miller31time wrote:fishercob wrote:First of all, we have yet to receive any confirmation that Etan will be ready for camp. Even if he is, I dont think it's quite a forgone conclusion that he'll return to form.
Secondly, Hibbert is already far more skilled than Etan and could provide the Wiz with a different element as a Princeton center -- even if for just 5-8 mpg.
Finally -- YES. Plan on moving Etan within the next 12-18 months, and start grooming this team's next backup center. Blatche should play minimally at C and concenrate on F. I don't think you can have too much size -- especially skilled size -- in the NBA. Backup guards (our other need) are easier to come by.
I believe we were given information that Etan will be back and in the form we're all accustomed to seeing him play. I don't have the source, but there was an Etan update thread here and I remember seeing it. He had the surgery. He rehabbed. He recovered. He'll be back and I see no reason to expect anything different.
Your point about Hibbert being far more skilled than Etan is moot, because Eddie Jordan will not give minutes to a rookie big man that could easily be given to the recovered Etan Thomas, an EJ favorite. And if we spend a 1st round draft pick on a guy who *might* play 5-7 minutes per game (even though I see no way he gets any PT at all, with the exception of blowouts), I'd see it as a wasted pick, considering we have other positions where backups are necessary (certainly small forward, and I'd say point guard as well, seeing as how Arenas seems less than durable, and AD is getting up there in age, along with the possibility that Mason probably won't be returning).
Lastly, you are banking on Etan being traded. While it's possible, I, in no way, consider it probable, let alone a done deal.
Miller, it's not like Etan was some pillar of health before missing a season to heart surgery. In his six previous seasons he played in 47, 38, 79, 47, 71 and 65 games. Made it to 70 games a third of the time, 65 half the time -- not counting this past season. Any way you slice it, he's no Cal Ripken. So even if Hibbs was the third true center, odds are he'd be called upon. Heck, we sure could have used him this past season and in the playoffs.
I disagree with your assertion that Eddie won't give minutes to Hibbs as a rookie. EJ would likley not trust a raw rookie C like a Javale McGee, but Hibbert is a 4-year Princeton center who has played in a ton of big games including a Final Four.
As to us having greater needs, sure we could use a SF. But I have no confidence that that anyone will be there are 18 who will provide any meaningful help this year. Jamison and McGuire can handle backing up Caron.
Etan may be traded in the next 12-18 months and he may not. But it's extremely unlikely that the Wiz will re-sign him when his contract expires in two years. It's absolutely not too early to plan for that, especially since Haywood expires that same offseason. Now is the time to draft an inexpensive insurance policy.
There's been much discussion of Roy's offense, and no doubt, it would be nice to see him run the O with these teammates. But I think his D is underrated. He was an anchor on a very good defensive team for the past two years and that's of value too.
Truth of the matter is that I think there's a greater likelihood that Hibbert is gone by 18 (perhaps someone moving up to get him) then there is of EG passing on him.
