Let's face facts, guys like AK-47 and Artest will never become available in all likelihood. So instead of wasting time dreaming about guys we probably could never trade for, I think I'm ready to start concentrating on some realistic trade options as the deadline approaches. And my #1 guy right now is Armstrong.

For whatever reason this kid is not getting any PT at all for the Hornets. Can't figure it out for the life of me. He's better than Cedric Simmons, will be better than David West and has the potential to be a better NBA bigman than even Tyson Chandler in a few years. He was hurt a little early on, but as far as I know he's healthy now. He might just be in Byron Scott's doghouse for whatever reason. It could be that simple. If so, we need to see if he's available and go get him.

Look, we all see Channing play on a game in game out basis. Now there's no doubt in my mind that he's everything Channing Frye should be in an NBA big man. He's a much better rebounder than Frye'll ever be and we all know what kind of a defensive player he is. Being the defensive player of the year in the Big East last season is nothing to laugh at. He just has much better big man instincts then Frye will ever have. Period. First and foremost he's an incredible weak side shotblocker. But the thing that really gets me jacked up about him is his offensive potential. This is a kid who played behind Okafor and Villanueva then alongside fellow talented big man Josh Boone during his stint at U-Conn. Plus, they had a ton of offensive players with Gay, Marcus Williams, Brown, Anderson, etc... So he was never really asked to score the ball. Trust me though - he can. It was during his 4th year for the Huskies that you could really see parts of his overall game develop. Always a menace inside defensively, you finally saw last year exactly what he could do with the ball in his hands: he can post up, he can really shoot it (flawless mechanics with range out to 20+ feet - I know it's not his game, never will be, but I've seen him take and make a few college 3s with ease just like Frye) and he can take it strong to the basket.

Take a look at some of this video:
http://www.nba.com/playerfile/hilton_armstrong/index.html?nav=playerwidget
Now that's a rookie that took over the game IN DETROIT WAY BACK IN MID NOV. and won that game by himself and how 'bout that block on Dwight Howard to save the day! We can wait 10 years and never see Frye make a play like that.

A case can be made that he actually has more offensive potential than Channing Frye does - it's just untapped at this point. He just never had the same kind of touches Channing had while with Arizona, bottom line. I honestly think he's one of the best kept secrets in the NBA right now.

I try first to get him without including Fyre (I'd like to keep Frye around for a potential deal with GS for Mickael Pietrus) but I know that's probably not possible. If it took Frye I'd pull the trigger right now. Anyone else out there feeling me on this or am I nuts? Here's our shotblocking big man right here...

[Edited by - finestrg on 01-25-2007 9:51 PM]

There is a couple Uconn fans here so im sure you will get a lot of good replys back real soon.

I don't know nothing about him. But if he is a good rebounder/shotblocker who can nail a 15fter consistantly. Im interested.

yeah this is the kind of trade that isiah will have to make to successfully rebuild on the fly. but is he smart enough?

Posted by mrbean259:

Ugh...Hilton sucks...his offensive game is limited to about 3 ft from the hoop since he has no jumper. He's skinny as hell so he can't bang down low. He can block a few shots but most of the time looks clueless on defense.

Better than David West??? Are you kidding me??

ARE YOU KIDDING ME????? First of all, who the hell is David West? Karl Malone? Timmy Duncan? Is he going to the all-star game? Relax there pal. He's putting up solid #s in only 11 games this season. Otherwise, he's 10 & 5 for his career. And listen, West is a nice player, not even trying to knock him. What I said was I think that he *WILL* be better than West if he ever gets any burn.

And as for your quick and downright shortsighted assessment of Hilton's game, all I can say is that I've seen the kid play at least 30 times for U-Conn over the past few years and I can say with confidence that his offensive game IS DEFINITELY NOT limited to 3 ft from the basket. I mean that's why I included the link to his NBA player page - so folks like yourself who are obviously unfamiliar with his game can see exactly what he can do. That one highlight reel against the Pistons IN DETROIT - I mean if that didn't impress you I don't know what to tell ya. I agree, he's rather skinny but what's Channing Frye (the player I'm really comparing him to) exactly, the round mound of rebound? Hardly. Bottom line is that Armstrong is thin but strong as hell underneath. He has the frame to put on another 20 pounds of muscle eventually. Easily. Will definitely become a better all-around pro big than Frye if ever given a chance to develop. I would love for that to be here with us.