In the starting line up basically. We have Shane Battier and Ron Artest who are both basically SF but we have Ron playing SG for us. Why wouldn't RA try using Von Wafer in the starting line-up so we can balance things out. Yao is suppose to be the leader now and the focal point of the offense but we have Ron there who loves to shoot. Switch Ron with Von and that way Ron can be used like they envisioned if McGrady was healthy. Have Ron come off the bench and give him his freedom with the second unit Yao Scola Battier Wafer Brooks That could be our starting line-up with Artest coming off the bench. Now depending on the rotation Rick wants to run 8 or 9 man rotation I believe Artest can be Artest and do what he wants. Post up more without worrying about Yao clogging up the middle along with Scola. With the line-up we have now we basically have 3 guys who post up with one 3 point shooter in Battier and Brooks who is sometimes inconsistent with his shots. Artest can shoot the 3 but can also get trigger happy and take touches away from Yao. What do you guys think of the switch. It should be a nice discussion since earlier some guys were saying switch Von with McGrady. I must admit Von has somewhat made a believer out of me with his play and should be given a chance before the real games matter.
To be fair, the problem came the end of games where Artest and Tracy were playing together. Von Wafer is just a scorer. His defense is way below Artest's. Him subbing for few minutes span helps us in scoring, but him playing starter minutes will make him less effective and making our defense suck. Plus, Wafer is very inconsistent.
So our bench scoring options would be ISO Artest, Landry in a PNR with Lowry, and Brent Barry spotting up?? Eh, I think Artest is better controlled in the starting lineup. There, he shoots MORE of his set shots where his feet are set. Sure, he does the dribble thing too, but as a backup he wouldn't get as many set shots, so his FG% would crumble. In short, bench Artest would be more of the Ron Ron that we seem to be disappointed with, and less of the Ron Ron that we want shooting(set shooting Ron).
if ron stays with Yao on the floor, he knows he's got to pass to him, you pust ron with the second unit with less efficient offensive players, and he's going to feel like jacking up everything, that's why you dont do it. Wafer jacks up everything too regardless of whos on the floor. So if u start wafer, you'd have him chucking up everything in that lineup, then with the second unit Ron would chuck up everything. The way it is is more controlled.
We are 17-5 with this roster since Tmac departure. Why the **** would we want to change something that works?
Ron bit his tongue pretty well when he was coming off the bench behind an established veteran. I can't imagine him not getting pretty pissed about coming off the bench behind a guy with less than 30 truly good games under his belt.
Von and Ron should never be on the floor at the same time. i really like the lineup of lowry, wafer, battier, landry, and the chuckwagon, as the second unit. you have good defenders in hayes,lowry, and battier, while two good offens(ers) in wafer and landry. great energy,great hustle, and a great lineup
I for one support this idea not only for what you mentioned but Brooks is more willing to set Wafer up for open shotsSo as a startter he will performer to a higher level, where as Ron Ron will be the same coming in off the bench or starting. Y
Von dont fit to be starter. His defense and assist ability is worse than Artest. Ron is pretty good player when he's calm.
FIVE stars, Von fits better with Yao, and he plays the team game better. I am all for trading Ron in a S&T and signing Von. Von is crap on defense but he is getting better, but on offense he plays his role....so much better than Ron. DD
No. Von is good on offense,but his defense sucks.He can step up from the bench. But Ron is good on defense,he usually has to guard elite players. Also,when Ron plays with our bench players,he usually ignore other players and force to play one on one,but when he plays with Yao ,he knows Yao is our first Offense option ,then he would not force to shot .
Defense. Sometimes Defense can be overrated. For example, shane battier guarding Kobe Bryant in the lakers game. OK. how did that went? Sometimes the best defense is a better offense. Von is definetly better than Shane and better that the "whacky-shot hard shots- and erratic ron artes
One of Artest's best assets is his defense and ability to guard the other teams primary option. If Artest is playing with the 2nd unit, he's not going to be on the floor when those players are. By benching him, you're wasting his defense.
We have Ron and Battier in the starting line-up. I don't think we'll be missing too much defense. I would really think that works out best because if Battier needs a rest then you can throw Artest on the same guy Battier was guarding. Different style of defense. One being a brutal wear you down type of guy and the other more oriented. Just think about it we had McGrady in the starting line-up and defense wasn't his best asset. Remember guys were flipping out because we had Chuck Hayes and Battier in the starting line-up together. I wouldn't see no harm in switching Von for Ron. Yao gets his touches. Von can play the role of McGrady in basically shooting from behind the 3pt line or drive to the basket. If I'm not mistaken wasn't Von actually starting and Artest was coming off the bench until they made this switch.
