Current roster: The 8 best players are clear -- AB, Martin, Lowry, Ariza, Battier, Buddinger, Scola and Hayes. The problem is that we are too light at PF and C. Adelman's challenge is to find combos that work well together, plug the holes up front, and determine whether Hill, Jefferies and Armstron can play. Key undercurrent: for Ariza to defer shots and offensive responsibility to Martin. I saw instances where Ariza had the ball and Martin flashed to the top or side for the ball. Ariza hesitated because of lack of familiarity and definition of roles, but did give Martin the ball. Ariza signed here because of the chance to expand his game, and he'll be reluctant to surrender that so quickly. I think Adelman told Martin to be aggressive and look for his shot because, starting with game 1, the team needs to understand that Martin is our go to guy. Combos that work: AB-Martin-Lowry rotation: This is the strength of our team this year. - This year, AB and Martin will start. - First substitution: Lowry comes in for AB. A Lowry/Martin combo provides good balance. (skip the debate of whether Lowry should start in place of AB, at least for this thread) - Possible Second substitution: AB back in for Martin. The Lowry/Brooks combo has been established as dangerous. - Possible Second substitution: Buddinger for Martin. Lowry/Buddinger work well together. Ariza and Battier can defend the best wing player. Buddinger's role: CBud will get around 15 minutes per game at SG/SF b/c Adelman plays to win, at least for now. I'd rather we play Cbud more and drop Battier's minutes to focus on development. Scola and Hayes: They should continue to start, with Scola logging 30-35 mins. Hayes' playing time naturally goes up when there's a post presence to guard. Ariza/Battier rotation: This should be a rotation, not a combo. We will almost always have one of these guys on the floor, but rarely both. The only exception is when Battier slides over to PF, which might occur sometimes this year because we are thin at PF/C. Players that Don't Other than Scola, we have nobody that can post up, at any position. Accordingly, we're going to have to play up tempo and score by driving, kicking and shooting. IMO, our bigs (other than scola) need to run, defend and rebound. Leave the scoring to the others. - Mr. Andersen, I'm looking right at you. There's basically no point in playing him. His interior defense and rebounding is suspect at best. Give his outside shots to Martin, Buddinger, Brooks, whoever. - Jeffries and Hill should be given a long look, particularly Hill. Adelman will probably play Jeffries because of his IQ and defensive consistency. But he needs to develop Hill. Unless he proves to be a complete turd in practice, Hill should be getting 5-8 minutes per game. He can get on the O glass and run with Lowry. -------------------- I can see the following substitution patterns and combinations: Starters: AB/Martin/Ariza/Scola/Hayes First substutions yield: Lowry/Martin/Ariza/Scola/Jeffries Second substitutions yield: Lowry/Martin/Battier/Jeffries/Andersen (I see adelman sticking with Andersen) Additional combos: Lowry/Buddinger/Battier/Hill/Andersen Additional combos: Lowry/AB/Ariza/Scola/Hayes Closing Lineup: AB/Martin/Ariza/Scola/Hayes (who should be our starters) or you can plug in Lowry/Martin/Ariza/Scola/Jeffries.
I was thinking along the same lines as your sub ideas. thanks for posting. I puked a little in my mouth when I saw we were starting with BattRiza AGAIN last night, ffs. I hope Martin starts tonight.
Yeah.. with the amount of PT Martin is set to get, there should be no excuse for Battier and Ariza to be on the court together for any extended amount of time.
Rileydog, great thread! Well thought out. I think for the most part I agree with the combos you suggest. I am doubtful that Hill will get minutes this year. It will be interesting to see how quickly Jeffries gets up to speed as I think he could get some minutes. Lowry coming back will be huge for this team. And I hope Budinger continues to see decent minutes even though our swingman spot is full. BTW, I think late in the game, more often than not we are doing to see the AB(or Lowry)/Martin/Ariza/Battier/Scola lineup unless the team is just too huge at the 4/5 like the Lakers.
What is the value of Battier if he doesn't start? Remember, he gets a book on the tendencies of the other team's best player. All of that is useless if he isn't guarding that person (i.e. starting).
I can't wait to see more of the Brooks/Martin/Budinger combo, they played so well last night. Throw in Lowry when he returns and it should get VERY interesting. I am willing to give Andersen the season before sending him to Brian Cook status, he has played well the last few games but I agree his defensive is a major liability.
Im glad some one other than me think D.andersen is trash in the line up,why not take a chance on Hill or Jeffries or armstrong! We need a beast under the basket not a 6/11 three point shooting, no defense playing center! we rebounds, blocks and put backs! Leave that trash on the bench where he belongs
I really want to see a Lowry/ Martin/ Budinger/ Hill/ Armstrong lineup... Bud & K-mart make up for Lowry's "bad" shooting, even though I think his "bad" shooting is seriously exaggerated on this board...his shooting is a lot better than what people give him credit for... --RB
He has been improving, or at least it seems he is making more long range shots lately. Granted, he is missing more underneath, but he still gets lots of free throws so it balances out. I liked that exchange last night with Martin and Brooks on the break and the defender was caught in no-man's land. Both were behind the 3 line and the defender was going to give ONE of them an open look. He chose Martin, who dished to Brooks and drilled the 3.
I would guess Battier's going to get traded in the offseason. Pre-trade the Rockets were looking for playmaking wing. Are they still lookig with Martin onboard? Battier gone for a playmaking 3?
That would still leave Ariza with limited minutes. Not to mention Budinger. I think Battier could be traded, but they would be bringing back in a 1 or a 4. I really like our wing spot with Martin/Budinger/Ariza.
