Starting lineup: Asik vs. Casspi

After all the hoopla about Dmo vs. Jones, neither is guaranteed to even break the rotation, much less start. The real battle for the final spot in the starting lineup comes down to Asik vs. Casspi. Twin towers vs. stretch 4.

We will see both lineups throughout the games, so the question isn't about which player is better(the answer to that would be emphatically: Asik), but rather which is the better fit.

From the looks of it, by all indication we are going to go with Asik at the start of the season. Personally, I think that will change as the year progresses. But to play devil's advocate, the advantages of starting Asik:

1. Keeps Asik's morale high. This is probably an overrated advantage: Asik is a consummate professional.

2. Keeps Asik's trade value high. This is probably another overrated advantage: NBA GMs are not that dumb. But you never know.

3. Asik is unquestionably the Rocket's third best player. You can still play him plenty of minutes off the bench, but that is easier to accomplish logistically by starting him. Whether you think he is a good fit or not, there is something to be said about simply playing your best players.

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As for Casspi, the advantages are numerous:

1. McHale has repeatedly stated that he wants the team to play the same way as last year. That he does not want them to slow down. Does Twin Towers resemble anything we did last year? Run and gun with a defensive anchor is our primary style of play. And to start off the game, you want to establish YOUR style.

2. 4 out 1 in is proven to be the best style that fits Dwight Howard's offense. It is his 10th year in the league, we are not going to reinvent the wheel here. Dwight is arguably your best player, so we will play to his strengths. This is further evidence that Twin Towers is situational, and not our primary style of play.

3. McHale was talking about fit and on court chemistry in an interview. He said chemistry is when player's skillsets compliment eachother, as opposed to getting in eachother's way because of duplication. The two obvious examples are Lin+Harden, and Howard+Asik.

4. You can get away with small ball when Howard is your center, this has been proven over the years. Last year, with Asik it was much more of a risk vs. reward scenario. This is because he has different defensive strengths when compared to Howard. Howard is a terrific weakside shot blocker, which is a much better fit with small ball when your undersized stretch 4 is getting abused in the paint.

5. This isn't being discussed enough(at all?), foul trouble. The whole point of having 2 of the best defensive anchors in the league is to have 48 minutes of rim protection that everyone keeps talking about. By starting both, that plan is put into jeopardy. If and when Howard picks up 2 quick fouls(a fairly common scenario), you can't bring him back in when Asik has to go out(around the 2 min mark). You will have to deviate from your regular rotation, and likely run Dmo out there as your center. YOU DO NOT WANT DMO AS YOUR CENTER. Avoid at all costs if possible.

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I think Asik has earned his keep to remain in the starting lineup for now. He's paid his dues last year, while Casspi is the newcomer. The last thing you want is to throw Casspi in there based on hot preseason shooting, and then have to change it up if he struggles. Besides, I'm sure he is still getting used to McHale's terminology and system.

However, based on what fits the team's primary style of play, based on what fits arguably your best player's game, I think eventually Casspi will be your starting PF.

In fact, barring trade or injury, I'm willing to bet that Casspi starts more games for the Rockets this year than Asik.

 

Ask the Heat how they beat the Spurs in the finals.

In fact, look up the starting lineup for the Spurs in the finals.

 

I would rather establish a brand of basketball that other teams have to adjust to, not the other way around. Miami did not play big ball to counter the Spurs, they did the opposite and played to their own strengths. So much so that they ran one of the Spurs' top contributors - Splitter - right off the court.

I like the Twin Towers lineup. I really think it can work, and definitely has it's uses. Sometimes, even when you try to impose your style on another team, it fails. In those situations, we have an ace in the hole to go to. Another option.

But that's what it is, just an option, it isn't our brand of basketball. And to start off the game, you want to cram YOUR brand of basketball down your opponent's throat, whether they like it or not.

 

I am just going to put this here for the record, for future reference:

Current voting is 30 - 1 - 1 in favor of Twin towers.

The 1 vote for Casspi is mine.

The 1 vote for Dmo/Jones is DD's. (surprise)

After the results of this poll:

http://bbs.clutchfans.net/showthread.php?t=245239

I shouldn't say that I am totally shocked. But that is still a hell of a heap of groupthink right now.

Yes, yes, they are likely going to run with Asik and Howard on Wednesday. So all of a sudden no one here can think outside of that?

You guys don't remember a time when 90% of you would have voted for Dmo or Jones? A time, like 3 weeks ago?

Guess I'll quote this post in 3 more weeks when McHale starts Casspi and the poll magically becomes 50:50.

edit:

After 150 votes it is 80% Asik, 12% Dmo/Jones, and Casspi is third.