Keeping Their Eyes Open

There’s no telling what Pollard might have had left in the tank after last season. But now, coming off of this injury – if he can ever come off of this injury – he’s going to be, speaking in the technical terms of physical conditioning, a fat tub of goo.

I don’t know if that makes him any different from Glen Davis, or of less use than Scalabrine. But it’s worrisome.

he’s not ready to play. look at how much he has missed. if they play him he occupies the floor for a while. he won’t be in game shape for a long time if ever. where’s batista?

Jelani McCoy

‘I knew I was [Cleveland’s] insurance policy’, Pollard said. ‘With this team, I’m not just the insurance policy. They are counting on me to contribute. So, this is very frustrating and still is’.

Batista was not very good. If he was he would have had his contract guaranteed and made this team. I love how people turn a ’’potential’’ player into someone who was a guaranteed star waiting for his chance that they just threw away because they were too stupid to recognize it. You saw him for 15 total minutes on TV and they saw him for hours and hours in practice. Let it go!!

What do you see in McCoy? He’s played a total of what, less than a hundred minutes since the ‘02-’03 season?

I won’t let it go. Losing Batista was dumb. There is no one likely to come over the waiver wire who is remotely as good as Batista. Dwayne Jones is probably the best of the lot, particularly if they re looking for defense and rebounding. After that, it’s guys like Erick Chenowith and John Edwards.

And most of the veterans who can still play have signed elsewhere. Marc Jackson, for example, is in Europe. I suppose they could try to coax a guy like Elden Campbell out of retirement. And there is always Olowokandi— or Mengke Bateer or Ousmanne Cisse, or Wang ZhiZhi.

The point is that anyone 6-10 or better who might actually contribute is already on someone else’s roster.

He’s been keeping it close

He was down in Summer League and was a man amongst boys. As you’d expect but still. When he was given minutes he rebounded at a good rate. He’s always been a solid defender and a good worker. Plus he finishes everything around the rim.

He’s not some exceptional talent. But he knows his business and he can add something to this team. He plugs a hole we need plugged.

I think he’s the best available option.

If he’s your fifth big you’ve got yourself a solid rotation. He belongs in the league and should never fallen out.

Jelani McCoy isn’t the answer. If he were any good, Denver would have at least offered him a nonguaranteed deal after Summer league. But the Nuggets didn’t.

McCoy tried playing in Spain last year and was released after a couple of weeks. His career is likely over.

The Nuggets did offer him a non-guarenteed contract. He was considered pretty safe until Bobby Jones surprised everyone with some real nice displays during pre-season. They just released Jelani two days ago.

Doleac is an interesting name. I prefer Jelani but if Doleac becomes available he is a worthwhile candidate.

McCoy isn’t as good as Batista.

Just a hunch, but I have a sneaking suspicion the Celtics will cut two players and sign PJ Brown and… Antoine Walker (after the Wolves buy him out). ;D

Well, fellas, it’s my guess that something that doesn’t meet the eye is up with DA. I admit I have no idea what it is, but I’m sure Danny sees the awkwardness surrounding the five spot. It’s flat out obvious.
I’ve taken a look at Jelani and see that he had a nice summer league. On paper very nice with 3 double doubles and six blocks in one game. So, seriously, why couldn’t he do for Denver what we would want him to do here?
Of greater concern is why he was released after two weeks in Spain and why he couldn’t stick in Italy before that which brings us back to the NBA and a total of 100 minutes in his last two seasons here. Not very impressive credentials.
Doleac is of some interest, but Danny had no idea that he would be going to Minny until yesterday and our absolute need extends at least to the release of Batista. Something is up. I know that Danny, outside of James Brown, is the hardest working man in show business. He’s looking to some coup, somewhere. We are that close to being a powerhouse team.
Somewhere in Danny’s mind, the fact that “BigBody” Davis has shown so well is presenting us with additional trump cards. He looks to be the future backup to KG when the latter rests or moves to the five to rest Perk. So what’s to become of Powe and/or Scal. Could one or the other or both be part of a package to bring us in a legitimate 5 and leave KG/BigBody at their natural 4 spot? What team needs a backup PF and has an interesting 5 they might me coaxed out of?
When Doc says, we may not cut till just before the necessary time in order to watch the waiver wire, I read that as, “We’ve no need to cut, cause we’re working on a deal right now that has nothing to do with any waivers but our own.”

Maybe you’re right, Bounder. But it sounds like wishful thinking to me.

Brick, the only reason you like Batista is because he is foreign. He’s just not that good. He didn’t look that impressive in the couple games he was in. Even he is smart enough to realize he is a better fit for a less talented league in Europe than over here.

So, don’t let it go then… Sit and stew over a guy that will not be on this roster. That’s a great use of time and energy.

Well Denver released him because they have Nene, Kenyon Martin, Camby and Steven Hunter. Then Najera and Klieza. There was no need for Jelani.

Why didn’t he do well in Europe? I didn’t watch him there or anything but I’m guessing because he couldn’t be a scorer and had trouble adapting to a foreign country. Seem the most likely.

When Jelani got minutes he showed himself a capable defender and rebounder and a good finisher around the rim.

Is he limited? Yes.
Can he add something to our team? Yes.
Does he play defense and rebound? Yes.

Is he the best available right now? Yes I think so. If Doleac squirms lose it’s close and depends on what type of big man you want. I’d rather Jelani but the calls for Doleac have credence also.