Keepers (or, "Will Powe Go?")

[Peter Delevett]

I agree with the general presumption that Dahntay
Jones will likely make the team and make Jackie Manuel
expendable. (Even though there's a part of me that'd
like to see what the kid can do; I haven't seen enough
of either player to know who's the better defender.)

That still is gonna leave us with one more cut to
make. The possible suspects: Scabs, Pollard, Powe,
Davis, Batista or Wallace. #1 isn't going anywhere
because of his contract; and I don't think they're
going to wanna be without a veteran center on the
roster, even a limited one. That leaves us with the
younger bigs.

Despite his two seasons of lackluster NBA service for
the size-starved Hawks, Batista seems to be playing
his way into contention. Wallace hasn't played much
and seems pretty one-dimensional, but he does have a
two-year deal, so that may make the team more
reluctant to cut him. Also, he's big enough to
probably give you spot minutes at all three frontcourt
positions in a pinch. (Does anybody know his listed
wingspan?)

So let's say that leaves you with Davis or Powe. I
would really hate for the Cs to give up on Big Baby. I
mean, he's BIG. He's also got some nifty ball-handling
skills. I'm already on the record saying I think he
can compare favorably to a young Oliver Miller in his
first year or two in Phoenix. And I think he can be a
fan favorite.

Powe also can be a fan fave, given how hard he works
and his inspiring personal story. But I keep wondering
how effective a 6'8 post player can be. If he'd
developed a jump shot, like Gomes, that would be one
thing. Davis might not give you Powe's toughness, or
even maybe his per-minute rebounding, but I just think
he may give you more of a complete package. 

So who do people think it will be? Powe? Davis?
Wallace? Batista? Or does Danny throw a screwball and
waive both D. Jones and Manuel? Hard to see that one
happening unless they're really, really, REALLY
confident in Tony's health.

It's probably too early to predict any of this after
just a couple preseason games, but I'm curious to see
what people predict.



       
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