definitely with a healthy francis, but steve had the problem with the tendonitis in his knees last year and he still has some problems with the left knee that he may have to use a knee brace for the whole season.
The starting five will be Francis Wells T-Mac Scola Yao Throughout Battiers career he has come off the bench, the only reason he started last year was because we had a shallow roster, dont get me wrong i like battiers game, he is an above average defender, but a motivated bonzi is way more effective especially in the western conference where we will need more weapons. Brooks is a rookie and even though i like him he hasnt proven anything yet. And furthermore didnt shane win six man of the year before. Also I think the rockets love mike james but are not in love with mike james, meaning since we got francis he is expendable. Scola will start, who in there right mind would start hayes? We did it last year because we didnt have much of a choice
Battier will start because defensive purposes, against those high-scoring SF/SG. Bonzi will likely come off the bench with James or Francis.
But it doesn't even hint at answering our question. Ya'll think James had an off year, and he did. But he was still steadier than Francis and more desired by other teams, who still has his the same TO problems that hampered his career and now has health concerns. James is more disciplined, secure with the ball, and healthier, my ideal hope is Francis is an excellent 6th man. Also, there is no way Battier doesn't start. He is our best defender and offensively he is more effective off the ball than with it. Makes him most effective with Yao and Tmac. Wells and Francis are the guys who need the ball in their hands to be effective, they are coming off the bench with a lot of freedom to score. I had said before James-Tmac-Battier-Hayes-Yao. But I have to hedge now that the PF will be Scola. Francis-Wells-Hayes-Head-Brooks-Deke-Butler are heck of good 2nd team though. (And this assumes Alston is gone).
Competition is good. Francis will be working his butt off in the gym to be 100 percent and so will James. Everyone is going to report ready at peak condition.
At this point, all of our conjectures have a certain amount of validity. Only Rick knows the answer. However, IMO the starting lineup will be SF3-Bonzi-T-Mc-Scola-Yao. Remember, SF3 has more BIS power (butts-in-seats for the newer members) than James. Also, I am not that sure that James is healthier than SF3. Were those "injuries" in New York exaggerated? .... I wonder. I see Francis and James getting about 30 minutes apiece as one or both play some SG. Oh yes, I see James winning Sixth Man of the Year Award (ah, now my reply is germane vis a vis the thread title). Butler is the big mystery. I know you don't give much credence to his ability, but my sources say we will be surprised. I see him taking more and more of Hayes' minutes at PF. The 8-man rotation, IMO. that will emerge by playoff time will be: SF3 / James / Bonzi / T-Mc / Battier / Scola / Butler / Yao. Brooks, Snyder, Reed and Hayes will fill out the bench. Alston and Head will be gone by then. (If Deke signs, exchange his spot for Reed's.)
I would like to see SCOLA come off the bench. The lineup: Franchise,T-Mac,Shane,Hayes,Yao. The back up: Scola,Mike,Bonzi,SuperNova
