We no Yao and T-Mac. Scola has the highest percentage chance to be the third starter with Battier being a close fourth. However, if Bonzi is in shape and Since he played knows Adelmans offense and is anywhere close to he was against San Antonio in the playoffs, the glue guy might be glued to the bench. I like how their is no talk about starting lineups by the new staff I think he will just let them fight it out in preseason.
Yes the coaching staff has a nice problem to have: a deep talented group to work with. Playing time for guys will probably depend on who plays best off of Yao, Scola, and T-mac. I see guys that can shoot and rebound being the best fit with those three. Battier can shoot the ball and he'll probably start at SF unless Bonzi shows up ready to play and takes his spot. The thing is who wouldn't look good playing with Yao, Scola, and T-mac especially in Adelman's system. Scola looks like a really good passer and a very unselfish player. I think he will lead this team with his personality and fire. Maybe not right away, but let him adjust to the NBA and he'll become the emotional leader of this team. The only real question is who is our starting PG. Rafer will probably get traded now. If Brooks plays well he'll get minutes, but I don't see him starting. As things stand, James and Francis will geting most of the PG minutes as long as they don't ball hog. I can see MJ being are starter because he's the type that needs to start or he'll feel slighted while Steve and Brooks could come off the bench and feel good just to help the team win.
I'm pretty damned sure battier is starting - even though I'm not that impressed with him - they don't call him a 'coach's dream' for nothing...
Didn't Adelman say that he wanted to play TMAC,Bonzi, and Shane all at once? I still doubt that Bonzi will start. Shane,Yao, TMAC are probably locked. James (or Francis or Alston) TMAC Shane Scola Yao
Battier won't start and will be gone by the trading deadline IMO. I'm sure Adelman will want to move T-Mac to the 3. Not to mention, there've been some hints that Bonzi is getting in shape already. If he can get into good shape, he'll be excellent on this team. However, I'm not sure having just one good shooter (James) in the starting line-up will suit Adelman's sytem. So unless Bonzi and T-mac suddenly find a 3-pt touch in a motion offense (lots of inconsistent shooters make this unexpected jump), we're going to have to think of a way to have more shooters on the floor. James, Head and Battier cover shooting at the 1, 2 and 3. If any of them go in a trade, we're going to need to replace the shooting. Novak will be able to fill in at the 4, and I'm fairly certain that Yao will take 20-30 3-pters this coming season.
Huh? You've got to be the first person I've heard say they aren't impressed with Battier. That guy is a perfect roleplayer. He plays great d. He hits his open shots. He makes the smart play. He hustles. What's not to like?
ehh, he's ok, I wished he could take it to the next level and shoot a higher volume and be a bit better man defender, and sort of be able to step up in a pinch. All told I'd swap him out for Tayshaun Prince in a heartbeat.
For how long since we dealt problem like this .....after last time . I am so thrilled , the deep roster yao (keep breaking thru ? cant be happier) scola (mid-range , low post and a potential rebounder?) battier (leakage fixer , and 3-pointer threat ) Mj/francis/Bonzi ( at random , they know how to attack the rim/shoot) t-mac (second playmaker only to steve nash ,and a scoring threat) and under adelman , I'm fully expecting novak, head ,brooks to mature and be more helpful
I am glad someone on this tread is talking sense. How could anyone knock what Battier brings to the team. If we made him available... every team in the league would make a bid at him. He is our best one on one defender. Best team defender. Plays smart. Hustles as much as Hayes. And everyone is shocked when he misses the corner 3. Battier starts every game in the regular season and through the playoffs.
Battier is not going to be benched. You need someone on the floor who is willing to play some sort of defense and be able to shoot. If we trade Battier I would be freakin pissed.
I am hoping to see TMac, James, and Steve on the floor at the same time. I always thought Steve would be better at the SG position. I was one of his most vigorous critics when he was here before, but I will say this: if God had made him about six to eight inches taller he would be a HOF forward. He has great moves around the basket and is an excellent rebounder. As he is, he can score and rebound better from the 2 position IMO.
Battier has the spirit of the perfect basketball player. But his game is not all that great. He has a role on this team, but if we have the opportunity to trade him along with Rafer in exchange for a solid power forward, you pull the trigger on that.
Finally the Rockets have solid depth on their team. It's difficult to tell who the starters will be, because RA can mix and match different lineups to take advantages of different situations. Only TMac and Yao are givens. Anyway, the Rockets have a good bench and won't lose much when the second unit comes in.
i would keep battier at all cost unless he lands us a marquee player. battier always took the toughest defensive assignment and was a very steady three point shooter on this team. i can think of a few games where he made the little plays that help the team secure a victory. a guy like battier helps take a huge load off of tmac on the defensive end especially now when there are other playmakers on the team, tmac can finally go back to what he does best, score the basketball. also he is willing to sacrifice any part of his game to help the team win, a guy like him, humbled, hard working competitive is needed in the locker room with the new faces on board (especially after howard left). besides i think he is a huge moneyball type guy. one thing I will remember jvg said in a slam magazine article about shane was that as hard as it is to get a kobe, tmac kg type player its just as hard to find a guy like shane battier in today's league and if you have one you want to hold onto him as long as you can. i am sure if shane was put out on the trading block a good portion of the league would be willing to trade for him. oh yeah so i believe it will be tmac,yao and shane starting. I dont want to say scola will be because we may get another PF, we may not and i am not sure if it'll be francis starting all still remains to be seen. of course I never thought I would be in this conundrum of damn who is going to start for this team we have a lot of guys who can play
I like Battier and he is a perfect role player. He'll surely start. Besides when TMac goes out, who wouldn't want to bring in Bonzi with fresh energy and instant scoring. Even if Bonzi turns out to be awesome, I think he would be more useful coming off the bench, but getting full minutes.
excellent post. I would differ a bit on that statement though. Battier has a mentality that can be taught. Kobe or TMac have raw natural abilities that are blessings from God. Otherwise, Shane is a highly valued commodity. Such is why we had to pay so much to get him from Memphis. Expect us to shaft another team the same way if they want him.
IMO, it's close to 100% that Battier starts if he's still here opening day. He's a better, younger, more athletic player than Bonzi even if Bonzi is on his best behavior. At PF, I'll be disappointed if Scola doesn't start right away. If JVG was still here, I could see Chuck starting the season and Scola displacing him later. With Adelman, I think Chuck's role will shrink significantly. If we trade for another decent PF, Chuck will be inactive a lot of the time. At PG, my guess right now is SF as the starter. MJ will be the 6th man coming in at PG/SG. If Bonzi's head is on straight, he'll backup at SG/SF.
