There's a lot of noise out there about Bynum being traded for Howard and how they are the top 2 centers in the league blah blah blah.

The other big men that get mentioned are the Gasols, Gortat, maybe Pek is top 8 or something. What about my man Tyson Chandler? Elite defense, requires fewer touches on offense, outstanding rebounder, a better contract, and a more clearly defined role.

I am pretty sure I'll be all alone on this, but I think at this point in time I would prefer Chandler to Dwight Howard as my big man on my fictional team. Chandler is a better leader, whereas Dwight is full of drama and wants to be everything to everyone both on and off the court. With Chandler on the team he's not getting pissy if you don't isolate him on the block in the clutch. Dwight? Not so sure. They are both absolute anchors on defense, and Dwight can obviously do more, but at the same time he has zero championships to his credit, and Chandler was definitely one of the main reasons Dallas won theirs.

I am obviously way out on a limb here and probably still pushing an indefensible position. Fair enough. Still, the conversation is at least marginally valid and 4 years ago you would have been laughed out of the room for even suggesting it. Is it completely unreasonable to discuss Howard vs. Chandler as a rivalry?

Like you would rather have Chandler in his prime than Dwight Howard in his prime? Because certainly you wouldn't want old Chandler right now instead of Dwight Howard right now???

Even then, Dwight Howard is much better than Chandler. I guess you *could* argue what you are above, but I don't think you'll find many people that agree with you.

No, I mean literally right now, from an overall team winning championships perspective, rather than from a purely individual talent standpoint, I would rather have old man Tyson Chandler. Less drama, equal or better defense, less confusion about his role, better contract, better leadership, less of a pussy.

Obviously Howard is the more talented player and probably always has been. But Chandler's teams have been more successful. Since neither will be the best player on a championship team (bold prediction) I would rather have the guy who realizes it and plays like it.

I would LOVE to put Chandlers head & heart in D12's body, that's for damn sure. That would be a perennial MVP type player right there.

BonK wrote: That would be one of the best players ever! If only D-Ho wasn't such a stooge...

I would take the following players over Dwight Howard:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_current_NBA_team_rosters

fyck him

Nothing would please me more for Bynum to emerge as the best BIG, big man in the league and for players like Pek, Monroe, Asik, etc. to emerge as players that challenge Howard.

wolfenstein wrote:
Nope, sounds good to me. I'd take Greg Steimsma over Howard.

daddyfatsax wrote:
MARGINALLY valid. But it's still like arguing you would rather have Iggy than LeBron. I doubt Dwight is a diva in LAL. Just my hunch.

WallyWorld wrote: Well yeah, I am sure Kobe will keep him in line. Because god knows Mike Clown won't be capable!

No love for the double nickel Roy Hibbert?

You guys are breaking my heart.

Ryan wrote:
It would nice to have bigger bodies of work to judge players like Hibbert, Pek, and Bynum on. If Bynum is ever healthy (he is fat as hell right now) maybe we'd have a clue how good he is. We'll know how Hibbert and Pek shake out this year...along with my sleeper pick Caveman Kaman.

The thing about Hibbert is that he works his ass off in the offseason, has improved a solid amount every year (although that will level off soon and hopefully turn into him consistently playing at a high level all year), seems to actively like playing for the small market Pacers, and has solid character.

He has his problems with guys like Pek who are bruisers with lower center of gravity and centers who kill it on pick and rolls but he's also played some of his best games against players everyone says is better than him (like Bynum). I look forward to their duels now that they are in the same division.

I'm not sure he's worth all the money he got in his contract, but considering the Pacers wouldn't be able to sign anyone better and the fans love him it was probably the right decision.

Ryan wrote:
Knowing whether these traditional bigs are "worth" the big money is tricky now. As we saw in the playoffs, the game is undoubtedly become quicker and players are becoming more interchangeable.

Who will adjust to who when the Pacers play the cHeat? Will vogel take Hibbert out to match someone else with Bosh or will Spoelstra Wade put in a more traditional big man next to Boshina to guard Hibbert? I don't know the answer. But it is irrelevant to contemplate the Sixers, Lakers, etc. (other teams with dominant bigs) because it is the cHeat the Pacers will have to get past.

daddyfatsax wrote:
He's officially worth it

!

Totally.