Since our first preseason game is tomorrow, time is running out for engaging in almost totally uninformed roster speculation and starting predictions. So here goes. Ten guys are locks to make the roster. By their primary positions: 5: Yao Ming and Cato 4: MoT and EG 3: KT, Rice, and Nachbar (based on news out of camp, I am assuming KT is a 3, although he can obviously play the 4). 2. Cat 1. Stevie and Mooch. With these ten guys, we have a full-time backup at every position but the two. While I know Stevie is our primary backup two guard, by “full-time backup” I mean someone who would start if the starter goes down to injury. If Cat goes down to injury, I don’t see Rudy starting Stevie and Mooch. So the 11th spot on the roster goes to a full-time backup two guard. This is likely to be the winner of the OT/Mickeal roster competition. While OT has the edge based on experience, Mickeal is a complete unknown and it is too early to handicap this one. We now have a starter and full-time back up at each position. Let’s take a look at third string. We already have a third string 3 in the first ten players. We have part-time third string player at every other position but point guard by using guys who can play outside of their primary position (EG and MoT at 5, KT at 4, and Stevie at 2). So the 12th spot on the roster goes to a third string point guard, being the winner of the Maddux/Brown roster competition. It is too early to call this race, but Maddux has the advantage of a partially guaranteed contract and the potential ability to play the 2. Brown has the edge in experience, especially since Maddux played only one season of college ball. I think the 13th spot on the roster will go to Collier. Even though MoT and EG are probably both better backups at 5 than Collier, I think Rudy wants three full-sized centers and is not quite ready to give up on Collier. With Collier’s guaranteed contract, I don’t think it costs us anything to keep him on the IR. I think the 14th spot will go to Terence Morris. While many don’t like him and think we overpaid for him, I like the guy and am not willing to give up on him yet. He plays good defense, boards, passes, and runs the floor well. His offense sucked last year, but we won’t need a lot of scoring out of our forwards if the other players (especially Yao Ming) come through offensively. Perhaps TMo’s shot will improve. He is a good guy to have at the end of the bench and could develop into a valuable role player. Being an F.O.S. (friend of Stevie) also helps. If we keep a 15th player, and I think we will, it will pit the loser of the Torres/Mickeal competition against the loser of the Maddux/Brown competition. I would give the slight edge to keeping the 4th point guard. Starters: As Cato said in today’s paper, only Steve and Cat have assured positions. I think Cato will start at the 5 because of Yao Ming's late arrival to camp. As long as the team plays well and Cato performs at a mediocre level or better, I would not be surprised to see Cato start all year. Yao Ming will get his minutes, and the important 4th quarter minutes, as soon as he is comfortable handling them. If MoT were 100% healthy and in shape and available for the first five games of the season, he would be the starter at 4. But he is none of those, and I think EG will start at the 4 on opening day as I am assuming that KT will be playing the 3. If the team starts out the season well and EG impresses in the first 5 games, MoT could get Wally Pipped. Based on the noises coming out of camp, I have a feeling that KT will start at 3. Rice and Nachbar will compete for the backup minutes, with Rice having the edge early in the season if he gets healthy and in shape. Terence Morris could make a bid for the 3rd string spot, but he will have trouble getting enough pt to make his case. Not only will these 4 players be competing for limited minutes at the 3, but I also would not be surprised to see Rudy go with his old 3 guard lineup with EG and Yao Ming, limiting the minutes available to the threes even more. Anyone not mentioned is just training camp fodder. Your mileage may vary. That’s all I know.
I can. And they have played together quite a bit. Tito is going to win this one. Brown will be able to get a contract elsewhere. Collier won't be on the active, Torres will. I'm not so sure he will make it on IR. He's competing with Mickeal and TMo for that. How long do you keep the guy around as a project? By your account he won't be on the active roster and I would agree with that assessment.
Good job. I would like to see from time to time and lineup on Cato and Ming, just to see the possibilities. I know HP may no like it but Rudy should.
I still think EG should start at the 4. We all know hell be starting the first 5 games. Hopefully, he comes out of the gate smoking and never gives Mo the chance to take the starting spot from him.
