2015 Training Camp & Preseason: The Competition for Rotation Minutes

I think Thornton has very little to offer this team and won't be in the rotation in a few months, if he is at all. I'd love to be surprised though.

 

Thornton is really good especially off the bench he gives that pop

 

I think you will have a ten man rotation in competitive games with Terry, McDaniels, Dekker and Harrell seeing no minutes unless there is an injury. Thornton is a fringe rotation guy and probably sees the least amount of minutes of all rotation players. I think Beverley and Jones will start, not due to talent, but due to fit. You will probably see standard lineups, but some small ball with the elimination of the center position in short stints.

On a typical night with no injuries and no blowout, I envision it will play out like this:

Beverley (18) / Lawson (30)
Harden (30) / Thornton (10) / Beverley (8)
Ariza (30) / Brewer (12) / Harden (6)
Jones (20) / Dmo (22) / Ariza (6)
Howard (28) / Capella (14) / Dmo (6)

Harden 36 m
Ariza 36 m
Lawson 30 m
Howard 28 m
D-mo 28 m
Beverley 26 m
Jones 20 m
Capella 14 m
Brewer 12 m
Thornton 10m

 

I think it will definitely be one of the most interesting just because of the potential so many players offer, we have 12 legitimate players who all can fight for regular minutes and 2 rookies who also could get a shot because of D-Mo's injury and Howard's health.

However, with us going as deep as we did in the play-offs and with much of the core intact, I don't think there are going to be many surprises. This is not the season where a few guys are fighting for the 15th spot. Even if it would be the case, it wouldn't have a great impact since we're really, really deep!

Beverley & Lawson regardless of starting will both see regular minutes. Harden, Ariza & Howard are guaranteed starters. Brewer will get 6th man minutes, D-Mo & Jones will be a nice battle later on, but for now, the battle will more be about Dekker / Harrell as the one behind TJ if D-Mo cannot play full strength.

Small ball with Brewer / Ariza at the 4 is also possible of course, depending on KJ and Thorton's performance during camp. Capela back-up center of course and Terry situational / injury minutes. Cannot wait for it to start, since it will be more relaxing than ever. No worries about players not making the team, 2 deep at every position so it's not like if one 'wins' the spot, the other will play a lot less so all fun and games.

 

for thornton it all comes down to whether his shot is falling or not. if he starts off the season in a slump i could actually see him getting cut ala garcia last year.

 

Spot on post.

...as mentioned, I think the only real competition is who gets minutes between Thornton and McDaniels. I think it will likely be McDaniels and Thornton will become part of a deep shooting situational play. Everything else I mostly agree with - Harrell will get some burn early in the season, but I expect to see Harell and/or Dekker spend at least a little time in the D-league this year. McHale's track record for rookies doesn't favor them getting consistent playing time - especially on a team as deep as this in a conference as competitive as the West.

I also would really like to see Harden, Ariza, and Howards minutes decrease a bit but in the western conference, I don't know if that is a luxury we can afford. Lawson may be a better bench play because he ignites fast breaks, scores easily against 2nd string, and in general is the perfect complement for our reserve horses - Lawson getting steals and pushing to Capela, Harell(or Jones), McDaniels, and Brewer is a scary good team. If the bench can consistently outscore our oppenents bench to grow a lead/cut an opposing team's lead, that takes a lot of pressure off our starters and puts it on the opposing team's starters.

 

Is there a reason why it is assumed Dwight is automatically sitting on back to backs

 

Good thread. With Dwight already out for back to backs before the season even begins, and DMo most likely not being ready at the start of the season, there is a pretty big hole at C/PF when Dwight sits.

 

McHale said he would.

 

Capela, TJ & Dekker / Monster can handle it Still, Hayes would've been the cherry on top!

 

link for this upcoming season?

 

Biggest question is how to replace Josh Smith's post up defense and rebounding - both things in which Dmo and TJ do not excel.

 

So we are going to pay Brewer 8 million this year to play 12mpg? That's a bad investment. He will definitely get his 18-21mpg.

Ideally, we have the right depth so that no one on this team needs to play over 34mpg for the season. Of course there will be games that Harden, Ariza and crew will need to play 40+ minutes but over the season, no one on this team should be over 34mpg.

Assuming that Dekker, Harrell and possibly McDaniels are going to be playing for the Vipers, primarily. Though, I do believe they will give McDaniels a fair evaluation with the big team for the first month or so of the season and will be first up if Brewer or Ariza have to miss games. Terry probably and shouldn't get too much run until March/April so he's mpg is negligible. I think Thornton will get a real chance to get some minutes but he needs to shoot well score efficiently for him to keep those minutes.

I see the rotation will ultimately look like this:

PG: Lawson (30) / Beverley (18)
SG: Harden (34) / Thornton (8) / Brewer (6)
SF: Ariza (33) / Brewer (15)
PF: DMo (24) / Jones (24)
C: Howard (30) / Capela (14) / DMo (4)

Lawson - 30mpg
Harden - 34mph
Ariza - 33mpg
DMo - 28mpg
Howard - 30mpg
Jones - 24mpg
Brewer - 21mpg
Beverley - 18mpg
Capela - 14mpg
Thornton - 8mpg

 

He said it at season ticket holder event.

I'm expecting biggest battle to be between Brewer and McDaniels.

 

Would like to see that confirmed first as that's almost 20 games Howard will automatically be missing. Regardless, if it's true that will be announced because that is a lot of games.

 

Brewer will not have to battle for minutes with KJ.

 

I co-sign this statement.

 

T-Mo or D-Jo? T-Jo or D-Mo?