We watched a very traditional big in Greg Monroe come back into the league and have a positive impact in almost all elements of the game.
When I watch Kofi Cockburn play it still blows my mind that the NBA has very little interest in a post that rebounds and plays the post.
If Cockburn is available we will have room for him and I see no reason not to pick up a player with his size and drive, even if he can't shoot the 3
2nd Attempt
Re: 2nd Attempt
He's definitely a big, strong body that can clear out space and probably set some good screens. But if he can't close out on shooters or keep up laterally with anyone, he could be a massive defensive liability with the way the game is played today. I haven't watched him enough to know.
Re: 2nd Attempt
leado01 wrote:We watched a very traditional big in Greg Monroe come back into the league and have a positive impact in almost all elements of the game.
When I watch Kofi Cockburn play it still blows my mind that the NBA has very little interest in a post that rebounds and plays the post.
If Cockburn is available we will have room for him and I see no reason not to pick up a player with his size and drive, even if he can't shoot the 3
FWIW I don't really think of Monroe as a traditional big. 15+ years ago or whatever he would have been primarily a PF not a center. In college he always had a versatile game with his ability to pass for someone his size. Since he doesn't shoot from 3 then yeah he falls into traditional big in this era but I think he has a uniqueness to his game that was less common when he was drafted. I think he still is a bit unique with that aspect of his game.
I haven't seen Cockburn play in games I looked up his stats and watched some highlights. One of the problems with some of these big dudes is honestly they really aren't that good on defense. Part of it is the sheer skill in the NBA now and some of it is they just aren't that good on that end. Sometimes they are big but don't move well. Teams also don't play inside out basketball much anymore. Some guys aren't good enough in the post to score and also pass. Shaq (extreme example) was absolutely dominate physically but he was also a VERY good passer. Some of these big guys are not good at passing, have a feel or make good decisions once they have to give up the ball.
Maybe Cockburn is a guy that has a lot in his game and will succeed at the next level but even though I think big dudes do get kind of raw deal in this era...sometimes they just aren't as talented as you think they would be relative to NBA players. You really have to bring something in the NBA if you are a big guy. I remember it doesn't seem that long ago people kinda hated that some NBA big guys weren't really that good they were just big. Obviously anyone that makes it to the NBA is a really good basketball player but to stick around or have a real impact you gotta to be able to do a lot.
This is why Embiid is such a monster. He is a massive human being and can do almost anything on the basketball court. He has flaws but he can do a lot. Jokic is one of the most unique centers that's ever played the game. Gobert is the classic big dude who plays D but he is excellent at it and also has a very good feel for playing on offense setting screens moving to the right areas etc. Those are some really damn good players and some of the biggest players in the league. The league isn't gonna actually turn its eye to talent if it's there. The league misses on guards too. Fred Van Vliet was to small and slow so he was undrafted. Also if this was 15+ years ago Towns would be a PF.
Some of this is why I LOVE the fact that the G-league exists. More talent can be fostered and discovered. The pandemic slowed down the progress of that league but now it's becoming a legit pipeline with some of the top players going there instead of college. I think it's only a matter of time before the league adds more roster spots of some kind in the g-league that teams control. The more good players that play in that league the more people will go to games and they will make more money...and people will also watch the games which will lead to some TV deals which will fund contracts and make everyone money. At some point enough people will be tuning into see the next Jalen Green or whoever goes the G-League route.
James Wiseman was maybe a guy that was gonna be another really big dude with a host of skills. So far he has been injured. That's another problem with bigs, the injury concerns. Guard with a foot problem...not good but a big with one...oh no...hopefully Wiseman can get healthy and get his career back on track.