Udoka has seemed very reluctant to change the starting lineups the past two seasons. He seems to enjoy having a group of 5 players develop chemistry. I don't see a quote on Udoka saying he will switch it up, and it seems to be Binkley 's opinion that he might change starters as needed. I'd guess Udoka picks a 5th starter and goes with him. I'd go with Tari. I think Stone wants JSJ. I think Udoka will pick DFS.
Training camp should decide it, so I like the strategy. In any case, it also should maximise all the talent on the floor at all times. Jabari is clearly the best, but does he make the most sense? Is he better served off the bench? DFS is a less risk taking Tari with a better 3pt shot. So I’d think Tari is the least likely.
FVV/DFS/Amen/KD/Sengun Reed/Bari/Tari/Adams Wish we had one more shooter to pair with the second group. I like Bari in a reserve role not because I dont think he can't start, but he'll do more damage offensively there than standing around while Amen/Sengun/KD are doing stuff.
I really think Jabari fits that 6th man role really well, he can take majority of the shots on the second unit. He should be able to takeover any bench players he goes up against.
Why does it matter who starts? Who's gonna finish the games? That's what we should be asking, and Im sure the game is going to dictate this every single night. Its just like last year when Green and even Alpi sat in the 4th sometimes when the others guy had something going. It's a deep team and we have options.
I'd either start Tari if we leaning in to Amen's strengths (ie just becoming a defensive menace team) or Adams if we're leaning in to Alpi's strengths (and running more of a Senhub offense.) I agree with the previous sentiments shared that Bari should get much more scoring opportunities off the bench, and I actually think he can carry more offensive load than either Tari or Adams who are perfect roleplayers to slot into the starting lineup because they don't need much attention or anything run for them. Means you can just let KD, Alpi, Fred and Amen polish their chemistry and actions whilst either Adams cleans up everything that doesn't go in whilst bodying the bigs to free up Alpi, or Tari still gets his random chaos buckets but you've got the terror twins tearing up anybody who tries to actually play offense.
Jackson Gatlin and Brandon Scott broke this down on Locked on Rockets and have me convinced now that it should probably be DFS. But it's like 55% DFS to 45% JSJ. As long as DFS 3pt% is in the 40% range I think he's the natural fit. And like it was mentioned earlier, it's not necessarily who starts but who finishes. But if it was JSJ I think that will be great also. Tari has to come off the bench. His disruptive type energy is excellent 6th man energy and terrible for the starting 5 creating any kind of flow.
Personally I would like Adams to start so Sengun can play PF. We have seen the 5 man rotations last year the double big lineup crushed everything and thats only gonna get better with KD providing elite spacing and scoring. We have Capela as the backup backup C right now play him as lob and defensive guy off the bench. Jabari as a 6th man also unlocked him last year, he was mad efficient in the playoffs coming off the bench. Reed Sheppard's shooting has been erratic but he has consistently been a good defender and passer so the bench of Reed/Tari/DFS/Jabari/Capela should still be elite esp defensively.
DFS makes the most sense on paper because he's the guy who needs the ball the least and will do the most dirty work, which is who you want since the other 4 guys, KD/Sengun/Amen/FVV are expect to be the 4 highest usage players on the roster. Practically speaking though, I think Jabari will start as long as he has a good camp/pre-season.
Double big has the biggest on/off nos both in regular season and playoffs dunno why we should move away from what was working.
Hopefully Jabari takes a big step forward and grabs hold of the position full time. If DFS gets a lot of starts (barring injury) it means something went wrong with Jabari's development this offseason IMO.
Clutchfans wish: FVV / Amen / KD / JSJ / Sengun Stone thinking: FVV / KD / Amen / JSJ / Sengun In Udoka's mind: Small: FVV / Amen / DFS / KD / Sengun Big: FVV / Amen / KD / Sengun / Adams I'd bet on the lineup of FVV / Amen / DFS / KD / Sengun for opening night
Tate, Uncle Jeffy, Capela, Holiday, and Okogie will be the finishers for most games, as I expect us to regularly be up by 20 or more with 3-4 minutes left.
