Someone brought this up while watching the Memphis v OKC game, Zach is playing much better than Amare is right now. He is putting up double doubles against good defenses. He had 21 rebounds today! I know Marc Gasol is helping his game but Is Zach better than Amare at this point?
At this moment in time, yes he is better.
Why? Amare is not playing.
Would you trade one up for the other disregarding contracts?
Find me a person who three years ago who could have foretold this and give him a job.
Naturally its about "winning, Duh".
Conventionally and Unconventionally he is definitely in a halfcourt setup but if the game changes into a speed athletic up and down game Amar'e would blow him away. Neither can check each other that's for sure.
Nalod wrote:
At this moment in time, yes he is better.Why? Amare is not playing.
Would you trade one up for the other disregarding contracts?
Find me a person who three years ago who could have foretold this and give him a job.
Naturally its about "winning, Duh".
Agreed. Amar'e has been able to put this team on his back and carry us for significant stretches. ZBo never could (granted, I will take Felton over nervous breakdown Marbury). Before wearing down in the 2nd half, STAT was in the MVP discussion.
We could sure use Zach's rebounding though. Once we bring in someone to cover for that chink in Amar'e's armor, he'll look that much better.
I'm happy for Memphis though. Always like a good Cinderella story.
Amar'e has been able to put this team on his back and carry us for significant stretches.
Do you mean carrying us to a .510 record before the Anthony trade?
I would still take Amare over Zach, though, but I think it's close. But Dirk is the best PF in the game.
Bonn1997 wrote:Amar'e has been able to put this team on his back and carry us for significant stretches.
Do you mean carrying us to a .510 record before the Anthony trade?
I would still take Amare over Zach, though, but I think it's close. But Dirk is the best PF in the game.
Yes. Coming off a 29 win season (.354), or to compare it to ZBo's 23 win (.280) season in NY, I was very excited to see Amar'e carry us above .500.
More specifically though, I was referring to the many games he completely took over the 4th quarter to ensure the win (while leading the league in 4th quarter scoring). All summer, we heard that cliche about Amar'e being able to "impose his will" on the game. Well, early this year, we got to witness it time and time again.
if anything, Z-Bo has shown that the book is never truly written on a player.
as someone above mentioned, put Gasol next to STAT in the front court and watch him go to work. that being said, Z-Bo's turn around has really been remarkable.
people were saying things like "amare isn't a franchise player" and "with amare and nobody else [ie lebron, wade, etc from last year's FA class] they are still a lotto team" and he carried us basically for half a season and got us a 6 seed, proving a lot of people wrong.
i don't think its a closed book on Amare. next year could bring more dazzling play, especially if they get dalembert or a legit 5 to play next to him.
that being said, Z-Bo just had 21/21 against an ibaka/perkins/collinson front line. that's pretty damn impressive.
ZBo started his turnaround here in NY. He was actually showing signs of being a changed man. He got in better shape and worked hard. He left on good terms and wasn't bitter. He took on the challenge of Memphis and instead of being selfish and unhappy about playing in a small city for a bad team, he stepped up and became a leader.
STAT kind of did the same thing here in that he stepped into the leadership role, which many didn't think he had in him. He was great before he started to break down. I think he was hurt at some point during the season and just never fully admitted it. He played thru fatigue and pain for us. I have far more respect for STAT now than before he came here. He's not a perfect player, but once we give him a C and PG that can set him up better he'll have an even greater impact.
I think when you consider that Zach is paid about $3 mil less than Amare, I think they are about equal. Amare is probably a slightly better passer and is more atlethic and can play some center. Zach is a better rebounder and a slightly better defender. Amare will be much more effective if we could get a true center. Without a center, I actually think Zach might be better for this team.
wow, one guy has nearly 60 playoff games under his belt in a significant role, the other has about 10.
Both guys are about same age.
I know they both haven't had the same teammates, but IMHO 1 of those guys has accomplished a lot more.
Career-wise obviously Amare is way ahead of Zach. I assume the question is about who is better right now.
martin wrote:wow, one guy has nearly 60 playoff games under his belt in a significant role, the other has about 10.Both guys are about same age.
I know they both haven't had the same teammates, but IMHO 1 of those guys has accomplished a lot more.
Your only as good as your last game remember? 
Bonn1997 wrote:Career-wise obviously Amare is way ahead of Zach. I assume the question is about who is better right now.
both are above average PFs
Z-bo is not the high flyer that Amar'e is, but he seems to inhale rebounds. In the half court set, Z-bo seems to get his points effortlessly, and is unstoppable down low. Amar'e, when presented with the half court situation picked up his rebounding, but was not as steady in the low post. He did however show the touch in the mid-range game. Hard choices, but the edge goes to Z-bo, just on his consistency in rebounding.
martin wrote:Bonn1997 wrote:Career-wise obviously Amare is way ahead of Zach. I assume the question is about who is better right now.
both are above average PFs
snit
Bonn1997 wrote:martin wrote:Bonn1997 wrote:Career-wise obviously Amare is way ahead of Zach. I assume the question is about who is better right now.
both are above average PFs
snit
says the gay robot
I'd give the rebounding edge to Zach....that is all.
He is better at rebounding and Amare is better at everything else. Rebounding < everything else. Therefore Z-Bo < Amare.
ramtour420 wrote:He is better at rebounding and Amare is better at everything else. Rebounding < everything else. Therefore Z-Bo < Amare.
Half those rebounds come on his own misses 
and half the rest he gets a tip-in which amounts to a rebound and 2 points. Not saying they are not a big part of the game They are. Zach showed he has a bit of growing up to do yet as well...don't remember Stat going to the end of the bench to sulk at any point this season either.
