Jan 6, 2013; Toronto, ON, Canada; Oklahoma City Thunder center Kendrick Perkins (5) against the Toronto Raptors at the Air Canada Centre. The Thunder beat the Raptors 104-92. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

The Oklahoma City Thunder and Phoenix Suns are discussing a deal that would bring Marcin Gortat and P.J. Tucker to OKC in exchange for Kendrick Perkins, rookie Jeremy Lamb and a first-round pick.

For Phoenix, it’s now easier to talk about who hasn’t been mentioned in trade rumors. They have everyone on the block. I would love this deal for the Thunder, not so much for the Suns, but I get what they’re trying to do in Phoenix.

The Thunder get a major upgrade at center over Perkins, who doesn’t even play crunch time minutes for them anymore. Gortat fits perfectly along side Ibaka in the frontcourt, bringing necessary scoring to the 5-position, as well as the same shot-blocking ability as Perkins did. The only thing they really lose is that Perkins “toughness” quotient, but really, has anbody ever called Gortat soft? The offensive upgrade alone makes this deal a win for OKC. He’s also cheaper than Perkins. And with more minutes in Phoenix, P.J. Tucker has shown that he’s capable of handling tough defensive assignments, which may be utilized come playoff time or should anything happen to Sefolosha. The loss of Jeremy Lamb, now being tossed around as a constant trade chip, as well as the pick, won’t set the Thunder back at all.

The acquisition of Lamb will mean more for the Suns, as they can find minutes for him coming off the bench. At this point, he’s approaching the path of wasted lottery pick, so this may be his chance to show his value. Perkins will simply replace Gortat in the starting lineup, look disinterested and angry at every glance, and eventually leave when free agency starts up again for him in 2015-16 or demand a trade out of a “bad situation.” Perk should be motivated to raise his value and somewhat stand out while playing with this collection of players.

Report courtesy of Paul Coro, Arizona Republic. Article can be found here.

Stay with us at SavingtheSkyhook.com as we continue to report more on the highly anticipated NBA trading deadline. We will be getting news out as soon as we hear about it.

For Toronto, it would give them another ball handler who can push the tempo with the new pieces they’ve acquired during the offseason and more recently with the Rudy Gay trade. Telfair isn’t quite the streaky shooter that Lucas is, but he can be a steady hand if needed.

Currently Telfair is averaging about 17 minutes per game in backing up Goran Dragic in Phoenix and the move would ultimately mean that they’re ready to start giving some minutes to UNC rookie Kendall Marshall. The Suns are already a mess this year, so it’s hard to know exactly what they would look for in a trade other than a draft pick. Linas Kleiza perhaps? With Kleiza’s tremendous ability to stay off the court this season, Raptors fans certainly hope so.

Sources: Knicks showing strong interest in Phx’s Jermaine O’Neal…Phx also talking w/Toronto about moving Sebastian Telfair

— Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) February 20, 2013

Stay with us at SavingtheSkyhook.com as we continue to report more on the highly anticipated NBA trading deadline. We will be getting news out as soon as we hear about it.

• 

  Mar 16, 2012; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors center Andrew Bogut talks during an introductory press conference before the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason O. Watson-US PRESSWIRE

  ANDREW BOGUT, C, Golden State Warriors
  Last season: 30.3 MPG, 11.3 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 14.92 PER (12 games)
  It seems everyone has the Warriors on the top of their sleeper list for the upcoming season. I agree, for the most part, that they will fulfill their share of sneaking up on teams this season. But one key element in making that happen is a healthy, productive 7’0 center named Andrew Bogut. Bogut, traded to Golden State last season, never actually suited up for the Warriors due to injury, so we really don’t know what to expect of him early on. It will take time to get his game legs back and gel with his new teammates. The optimal situation would have Bogut averaging a double double with close to 2 blocks per game and being a reliable defensive anchor on a team that will surely attempt to outscore opponents every game (despite Mark Jackson’s “defense first” philosophy). After the Warriors experienced the collapse of Andris Beidrins and the growing pains of Ekpe Udoh at a high volume of minutes at center last season, they will gladly welcome an established veteran in Bogut. The hard part? He has to get on and stay on, the basketball court.

• 

  May 20, 2012; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) reacts at the end of game four of the Western Conference semifinals of the 2012 NBA Playoffs against the San Antonio Spurs at the Staples Center. The Spurs defeated the Clippers 102-99 to win the series 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-US PRESSWIRE

  BLAKE GRIFFIN, PF, Los Angeles Clippers
  Last season: 36.2 MPG, 20.7 PPG, 10.9 RPG, 23.50 PER
  Griffin claims to be 100% and ready to go for the season. He was an elite power forward last year and even though it’s only year two, he’s one of the more consistent producers in the league on a nightly basis. So why then, is Griffin the “X-Factor” on what certainly seems like a loaded Clippers squad this season? Simply, he can be EVEN better. What we see every night from Griffin isn’t even his ceiling yet. Despite the dunks and double doubles, Griffin’s growth (particularly his leadership) is what will put this Clippers team into “serious contenders” talk. His aggressive and explosive nature already give him an advantage on other 4′s, but fine-tuning things like free throw shooting, shot selection and the inept timing of some of those out of control, predictable spin moves will bring Griffin even closer to his peak. I definitely agree that the Clippers have some very nice pieces in place (although Billups, Odom and Crawford aren’t getting younger), it’s Griffin’s shoulders that will steer the direction of this franchise.

• 

  August 10, 2012; El Segundo, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard (12) during a press conference held to introduce three-time Defensive Player who they acquired in a four-team trade from the Orlando Magic. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-US PRESSWIRE

  DWIGHT HOWARD, C, Los Angeles Lakers
  Last season: 38.3 MPG, 20.6 PPG, 14.5 RPG, 24.29 PER
  I refuse to go there. “There” being the entire summer of #Dwightmare. He’s a part of this team now and he’s THE part that will make or break the championship hopes of the Lakers. Kobe and Pau will be fine once again, Nash will be a breath of fresh air, Metta World Peace will be… well… Metta World Peace. Without Dwight, the Lakers are not a contender, it really is that simple. For the Lakers interior, he will be the hard-nosed, defensive ying to Pau Gasol’s smooth operating, jump shot taking yang. This very moment is the time for Dwight to get serious for a title run. The Lakers aren’t necessarily a deep team, so he’ll be counted on for huge minutes at “defender of the year”-like quality. Losing will not be acceptable this season, just ask Mike Brown. Reports right now are saying that he will be ready for the start of the season, so that’s already a good start.

• 

  April 21, 2012; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets point guard Goran Dragic (3) drives past Golden State Warriors guard Charles Jenkins (22) during the second quarter at the Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Campbell-US PRESSWIRE

  GORAN DRAGIC, PG, Phoenix Suns
  Last season: 26.5 MPG, 11.7 PPG, 5.3 APG, 18.03 PER
  I’m sure the Suns are of the mindset that Kendall Marshall is their future at the point guard position. However, we’re talking about this season and about a Goran Dragic that worked his way back to Phoenix from Houston, following the Steve Nash departure. By refusing to share time with Kyle Lowry (who also departed) in Houston, Dragic forced the hand and now has big pressure on him in Phoenix as the expected starter for a team that’s not expected to be very good. He’s running the show and it’s time to perform. I’m not quite as down on the Suns as some are (I’m expecting 30-35 wins), but a lot depends on Dragic’s ability to run this team. He’s definitely shown flashes in a starting role, but can he maintain for a full season? The question will be answered quickly, as it’s put up or shut up time for Dragic.

• 

  March 09, 2012; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings point guard Tyreke Evans (13) drives to the basket against Dallas Mavericks power forward Lamar Odom (7) during the third quarter at Power Balance Pavilion. The Sacramento Kings defeated the Dallas Mavericks 110-97. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-US PRESSWIRE

  TYREKE EVANS, SF, Sacramento Kings
  Last season: 34.3 MPG, 16.5 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 16.48 PER
  Based on projections from his rookie season, shouldn’t this guy be a superstar by now? That’s a very complicated question when it comes to Tyreke Evans. With all the potential in the world, it seems he has a bit of an identity crisis. He’s often in between positions (is he a point guard, shooting guard, small forward?) and confused about what role to play (scorer or playmaker?). With so many young pieces on this team, Evans is practically a veteran now. As the depth chart stands now, it looks like Evans will slide into the small forward spot, even though his height will suggest otherwise on certain matchup. A gifted scorer, Evans has often been heavily criticized about his shot selection and “me-first” attitude. Although their record didn’t reflect it, the Kings were one of those dangerous young teams last season. To go from dangerous to respectable (especially in the West), Evans will have to implement a better team-first approach, while working on his efficiency. Lord knows, he has the physical gifts… just ask him.

Take: That Nash is the best shooter in the NBA is an idea that’s received more attention over the last few years as his gaudy overall numbers were supposed to decline with his aging body.  Some have even taken it a step farther and suggested that – statistically, at least – Nash might be the best shooter the league has ever seen.

Apr. 01, 2012; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Steve Nash (13) puts up a shot against the New Orleans Hornets during the second half at the US Airways Center. The Suns defeated the Hornets 92-75. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-US PRESSWIRE.

There’s no point in arguing either point as it’s theoretically impossible to actually prove who the “best” player in the league is or was at any particular facet of the game.  There are just too many – an infinite number, really – exterior factors that contribute to better or worse advanced statistics for a given player compared to another, and relying only on the proverbial eye-test leads to talking points like, “Carmelo Anthony is the best pure scorer in the NBA, bar none,” that was so popular in 2009.  So it’s necessary for some combination of ideas perpetuated by stat-heads and purists to come to conclusions like “best shooter” while acknowledging and considering differing opinions.

For proclamations like this, though, we don’t need any acknowledging, considering, or even politely heated discourse: what Nash is doing as a shooter in 2012 – at age 38, in his sixteenth year as a pro, with perhaps the least talented supporting cast he’s ever had, and in a shortened, condensed schedule – is absolutely incredible.

It shouldn’t surprise that Nash leads PGs and is third among all guards in true shooting; he’s been in this elite range of efficiency for years.  Yes, previously mentioned factors like age and the breakneck pace of this season in addition to a nagging back injury suggested slippage in Nash’s game, but by this point in his career we should know he wasn’t going to let that happen.  It certainly should be a matter of “when” and not “if” when it comes to Nash slowing down as he approaches 40, but it’s long overdue that we discontinue expecting it .  This season is as good an indication as any that he might very well remain this elite offensively until he retires (which we hope, of course, isn’t any time soon).

What makes this season so note-worthy statistically for Nash (finally putting age/injury/lockout talk aside) is the correlation between true shooting (TS%) and baskets assisted (%ASTD).  Consider, for example, that James Harden – enjoying an awesomely efficient season as previously chronicled at StS – ranks second among guards in TS% but has a %ASTD rate of 49.1.  That’s three times Nash’s %ASTD mark of 16.3 while playing alongside offensive luminaries like Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.

Harden isn’t a point guard, though, so he’d naturally be assisted on fewer baskets than Nash.  Chris Paul, the only player universally considered on Nash’s level of point guard genius, is a better comparison.  Paul ranks seventh among point guards in TS% at 57.9 and has a %ASTD mark of 17.7.  Those numbers pale in comparison to those of Nash, and what makes that fact even more impressive is no other point guard comes close to matching even Paul here.

Let’s italicize, bold, and bullet for effect:

• Nash and Paul are the only point guards in the NBA with a %ASTD mark below 20.7, at 16.3 and 17.7 respectively.
• Among the top 17 point guards in TS%, none come within five percentage points of Paul’s %ASTD.  Eighteenth place Russell Westbrook %ASTD is 22.3.
• Nobody can touch Paul’s TS% and %ASTD correlation, and he’s not close to touching that of Nash.  
• Nash has arguably the least talented supporting cast of any star in the NBA.

Personally, I like to think of it as ‘Slash leaving the wedding in the November Rain video to dominate the guitar solo in the middle of the desert’ good, but that’s probably just because I’m a nerd.

I was sent this post, which basically introduces a new stat specifically calculated to measure exactly how effective Dirk’s game was last night (Hint: it was insanely effective).

Here are some additional bits to chew on:

• Josh Hill with Pippen Ain’t Easy takes a look at last night’s Bulls loss to Miami.
• Sam McPhee from King James Gospel reviews the game from Miami’s lens.
• James Grayson from Swarm and Sting has news about Hornets Assistant Mike Malone and the Golden State Warriors.
• Charles Barkley speaks out about Rick Welts.
• Kyrie Irving elects to skip the NBA Draft Combine. His agent is reporting that he’s working out on his own, suggesting that the Cavs are already set to draft him #1 overall.

Want more NBA discussion? Be sure to follow the crew on Twitter: Blake Lovell (@theblakelovell), Steve Rivers (@TheKidSkoob), Steven Gelis (@thatsthedagger), Marco Romo (@SerenityNowDDL), Andrew Lynch (@snghoops), Dan Jepperson (@Kobesmokey).

1. Chicago Bulls

The Bulls continue to come on strong, led by MVP candidate Derrick Rose (24.9 PPG, 7.8 APG on the season). The Bulls have held their opponents under 85 points seven times in the month of march and have won eight of their last ten.

(more…)

Los Angeles Lakers (57-25, Won NBA Finals): B

The Lakers are one of the most complete teams in the NBA, notwithstanding a somewhat weak bench. Their roster was designed to compete last year, and they won again, so they’ve embraced the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” strategy this summer — not that they have any cap room to make any significant additions. Shannon Brown, Jordan Farmar, and Josh Powell are gone, but we all know they were fairly extraneous anyway. More importantly, GM Mitch Kupchak convinced Derek Fisher to stay on as the starting point guard instead of letting him slide to the Heat, and he brought on Steve Blake to back him up. They succeeded in the draft, too. Both Devin Ebanks and Derrick Caracter looked impressive in Summer League play, and they should get second-unit minutes next year.

Phoenix Suns (54-28, Lost Western Conference Finals): D+

Steve Nash is still around, but he’s another year older. Who knows how long he’ll continue his graceful aging? Obviously the big blow this summer was losing Amar’e Stoudemire, an offensive force who was the team’s only true threat in the post. His scoring will be sorely missed, and acquisition Hakim Warrick won’t be able to reproduce it. They did fetch Hedo Turkoglu and Josh Childress, who should fit well in Alvin Gentry’s up-tempo system, but this will truly be a team that lives and dies by the trey — and Leandro Barbosa, one of their finest shooters, was shipped off in the Turk deal.

Los Angeles Clippers (29-53, Missed Playoffs): A-

The most important item on the agenda for the Clippers this summer was to get 2009 No. 1 overall pick Blake Griffin in game shape for his first NBA regular-season game, and they’ve done that: Griffin has been at 100 percent for awhile, and he’ll be ready to go by late October. With Griffin, the lineup is virtually set at four positions, with small forward the notable void. While the Clippers didn’t get a top-tier 3 like Rudy Gay or, dare I say, LeBron James in free agency, they drafted Al-Farouq Aminu, who has the potential to be an impact player a few years down the road. His performance in Summer League showed he’s still very raw, but the team also acquired Ryan Gomes from Minnesota, a hard-nosed 3-4 swinger who can play meaningful starting minutes in the meantime. They also drafted Eric Bledsoe, who will back up Baron Davis at the point, and Willie Warren, who can play both backcourt positions. Moreover, they signed Randy Foye, who can further anchor the backcourt and make spot starts. Signees Brian Cook and Craig Smith fill out the frontcourt and give the team a greater veteran presence among so many youngsters. And there’s still the possibility that Tracy McGrady might hop on board. The bottom line is that the Clippers could end up surprising a lot of people this year.

Golden State Warriors (26-56, Missed Playoffs): B

The biggest error for the Warriors this season was keeping Don Nelson, who is apparently incapable of properly handling and developing young players. That said, Corey Maggette is gone, creating more time for those young players to crack the rotation. They also brought on board David Lee, who, alongside Andris Biedrins, forms one of the finest rebounding tandems in the league. They lost Anthony Morrow to the Nets, but they have so many shooters that that shouldn’t matter too much anyway. Ekpe Udoh would have been a factor in their rotation, so it’s unfortunate that he’ll miss the first six months after injuring himself.

Sacramento Kings (25-57, Missed Playoffs): B-

The Kings snagged DeMarcus Cousins with the fifth pick in the draft, and he looks like he could be a dominant center in the NBA if he checks his ego at the door of the Arco Arena. His floortime in Summer League demonstrated the polarity that everyone suspected prior to the draft. But if he stays level-headed, he’ll make a great frontcourt with Carl Landry. Veteran Samuel Dalembert can start until Cousins is ready and give them plenty of defense and rebounding. Don’t forget Jason Thompson, who also figures to take his share of minutes.

And that’s exactly what Robert Sarver did yesterday. The Suns owner who likely squashed his chances at re-signing STAT when he dismissed former GM Steve Kerr went out and acquired two players who immediately recharge a depleted starting lineup, Josh Childress and Hedo Turkoglu.

Childress spent the last two seasons playing ball in Greece with Olympiakos, but before that he was a solid role player for the Atlanta Hawks, providing a spark of scoring and rebounding in an efficient manner. Though the deal isn’t officially done because Childress is a restricted free agent, the Hawks are extremely unlikely to match, now that Joe Johnson’s mammoth contract has financially handcuffed the team.

Turkoglu will come to the team as part of a trade, and the Suns’ major loss in the deal is Leandro Barbosa, the blinding-quick combo guard and former sixth man of the year. His loss is a tough blow to the shooting and quickness of the Suns team, but Turkoglu’s addition, assuming he plays up to potential, will more than make up for Barbosa’s absence.

Turkoglu leaves Toronto on fairly bad terms, after playing very bad basketball in his one year north of the border. Ideally, his change of scenery will remind him of his play the year prior in Orlando and make him a major contributor to Phoenix. If he does redevelop his skills on the basketball court, he’s a major asset.

At 6-foot-10, Turkoglu has the size of a power forward but the handling and shooting of a guard. As a result, he fits perfectly into the Phoenix run-and-gun system. While he’ll spend a fair amount of time in the post, making up for the void Stoudemire left behind down low, he’ll also be a major figure on the perimeter, taking plenty of three-pointers and running the point forward. This will give the aging Steve Nash a break on offense, allowing him to save his stamina and legs by not having the bring the ball up the court every possession.

Childress adds depth on the wing and an adept scoring touch driving to the rim and as a jump shooter. Expect his scoring numbers to increase playing alongside Nash in an uptempo offense.

While these acquisitions certainly don’t make the squad better than it was last year, it’s nice to see some degree of damage control and respect for Nash. Phoenix could have done nothing and suffered through a mediocre season while Steve Nash wasted away through possibly the final year of his career. Instead, the Suns still have a very good chance to making the playoffs in the West next year.

Source: Yardbarker.com

July 1 is only a few days away now, and teams are beginning to ratchet up their preparations for a week of free-agency mayhem. Amar’e Stoudemire figures to be another major target in that process. Stoudemire has an early-termination option, and after Steve Kerr’s dismissal, it became nearly certain that STAT would choose to exercise it.

Stoudemire’s tenure in Phoenix has been a rocky one over the past few years. His name was thrown around wildly at each of the last two trade deadlines, and there were many indications that the Suns came dangerously close to shipping him off to Cleveland in February. He ultimately stuck around, though, and his presence was critical for the team’s eventual run to the Western Conference Finals, where they came within striking distance of knocking off the Los Angeles Lakers.

When he’s healthy and focused, Stoudemire is the premiere offensive big-man force in the entire league. While his back-to-the-basket game is essentially nonexistent, his adeptness off the pick-and-roll, his ability to absorb contact, his 18-foot jump shot, and his overall unmatched explosiveness all make him nearly unguardable when he wants to be.

Of all power forwards who played more than 30 minutes a game, Stoudemire had the third-highest field-goal percentage at the rim, as he converted 67 percent of those attempts. Indicating his versatility, he was also seventh among players with the same criteria in field-goal percentage on long 2s (16 to 23 feet). He was also second in the entire league in and-one conversions per game at 1.00. The only player ahead of him was LeBron James at 1.08.

That said, many understandably wonder if Amar’e can duplicate that production in another city without the benefit of Steve Nash’s passing. That tandem’s immense success in the pick-and-roll set over the last several years is no secret, so wondering if he can be elite without it is a valid concern. Only 61 percent of Stoudemire’s field goals were assisted, though, which was nowhere near the top of the league.

But Stoudemire’s offense is not what forces NBA GMs to maintain reservations about signing him this summer. His play on defense is nowhere near the same level. He isn’t helped by the fact that he’s slightly undersized at 6’9″, so taller power forwards use their length to go right over the top of him. Furthermore, despite his superhuman athleticism, he seems lost on the shot-blocking front. Most importantly, though, his defensive deficiencies seem mostly fueled by a lack of effort to prevent opponents from scoring. Years under Mike D’Antoni’s defense-optional system certainly didn’t help Stoudemire’s attitude in that regard, but one has to wonder if a change in scenery will coerce him to abandon that apathy.

Still, there’s an even larger worry that many have regarding Stoudemire. At 27 years old (he’ll be 28 shortly after the start of the season), Stoudemire has already had microfracture surgery on both of his knees. History shows that players who undergo this surgery often have to experience it again later in their careers at the expense of mobility. As explosiveness is such a big part of Stoudemire’s game, he can’t afford to become any less physical on the offensive end. Moreover, he incurred damage to his retina, so he’ll have to wear goggles for the rest of his career. An unfortunate swipe to his head that dislodges the protective eyewear could prove catastrophic.

There is some debate over whether Stoudemire warrants a maximum contract, but hesitation over his injury history will likely dissuade any team from giving him a potentially devastating long-term, max.-money deal. Still, he’ll get a sizable sum, and should he stay healthy, he’ll more than make up for it with his dominance on the court — especially if he ends up on a team with a point guard that can get him the ball.

Magic. Kareem. The Logo. Kobe. Shaq. When it comes to superstars, the Lakers are so far out in front of everybody else it’s not even funny — their all-time starting five would crush any other team’s; in fact, it might be better than that of the rest of the league’s put together. So star-studded is their legacy that I left Wilt Chamberlain, Elgin Baylor and George Mikan off my five-man team that opened this paragraph, also neglecting the likes of James Worthy, Bob McAdoo and Gail Goodrich.

And those big names won, too. Although the Celtics have more championships, the Lakers have more of everything else — wins, playoff wins, playoff series wins and conference titles. About the only thing that hurts L.A. in the all-time rankings is the penalty for relocating from Minnesota to Los Angeles in the 1950s.

See an introduction for how Hollinger came to his results here.

Source: Yardbarker.com

Over the course of the playoffs, a case has begun to surface that the Los Angeles Lakers’ Pau Gasol is the best offensive big man in the game. Some even go as far as to say he’s the best big man overall. I will concede this: Gasol’s play has been markedly great over the course of this postseason, and the suggestions of 2008 that he’s soft are long gone — the Lakers would not be close to where they are without his constant support.

Accordingly, it makes sense that people are crowning him the best right now, when he’s playing at his best. Unfortunately, a few playoff series make up too small a sample size to serve as a significant basis for the argument at hand. Let’s look at the comparison between Gasol’s postseason and regular-season numbers.

During the regular campaign, Gasol was solid on both ends of the ball. Injuries limited him to only 65 games, but he still gathered averages of 18.3 points and 11.3 rebounds while shooting 54 percent from the field and 79 percent from the stripe. On defense, his length proved a solid deterrent to opposing power forwards, and he registered 1.7 blocks per contest.

In the playoffs, Gasol has been closer to inhuman. In the second round and the conference finals, Gasol dazzled spectators with a wide array of post moves, tip-ins, and an automatic mid-range jumpshot. During the first three rounds, Gasol could have made an argument for the best big man in the league, at least on offense. But take a look at Gasol’s matchups in those three rounds and some questions begin to arise.

In the first round against Oklahoma City, it was Jeff Green. Against Utah, it was Carlos Boozer. And against Phoenix, it was Amar’e Stoudemire. What do those three guys have in common? They’re all 6-foot-9, and Gasol has a three-inch height advantage on all of them. No wonder he was so dominant. He had a significant length advantage on all his defenders. It puts a damper on any nomination that he’s the best big man.

So when Boston came around, Gasol did hold his own in the first two games in Los Angeles. But when the series shifted to Boston, it was a different story. In Games 3, 4, 5, Gasol averaged only 15.6 points and 9 rebounds while shooting a measly 44 percent. It goes to show what effect a good defender can have on the supposed best big man.

But just looking at Gasol’s numbers doesn’t decide this. There needs to be some comparison. On the defensive end, the discussion starts and stops with Dwight Howard. He’s the best defender in the game; there’s no question. He blocks so many shots, but that doesn’t do him justice. The number of shots he effects or discourages has a profound impact on Orlando’s defensive game. Think of it like a big slugging hitter chasing a home-run record. If Barry Bonds didn’t get walked all the time, he could hit a lot more home runs. If opposing players took shots indiscriminately without considering Howard’s swat, he’d rack up a lot more blocks.

On the offensive end, you have to look at both Chris Bosh and Stoudemire. Bosh averaged six more points per game this year than Gasol. He’s much more athletic, his post moves are just as good, and his perimeter game’s even better. Some may argue that Gasol’s a better passer, and he is, but to whom is Bosh going to pass the ball? Sonny Weems? C’mon. As for Stoudemire, he may not have a back-to-the-basket game, but his face-up skill set is fantastic. He’s significantly more explosive than any top-tier big in the league not named Howard, and he has a better shooting touch than Gasol does.

So Gasol is clearly not the league’s best big man. And NBA fans shouldn’t let a few solid playoff games misguide them into thinking he is.

A source told ESPN The Magazine’s Ric Bucher that the move has to do with Kerr feeling unable to adequately do the job with the financial limitations imposed by Sarver. The Suns have both Amare Stoudemire and Channing Frye as potential free agents this summer.

Kerr, 44, became part of the Suns’ leadership in 2004 and became a minority owner and adviser for Sarver, who eventually named him GM after Bryan Colangelo and coach Mike D’Antoni first held the job under Sarver.

Sarver told the newspaper the Suns will conduct a search for Kerr’s replacement and consider in-house candidates. Kerr will stay on board for the June 24 draft and keep his ownership stake in the team.

“It’s definitely been an interesting three years for both of us and the organization,” Sarver told the newspaper. “Overall, I think he did a very good job to put us on solid ground with players and coaches, getting a defensive emphasis and got the ground laid on teamwork and chemistry. We’re in a pretty good spot moving forward, and a lot of it has to do with moves he’s made. There were some good moves and bad moves, which goes with the job. But overall, I think he’s done a very good job.”

It seems questionable to pin the team’s failure to win a championship on Kerr. The Suns exceeded expectations this year and came within striking distance of uprooting the Lakers in the Western Conference Finals. Therefore, this move looks like one that is aimed at retaining Steve Nash and Amar’e Stoudemire for next season.