Jemagee, being a Philly fan, I'm sure you remember that under-sized PF coming out of Auburn, a lightning rod shaped like a "round mound" who just seemed to work for that "rebound" tirelessly. Had a nickname for it, can't remember it, though. Now, don't anybody on here get their panties in a ruffle, I AM NOT CALLING PAUL MILLSAP THE NEXT CHARLES BARKLEY. This message should not be construed that way at all.
Although one similarity is the tireless way that they both went after rebounds. Millsap is a down low, rugged, post player --a brute's brute. He likes it in the trenches, the battle in the painted area. He did it for 4 years at La Tech and he's done it the NBA when he's had the chance. This is not a finesse, face-up big man ala Jermaine O'Neal, Chris Bosh, Chris Webber, Dirk Nowitzki, etc. He just fights down there and to be honest, its because he has to. The guy is listed at 6'8 and that's being generous. Barkley was listed at 6'6 and was probably closer to 6'4.
I don't think a fat contract changes your basketball style. This isn't reminiscent of a Tim Thomas playing hard in the playoffs for that contract, or Erick Dampier--a chronic underachiever who exploded the year he needed a contract. By any stretch, Millsap has done nothing but over-achieve, a nobody kid from a nobody school drafted in the 2nd round who had to fight his way through summer camp to get a roster spot. I just don't see his basketball style or demeanor changing. His desire may change and whether that leads to a subdued efficiency or decrease in hustle stats/plays we'll see. I'd be slightly surprised. I think no question Millsap is going to do three things for you if you give him 30 minutes:
1) he is going to rebound
2) he is going to OFFENSIVELY rebound (I love players that fight for offensive rebounds)
3) he is going to bang some bodies on the defense.
Now like you said and what is less of a given, we'll see if he keeps up these 20 point scoring forays when teams study and adjust to his pet moves, perhaps start double-teaming him, push him out further than where he likes to operate. I've always said if Millsap can find 18 points in a 30-35 minute game, that's all we need from a starting PF. His other problem is staying out of foul trouble when being relied upon for extended mintes. In 29 games, he's racked up 114 fouls and that's tops in the league. You like that he always plays hard, he's just gotta let some go.
I think O'Connor found a gold mine in the 2nd round--you don't lead NCAA Div I basketball in rebound 3 straight years (I believe it was 3 Ted, I don't think he led the nation his freshman year) if you don't have a knack and a desire for the ball, especially being undersized.
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I've seen enough of Millsap to where if we can get a starting SG for Carlos Boozer, it'd be a done deal for me. I'm talking Kevin Martin, Manu Ginobili, Michael Redd, Joe Johnson, and Brandon Roy. Perfect players for Utah, I wouldn't even think twice about any of those deals. Players like Jason Richardson, Ben Gordon, O.J. Mayo, I'd have to think twice and those teams would have to really sweeten the deal for obvious reasons. I would NOT go for a Kevin Durant, Jamal Crawford, Randy Foye, Raymond Felton, Hedo Turkoglu type options, I think Boozer is worth more. Ray Allen and Tracy McGrady are too old. Then you have super-elites like Kobe Bryant and Dwayne Wade which no one sane would give up for Boozer but even so, those players would change your entire team dynamic which isn't necessarily a good thing.
The other interesting options are trading for versatile, do-it-all players like Caron Butler or Danny Granger and inserting them at SG. For those 2 specific players I'd do it in a heartbeat, but I could see how some would be squeamish.
Bottom line, exploring these type of options would do Utah MUCH better than just letting him walk for nothing.
