Friday, December 11, 2009
Grizzlies Target Von Wafer
Posted by Chris Herrington on Fri, Dec 11, 2009 at 2:00 PM
- Von Wafer
Barring the unexpected, it appears likely Wafer will join the Grizzlies sometime in the next couple of weeks.
Initial thoughts:
1. The move is a great sign because the Grizzlies are at the league's roster minimum and don't need to add anyone. Using some of the cap-room regained from parting ways with Allen Iverson and an open roster spot on a good player despite still basement-level attendance, suggests the Grizzlies are serious about trying to build on their recent momentum.
2. Wafer in particular is a good signing. After bouncing around his first few seasons, Wafer established himself last season as a productive bench scorer for the Rockets, shooting 45% from the floor and 39% from three and averaging nearly double digits in scoring despite averaging fewer than 20 minutes per game.
I mentioned Wafer on several occasions this summer as a cost-effective free agent I thought the Grizzlies should look at, but the team went the Iverson route instead. Here's what ESPN.com's John Hollinger wrote about Wafer in July in an "under-the-radar free agents" column:
Another 23-year-old who still has plenty of upside to explore, Wafer is a knockdown shooter who can also put it on the floor and use his athleticism to score at the trim.While his defense is a work in progress and his passing only a rumor, he averaged 19.9 points per 40 minutes for Houston last season while shooting 39.0 percent on 3s. He's also an unrestricted free agent and the Rockets are facing luxury tax issues, meaning he might be had for the right price. As a source of bench scoring, you could do plenty worse, especially since he has enough upside to eventually start.
3. There is some question as to how Wafer will fit in with Sam Young developing well and soaking up the minutes behind O.J. Mayo. Wafer is a better outside shooter, but Young is a better defender and craftier around the basket. Ultimately, however, this team needs shooting, bench scoring, and talent period. Wafer provides all of that. With the team leaning so heavily on its starters and with the ever-present potential for injuries, you suspect that minutes will be there for Young, Wafer, and DeMarre Carroll over the course of the season.
Showing 1-9 of 9
With the addition of Wafer, would Young get more minutes as a backup small forward, where he could use his power game more effectively? It seems like Young is stronger on the inside than the outside, and his jump shot is really flat, so let Wafer shoot 3's and let Sam operate around the basket.
Yeah, I see it the same way. Wafer would probably back up Mayo, while Young is the backup SF. It will work itself out obviously. If one guy is hot and the other isnt, the guy who's hot will play the bulk of the minutes. 9 man rotation would essentially be: Conley, Mayo, Gay, Randolph, Gasol, Tinsley, Wafer, Young, and Thabeet. A much improved team compared to the one at the start of the season. At the very least, more balanced.
And correct me if I'm wrong but doesn't Von Wafer bring a kinda "nastiness" to the team? I remember him playing with a constant quasi-scowl for Houston last year. I hope that's just competitive fire, not knuckleheadedness.
He had some problems with Adelman, so that bears watching.
Maybe playing in Europe will have chilled him out a little bit.
Maybe picking up some guys like Wafer will make moving Conley a possibility(dream of mine). Part of the problem with OJ playing extended minutes at PG was SG really suffered. At least the Grizzlies are playing very well right now and it is good to see them acquiring legitimate talent.
I watched his brother, Vanilla, play and he was dunking like there was no tomorrow.
To echo a comment above, I believe Wafer did have issues with Adelman last year. I remember watching the playoffs - when Houston had lost Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming - and Adelman sent Wafer to the locker room. The fact that the Rockets were dealing with a roster short on talent and Adelman still didn't want Wafer there is telling. Also, I think Ron Tillery mentions in his article that Wafer hasn't been playing for Olympiakos in Greece (someone on the HoopsHype message board mentioned that he got into a fight with the coaching staff two weeks ago, was sent to the locker room, and hasn't played since). There's no telling what his attitude will be like, but hopefully he won't mess with the good chemistry the team seems to have built up since Iverson left.
Others worth looking at for bench scoring: Wally Szczerbiak, Jerry Stackhouse, Rashad McCants.
I wish he was still with the Rockets, but oh well. We have Mike Harris, but I hope Von Wafer does come to Houston again.
THIS WEEK'S ISSUE
Comments (9) RSS