f4p and voice of reason have it right. Cat should start, no way Pike starts over him. I like the idea of Cat sliding to the point when Francis goes out and Pike comes in. For those of you worried about his passing, cat can bring it up and give it to someone who can throw an entry pass to Yao (i.e. Pike/JJ) so he doesn't really have to do that much as the pg. If Yao's not in, hell, I'd tell Cat to go for the ISO and see what he can create. Regardless, Cat has earned his starting spot, I doubt Pike will be able to take it away, but he'll have his chance.
I'm not of the opinion that Pike should start over cat... Not necessarily. You just say, "best" and then leave it at that? What about how each player complements each other? What about the total game? Nevertheless, we are talking about apples and oranges (never said that Boki would "replace Cat"). JJ would replace Cat. And Pike would come off the bench. Boki would start at the 3 (he's getting better). Now if you want individual comparison...I said "start JJ and Boki." That means, "JJ over CAT!" JJ can play the 2 as well as the 3. So, in your opinion? Who's "better," JJ or Cat (idividual talent). Then, ask yourself, who's better as a starter (complements Yao and Francis)? JJ or Cat? Both are very good scorers. One is a better defender. One is a better outside shooter. One HAS to score to help the team, the other can score/OR defend. Take your pick. P.S. Mobley's "scoring prowess" going to the bench is exatly the point. It separates Francis and Cat. That improves the team chemistry. At the same time it improves our bench. Being able to "score" (even if that player works hard) isn't the determining factor on a starting lineup. Sometimes there are other reasons a player will start.
Why should Boki be starting? He hasn't shown enough to be a starter. His D is horrendous like some of us feared, but I'd take a Mobley/JJ combo over a JJ/Boki combo anyday. Mobley/JJ give us much more D and more O too. And it's not a given that Boki shoots 3's better than Mobley. Does Boki complement Yao better? Hell the juries out on that too cause he hasn't played that much. Mobley so far doesn't look bad out there and having Yao in there is really working to his advantage so far. You can't really be comparing JJ and Mobley, you have to compare both positions, the 2 and the 3. Putting JJ in for Mobley at the 2 could, possibly, be a better fit around Yao, but Boki at the 3 just sorta takes the whole idea down the drain. Like I said, I'd take Mobley/JJ over JJ/Boki.
You know that this issue will be brough up later. Just wait...Boki starts draing 3s and the jury is out. Pike starts draining 3's and the same will happen. Shooters is what we need. Not another scorer.
