Z Version 2.0

[Karma]

Another Z is battling to back up Z

Monday, October 17, 2005
Branson Wright
Plain Dealer Reporter
Jahidi White came into Cavaliers camp as the favorite to back up center Zydrunas Ilgauskas, but White has been slowed with a sore left knee, and he did not receive his first action until Saturday against the Milwaukee Bucks.

White scored seven points and collected three rebounds in nearly 11 minutes, but that was a far cry from the recent play of center Zendon Hamilton, who had 10 points and six rebounds against the Bucks and 13 points and seven rebounds against Philadelphia last Friday.

Hamilton is serving notice.

"[Against the Bucks], Zendon was good on the boards," coach Mike Brown said. "Defensively, he did a lot of things aggressively. He made mistakes, but he was aggressive when he did them."

Hamilton, 6-11 and 254 pounds, has bounced around the league and played in limited action over the past five seasons. He has been a journeyman at best but that has not stopped him from vying for this backup opportunity.

"I just come with 100 percent work," Hamilton said. "I'll dive on the floor and do whatever I have to do. I bring my lunch pail. Things don't come your way unless you work for it. [To make this team], I have to continue to learn the plays, play good defense and listen to what coach Brown wants. I can't have any errors."

White needs more time, too. White has been a career backup in seven NBA seasons, averaging 5.9 points and 5.8 rebounds per game. He has the experience over Hamilton, and at 6-9 and 295 pounds, he has more strength.

"The biggest thing about these guys are their physical presence," Ilgauskas said. "Jahidi is bigger than Zendon, but Zendon is probably more around the basket, and he can shoot from the outside. Jahidi is one of those guys that when he gets the ball around the basket, unless he loses it, you're done. You have to foul him early or he will literally hurt you. You need guys like that on your team."

Making the team as a backup center is not guaranteed. Brown said he will take the best players available on his final roster, no matter what position. If neither Hamilton nor White can cut it, power forwards Drew Gooden and Alan Henderson will back up Ilgauskas.

"We're still looking [for a backup center]," Brown said. "This was Jahidi's first test [against the Bucks], and obviously, playing wise, he's behind, but that'll come with repetition. We still have four preseason games and a ton of practices to figure this out."

Pointing ahead:

Larry Hughes injured his right middle finger during the second quarter against the Bucks. X-rays were negative, and Hughes said it was not serious, and he doesn't expect to miss any time.

Branson Wright

 

[PIP]

Excellent read Karma ..

TJ was right about Hamlilton.. I like what i've read and heard so far about him... Reminds me alot of Brian Skinner..

I love the tough interior player... This guy could replace and maybe exceed what the TRACTOR brought to us..

 

[Karma]

He isn't the ideal fit for us as we are after a bigger presense literally. However Hamilton is showing he has what it takes, and it will need some solid performances at training and on the floor from Jahidi to overtake Zendon.
White is definately the preferred choice physically, but we just don't want a body, we want a basketabller to boot.

 

[Jimmy]

I dont think you want to pick a guy on reputation alone, if white doesnt show his shit, then thats tough luck for him...gotta reward the guy thats showing his stuff and doing the hard yards and being fit....i dont like the attitude of a guy that shows up in bad shape when he is trying to get a job.

 

[NarlCavs]

I've been in favor of White making the team but he does need to show the rest of the preseason that he still can be counted on to contribute if needed. Hamilton has made his case to make the team. He's always been an active player but doesn't have the bulk or power that might be a better fit for this spot.
I could live with either but I still hope Jahidi shows he has what it takes and can pull ahead in this battle. The Cavs don't have that big, strong physical presence among their big men. The players now have a more finesse type of game. They are active and tough but can't bang inside as much.
Interesting that when talking about White Z is quoted as saying "you need guys like that on your team."

 

[TJ_4_CV31]

I've been in favor of White making the team but he does need to show the rest of the preseason that he still can be counted on to contribute if needed. Hamilton has made his case to make the team. He's always been an active player but doesn't have the bulk or power that might be a better fit for this spot.
I could live with either but I still hope Jahidi shows he has what it takes and can pull ahead in this battle. The Cavs don't have that big, strong physical presence among their big men. The players now have a more finesse type of game. They are active and tough but can't bang inside as much.
Interesting that when talking about White Z is quoted as saying "you need guys like that on your team."

No Z, YOU need to be that guy on this team. Your team is on the cusp of something great and you need to drop the finess and get nasty on the court. You need to be more Laimbeer (rings) and less Yao (no rings). Take more advantage of your imposing size. Knock a few people around and establish a physical presense.

Zendon Hamilton is the choice between he and White. Remember the intricacies of the game. Hamilton will always draw fouls and help get his team in the bonus where he and his teammates can get easy offense without the clock moving. That's a given with Zendon. White is just a body. He can score a little, rebound a little, but he won't hang fouls on opponents like Zendon. Wouldn't you rather have a guy that can put Chandler, Wallace, Bogut, and Big Oneal on the bench?

 

[PIP]

[/B]

No Z, YOU need to be that guy on this team. Your team is on the cusp of something great and you need to drop the finess and get nasty on the court. You need to be more Laimbeer (rings) and less Yao (no rings). Take more advantage of your imposing size. Knock a few people around and establish a physical presense.

Zendon Hamilton is the choice between he and White. Remember the intricacies of the game. Hamilton will always draw fouls and help get his team in the bonus where he and his teammates can get easy offense without the clock moving. That's a given with Zendon. White is just a body. He can score a little, rebound a little, but he won't hang fouls on opponents like Zendon. Wouldn't you rather have a guy that can put Chandler, Wallace, Bogut, and Big Oneal on the bench?

Bingo!!!!!

This team doesn't have an enforcer... We need a tough guy that is willing to do the dirty things...

 

[ootbttnlagitnbasf]

the 2nd unit center just needs to hold the fort while Z is resting and recovering. that could be hamilton or white. there is no way it could be henderson, no matter what brown says. what is that man thinking? it is comments like that to make me question his capability as a head coach. what if Z is out for a couple of weeks with an injury. are we going to play alan henderson at center against dalembert and curry and chandler and shaq and wallace? that makes no sense. ferry's got to know better than to listen to the head coach on that call.

it's great to have a center with springs and enthusiasm. hamilton will do that for you. white will bang and knock the spit out of people, but hamilton has more upside.

 

[Kypus]

"Jahidi is bigger than Zendon, but Zendon is probably more around the basket, and he can shoot from the outside. Jahidi is one of those guys that when he gets the ball around the basket, unless he loses it, you're done. You have to foul him early or he will literally hurt you. You need guys like that on your team."

It sounds like Z would rather have Jahidi White, as I would still. Hamilton is making his case with heart, which is impressive. But I'll still take White's 355 career blocks in 7 years over Hamilton's 29 in 5 years. 355 to 29, the shotblocking presence is as lopsided as his lane-clogging wideness. I still believe Varejao will be able to gamble a lot more on defense and make plays with White clogging up that middle. Our entire second unit should be based around Varejao's strengths. Period. AV is our wild card, our Bowen, whatever you want to call it, and any player that helps him achieve his potential takes priority in my book. I think Z realizes what White would mean to the team, as well as having a strength-based C backing him up when he's getting beat on.

 

[Rimage]

The whole enforcer business. Out of all the sports, the NBA has the least contact. Seems more like a cool factor in my opinion. Who is San Antonio's enforcer? Rasho?

 

[PIP]

The whole enforcer business. Out of all the sports, the NBA has the least contact. Seems more like a cool factor in my opinion. Who is San Antonio's enforcer? Rasho?

That would be Bruce Bowen .. A physical player that gets under his opponents skin and gives other teams fits...One of the best in the league at doing that.. San Antonio has one of the best so called "ENFORCERS"

I mean, it doesn't have to be someone on the inside...But we need a physical presence. Based on our personel, an interior tough guy would fit the bill...

 

[Rimage]

That would be Bruce Bowen .. A physical player that gets under his opponents skin and gives other teams fits...One of the best in the league at doing that.. San Antonio has one of the best so called "ENFORCERS"

I mean, it doesn't have to be someone on the inside...But we need a physical presence. Based on our personel, an interior tough guy would fit the bill...

pfft...You are the first to call Bruce Bowen an "enforcer"! :chuckles:

 

[Karma]

Good point there Rimage on the San Antonio example. You are right, they have no "strong man" or "enforcer". I guess Malik Rose was that man until traded, and I guess Nazr is the closest thing to that. In saying that, it is good to have a bulky strong large presense in the middle. He will achieve position on most occasions.

Remember people, this signing is not going to be a large minute eater, unless further injuries arise. Henderson and Marshall will be able to matchup on the majority of centers and take the bulk of the remaining minutes left at center behind Ilgauskas. You then take into account the fact Varejao will be back later down the track, meaning this signing will be on the inactive list unless injury occurs.

 

[PIP]

pfft...You are the first to call Bruce Bowen an "enforcer"! :chuckles:

Nets/Vince Carter fans would disagee...

They hate his ass with a passion... He plays dirty, (but not in a John Stockon Way)

He is recognized around the league as one of it's most physical players.. Ironically enough, he's a permimeter player..

Did you not watch the finals ? Rip hamilton bitched and moaned the entire time..

Did you not watch him and Ray Allen go at it in the playoffs ?

Nobody wants to play that guy...

 

[Rimage]

Good point there Rimage on the San Antonio example. You are right, they have no "strong man" or "enforcer". I guess Malik Rose was that man until traded, and I guess Nazr is the closest thing to that. In saying that, it is good to have a bulky strong large presense in the middle. He will achieve position on most occasions.

I understand the desire to have someone like that, but if White is not in good shape and is only going take up space on the end of the bench or on the IRL, it is waste to me. I just don't want to be so desperate for that desired inside presense that we pick up a player that is only going dissappoint.