My starting lineup with minutes projection... C Yao 35 PF Scola 30 SF Battier 30 SG McGrady 35 PG Alston 30 Four players off the bench... PF Hayes 20 SF Wells 20 SG Head 20 PG James 20 Yao can obviously only play the 5, and Hayes can only play the 4. Scola seems more versatile, able to play both positions so those three players will man the 4/5. This way we never have to worry about Deke and Chuck being on the floor at the same time. You might occasionally see Battier, Wells, or even McGrady at the 4 when we go small. Wells will primarily backup the 2/3 and Head should only play the 2, with McGrady sliding over to the 3 at times. James should play primarily the 1 but is very capable of playing the 2 when he and Alston are in the game. Originally I had Francis in Head's position getting the backup 2 minutes, but he just looks clueless and I am about to give up on him. We always have plenty of ball movement until the ball is in his hands. Usually when he gets it, he will bring it to the top of the key and try to dribble through a double team. This has to be very frustrating for Adelman. Another thing I noticed is that he doesn't really move without the ball. He just picks a spot and stands behind the three point line. Head is a much better shooter, won't turn the ball over quite as much, is a smarter player, and is much more active.
Yao Scola Tracy Battier Now at point I'd start the season with James,but it appears that Rafer is going to get the nod.I see him getting dealt and Brooks being the man by midseason though with Mike coming off the bench.Stevie will get some time there initially but I believe he's destined for a majoirity of his minutes at the 2.
brooks is NOT ready. not this year. defensively he will be a HUGE liability. and adelman even said he can't play off the ball. he needs the ball in his hands to be effective primarily.
One thing I'm afraid of is that we'll pick up the reputation of being a high scoring team but plays mediocre defense, much like the Suns or Mavericks. Therefore I think the starting five should try to set the tone for defense as much as possible... James- has the quickness and tenacious attitude of a good defender. He and Lindsey Hunter were nicknamed the "pitbulls" in Detroit. McGrady- has always been a good defender since his days as a defensive specialist in Toronto. Battier- probably the most versatile and effective defender in the league; he can guard anyone from Kobe Bryant to Dirk Nowitzski. Scola- he and Battier will lead the "taking the charge" brigade. His low post defense is uncertain now, but I have no worries about it. Yao- a 7'6 guy...anything to explain?
And that's not stupid thinkin'. We can play with "one scorin' big man in the lineup". So I mean out Yao and Hayes, and then when Yao will be out put Scola and let him score the ball.
obviously the starting 5 will be: JVG bob sura kobe bryant (we're going to trade our entire team for him) matt bullard don chaney just you guys watch
It seems like everyone is assuming that Deke will automatically sub for Yao when what we have seen so far in the pre-season is not the case. More times than not, RA has been putting Scola at center when Yao goes out whether Scola starts or not. Now he might not being playing Deke very much since he is old, but saying that Scola should come off the bench because Deke is a liability offensively is really not valid. Also, I'm sorry but stats mean nothing to me when you can't get out of the first round. People bringing up the Utah series have a valid point. Who cares if you have the best statistical staring 5 in the league, it doesn't mean squat if you can't translate that to playoff wins. Rafer and Chuck are decent players, but to say they should start because of some stupid stat doesn't mean anything to me. The entire offense of our team last year started and ended with T-Mac and Yao, that's what I could see from my view. Even Morey said that they were trying to upgrade the point guard and power forward positions. Every NBA preview I have read so far about the Rockets say that Scola is an upgrade at the power forward spot. Why would I leave my new Yukon in the garage to save it for later while I drive my old chevy truck around just because I'm used to it. You know the Yukon is better, so why not break it in and save the old chevy for later.
I agree with this post, except I think James/ Franics / Head will split backup time depending on who is playing well and matchups.
I expect Rafer to be traded once Francis pick up the new system. Starting: Yao/Scola/Battier/Tmac/James Bench: Bonzi/Francis/Hayes/Head * When Yao is out, Scola could move to center, either Hayes or Battier play the PF spot. Tmac could shift to SF * When Tmac is out/shift, Bonzi, Head or James could play the SG, Francis/Brooks could play the point * This is a 9 men rotation and I hope Adelman doesn't play anyone more than 32-33 minutes a game.
I always believe that the starting line-up is not as important as the line-up that coach uses in the last 3 minutes of a close game. In my mind, Alston might be good to start a game, but when it's on the line, I'd rather have MJ on the court instead of him.
Well, their defense was significantly improved that season before he was officially named the coach. But I guess he was controlling things well before that.
Same starting five as last season. I don't quite agree that should be the case, but that is what it looks like. For me the best five should start: Tmac James Yao Scola Battier But that ain't gonna happen.
