I like Whiteside, Aldrich or Barron for one of those spots (the Jeremy Tyler spot, logically). Whiteside has very good upside and he can at least help out with rebounding and rim protection right now; Aldrich is a big boy that can clean up inside, rebound and block shots too (he was a very good rebounder and weakside defender in college---I think these 2 elements WILL translate over to the NBA if he's ever given a real chance to play extended mins.). And Barron's 7', more than capable on the glass and he can stick a jumper...All good choices--all 3 guys give us more capable size to compete better against teams like Indy...There's a diamond in the rough out there--Marcus Cousin--but nobody seems willing to give this kid an honest look. I think that's a mistake but whatever, moving on....JT didn't prove enough to me in such a short period to automatically reserve a roster spot for him..Then he got hurt. We need a capable big body manning that spot right from jumpstreet. Like I said though -- take care of the kid -- pick up all the medical bills, rehab him and have a spot waiting for him on the Erie Bayhawks when he's ready to go. Then we go from there (see what happens next year). I think that's more than fair. Bottom line -- JT needs to prove more before being considered an automatic keeper on an NBA roster.

It'd also be nice to add one more capable wing -- Chris Douglas-Roberts, maybe a Sam Young (very good at Pitt in college, good in the NBA for Memphis & Indy when he was given a chance), I continue to like 6'7" Jamelle Horne, Terrence Williams, Roddy 'Buckets' Beaubois, Travis Leslie maybe?, etc. Luke Babbitt was my guy here, followed by young DeQuan Jones and his enormous upside but we passed on both guys...Just looking over who's still available -- CDR might make the most sense..JR Smith will be out indefinitely, then another +5 games when he is ready. We should really think about adding a little more scoring depth at the 2/3 just in case. CDR could supply that. If we can get one of these guys then there's no need for CJ Leslie, a guy who looked lost at sea in SL and a few years away from contributing in the NBA, minimum (if he ever gets there). I'd be OK moving forward with CJ, but to me, CDR is a better fit on this team for that particular roster spot---he's more NBA-ready and his scoring skills are for real. What if JR is slow to return? What if THJ shows major growing pains early on (a distinct possibility considering he sat out most of SL)?? CDR has size at 6'7" and can score the ball on anyone -- that much we know. That's valuable, esp. being down a primary scorer from last year at that position right off the bat.

And as of right now, I like this Toure Murry for the last spot. Yeah we have 3 PGs but who knows man -- you think all 3 remain healthy for the whole season? I'm not taking that bet...We get this kid now, he learns from our 3 PGs and is ready next year when PP and BU probably won't be back. And if he's really not a PG, he still has value as a young combo guard that can score and play some D. I like him a lot. He looks fairly advanced skill-wise & plays like he belongs.

A capable big, a wing and Toure Murry.

CrushAlot wrote:Apparently the Knicks are bringing in Josh Powell. Not horrible for the 15th man but I was hoping for more size.

He has a ring!!!

I'm tellin' ya -- another 7' C, a skilled wing and Toure Murry. That's how we should finish off this roster.

smackeddog wrote:The dream is over! Earl Baron has signed with T-Macs former team in China

Good for Earl, man. I think this guy's a good, solid player. He deserves to be somewhere, getting paid. Usually Chinese teams are willing to pay decent players more than the NBA vet. minimum, so hopefully he made out well.

As for us, Cole Aldrich was a good pickup for what we needed. He was one of the guys on our short list...I think he's gonna work out well here -- nearly 7' tall, good rebounder that can clean up inside (he's actually a pretty decent offensive player to be fair) and he'll defend the interior. Rebounding and shot-blocking are two pretty big pluses that this guy should provide when called upon. That's what we needed most out of a backup center... A good 7 years younger than Barron too btw.. We should now focus on adding another solid 2/3 wing -- CDR, Sam Young, Terrence Williams or Derrick Byars (apparently we've showed some interest in Byars per a Realgm.com report as of about a week ago) are all solid choices.

Last 3 roster spot possibilities I'd love to see (13-15):

Aldrich, an additional skilled NBA-ready wing (see above) & Toure Murry

or we go with even more size -

Aldrich, Ike Diogu (or we keep the injuried Jeremy Tyler) & the additional wing

We need to go through training camp/pre-season to see how everyone looks and how it all shakes out but I'm tellin' ya man -- give me either configuration for the last few spots and then bring it on! I just wanna see them get the finishing touches right...I think this team would be deep enough and talented enough to take on ANYONE! Let's go!!!

CrushAlot wrote:

smackeddog wrote:The dream is over! Earl Baron has signed with T-Macs former team in China

Hopefully he is back in the states and playoff eligible by the flu season.

Don't forget that's Ivan Johnson's plan- nice to know he's a possible fallback option if (/when) Amar'e or K-Mart don't make it to the end of the season.