> >The problem isn't how these guys play offensively or fit >together offensively...it's all on the defensive end and >that's where Dwight is so important.
You trade Pau, and there goes your low post threat...cause Howard ain't that. If you don't have a low post threat, what does the offense look like? Kobe jacking shots, that's what it looks like. Or Nash/ Dwight pick and roll. Does anyone really want to see that? Laker fans bitch about the shots Kobe takes, but the only thing that has shown to prevent that is a big man in the middle that commands some sort of respect on offense. You're not getting that with Dwight, and on top of that, Pau can't work with Dwight there. Which is why Kobe is probably shooting so much.
You can replace what Dwight brings on defense, but who is going to replace what Pau brings on offense (while Kobe is there)?
It's much easier to find a guy who can get you 10 - 12 rebounds a game, than a guy that you can work through on the block. Plus the guy that works on the block, gets you tons of open shots in the process. Dwight does block shots, but I'd much rather have good perimeter defenders so that the guy who's supposed to be grabbing my defensive boards isn't out of position on every defensive play, because no one can keep their man in front of them.