stats: 16.9 points, 13.5 rebounds, and 3.9 blocks per game[/b]
After Stoudemire, the next big name on the list is one of the Lakers superstars in Tim Duncan. There is really not much that can be said about the former Wake Forest star that hasn't already been said during his great career as he continues to play at such a high level. For example, just this season he made yet another All-Star Game, was selected to both the All-League First Team and All-Defensive First team while once again claiming his Defensive Player of the Team trophy. In addition to the individual awards, Duncan averaged a double-double for the season for the ninth straight time. While some might have concerns that Duncan registered a career low of 16.9 points per game, to many these concerns are unwarranted since he plays on a team full of stars that put up big points on what seems to be a nightly basis.
What is important about Duncan's game, and to his team, is the high level at which he plays defense. This is shown by the fact that the big man averaged 13.5 rebounds per game, above his career average of 13.1, and also set a career best mark of averaging 3.9 blocks per game. Perhaps the biggest question is how will Duncan's contract play out since he will start next season at the age of 31. It is no secret that the Lakers are built to win now and have a lot of big salaries on the roster so the front office will have to determine if they can afford to offer Duncan a max deal or gamble to sign him for less. As for the other teams looking to sign Duncan, a six-year max deal would expire when Duncan is 37 years old and there could be concerns about his productivity level decreasing throughout the life of the contract. Because of this, it remains to be seen if teams will try to sign him for a shorter contract for the max salary allowed or if somebody will take a chance and sign the future Hall of Famer to a huge contract and deal with any consequences later.
Chris Webber - Orlando Magic
Current Stats: 17.3 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game[/b]
With no disrespect meant to Chris Webber and what he has done over his career, it is a sign of the talent of post players where a soon to be 34 year old gets mentioned as one of the best signings. After logging what could be a record of 91 regular season games during the 2005 season (due to being traded), Webber's season this year was cut short due to injury as he only played in 38 regular season matchups. Even though his averaged a double-double for the year to keep his active streak going, Webber posted a career low in scoring with 17.3 points per game and a career low with 10.4 rebounds. Whether this is a sign of the veteran slowing down or not will be something for teams to debate in making a determination what type of contract he will be offered.
Due to the fact he will be 34 to start the season, the only type of max deal I see Webber receiving would be a one-year deal worth lots of money from his current team, the Orlando Magic, since they do have Bird years on him. The question would then become would Webber have a valuable part on the team or would the Orlando front office use his big expiring contract in a trade. The answer to this question would likely depend on what the team's roster looks like come opening night and if they are in the hunt for a championship trophy. Even with this said, there could be a possibility for a team to try to sign the former Michigan star to a very short term deal worth big money if they believe he is the missing piece to get their team over the top.
Amar'e Stoudemire - New York Knicks
Current Stats: 21.1 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game[/b]
Perhaps the most sought after player in the upcoming free agency class with be New York's Amar'e Stoudemire as he is coming off his second straight double-double season. By the time next season starts, Stoudemire will be 25 years old and entering the prime of his career one would assume and has the ability to play either the power forward or center position. In his four years in the league, the superstar has made three straight All-Star Games and was also named to the All-League First Team in 2005.
During his brief career, Amar'e has averaged a double-double with 23.0 points and 10.2 rebounds. While his scoring this year is down from the prior two years where he averaged 26.8 and 25.0 points respectively, a lot of this can be attributed to the talent that surrounded him this year, including another free agent in Tracy McGrady. By testing the market, Stoudemire will guarantee himself a max contract, whether it is the 7-year variety offered to him by his current team or a 6-year deal offered by likely any team that can afford to do so, the big man will have plenty of options as to what he wants to do. As mentioned in the article discussing the small forwards, this offseason could be a pretty tense time around the Big Apple as to what arguably their two best players will decide to do. While there have been recent rumors that both McGrady and Stoudemire would appear together in an exclusive primetime interview to announce their decision, in a show cleverly entitled "The Decisions", these rumors have been denied by agents for both players.
Tim Duncan: Los Angeles Lakers
Current Stats: 16.9 points, 13.5 rebounds, and 3.9 blocks per game[/b]
After Stoudemire, the next big name on the list is one of the Lakers superstars in Tim Duncan. There is really not much that can be said about the former Wake Forest star that hasn't already been said during his great career as he continues to play at such a high level. For example, just this season he made yet another All-Star Game, was selected to both the All-League First Team and All-Defensive First team while once again claiming his Defensive Player of the Team trophy. In addition to the individual awards, Duncan averaged a double-double for the season for the ninth straight time. While some might have concerns that Duncan registered a career low of 16.9 points per game, to many these concerns are unwarranted since he plays on a team full of stars that put up big points on what seems to be a nightly basis.
What is important about Duncan's game, and to his team, is the high level at which he plays defense. This is shown by the fact that the big man averaged 13.5 rebounds per game, above his career average of 13.1, and also set a career best mark of averaging 3.9 blocks per game. Perhaps the biggest question is how will Duncan's contract play out since he will start next season at the age of 31. It is no secret that the Lakers are built to win now and have a lot of big salaries on the roster so the front office will have to determine if they can afford to offer Duncan a max deal or gamble to sign him for less. As for the other teams looking to sign Duncan, a six-year max deal would expire when Duncan is 37 years old and there could be concerns about his productivity level decreasing throughout the life of the contract. Because of this, it remains to be seen if teams will try to sign him for a shorter contract for the max salary allowed or if somebody will take a chance and sign the future Hall of Famer to a huge contract and deal with any consequences later.
Chris Webber - Orlando Magic
Current Stats: 17.3 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game[/b]
With no disrespect meant to Chris Webber and what he has done over his career, it is a sign of the talent of post players where a soon to be 34 year old gets mentioned as one of the best signings. After logging what could be a record of 91 regular season games during the 2005 season (due to being traded), Webber's season this year was cut short due to injury as he only played in 38 regular season matchups. Even though his averaged a double-double for the year to keep his active streak going, Webber posted a career low in scoring with 17.3 points per game and a career low with 10.4 rebounds. Whether this is a sign of the veteran slowing down or not will be something for teams to debate in making a determination what type of contract he will be offered.
Due to the fact he will be 34 to start the season, the only type of max deal I see Webber receiving would be a one-year deal worth lots of money from his current team, the Orlando Magic, since they do have Bird years on him. The question would then become would Webber have a valuable part on the team or would the Orlando front office use his big expiring contract in a trade. The answer to this question would likely depend on what the team's roster looks like come opening night and if they are in the hunt for a championship trophy. Even with this said, there could be a possibility for a team to try to sign the former Michigan star to a very short term deal worth big money if they believe he is the missing piece to get their team over the top.
good one
