SOURCE: Raptors Looking at Chuck Hayes

[mcHAPPY]

Very impressive for a 6'6" C:

ZachLowe_SI Zach Lowe
Opponents shot 37% in the post against Chuck Hayes last season, per Synergy. One of the best marks in the league.

[TSN3]

As the days go by, it seems more likely that the "defensive center" everyone was talking about will be either Davis or Alabi. If Hayes is signed, it will be for backup purposes.

I'd be ok with an apparently stronger second year Davis as our starting centre. That'd probably be the only way for him to get the minutes he needs anyway if both he and Amir are still on the roster come opening night. As for Alabi, I think we'll just have to wait and see if he really is a different player this year, but if he is he might be a good fit as our backup centre.

[Prime]

Chuck Hayes = younger Reggie Evans.

Would be a good pickup at the right price. I don't care how tall you are, if you bust your ass and have a nose for the ball, you can be a great rebounder.

He is not Reggie.

His game is way more well-rounded not to mention he plays smarter.

......at power forward. Not Center. Not interested in any PF's. Even Blair.

Blair is a centre any way you look at it. His skillset: no midrange game, slow speed, paint camping, etc. is that of a prototypical centre

[Nilanka]

Yeah I'm against adding Hayes as well. Not only is he essentially the same player as Reggie or Joey Dorsey, but he's also not the rim protector that we're looking for to play alongside Bargs. This is supposed to be the year that BC pairs Bargs with a true C to see if he can be part of this team in the long-term as a PF, so a Hayes/Bargnani frontcourt would not show us anything we haven't seen already.

As the days go by, it seems more likely that the "defensive center" everyone was talking about will be either Davis or Alabi. If Hayes is signed, it will be for backup purposes.

[tucas]

I don't know last time Portland wanted a player and we took him instead it didn't work out so well

[RaptorsFan4Life]

Why not just bring back Reggie instead of this guy?

[TSN3]

Yeah I'm against adding Hayes as well. Not only is he essentially the same player as Reggie or Joey Dorsey, but he's also not the rim protector that we're looking for to play alongside Bargs. This is supposed to be the year that BC pairs Bargs with a true C to see if he can be part of this team in the long-term as a PF, so a Hayes/Bargnani frontcourt would not show us anything we haven't seen already.

[Edgar]

Chuck Hayes <- No thanks.

Let me have Collins, Brown, or Pryzbilla. But if Chuck Hayes is our only option I would rather make Ed Davis our starting C.

+1

[SuperRaptor]

Chuck Hayes <- No thanks.

Let me have Collins, Brown, or Pryzbilla. But if Chuck Hayes is our only option I would rather make Ed Davis our starting C.

[RPT23]

I don't know about you guys, but the fact that his agent and likely himself turned down any interests from the Boston C**tics is a definitely plus for me. He could have a better chance at winning a ring with that team but probably wants to be on a younger team and be a 'veteran presence'. I don't know. I'm just hyped up that a FA turned down the C**tics and kept the Raptors on the radar.

[mcHAPPY]

I agree with this.

Hayes is definetely not what you expect and is not what is typical. If I knew nothing about the guy I wouldn't be interested in him playing C for a NBA team. But he's proven he can compete, will work hard and play good defense. Doesn't offer alot in the way of rim protection, but does a great job on his man.

To me this is an ideal FA signing (assuming he's cheap). Works hard, has a role, nothing particularily special but will be useful down the road, will try every night but likely won't add much to the win the total. (assuming he doesn't end up getting nightly triple doubles like he did against GS ofcourse).

I like Chuck Hayes. I'm not sure if people realize but while he is only 6'6" he was the starting C on a Houston team that won 43 and 42 games the last 2 seasons.

My only concern with Hayes (or any C) is if the Raptors are truly going develop the young guys in 2011-12, then adding Hayes (or another C) creates 5 bigs looking for minutes: Bargnani, Amir, ED, Alabi, and whoever is brought in.

Having Amir, ED, or Alabi sit does nothing to help the team long term - either through the player developing to stay a Raptor long term or increasing trade value.

[GarbageTime]

Don't judge Hayes by his height, he is completely fundamentally solid, extremely strong and plays with the heart of a lion.

I agree with this.

Hayes is definetely not what you expect and is not what is typical. If I knew nothing about the guy I wouldn't be interested in him playing C for a NBA team. But he's proven he can compete, will work hard and play good defense. Doesn't offer alot in the way of rim protection, but does a great job on his man.

To me this is an ideal FA signing (assuming he's cheap). Works hard, has a role, nothing particularily special but will be useful down the road, will try every night but likely won't add much to the win the total. (assuming he doesn't end up getting nightly triple doubles like he did against GS ofcourse).

[Edgar]

DeJuan Blair 6'7" 7 RPG, 13.5 RP40 last season.

......at power forward. Not Center. Not interested in any PF's. Even Blair.

[Aris]

Still, it's not the norm and I think the league has gotten bigger since the early 90's. Also, the league rules have changed. Any modern examples?

DeJuan Blair 6'7" 7 RPG, 13.5 RP40 last season.

[Balls of Steel]

Nope. Having him just eats into Ed and Amir's minutes. Pass.