Author Topic: So we need a defensive big. Why not Khem Birch?  (Read 5113 times)

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So we need a defensive big. Why not Khem Birch?
« on: September 01, 2014, 10:52:51 PM »

Offline indeedproceed

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One thing about this past draft I've noticed is that it is DEEEEEP. If it met Adele, it's be rolling in the deep. If it wanted to go into acting, it would've supplanted Omar Epps in his amazingly underrated movie 'In Too Deep'. If it were a musician, it would've written Breakfast At Tiffany's (dated reference much, IP?).

And when people say that, usually they mean, 'There are viable starters to be had in the late teens or 20s', or, 'there are really good prospects after pick 13'.

But in this past draft I think it goes beyond that. The kings signed an undrafted guy from Oregon State, Eric Moreland to a partially guaranteed 3-yr contract, not because he's a well rounded player, but because he's got a high motor, and can defend either the 4 or the 5 with tenacious aplomb. They know that next to a dynamic player like Demarcus Cousins, a guy like Moreland could flourish as a help-side defender, rebounder, and offensive garbage man. A kind of 7 and 12 guy with 2 blocks in 28 minutes kind of player. They thought highly enough of him to make room on their roster by moving Quincy Acy among others.

There are other undrafted free agents making waves as well.

Khem Birch basically did what Moreland did for the kings, but with the Wizards. He's a 6'9 bulldog from UNLV. Here is what Draft Express said about him:

Quote
After entering college basketball as the 11th ranked high school recruit in the class of 2011, Khem Birch surprisingly transferred from Pittsburgh to UNLV only ten games in to his freshman season.

As a sophomore, Birch showed an intriguing combination of physical tools and defensive versatility and entered his junior year considered as the second best returning NBA prospect playing in a non-BCS conference. UNLV ultimately underachieved, however, and Birch did not develop as much as scouts would have liked, but he nevertheless won Mountain West Conference Defensive Player of the Year in two consecutive years while averaging a double-double as a junior. Now having decided to enter a loaded 2014 NBA Draft, scouts must determine whether Birch can reach the significant potential that many believed he had in high school.

From DraftExpress.com http://www.draftexpress.com#ixzz3C7gCUGNe
http://www.draftexpress.com

There's more there, if you're into that sort of thing. He was pegged by DE to go 28th in the 2nd round this past June.

In Summer League many thought he was a near lock to make the Wizards training camp roster, but they opted to give that spot to Kevin Seraphin.

This guy can't create a shot to save his life, but he is a explosive help side defender who can play the 4, maybe a little 5 going forward. I think he'd look great next to Sully and Olynyk. What do you think?


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like that is always lethal." - Evan 'The God' Turner

Re: So we need a defensive big. Why not Khem Birch?
« Reply #1 on: September 01, 2014, 10:56:39 PM »

Offline Tr1boy

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He is only like 215-220 pounds.  About 20 pounds too light and will get pushed around.

Yes he can block shots and rebound but offers nothing else really.    He can't just be on the court to swat balls and try to rebound the ball.  70  percent everything else needs work

Danny tends to not draft these kind of players as of late. Maybe after the failed JJJ experiment, he has been traumatized

Re: So we need a defensive big. Why not Khem Birch?
« Reply #2 on: September 01, 2014, 10:57:50 PM »

Offline Celtics18

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He could be the second coming of Jarvis Varnado.
DKC Seventy-Sixers:

PG: G. Hill/D. Schroder
SG: C. Lee/B. Hield/T. Luwawu
SF:  Giannis/J. Lamb/M. Kuzminskas
PF:  E. Ilyasova/J. Jerebko/R. Christmas
C:    N. Vucevic/K. Olynyk/E. Davis/C. Jefferson

Re: So we need a defensive big. Why not Khem Birch?
« Reply #3 on: September 01, 2014, 11:00:21 PM »

Offline indeedproceed

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He could be the second coming of Jarvis Varnado.

Points awarded. Solid slam, TPs.

"You've gotta respect a 15-percent 3-point shooter. A guy
like that is always lethal." - Evan 'The God' Turner

Re: So we need a defensive big. Why not Khem Birch?
« Reply #4 on: September 01, 2014, 11:06:42 PM »

Offline indeedproceed

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He is only like 215-220 pounds.  About 20 pounds too light and will get pushed around.

Yes he can block shots and rebound but offers nothing else really.    He can't just be on the court to swat balls and try to rebound the ball.  70  percent everything else needs work

Danny tends to not draft these kind of players as of late. Maybe after the failed JJJ experiment, he has been traumatized

I don't think other than physical profile there is much if anything in common with JJJ. Did you watch the guy in Summer League? I have serious doubts that he'll be pushed around much as a 4. He'll have to put on weight but aside from Jared Sullinger and BBD, who doesn't as a rookie?

He's a defensive role player, offensive clean up man with an absurdly high motor. There is a pretty significant list of key NBA role players who were defined as such entering the NBA, and a few all-stars.

"You've gotta respect a 15-percent 3-point shooter. A guy
like that is always lethal." - Evan 'The God' Turner

Re: So we need a defensive big. Why not Khem Birch?
« Reply #5 on: September 01, 2014, 11:39:19 PM »

Offline Kevin OConnor

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He's a headcase and way too raw.
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Re: So we need a defensive big. Why not Khem Birch?
« Reply #6 on: September 01, 2014, 11:55:20 PM »

Offline hwangjini_1

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He's a headcase and way too raw.
Could you elaborate on the head case part of your post. The raw part seems obvious. Thanks.
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Re: So we need a defensive big. Why not Khem Birch?
« Reply #7 on: September 01, 2014, 11:58:27 PM »

Offline D.o.s.

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One thing about this past draft I've noticed is that it is DEEEEEP. If it met Adele, it's be rolling in the deep. If it wanted to go into acting, it would've supplanted Omar Epps in his amazingly underrated movie 'In Too Deep'. If it were a musician, it would've written Breakfast At Tiffany's (dated reference much, IP?).

And when people say that, usually they mean, 'There are viable starters to be had in the late teens or 20s', or, 'there are really good prospects after pick 13'.

But in this past draft I think it goes beyond that. The kings signed an undrafted guy from Oregon State, Eric Moreland to a partially guaranteed 3-yr contract, not because he's a well rounded player, but because he's got a high motor, and can defend either the 4 or the 5 with tenacious aplomb. They know that next to a dynamic player like Demarcus Cousins, a guy like Moreland could flourish as a help-side defender, rebounder, and offensive garbage man. A kind of 7 and 12 guy with 2 blocks in 28 minutes kind of player. They thought highly enough of him to make room on their roster by moving Quincy Acy among others.

There are other undrafted free agents making waves as well.

Khem Birch basically did what Moreland did for the kings, but with the Wizards. He's a 6'9 bulldog from UNLV. Here is what Draft Express said about him:

Quote
After entering college basketball as the 11th ranked high school recruit in the class of 2011, Khem Birch surprisingly transferred from Pittsburgh to UNLV only ten games in to his freshman season.

As a sophomore, Birch showed an intriguing combination of physical tools and defensive versatility and entered his junior year considered as the second best returning NBA prospect playing in a non-BCS conference. UNLV ultimately underachieved, however, and Birch did not develop as much as scouts would have liked, but he nevertheless won Mountain West Conference Defensive Player of the Year in two consecutive years while averaging a double-double as a junior. Now having decided to enter a loaded 2014 NBA Draft, scouts must determine whether Birch can reach the significant potential that many believed he had in high school.

From DraftExpress.com http://www.draftexpress.com#ixzz3C7gCUGNe
http://www.draftexpress.com

There's more there, if you're into that sort of thing. He was pegged by DE to go 28th in the 2nd round this past June.

In Summer League many thought he was a near lock to make the Wizards training camp roster, but they opted to give that spot to Kevin Seraphin.

This guy can't create a shot to save his life, but he is a explosive help side defender who can play the 4, maybe a little 5 going forward. I think he'd look great next to Sully and Olynyk. What do you think?

I think we both kinda like it?
At least a goldfish with a Lincoln Log on its back goin' across your floor to your sock drawer has a miraculous connotation to it.

Re: So we need a defensive big. Why not Khem Birch?
« Reply #8 on: September 02, 2014, 12:12:52 AM »

Offline Beat LA

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He is only like 215-220 pounds.  About 20 pounds too light and will get pushed around.

Yes he can block shots and rebound but offers nothing else really.    He can't just be on the court to swat balls and try to rebound the ball.  70  percent everything else needs work

Danny tends to not draft these kind of players as of late. Maybe after the failed JJJ experiment, he has been traumatized

3-5 guys aside, that's all that every other center in the league does nowadays.  Blame the bad boys.  Not everyone can be Ben Wallace or Dennis Rodman, or even (as of late) Deandre Jordan, but that doesn't stop a butt-load of athletes with little-to-no skill from making the league each year because every gm thinks that a guy with great athleticism in place of skill can be the next big ben.  Ugh.  I'd bring him to camp, though.  One shot blocker would be a major improvement lol ;D

Re: So we need a defensive big. Why not Khem Birch?
« Reply #9 on: September 02, 2014, 12:38:04 AM »

Offline indeedproceed

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He is only like 215-220 pounds.  About 20 pounds too light and will get pushed around.

Yes he can block shots and rebound but offers nothing else really.    He can't just be on the court to swat balls and try to rebound the ball.  70  percent everything else needs work

Danny tends to not draft these kind of players as of late. Maybe after the failed JJJ experiment, he has been traumatized

3-5 guys aside, that's all that every other center in the league does nowadays.  Blame the bad boys.  Not everyone can be Ben Wallace or Dennis Rodman, or even (as of late) Deandre Jordan, but that doesn't stop a butt-load of athletes with little-to-no skill from making the league each year because every gm thinks that a guy with great athleticism in place of skill can be the next big ben.  Ugh.  I'd bring him to camp, though.  One shot blocker would be a major improvement lol ;D

Look at the impact those guys (defensive role playing centers) can have though.

Drummond, Asik, Robin Lopez, Deandre Jordan, Tyson Chandler, Larry Sanders (in 2012-2013), Roy Hibbert (kinda, he's got some offensive game..and it's offensive in another sense in its inconsistency)..some pretty pivotal players there. Gorgui Dieng looks ready to assume that mantle as well.

Khem Birch will not be one of those guys. He's more of a pogo-stick mixed with Reggie Evans. But raw though he might be, he's worth one of those 3 yr non-guaranteed contracts on our atrocity of a roster .

"You've gotta respect a 15-percent 3-point shooter. A guy
like that is always lethal." - Evan 'The God' Turner

Re: So we need a defensive big. Why not Khem Birch?
« Reply #10 on: September 02, 2014, 12:52:28 AM »

Offline Celtics18

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Or a younger Joel Anthony.  I guess it couldn't hurt any, but we don't really have room for him on our already overcrowded roster. 
DKC Seventy-Sixers:

PG: G. Hill/D. Schroder
SG: C. Lee/B. Hield/T. Luwawu
SF:  Giannis/J. Lamb/M. Kuzminskas
PF:  E. Ilyasova/J. Jerebko/R. Christmas
C:    N. Vucevic/K. Olynyk/E. Davis/C. Jefferson

Re: So we need a defensive big. Why not Khem Birch?
« Reply #11 on: September 02, 2014, 12:56:50 AM »

Offline indeedproceed

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Or a younger Joel Anthony.  I guess it couldn't hurt any, but we don't really have room for him on our already overcrowded roster. 

Probably a good comparison as a...what's above basement but below ceiling? Floor level comparison?

"You've gotta respect a 15-percent 3-point shooter. A guy
like that is always lethal." - Evan 'The God' Turner

Re: So we need a defensive big. Why not Khem Birch?
« Reply #12 on: September 02, 2014, 02:21:50 AM »

Offline Beat LA

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He is only like 215-220 pounds.  About 20 pounds too light and will get pushed around.

Yes he can block shots and rebound but offers nothing else really.    He can't just be on the court to swat balls and try to rebound the ball.  70  percent everything else needs work

Danny tends to not draft these kind of players as of late. Maybe after the failed JJJ experiment, he has been traumatized

3-5 guys aside, that's all that every other center in the league does nowadays.  Blame the bad boys.  Not everyone can be Ben Wallace or Dennis Rodman, or even (as of late) Deandre Jordan, but that doesn't stop a butt-load of athletes with little-to-no skill from making the league each year because every gm thinks that a guy with great athleticism in place of skill can be the next big ben.  Ugh.  I'd bring him to camp, though.  One shot blocker would be a major improvement lol ;D

Look at the impact those guys (defensive role playing centers) can have though.

Drummond, Asik, Robin Lopez, Deandre Jordan, Tyson Chandler, Larry Sanders (in 2012-2013), Roy Hibbert (kinda, he's got some offensive game..and it's offensive in another sense in its inconsistency)..some pretty pivotal players there. Gorgui Dieng looks ready to assume that mantle as well.

Khem Birch will not be one of those guys. He's more of a pogo-stick mixed with Reggie Evans. But raw though he might be, he's worth one of those 3 yr non-guaranteed contracts on our atrocity of a roster .

Oh, I agree with you on the impact that they can have on a game defensively - I just wish that they'd learn how to contribute anything offensively ;D, besides being able to run the floor.  One thing that's overlooked when people talk about Wallace and Rodman is that both of those guys were excellent passers.  They could do everything except hit free throws and score, whereas most of today's big men can only beat people up, jump out of the gym, block a shot or two, and rebound if they want, although no one uses positioning anymore.  I'd gladly give Birch a shot.  Why not?  What have we got to lose?

Roy Hibbert actually has an excellent low-post game, imo, but he isn't used a lot on offense because of the other weapons that the Pacers had, which is really too bad, because he's tremendously skilled.  How many guys can make old fashioned hook shots, not just the jump hook, with both hands?  Sure, he might look a bit awkward at times, but the turmoil within that locker room really did a number on him in the playoffs last year.  Have you forgotten his dominant play against the Knicks and Heat in the 2013 postseason?  He's also an excellent passer.  I hate how people like Stephen A. Smith never give him credit for scoring because he's 7'2".  Bro, do you even watch the games ;D?  I'm sorry if you're unfamiliar with the concept of a skilled big man lol, but that's not Hibbert's fault; and no, I'm not trying to make him sound like Kareem haha.  He's a big game, playoff player, a lot like Rondo.  Especially on the boards.  At times he's almost as bad as James Edwards ;D

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqjN0hyYc8s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9e1azx8j7c

Re: So we need a defensive big. Why not Khem Birch?
« Reply #13 on: September 02, 2014, 08:05:26 AM »

Offline Celtics4ever

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Right now, we do not have the spots.

 I wish he was 2" taller though then it would be a no brainer but at 6"9" he has PF wrote all over him.  Nice article on him

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2105271-khem-birch-nba-draft-2014-highlights-scouting-report-and-more

States he is more of an athlete that has relied on physical ability and lack skills.   Still defensive timing is a gift that not all players have folks.

Re: So we need a defensive big. Why not Khem Birch?
« Reply #14 on: September 02, 2014, 08:12:03 AM »

Offline Tr1boy

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Another  pogo stick but with a longer wingspan and decent passing skills is eric moreland.  Was hoping danny would snatch him up ,but sac beat us to it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOUKJ4BmRHY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68KASgScUns