Hancock, When he starts to struggle you change the lineup, but he has earned the starting spot with his play of late. He is by far the best perimeter shooter on the team, and one of the best finishers. If/when he cools off, you make the change, but for now, he is the starter. DD
VW has earned a rotation place at this point. Let's see how he endures (and progresses) as teams study his game.
I think he benefits by playing with Yao, probably more than anyone else on the roster. Because his game is perfect for the double teams that Yao creates on the low block. Von is everything we hoped Luther would be. DD
the problem with that is that you are leaving most of your scorers on the bench, the starters will struggle with that kind of lineup
I say we start the guys who have been playing best and are the most healthy up till this point. Brooks Wafer Shane Scola Yao Anyone else who deserves to start will eventually play well enough to earn a start. If everyone comes back healthy I'd assume that Tracy and Ron would be starting. You could then say that it would be better if Brooks played with the bench because if he didn't that would leave Alston as the best playmaker off the bench.
After another day to think about it, I STILL like this lineup. Good job Yetti. I am surprise nobody has picked up on this. Still concern about Tracy bringing the ball up quickly but with Scola, Von and Battier racing up the court, a quick pass will do the trick. And thats one thing Tracy can do. -
I have been saying that for more than a year....even in this thread. To me, this would be by far and away our best lineup..and it gets rid of our only weakness. But, will TMac go for it? Would the team go for it? Would Rafer explode in the locker room? It is our best lineup and TMac could easily do it...but will he? DD
...but based on results of performance, none of this hustle/heart/effort stuff. ...and i don't think the Tmac at PG thing would work, even though he basically has been our PG for years. Tracy is incapable of getting around PG's at this stage in his career and incapable of guarding them. I guess you could say that about him and any position right now but we're assuming he's healthy. The way to get the most out of a multi-dimensional player like Mcgrady is to put multi-dimensional players around him like what the cavs have done with Lebron. He can be the point on one play and create for his teammates, he can be the SG on the next play and take the shot, or he could be the forward and play physical and back his man down to score around the rim. The cavs get to exploit all of Lebrons' skills. With shane and Rafer on the court we're not getting the best out of Mcgrady, neither of them can create offense. Eventually, I'd like to see Brooks and Wafer on the court alot with Tracy because they give him freedom to be creative on the offensive end. I like leebigez's ideas of moving Rafer and Shane. It makes us a more versatile team. We're just not good enough that we can sacrifice talent and versatility for a defensive stopper 'glue guy'. The lakers were already stacked when they got Ariza.
Yeah, I heard you before, but you say sooooo much I can't keep up Why wouldn't Tracy go for this? Responsibility? Too much effort to run the team while on the floor. Not mentally capable? The team should be good to go with this line-up. This is about winning, and like you said, this would be our best lineup. And who cares about Rafer's reaction? True, he might disrupt the locker room, but I think they have learned how to deal with that one And finally, kudos to you AND yetti!!!! (better?) -
Starting 5: PG- Rafer SG- T-Mac SF- Battier PF- Scola C-Yao Rotation: Wafer Barry Brooks Landry Artest
When everyone is back Wafer should start without a doubt. T-Mac needs to prove to the team and everyone he deserves to start, he should work for it. Until then, Wafer deserves it
I think your leaving to much defensive ability on the bench with both Battier and Artest. I believe one of these two guys need to start. That said Wafer would have to come of the bench because I don't see Tmac willing to play the point.
Oh I don't either, not with Adelman running the ship. But I think that is what should happen. Wafer is having a career year so far and T-Mac shouldn't just come back and expect to start after playing MOST of the season at such a poor level. He should be brought back down to earth to realize he probably isn't the superstar he once was anymore, and if he can still play at the level we are used to seeing him at he should prove it, then he'll be a starter again
I don't think Tracy's EGO could handle that. If the Rockets have any hope of him coming back and being productive they are going to have to hold his hand a little. Otherwise he would sit at the end of the bench and pout.
He should sub in for T-mac, as Artest does for Battier. No way do I sign him for MLE money next year as others have been saying. But, he all but takes Head's spot on the team, as I see him gone next month anyway for at least a 2009 2nd round pick and/or cash considerations. Good thing we cut Strawberry instead of him after the preseason eh?
If his defense improves... I would experiment with Yetti's lineup. On another note: I don't think you trade Battier when you don't know how Artest is going to end up. If he leaves or doesn't work out in the end and you've traded Battier, you'd be sorry, IMO.
Von Wafer's got to be the starting spot until Tmac can WIN it back. TMac lost his spot on the starting line-up straight, and to be honest a lot of his play this season doesn't even warrant a rotational spot on contending NBA teams.
