Knixkik wrote:Let's assume Willy progresses well and becomes a starting caliber big man within a couple of years. That would be great. But it does create a problem. Porzingis is likely a center in the future, and Willy is a center right now. It's obvious that they already have a chemistry together and compliment each other well on offense, but with the direction the NBA is going, are they a good fit together, or will it not work defensively?

I think they work fantastic together because they both can play either position so they can switch with ease. also they play different styles so they are not bigs competing for the same spot on the floor. willy is a very scrappy garbage man type big. he can grab just about anything thrown his way including rebounds.

the line up I really wanna see more of is:

KP
Willy
Melo
rose
Jennings

if I'm a opposing coach that line up terrifies me, You have two bangers in melo and willy a two players that can really get to the hoop and create for others

and then you have the unicorn who can do it all !

I don't care if that line up starts together, that unit has the most talent and should see the most floor time. Jennings was a up and coming star for the Pistons before his injury, if he is fully healed, he needs to be on the floor. the defense he has been playing is vintage jennings, he's always been super scrappy player with legit court vision the scoring will come with more floor time.

martin wrote:

Knixkik wrote:Let's assume Willy progresses well and becomes a starting caliber big man within a couple of years. That would be great. But it does create a problem. Porzingis is likely a center in the future, and Willy is a center right now. It's obvious that they already have a chemistry together and compliment each other well on offense, but with the direction the NBA is going, are they a good fit together, or will it not work defensively?

Never understood why Willy is pegged for Center only. Why can't he play PF in the NBA?

Willy may not be the fastest but he has quick feet. Think Zach Randolph; no one ever said he couldn't play PF, even today. Is Willy any slower than Love, Milsap?

Great point. If he can expand his range, maybe he is a PF.

Knicks67 wrote:

stanleybostitch wrote:If we have talent why be constrained by traditional notions of positions? Let KP and Willy thrive together and throw away the shackles of conformity. We have high bball -IQ guys along with a coach and GM who understand the game.

Exactly don't put a label on it, just let them play together and eventually start together in he future. He has been drawing comparisons to Marc Gasol so we'd be foolish not to make the most of his talent.

I agree, especially since basketball is becoming position-less. It's not the position, but it's the defensively responsibilities that are associated with each position. If they start together, most nights one of them will be guarding a quick forward. More than likely, they can make up for it on the other end of the floor, but are both players really at their best when playing together? That is what it comes down to.

Where I worry about him is defence. He is a rookie right now so much of it's recognition and lack of experience. But he is not a quick defender nor a shot blocking threat.

If I'm Phil and Hornachek, I do consider the switch. This team is not going to contend in the East. We may make the playoffs as a team without home court in the 1st round, but not much more than that. Giving minutes to Willy (22, rookie) Kuz (rookie) and helping KP become a true number 1 option should be a priority. Likely we will be addding a quality 1st round pick in 2017 as well.