Aminu @ the 4?

[new city champ]

Watching the Warriors slide Harrison Barnes down to the four after David Lee got injured got me wondering again if we might consider keeping Aminu around but playing him more at the 4. The league seems to be trending in that direction and Aminu's rebounding skills and shot blocking lend themselves to the position. It's also where he played in college and he just seems to be better suited to play closer to the basket. Traditionally, he'd be considered too slight for the position, but I'm wondering if he could evolve like Kenyon Martin, another former SF with limited ball skills but great hops who ended up moving down the the PF position. Thoughts?

[Snarly]

Aminu already does play the 4 in certain line ups. I don't think he has the mentality to do it full time.

[Eman5805]

If Aminu could bulk up, I think he could be a damn good PF. Has the touch around the basket and has shown flashes of an effective post game. Always said he was a PF with a SF's build.

[donato]

I think he'd be great as the first man off the bench in replacing the 3 and the 4. Start Davis at center and Anderson at the 4. Have Jason Smith backup the 4 and 5 with another big "just in case" as a further backup. I'd like to keep Aminu around regardless, and this idea doesn't even have to take place this year. It could be a season or two away. Just an idea.

[Tin_Food]

I think if you can convince him to do so, then fine, but I'm not overly fussed about whether he stays on our team at all or not. Nice player, but don't think he's a difference maker.

[UptownFuz504]

I think if you can convince him to do so, then fine, but I'm not overly fussed about whether he stays on our team at all or not. Nice player, but don't think he's a difference maker.

Just curious. How many difference makers do you think our team has? I'll say 2 at the most. AD and Gordon. I pretty much feel the way you do about the whole team

[GeauxHornets88]

I actually talked about this idea in a bit of detail in a post back in late March (it's mostly in the "Potential" section). I think he has a lot of attributes that would indicate a chance at success at the 4 if he puts on a little more muscle in the offseason.

(Here's the link to the Pelicans Report thread for the column, too)

[Smow-]

In a perfect world, we would have a traditional 3 starting; and Aminu and Miller would be backups.

Aminu would be 2a, Miller be 2b.

Aminu could slide to the 4 should depth there be needed and Miller could slide to the 2 for the same reason while both handle backup SF duties.

Just a thought I've held for a while.

[HornetGuru]

just like eman said, he has great touch around the rim and is an incredible rebounder, great height and length at 6"9, if he could add 15 pounds he would be a very good PF IMO.

[Tin_Food]

Just curious. How many difference makers do you think our team has? I'll say 2 at the most. AD and Gordon. I pretty much feel the way you do about the whole team

I'd add Anderson in the equation as well, one of the best 3 point shooters in the league, and hustle on the offensive glass.

The way I'd describe a difference maker is, could they be a member of a potential championship roster?

Basically the I feel about Aminu is, I'd like him as a back up 3-4, and I think he's be pretty good in the role. However as a starter, I'd rather have him replaced, because I don't think you can go deep in the playoffs with him in that role.

[UptownFuz504]

I'd add Anderson in the equation as well, one of the best 3 point shooters in the league, and hustle on the offensive glass.

The way I'd describe a difference maker is, could they be a member of a potential championship roster?

Basically the I feel about Aminu is, I'd like him as a back up 3-4, and I think he's be pretty good in the role. However as a starter, I'd rather have him replaced, because I don't think you can go deep in the playoffs with him in that role.

I respectfully disagree. Ryno is a role player not a difference maker. He is easily taken out of a game and when you need a bucket, you can't give him the ball so he could a) get a score or b) set up a teammate. A difference maker has to be able to do those things IMO.

[GESWhoseBack]

I respectfully disagree. Ryno is a role player not a difference maker. He is easily taken out of a game and when you need a bucket, you can't give him the ball so he could a) get a score or b) set up a teammate. A difference maker has to be able to do those things IMO.

If that's the case, AD not a difference maker now either.

[AD23forMVP]

Aminu is someone who really needs to be resigned. He made a lot of improvement from last season and in 2-3 years could be viewed as a big time bench player.

[Pelicans78]

I agree. He improved alot from last season and at the least can be a very good bench player

[UptownFuz504]

If that's the case, AD not a difference maker now either.

AD is a difference maker on defense. Ryno isn't that either. To get back to the initial point, to say Aminu isn't a difference maker so he should not be re-signed is not a fair statement because 90% of the roster are not difference makers. With the above logic, none of the team should be brought back.

[Tin_Food]

I respectfully disagree. Ryno is a role player not a difference maker. He is easily taken out of a game and when you need a bucket, you can't give him the ball so he could a) get a score or b) set up a teammate. A difference maker has to be able to do those things IMO.

I accept your respectful disagreement and respond in kind. I think we have difference definitions of what is a difference maker. I think your idea of a difference maker is a player who can carry the team, or who performs well in crunch time (clutch). My definition of a difference maker is someone who can contribute on a team that is legit competing for a championship, and who would be hard to replace. For instance with the 07-08 hornets, Peja shot at a 45% clip from 3 and was an important contributor to a team that at the time was in contention for a Championship/Finals appearance. He wasn't the guy that carried the team, and though he could have been replaced, it would have been difficult to do (keeping in mind at 6'10 he could get his shot of over most players).

I believe Ryno could be in a similar situation where he contributes in that way. Regarding offense, I believe as a 2nd or 3rd option he could do the things who just mentioned, but he was the no 1 option alot of the time this season, and got swamped because of this. Jason Smith is someone that I think could be considered a difference maker, because of his role off the bench. He adds value in hustle and his jumper, and would usually win the battle between him and the other bench big.

If we go by your definition then yes, we should get rid of almost everyone except for EG and AD, but using my definition there are a handful of players that we could keep and use for our championship roster.

Aminu atm doesn't fall into that category, however if Dell can get him back for cheap I'm all for giving him more PT and letting him come of the bench. Aminu right now is the best swingman we have on this team , but the question you need to ask yourself is, can Aminu be the starter for a championship team?

[kclaboy504]

Just curious. How many difference makers do you think our team has? I'll say 2 at the most. AD and Gordon. I pretty much feel the way you do about the whole team

I think Ryno can be counted as a difference maker also. Hoping miller can turn into 1 as well with his 3 pt shot. Be our Danny greene maybe. I guess it depends on your definition of a difference maker as well.

[UptownFuz504]

the question you need to ask yourself is, can Aminu be the starter for a championship team?

That answer is an astounding NO. You are also correct that we differ on what "difference maker" is.

[Snarly]

That answer is an astounding NO.

This is where I disagree. I think he can be as long as the other 4 players are very well rounded and his back up can give you traditional Sf production. Unfortunately, we're not in that type of situation and may never be in a position where he can thrive as is.

[UptownFuz504]

This is where I disagree. I think he can be as long as the other 4 players are very well rounded and his back up can give you traditional Sf production. Unfortunately, we're not in that type of situation and may never be in a position where he can thrive as is.

I can agree with this. My astounding no was based on the Pels. I personally think he'd excel in any uptempo system that had a good PG. Monty ball is not the system that Aminu can thrive in.

[ScoutWithoutClout]

i like him at the 3. he just needs to take it to the paint more