RE: Rogers vs. Duncan

["jlyell" <jlyell@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

The only thing close to guard skills Rogers has is perimeter scoring.
Unfortunately he is too slow to play guard and even the 3 spot against a lot
of 3's, and too small to play the 4 spot, and fits the "tweaner" definition.
Baker would start on most teams, Rogers 6th man at best.

Gary Trent has guard skills? Tim Duncan is unskilled? I think the GM's on
every team and most fans would have to disagree with you here and wonder if
you got a bad batch or are just one of Rodney's homeboys.

I would take an "unskilled" Duncan over every Celtic and most other NBA
players to build a team around any day.

John



-----Original Message-----
From: owner-celtics@igtc.com [mailto:owner-celtics@igtc.com]On Behalf Of
GuyClinch@aol.com
Sent: Wednesday, October 02, 2002 1:19 PM
To: Celtics@igtc.com
Subject: Rogers vs. Duncan


> The difference between this comment and the criticisms bandied about
> here for most of the summer is that CNN/SI says straight-up that
> Rodney is a better 3rd scorer than Vin Baker.  Nevermind
> contracts,
> or the cap situation.  Mano-a-mano Rogers is better.

Hmm well the thing is this...
Rogers FIT the Celtics.

Rogers and Baker are fundmentally different kinds of players..
With the right team I do agree that Baker is the better player.
But on the Celtics Rogers is indeed better, IMHO.

Rogers is more of an oversized small forward/guard. Like I said before he is
an all-around stud type basketball player. He can score some inside, he can
create off the dribble, he can pass a little, he can work well with the pick
and roll, he can bomb from downtown, and he can rebound some. Essentially
Rogers could step in and fill whatever is lacking.

Rogers doesn't need a good point guard to function..though of course Jason
Kidd will help him. Essentially Rogers who really is only 6 7" at best, has
"Guard" skills in a large body. Don't get me wrong he doesn't have GREAT
guard skills but he has all the basics down. He can tutor Kedrick and yet
guard Dikemebe. He is Mr. Verstatilty. Like I said before he reminds me a
bit of Walker cept he shoots better, but doesn't pass as well.

Baker isn't the same kind of player at all. He is a low post scorer with a
bit of touch. He can rebound some too. BUT he lacks alot of those "guard"
type skills that Rogers had. I think to function ideally he has to be the
focus of the offense and needs a good point guard to really peform as well
as he can. He is a true scoring power forward type. He is closer to Kevin
Mchale. Rodney Rogers is more like Walker but stronger. Maybe Gary Trent is
a better comparison. He is one of these oversized guard types...complete
with guard skills.

So is Rodney better?
As your third scorer...an option coming off the bench.
YES!

As your low post threat starting center NOPE.

Ironically the player they traded KA would have worked great with Baker. Say
what you want about Kenny but he worked great with the centers on our team,
who frankly aren't very good.
He would have really helped Baker.

Also we should have kept Rogers and gotten Baker.
They don't really overlap at all...

Personally..and this is my bias..

I like smaller players. They are more skilled for the most part. So its said
to see Rogers go. Guys like Potapenko and yes even Tim Duncan are simply
unskilled for the most part compared to a little guy like Shammond Williams.

Pete
Unlimited Long Distance only $29.95/ month!
Sign Up Today! www.netzerolongdistance.com