1: Steve Francis, Moochie Norris 2: Catino Mobley, Eric Piatkowski 3: Jim Jackson, Adrian Griffin, Bostjan Nachbar 4: Mo Taylor, Eddie Griffin 5: Yoa Ming, Kelvin Cato, John Amaechi
(I fixed some typos above) That roster looks pretty good! So compared to last years... We lost: Tmo, Hawkins, Rice, Posey, Collier, Tito Maddox We gain: Piatkowski, Jim Jackson, Adrian Griffin, John Amaechi, and Mike Wilks? <--- according to ESPN
Although I am one of the people that think the Rice deal was a decent deal, it is true that we haven't addressed our need at the PF. The West is bigger this year than last, and we have not upgraded our 4 position (our biggest weakness). I hope that the exception and another player are used to net us a quality PF. If Griffen pans out, great, but I would like to see us solid at the 4. However, we did add shooting (another weakness last year), and vet. leadership (something that was sorely needed) with our trade and free agent pickups this off-season. We're definately deeper and all-around better than last year.
I think Wilks will beat out Norris and I think Jackson will be used off the bench. I wouldn't be surprised to see Mobley's minutes be severely reduced. On a championship caliber team, Mobley is a sixth man in the Vinny Johnson mold.
Mueneke is a position-less player. He was serviceable in college because of his bulk, but he is too short to play PF and lacks the ball handling and shooting skills to play SF in the NBA. Amaechi is a respectable back up center with a nice touch.
PG: Francis/Norris SG: Mobley/Piatkowski SF: Jackson/Griffin/Nachbar PF: Mo Taylor/Eddie Griffin C: Yao Ming/Kelvin Cato/John Amaechi Mine is the same as some others. As someone mentioned it's possible Wilks could surpass Mooch, but that's about it.
I also agree (and hope), that Wilks surpasses Norris. I am encouraged by the fact that Van Gundy see through crap such as Rice, and hope he eliminates Norris (and maybe Cato) as well.
