Why isn't Garza on a roster?

[ihawkhoops]

I am not a big NBA fan but have caught a few games the last few weeks and while I admit a Garza bias, I have seen a number of teams that would benefit from having him on the roster. He is an NBA level scorer and is versatile enough to shoot the 3 and be a pick and pop mid-range guy. I recognize he isn't a high flyer but somehow this Poetel dude has a roster spot with the Spurs? Teams must believe he cannot defend the 5 and is a defensive liability.

Thoughts?

 

[MoHawk83]

He plays regularly fo rthe Timberwolves.

 

[Gohawks82]

He's the third center for the Wolves. Up and down when he plays, but more up than down. Offensively he's been really good. Last game he had 17 points in only 10 minutes. I don't think he's as bad on defense as some others do, but it's obviously not his strong point.

 

[Dukeslater21]

I don't think he's as bad on defense as some others do, but it's obviously not his strong point.

I don't care a whit about the NBA, but from what little I've seen and heard, I thought defense was optional . . . at least until the playoffs. So no excuse for Garza not playing a lot.

 

[MoHawk83]

The defense in the NBA is better than you give them credit for. The average points per minute is not that much higher than college baskeball (games are 20% longer) and the players are incredibly good. The points per minute wouldn't be close to the college rate if they didn't play defense. I also am much more focused on college basketball, but it is inaccurate to say that they don't play defense in the NBA.

One example of my statement above is the all-star game. In that game there is no defense and the scores balloon to a much higher rate.

 

[wcbrtee]

Seems like he will be one of those guys who needs to find his niche on the right team. Certainly would be a great teammate and bring some energy off of the bench.

 

[slipHawk]

Saw him play a fair amount against the Warriors - he honestly looked a little out of place to me, but held his own. Maybe he can stick, but speed and lateral quickness definitely weaknesses.

Missed a wide open 3 from the top of the key which we saw him hit all the time for the Hawks.

 

[DodgerHawki]

The defense in the NBA is better than you give them credit for. The average points per minute is not that much higher than college baskeball (games are 20% longer) and the players are incredibly good. The points per minute wouldn't be close to the college rate if they didn't play defense. I also am much more focused on college basketball, but it is inaccurate to say that they don't play defense in the NBA.

One example of my statement above is the all-star game. In that game there is no defense and the scores balloon to a much higher rate.

Correct. It's been repeated ad nauseum, but you just don't get on the floor in the NBA consistently if you can't guard. Yes, the intensity ratchets way up for the playoffs. It has to. No one can play balls out for 82 games. Kudos to Garza for working his tail off to get the NBA exposure that he has to date. He's done everything in his power to give himself a shot. Hopefully he can settle into a consistent role with a team. There isn't some grand conspiracy to keep him from playing.

 

[Gohawks82]

We might not see a lot of Garza for the rest of the year. He's on a two-way contract, which by rule means he can only appear in 50 games this year. He can only play in half the remaining games. Also, Towns is coming back which will cut into his minutes further.

 

[Hawk Kings IQ]

The amount of people in this forum who admit they don't watch the NBA and then go on to say they don't play defense is remarkable.

 

[hawkitd]

I don't care a whit about the NBA, but from what little I've seen and heard, I thought defense was optional . . . at least until the playoffs. So no excuse for Garza not playing a lot.

That hasn't been true since the late 70s/early 80s. Teams play tough, in your face D every night out.