SomeGuy wrote:
If Da Bulls still had Omer Asik I would be OK with them unloading Noah at peak value.
That'd definitely make it easier, and I still can't get over losing him for nothing. Sort of wipes out the credit management rightly received for unearthing him in the first place, but I digress...
Take a look at someone like Birdman. Sure, he can't do everything Noah does, but at minimum he provided decent help defense, rebounding, and general big-man appropriate dirty work. My point is guys like Noah, as Birdman's play demonstrates, are replaceable. Tall, energetic, offensively-challenged hustle dudes who grab boards and use length to alter shots. If Noah yields a game-changing scorer in a trade, I think you do that and then find a decent tall dude that Thibs can coach up to replace Noah.
I think the only seven-foot opponent on a contending team you have to worry about is Hibbert. Other than him, I can't think of a back to the basket threat who is also at the peak of his powers. Of course Marc Gasol is good, but I don't think Memphis is making it to the Finals any time soon. Given the less than stellar big man landscape, you can probably get away with a lesser center.