i thought that was shandn andersn, "defender extraordinaire, defensive wizard, absolute handcuff clinker, on-the-ball-rock-solid-defender". (dripping wet with sarcasm)
Although you have a point, I don't think lineups are really THAT important. Sure you have to have one of your players match up defensively with theirs but you can't look at it in terms of 1,2,3,4, & 5. For example, I think when we play some eastern conference teams, Griffin could play the 5 defensively (against the LEAN centers like Camby, Ratliff/Nazr, Keon Clark, Elden Campbell, etc). It doesn't really matter who STARTS at each position. In fact, I think it has actually been Rudy's goal over the past 6-7 years to dispell that even further. That's why he's so enamored with multi-position players. I think the trend now is to put five guys on the floor who match up with the opposition's five guys as effectively as possible. If that means a player guards one guy on defense but is guarded himself by a different player alltogether, then so be it. By the way, despite his "Rookie of the Year Award" (in the worst rookie class EVER) I think Mike Miller is coming off the bench this year: pg - Armstrong sg - McGrady sf - Hill pf - Ho Grant c - Ewing Hill is to old and much too established to be expected to start at a new position. Just like despite Berkman's numbers, you'll never see them move Bagwell out of the #3 spot in the lineup. Sorry... had to use that analogy.
That's a bad analogy. There is as much prestige hitting 4th as there is hitting 3rd. A better analogy would be despite Ward's potential, he'll never play first base as long as Bagwell is around.
What are you talking about man. You're the one who says Griffin is a 3. Ask yourself why you would put Griffin on TMac or Grant Hill. He can't guard either one of them. You say TMac isn't a 3 but Grant Hill is a starting 4 when he has a perimeter oriented game and is the same size as TMac? Alrighty... Teams don't change their starting lineups every other day to matchup defensively. Barring injury or poor play, a team will always throw out the same starting 5 every game. It's during the course of a game that lineups are changed and matchups are exposed.
I hate to talk baseball on a basketball BB but... I disagree bobrek. Although the "cleanup" spot has traditionally been the more prestigious spot in the lineup, over the past 5-7 years, managers have put their "best hitter" at the number #3 and a power bat at #4. Examples: Barry Bonds, Louis Gonzalez, Gary Sheffield, Alex Gonzalez, Ken Griffey Jr., Robbie Alomar, and Sammy Sosa are the best all around hitters on their teams and they all hit in the #3 spot. Behind them is a more "power oriented" bat (ex: Kent, M. Williams, S. Green, Pudge, S. Casey, Juan Gonzalez, and Fred McGriff). I know that McGriff, Pudge, and Kent aren't as powerful as those who hit in front of them, Bonds, Sosa, and A-Rod are all better ALL-AROUND hitters! Teams are putting these guys at #3 to get them a sure at bat in the 1st inning of the game, rather than have them potentially lead off the 2nd inning with nobody on base, which would give them an at-bat with no chance to drive in anyone but themselves (HR). My analogy explained: Berkman has been the Astros' best "all-around hitter" this year when you compare average, home runs, rbi, obp, etc. but they will not hit him at the #3 spot out of respect for Bagwell. As long as Bagwell is somewhat productive, he will never hit anywhere but #3 on a regular basis. Once again everyone, sorry for talking baseball... I had to defend my post.
My Astros analogy is meant to show why grant hill won't play power forward (despite his obvious lack of size and post game). Despite the fact that TMac is best player on that team and has the most upside AND he shares Hill's position (I think he's a better 3 than 2), they won't ask Hill to change positions becuase he's a veteran and they respect him. Just like the Astros won't ask Bagwell to hit 4th to make room for the younger, MAYBE better Lance Berkman.... despite what the numbers say! okay, no more baseball!
Timing - you are missing the point. Griffin can't guard the good 4s in the west, yet. Period. You also didn't answer the Moment of Truth question. Why? Also, If Tmac and GH are playing 40 min a game, why not put Cat or SA on Tmac. If you read the quotes you put in your post, you will see I don't want Griffin guarding TMac. If Griffin is covering Tmac who covers Hill or Miller. If you read further up, use the scroll to the right, I said I think Griffin will have his hands full guarding Hill and Miller. Responding to actual comments I have said works best. My understanding of why you put your best hitter at 3 is to asure them an AB in the first inning. Also to asure them one last AB.
I'm not missing any point. Orlando is in the East. Griffin can't guard the good 3's in any conference. At least guarding a 4 he can get weak side double team help or have the guards drop down to double. It's much harder to give help on the perimeter if Griffin is guarding a 3. You have claimed that Griffin is a 3 but now you just don't want him guarding 3's? If you want to have Cat and SA guard TMac and Hill then where are you going to put Griffin? Guarding the center or power forward? What if the power forward is an outside player like Miller? Then what? Should we redshirt Griffin?
Timing - Got a few questions for you: Quotes by Timing- If Griffin is guarding the 4, who is guarding the 3? If Tmac is the 3 for Orlando, who plays the 2? Where did I say Cat and SA should guard Hill? Mike Miller is not a PF. Are you afraid to answer my Moment of Truth question? In case you missed it on page 1 - Moment of Truth - Griffin or Mo Who do you think would be more effective on Carter, Nowiztki, Stojacavic, Odom, and Szczerbiak? Who do you think would be more effective on Duncan, Malone, Webber, A. Davis, Oakley, and Mcdyss? I await your responses. Hopefully they will deal with these questions.
If Griffin is guarding the 4, who is guarding the 3? Depends on who's playing the 3. Doesn't it? Shandon, Cat, Bullard, Langhi, Walt, and TMorris could all play the 3 depending on matchups and who's on the floor. If Tmac is the 3 for Orlando, who plays the 2? Looking at Orlando's current roster, a lot of people could play the 2. Cory Alexander, Armstrong, Dee Brown, Garrity, Hudson, Laron Profit, or even Grant Hill. As always it depends on matchups and who's on the floor. Where did I say Cat and SA should guard Hill? "Also, If Tmac and GH are playing 40 min a game, why not put Cat or SA on Tmac." Looks like you said it right there. You can't put two players on TMac. If Cat and Shandon are starting and playing big minutes, which has been known to happen, one will have to guard Hill RIGHT? Mike Miller is not a PF. Kind of like Matt Bullard isn't a power forward? They're the same type of players. If Armstrong, Hill, and TMac are on the floor with Miller, where does Miller play? Power forward maybe? Moment of Truth - Griffin or Mo Who do you think would be more effective on Carter, Nowiztki, Stojacavic, Odom, and Szczerbiak? Who do you think would be more effective on Duncan, Malone, Webber, A. Davis, Oakley, and Mcdyss? I await your responses. Hopefully they will deal with these questions. I don't think either of them would be terribly effective on those small forwards. Griffin could bother Odom and Nowitzki if they were moved to the 4 which happens at times. No way I'd want him going around picks 20 feet out trying to guard those other guys. They'd both be more effective on the power forwards because it's easier to help on post players than perimeter guys as I said before.
Timing - Well thought out answers. Allow me to respond. I am getting the feeling you aren't very familiar with the Magic or the concept of playing time. Mo and KT play 95% of the minutes at PF. Where does that leave Griffin. Do you read english? Read the part after I say "why not.......". I make no mention of Cat or SA guarding Hill in that statement. When I make no mention of a player in a sentence, you can asume I am not reffering to them. Do you know who Mike Miller is? I am begining to think not. That statement tells me, and everyone else, you have no concept of Miller's game. If you think Bullard is a PF, God help us. It sounds like you agree that Mo cannot cover the SF. So if KT and Mo play 95% of the PF time..... I can no longer continue to respond to statements you have no knowledge on. Bullard a PF, I really did laugh out loud.
