Chase always puts in alot of effort, so I think he will eventually be a decent defender. He is athletic and has a constant motor. It'll come together.
Ariza. He has meshed well with Brooks and Martin since the trade. He concentrates more on defense and rebounding since AB/KM/LS take care of the scoring for the most part. Budinger won't start because Brooks/Martin/Budinger/Scola would be wayy too deficient on defense. If Yao has to concentrate THAT much on defense to stop the layup drills, his offense will suffer. Battier could possibly start, but I think Ariza's more complete game and fit with KM/AB gives him the edge.
In a perfect world where Chase D is great Id say he gets the nod at SF but I guess its Ariza in reality (it pains me)
We have enough options next year that Ariza doesn't have to do more than he has to. Even with all the Ariza hate, I think he is good defensively. We need someone in the starting line up to play defensive and take the "Battier" role with the unfortunately decline of Battier. I doubt Ariza won't work on his game in the offseason. He never really had a big role in the Lakers line up so he doesn't know his weakness. His weakness were never exposed. I'll give at least give him the offseason to prove to us before we start the hating. He was the guy that put down money to improve his game. Let him try so. Plus, if Ariza comes off the bench the Lowry-Ariza tandem looks like it couldn't work. We saw this season how Bud and Lowry worked so well together. Let's not change that.
I think Chase has tons of defensive potential. Any great athlete like him can be a great defender, they just have to work at it. It's not like he gives up on the defensive end, he always tries hard, but he is a rookie. His defense is also not as bad as some of you make it out to be.
I'm really high on Chase but Ariza does have the experience with a better D. Only if Chase can be better at D (he does have the potential) then that is a different story...
ariza knows what it takes defensively to win a championship so i spilt the next 3 years like this ariza the next 2 years and budinger the 3rd
Ariza's stats this year are pretty meaningless IMO. He's going to play a different role next season, more like he did in LA. And as far as displaying talent, everyone knows what Battier can do and his expiring contract. I'd like to see Budinger be a 6th man canidate next season. If he starts, our bench loses a ton of fire power. I think he can improve his defense enough to hold his own, but I still would rather him putting more energy into offense then defense.
How come I feel Ariza doesn't need the ball in his hands to be effecitive? He becomes less effective when the ball is in his hands too much. Ariza for now. But if Battier is completely healthy, or Budinger develops his defense, tough choice.
Battier is going to be removed next year, he is not in a long term plan in this team because his age and contract. Ariza is one for the SF position because he can slow down someone like Kobe.
I think Budinger should just start the season off on the bench and move into the starters role for the 2 or 3 spot when one of them gets hurt. Because, im not scientist or anything but yes, Kevin Martin will be hurt at some point and Chase better be ready for it. I think he would be great starting at the 2. I still think Martin is worth it though for what he does 3/4 of the season. He single handed won the game in Charlotte for us at the free throw line.
I agree that Ariza looks as if he fits better within the offense since the Martin trade. I can't agree that the best way to support that claim is through this oversimplified box score comparison stuff. Amongst other things, Ariza does some boneheaded stuff out there. However, people should remember that early in the season he was asked to do a lot offensively. Daryl Morey once said on the radio that anyone who wants to complain about Ariza shooting too many threes should complain to Daryl Morey, because that is what the team was asking him to do. And yeah, logjam at the three spot. Somebody is going to get moved. If you want to predict what DM might do, think in terms of "undervalued assets."
I doubt Chase would start barring no injuries. Either arisa or battier, it really depends on who can play better with Yao in the middle with a half court setting. It also depends on if alderman would start Yao at all. With Yao just coming back from a season long injury, i would limit yao's PT. Now, where should Yao play? the last 5 mins? beginning of 3rd quarter for another 5 mins? It also depends on who we gonna get thru this summer. If everything stays the same with scola and lowry coming back. I think Battier should start with brooks and KM running, battier is better with openings to camp at the 3 line.
I understand the love for Chase but lets get serious for a second. Do you really want Brooks, Martin and Chase to start our games? Yao is going to get into foul trouble quick with the lack of perimeter defense. Brooks, Martin, Scola and Yao give us enough offense for are starting line up, we need scorers off the bench.
You gotta start Ariza. I think Battier will be dealt in the offseason but if not, his offensive game is just too limited. At this point Battier just sits in the corner behind the 3 point line on offense. He doesn't cut to the basket, he cant post any one up and he doesn't shoot mid range jumpers. Ariza can cut to the basket and has shown a willingness to shoot something other than a spot up 3. Plus Ariza can play Battier-like D. But of course someone will mention that Battier provides "leadership" and the fact that he is probably the Rox designated driver or some other nonsense as to why he must start.
