King Baller
All-Star
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When I first heard of the signing I was very dubious but in the one video I saw, he shows an amazing ability to stay in front of his man and maintain his position. He's 240 pounds and that helps plus the natural ability (I assume) to understand where his opponent is going to go. I've only watched one video but I suspect the other videos are similar.
Basketball is a tall man's game, but shorter guys, in every sport and life in general have an inherent advantage in leverage and quickness. Especially short stout guys. We largely worship height in the states even in normal life, and in basketball height is an enormous thing. But if you give me a 6'6" 240lb guy vs. a 6'11" 250lb guy, there is no doubt in my mind who should win a pushing match, who can move their feet faster etc.
No doubt this guy is unbelievably good in defending against other bigs considering he is only 6' 6". I just hope the notion of that heart disease did not change his mindset and that he will continue to work as hard. I also hope he stays healthy.
Actually I think Bricklayer is saying that someone with a lower center of gravity, while having the same mass has an advantage in maintaining defensive positioning on the court.
It's easier to move a tall lanky guy off his position than it is to move a shorter stockier guy off his position. So guys like Hayes (on defense) and Barkley (on offense) do have an advantage in that area.
That is why Hayes can be such a good man defender. He's got tree-trunk legs, lower center of gravity, is stout, and tough. It's hard to get and maintain position on him, especially if you're taller and lankier. Of course the problem is that even if an offensive player can't establish the position they want, they can still get their shots over Hayes because he has no hope in blocking them. Hayes seems to be good enough to also bother their shots, so we'll have to see how he plays for us.
The primary criticism with Hayes isn't his man defense, but his ability to make the over-all team defense better by providing intimidation in the lane for all the wing players. Who knows, perhaps his ability to spur other teammates into being better defenders, as well as his ability to facilitate communication on defense will make up for that lack of a shot-blocking big man. I think that those who are optimistic are banking on that taking place, while others are going to take a more wait-and-see approach.
I want our defense to be good, so we'll see what it looks like in a couple of months.
What. That was just a video of todays standard of technical fouls.I break this vid out everytime somebody wants to compare undersized player X to Barkley
That ain't our Chuck.
What. That was just a video of todays standard of technical fouls.
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Correct.
Adn people really really have to quit using the Barkley comparion. I know younger peeps didn't get the a chance to see the guy in his prime, but you have to understand that aside from the freakish strength and ridiculous arms, Barkley was one of the most explosive big man leapers in the history of the NBA. He was just ferocious. Barkley didn't play 6'5". I break this vid out everytime somebody wants to compare undersized player X to Barkley:
That ain't our Chuck.
Hayes was appointed captain of the Kings. THAT sends a good message to the team.
Hayes was appointed captain of the Kings. THAT sends a good message to the team.
Really? Give us the source! that's great if true.
No real surprise to be honest. He was co-captain at Houston with Battier and he is the obvious choice here. Hopefully his work ethic and defensive nous rubs off on the rest of the team. With Hayes, Salmons and Evans we could improve defensively if all 3 are at their best and it might just get the rest of the guys to give it their all at that end.
It's a surprise in that he spent only a few days with the Kings. Anyway, he made a huge impact on his team mates in that brief time and must be very inspiring. He has me inspired already.