Brandan Wright?

[Who]

Is Wright not more talented than Mozgov?

I don't think we'll need to worry about the "bigger centers". Not in the East.

No, B.Wright doesn't have the defensive range of Mozgov.

Mozgov is a very effective low post defender who can cover the likes of Dwight Howard or an Andrew Bynum one-on-one on the block. His added size also helps him in other areas defensively both in man-to-man D and with rim protection (different type of shot-blocker than B.Wright -- Wright is more like a Josh Smith type shot-blocker than a typical center like say Roy Hibbert or Marc Gasol who Mozgov is more alike when attempting to block a shot).

Being able to matchup from a physical standpoint against your opponent is so important. Brandan Wright can't do that. Mozgov can. It's one of the reasons why Jeff Green has been so effective as a SF defensively this season. Put guys like that in a strong team defense and they can really flourish. 

Offensively, B.Wright is a better finisher around the basket. Maybe marginally better jump-shooter but Mozgov has a capable short jump shot too. They are both pretty similar (except in transition where Wright is much better). So similar offensive skill-set, Wright just a bit more efficient at it (small edge his way). Mozgov capable of setting better screens though.

Rebounding wise, Mozgov's added size and bulk makes him better able to box out and protect the defensive glass. Brandan Wright better at getting rebounds outside his area but doesn't put in enough effort to capitalize on that advantage.

I would rate Mozgov probably in that 10-15 range amongst backup centers but he could improve quickly and move up that list with strong coaching. He is a guy I would love to see Clifford Ray work with. I think he could become a top 20 center in the NBA with Ray's tutelage. A lot of good tools to work with.

[bfrombleacher]

Is Mosgov a good team defender, though?

I worry that he might be too much of a lumbering big. "Small ball" seems to be all the fuss nowadays.

But then again, only one team really does it full time and even they've added a tattoo covered giant.

I'm intrigued. If he could anchor the D a little he'd be exactly what we need.

[hwangjini_1]

Is Wright not more talented than Mozgov?

I don't think we'll need to worry about the "bigger centers". Not in the East.

No, B.Wright doesn't have the defensive range of Mozgov.

Mozgov is a very effective low post defender who can cover the likes of Dwight Howard or an Andrew Bynum one-on-one on the block. His added size also helps him in other areas defensively both in man-to-man D and with rim protection (different type of shot-blocker than B.Wright -- Wright is more like a Josh Smith type shot-blocker than a typical center like say Roy Hibbert or Marc Gasol who Mozgov is more alike when attempting to block a shot).

Being able to matchup from a physical standpoint against your opponent is so important. Brandan Wright can't do that. Mozgov can. It's one of the reasons why Jeff Green has been so effective as a SF defensively this season. Put guys like that in a strong team defense and they can really flourish. 

Offensively, B.Wright is a better finisher around the basket. Maybe marginally better jump-shooter but Mozgov has a capable short jump shot too. They are both pretty similar (except in transition where Wright is much better). So similar offensive skill-set, Wright just a bit more efficient at it (small edge his way). Mozgov capable of setting better screens though.

Rebounding wise, Mozgov's added size and bulk makes him better able to box out and protect the defensive glass. Brandan Wright better at getting rebounds outside his area but doesn't put in enough effort to capitalize on that advantage.

I would rate Mozgov probably in that 10-15 range amongst backup centers but he could improve quickly and move up that list with strong coaching. He is a guy I would love to see Clifford Ray work with. I think he could become a top 20 center in the NBA with Ray's tutelage. A lot of good tools to work with.

good stuff once more. thanks hu.

[kozlodoev]

No, B.Wright doesn't have the defensive range of Mozgov.

Mozgov is a very effective low post defender who can cover the likes of Dwight Howard or an Andrew Bynum one-on-one on the block.

So how come he spent his career glued to the bench on both team he's been on? And he's played in Dwight Howard's conference virtually the entire time.

[Who]

Is Mosgov a good team defender, though?

I worry that he might be too much of a lumbering big. "Small ball" seems to be all the fuss nowadays.

But then again, only one team really does it full time and even they've added a tattoo covered giant.

I'm intrigued. If he could anchor the D a little he'd be exactly what we need.

Good team defender = no. Serviceable but below average. Not good. He is not a guy who you are comfortable anchoring and bossing a defense from the backline (for prolonged periods of time) but he is a guy who would you love as your 2nd defensive big alongside KG. I think that would be a phenomenal defensive combination.

Playing alongside KG (PF) rather than instead of KG is where Mozgov will have his most value defensively. I think you would use him similar to how Doc used Stiemsma with part of his playing time with KG and part without. The second area Mozgov will have his most value defensively is as a one-on-one defender against true centers. The Bynums, Howards, Gasols, Cousins, Hibberts, the Tim Duncans. All those guys. Give Boston a second big body to throw on them who is a good one-on-one defender.

Another reason why I think a guy like Josh Smith would be so valuable because he is a guy who could play alongside Mozgov and give him a lot of help defensively. Cover holes. Really tighten up that interior + team defense. And Smith would also be a strong defender to stick alongside Sully.

-------------------------------------------------

His problem on team defense is positioning off the ball. It's not his reading of the game or reaction times. It's his footwork and positioning off the ball. It's a lack of coaching on basic defensive fundamentals. On how to position himself off the ball. He is not in the proper place to make the next move on team defense.

That is why I think it is an area where he can readily improve. That a strong big man coach could really help him and develop his team defense. Shore up that footwork. Why I think someone like Clifford Ray (best big man coach in the NBA) would be so valuable for him.

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Mozgov isn't a plodder. He is an athletic seven footer. Not a freak athlete but a good athlete. Somewhat similar to Gortat in terms of quickness and mobility only in a bigger package (more height, more muscle = 7-1, 270lbs vs 6-11 250lbs) and with better leaping ability. Not a lumbering big.

It's Mozgov's physical talent that makes him so intriguing. Rare combination of height, muscle and mobility. 

Mozgov's problem against small-ball is more on the offensive side of the floor. He isn't skilled enough in the low post to consistently take advantage of smaller weaker defenders. Nor is he a dominant defender/rebounder merely an adequate one. So there isn't any added value in keeping him on the floor against smaller lineups.

In other words, teams are and will be able to go small on Mozgov fairly effectively + they will regularly be able to force Doc into a lineup change by doing so.

Mozgov's main utility will be against bigger lineups.

[Who]

No, B.Wright doesn't have the defensive range of Mozgov.

Mozgov is a very effective low post defender who can cover the likes of Dwight Howard or an Andrew Bynum one-on-one on the block.

So how come he spent his career glued to the bench on both team he's been on? And he's played in Dwight Howard's conference virtually the entire time.

In New York, Mozgov played regularly under D'Antoni in a small minute role. In Denver, Mozgov has been stuck behind Kosta Koufos and Nene or JaVale McGee. All of whom would play ahead of Brandan Wright also.

Somewhere above I said I rated Mozgov somewhere in the 10-15 range amongst backup centers. That is how good I think he is. Basically that are 40+ centers in the league who are better than Mozgov is right now.

Mozgov is anywhere from a 10-12mpg to a 15-20mpg type backup. A team could also make do with Mozgov as a low level low minute starter (16-22mpg) due to his superior physical gifts, good man-to-man defense and adequate overall defender/rebounding contributions. Similar to the role Koufos has in Denver.

[kozlodoev]

No, B.Wright doesn't have the defensive range of Mozgov.

Mozgov is a very effective low post defender who can cover the likes of Dwight Howard or an Andrew Bynum one-on-one on the block.

So how come he spent his career glued to the bench on both team he's been on? And he's played in Dwight Howard's conference virtually the entire time.

In New York, Mozgov played regularly under D'Antoni in a small minute role. In Denver, Mozgov has been stuck behind Kosta Koufos and Nene or JaVale McGee. All of whom would play ahead of Brandan Wright also.

Somewhere above I said I rated Mozgov somewhere in the 10-15 range amongst backup centers. That is how good I think he is. Basically that are 40+ centers in the league who are better than Mozgov is right now.

Mozgov is anywhere from a 10-12mpg to a 15-20mpg type backup. A team could also make do with Mozgov as a low level low minute starter (16-22mpg) due to his superior physical gifts, good man-to-man defense and adequate overall defender/rebounding contributions. Similar to the role Koufos has in Denver.

The problem is Mozgov is nothing like Koufos -- Koufos is a higher-motor, more athletic player who actually has some skills.

My problem is I'll be hard-pressed to name 15 backup centers in the NBA that are worse than Mozgov.

I don't think he's worth the trouble -- my indication for that is that both times he's on a new team, he was player somewhat regularly (likely based on the same conjecture you laid out above), except that lasted half a season to a season and then he dropped off the playing time radar. I just don't see him as a guy who can be counted on for 15 minutes of solid play.

[pearljammer10]

For similar money, I would rather have Samuel Dalambert. Actually Dalambert might be cheaper.

Samesies

[Celtics18]

A lot of great responses here.  As a fan of Brandan Wright's game and fit for this ball club, I'm actually fairly encouraged by a lot of what I've been reading.  I was afraid that the majority opinion would be that he will be out of our price range.  That doesn't seem to be the case.