No one has defended Willie more than me. But I also said that he had to show improvement and consistency this season if he wants to make the big bucks. Well, he has shown improvement, but not the consistency I wanted. I think what frustrates people, is that we've seen what Willie can do when he's on his game. As a result, we raise our expectations, myself included. And then the zero rebound game happens, and were disappointed. Look, I have no problem with people being critical of Willie. Especially after a game like that. But as I've said before, I think the punishment has to fit the crime.
It doesn't have to be either/or. But that's how a lot of fans look at it. Your either living up to my expectations, or I'm getting rid of you. Here's a fact. There have been multiple games this year that we wouldn't have won without Willie. Problem is, the naysayers want to ignore those games. Well they all count in the end, especially when your evaluating him for his worth to the franchise. I'll leave it to the numbers guys to figure out what he's worth to the Kings, but if you replace him, it should be to improve the team, not just replace him to replace him.
As for Christian Woods, I really liked him coming out of UNLV. I had him ranked higher than Looney. In college he was a very good rebounder, and a pretty good shot blocker, averaging over 2 blocks a game his sophmore year. Unfortunately he's had a checkered professional career, and to some extent, he hasn't been in the right place for him to succeed.. And I'm not saying that Sacramento is that place. But to me, Willie and Wood is apples and oranges. One has proved he belongs, and the other is still trying find his way.
If you want to sign Wood's to a ten day and kick the tires as they say, sure, why not. Lets kick the tires on every possibility. But the idea of replacing Willie with Wood's is not going to happen. Like I said, if your replacing Willie, it has to be an upgrade. Someone like Vucevic or DeAndre Jordan, or Cuz. Right now, Woods would be happy to catch on as a back up center, and maybe he has a future there. Someone mentioned Jordan Bell, but I'm not sure that he's a total upgrade. Maybe!
Folks want to make a big issue out of Willie not averaging double digit rebounds. If memory serves, only 13 players out of the entire NBA averaged double digit rebounds last season, and one of them was a guard (Westbrook). So the idea that every player that's 6'11"or over averages over 10 boards a game is an illusion. Nice when you have one of those players though.
To my mind, what Willie is worth would depend on who I might be able to sign at his position. If I can sign Vucevic, then Willie becomes worth backup center money, maybe 8 to 10 mil a year. If I have to resign him as my starting center, then I'm offering something starting at 12 to 15 mil. Personally, if another team offers him around 18 mil a year, I'm saying goodbye. I still like Willie, but I don't like him 18 million dollars worth.