He was supposed to start as a small forward, and be groomed into a power forward. Now he may just start at PF right away. I hope so, although I think Kenny could have a monster year if he started all season.
Having one of the options say Griffin could bust like Mo's tendon is pretty classless. That just rubbed me the wrong way. And if Griffin starts at PF he's going to get slaughtered out there. He needs to bulk up.
If Griffin is in attack mode, He could be a force at the four.I dont care how big the other power forwards are! It will hard to guard Griffin, not because of size but because of talent!
All the Rockets need to step up. The replacements at the 4 can rebound and defend as good as Mo. Steve, Cat and Rice need to pick up the missing points though...
ZRB, Do you really want 35 mpg of 40% shooting from your PF? I know I don't. Kenny may start, but he's not a starter. Also, where's the option "Griffin will start and neither be a star nor a bust in his rookie year"? That's what I'd choose. You can't expect the youngster to be a star, but I doubt he'll suck. I mean, what did Kevin Garnett do his rookie year? And, did he have Steve Francis, Mobley, and Rice to contend with for shots, or did he have absolutely no 'big men' to support him while he learned? -------------------------------- Shandon Anverson, Both Wallace and Garnett are taller than Griffin. Garnett is more athletic and Wallace is more physical. Of couse, I'd like to see Griffin play in an NBA game before I make a definite judgement, but that's how I see it as of now.
Kenny is a baller. He is going to produce. There is nobody we can plug in that will neutralize the PF's of the western conference. That position is stacked with supermen over here. I think his biggest negatives are/were that he's a tad short, jacked too many 3's, and couldn't finish. The latter two I think are easy to fix; I would venture that with practice and work he has already. I think people's problem with his height is way exaggerated. He know's how to play D- he doesn't have the height or the arms to deny jumpers and stuff shots, but he really plays true defense with his feet. He can body up to his man and deny him entrance to the lane. I think he played some excellent defence on his man particularly on the perimiter, denying penetration and forcing the longer J or passing the ball. He has fantastic moves to the basket, his footwork is excellent, and I saw him do moves that made my jaw drop- undefendable spins. Then he would blow the lay-in! If he learns to finish, he will be a terror going to the hoop. He has the outside jumper- I don't think he has proven his 3pt range, but there were games where he hit some absolutely critical long bombs. He also has a good passing game and is a good option to have in the high post. Don't forget when we hit stride at the end of the 2000 season it was with KT in the starting lineup! He has the skills. I'm sure that CD and RT will be looking for at least one more big man, and that acquisition may take the starting 4 spot, but right now I'm comfortable with KT starting- I think he will surprise.
Nolen, You must've voted for Sam Cassell and Kenny Smith for defensive player of the year when they were with us. Kenny Thomas playing defense - That's the best joke I've heard in a while.
Eddie has yet to play a single NBA game - he will not start until after the break at the earliest. KT has an opportunity to show what he's got, and I don't expect him to waste it. Kenny's vastly underrated, IMO, especially by many on this board. He's small for a 4, yes. That's about the only real knock against him, though. He's a great passer, he's got a nice spin move under the basket, he does have range (though he needs to work on consistency), and he's got some chemistry with Steve & Cat - at least on court. He has a strong tendency to rebound well when he's put into a position where his rebounding is absolutely necessary - meaning that he'll do it well when the rest of the guys are counting on him to do it. Starting Kenny will probably net us more rebounds than we're used to, which could come in handy considering the Rice acquisition and the new Run 'N Gun offense. He needs to learn how to get a layup to fall, tho. Aside from that, I am not worried about Kenny starting. I think he'll turn out to be a pleasant surprise. He is our other veteran at this point, ya know... EG is not ready. That is the message from the coaching staff. I'd trust their judgment on this one.
Well then I guess you have been hearing some pretty crappy jokes Seriously I dont think Kenny is as bad as you make him out to be Dreamer. He has nice footwork (can move laterally to defend) and he can rebound. Given ample and consistent playing time I believe he will surprise many this year.
