Well Rice was apparently good enough defensively for LA to win a CHAMPIONSHIP with him. Oh but wait....they had those other defensive stoppers Derek Fisher, a 36 year-old Ron Harper, and a near-40 AC Green starting as well. Let's see, what else..... Oh yeah, Eddie Griffin is NOT, and never will be, a 3. TG: Who else is better at the small forward spot on the Rockets? NO ONE. Griffin is NOT a 3, and never played the position last year. He is a 4/5. Rice is a better 3 than KT also. Rice can guard small forwards better than both of those guys. Do most championship teams field 5 starters all in their mid-20s? I can't remember the last time that happened. Just because Rice is old doesn't mean he doesn't serve a purpose. He's sort of a place holder for the time being until we get another guy to fill that spot, or one of our younger guys grows into the role. If he's the best player at that position, why shouldn't he be on the court? It's not like we've got any franchise players behind him that aren't getting a chance to develop because of him. Again, I think you are over-stating the defense thing. Also, Griffin isn't a 3. Plus his game needs to move away from 3-pointers anyway.
Freak-- 1. Glen Rice's defense contributed nothing to the Lakers title that year. To imply otherwise is simply laughable. 2. Glen Rice's defense (and offense) last year was horrible. 3. Glen Rice has been in decline since leaving LA (since leaving Charlotte for that matter). 4. Griffin will *absolutely* see minutes at the 3 position this year with a healthy Mo Taylor back in the fold. How else will he see any playing time with KT/Ming/Taylor/Cato in the rotation? 5. Defense wins championships.
All we have heard is that he is tearing up a summer league in Miami, without any indication about the competition. Rice is no way the best rebounding and post forward on this team. I can easily name ten better small forwards than Glen Rice. Paul Pierce Jalen Rose Ron Artest Lamar Odom Glenn Robinson Kevin Garnett Keith Van Horn Jamal Mashburn Tracy McGrady Shawn Marion Peja Stojakovic Vince Carter You're joking, right.
