McHale is reportedly going to try out different players to start out the games at PG and PF position throughout the preseason. When all is said and done, who do you predict will be the starting PG and PF for our team on opening day?
I don't know about opening day, but I think Beverley and Jones(or Asik) will be starting by the time the playoffs come around.
I'll say Lin and Terrence Jones, though I've always agreed fully with Carl Fudge's article that this year is a big test for Jeremy. The pressure to be efficient in his role will be high. If the Rockets don't perform/succeed, they're not going to change Harden, Howard or Parsons.
Starters Beverly/T.Jones Beverly's game meshes very well with the starters. He's becoming a very cable spot up shooter. Also, his defense will frustrate other teams starting point guards. T.Jones doesn't need the ball in his hands to be effective. His ability to drive to the basket just gives the starting unit even more options. Rockets need a stretch 4..Jones is our best shooting power forward, so it makes sense to start him. Bench Lin/D.Mo Lin needs to come off the bench.The bench needs the offense more than the starting unit.This give Lin more freedom..and become more of a scoring threat..he doesn't have to defer to Harden or Howard. Dmo is most effective in the post. It doesn't make any sense putting him next to another post up player Howard. He'll get more touches in the post with the 2nd unit.
Said this last season before we even got Dwight Howard: Beverley will be the starter Lin is best used as a 6th man, whether we have Dwight or not.
By the way, just quickly went through the play-by-plays. Against the Pelicans, the starting lineup of Lin, Harden, Parsons, Motiejunas, and Howard outscored the opposing lineups faced 48-31. Today against the Pacers, the starting lineup of Beverly, Harden, Parsons, Jones, and Howard outscored the opposing lineups faced 50-34.
Beverly and Jones in starting line up looked great. Lin and Dmo were strong off the bench. I feel McHale should stay with this rotation.
I'm liking bev as a starter and lin doing his own thing. But I don't see how the rockets not succeeding in the race for the ultimate goal will come down on lin. You can put Bev on Urkel and urkel is still going to dominate because it's what he does. I hate the thunder and urkel but some of these pgs that shoot 17 times a game are always going to get their points. The way we will continue winning championships will be by signing ex great players to come play for us at a discount, like a ray allen with the heat.
What combo's are left. Pre-season Game 1 = Lin / Dmo Pre-season Game 2 = Bev / T jones Lin/Tjones Bev/Dmo Of those 4 combinations, I think Lin/Dmo is first, closely followed by Bev/Tjones. Casspi anyone?! I'm so high on that dude.
I don't know who will start between Lin and Beverley and really don't care as long as one of them is on the court playing well. At the PF, I think Asik will end up starting. Shutting teams down at the start of a game does wonders for the psyche.
If McHale is intent on starting Beverley as PG, then start him on game 1. Don't wait for Lin to slip up as an excuse to start Beverley. There's no need to work in a demotion angle to this. Ie, if McHale wants to do this for 'fit' reasons, then do it. He's seen enough of Beverley and Lin last season, and know their style/fit (if this is the key consideration, as purely on skillset and ability Lin is significantly ahead of Beverley as a 'PG'). Better for chemistry. Better for both players to know their roles heading into game 1.
I actually think Asik won't start. I think Morey/McHale's hope is that we become a top 5 offensive team, and top 10 defensive team, NOT top 5 defensive team but top 10 offensive team. It's also a lot harder to stagger minutes between two players starting at the same time, especially big man that have lower stamina. If you start Howard and Asik at the same time, and let's say sub out Asik after 7 minutes, Howard would have to pretty much play out the first quarter fully before getting a rest. Much harder to stagger minutes this way. Mathematically possible, yes, but players don't get into a flow/rhythm as well.
So far it has seemed that Lin and DMo have been paired together and Beverley and Jones have been paired together. I think Lin will be the starter as I think he will work well with Howard. As DMo seems to be Lin's personal PF, I am thinking he will be the PF starter. I was thinking it would be Lin and Jones just yesterday, but through two preseason games, they haven't looked at that combo much.
Who would give you a bigger boost off the bench? Beverly or Lin The problem isn't starting the game..the problem is keeping the momentum after the starters sit.
