TRKO wrote:Horford is the better player, but Deng is the better fit. He fits the scheme and his versatility between the 3 and 4 gives us matchup flexibility.
Yeah, I agree with this take. Horford is a more versatile offensive player, and a very good defender also...and he's younger. But I listed several reasons above why I think Deng is a great fit. My opinion on our need for Horford would change, however, if two of these three things don't happen:
1) Belly proves that he can play like he did in Europe and how he played for us the last month of the year.
2) Super trainer Arnie Kander's assertion that Pek will return to the court in good health next season. All of us are skeptical when it comes to Pek, but Kander seems to be able to walk on water...so I listen when he talks.
3) KG is able to play the 15-20 minutes he played at the start of this season. There is some belief that KG could have more this season if wins meant much...next year wins will have meaning again.
If 2 of these three happen, I think we will have sufficient depth with our bigs that we won't have to pony up the big bucks Al will need, and instead spend less for Deng.