<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The crisp fall air means either football or the World Series to most American sports fans, but to NBA players, the changing of the leaves means one thing ? the dread of training camp and its two-a-day practices, full-court sprints and defensive slide drills. The NBA opens up camps this week as 29 teams take aim at the champion San Antonio Spurs. And after an offseason of coaching changes, free-agent signings and blockbuster trades, it's time for each club to get to work in anticipation of opening night just four weeks away. Here are 10 questions to ponder as your team prepares for the 2005-06 season: 1. Who will earn starting spots in Miami's lineup? ADVERTISEMENT We're pretty sure Shaquille O'Neal will hold off Michael Doleac, and he'll be joined in the Miami Heat's starting five by Dwyane Wade and Udonis Haslem. But the major summer overhaul to the roster brought with it a plethora of questions. Can Jason Williams man the point next to Wade, or will Gary Payton have enough in the tank to be in the lineup? Regardless of who starts, can the other one be happy? And what about Antoine Walker? Can he grow comfortable as a sixth man, or does he need to be the starting small forward? And where does that leave James Posey? Stan Van Gundy has to make some difficult decisions, and he will do so knowing that if they don't work, the rumors of Pat Riley taking over as coach will persist. 2. Can the Suns run, gun and defend? Last season, the Phoenix Suns revolutionized the NBA game, playing a small lineup that exploded past teams and buried opponents with three-pointers. After it didn't work against the Spurs in the playoffs, the team set out to get tougher defensively. With the additions of Raja Bell, Brian Grant and Kurt Thomas, there's no question the Suns accomplished that. But in losing Joe Johnson and Quentin Richardson, Phoenix is without two prolific three-point shooters who created mismatches all over the floor. The task for Mike D'Antoni is to maintain his team's offensive edge while improving them defensively. 3. Will Kwame sink or swim in L.A.? The Los Angeles Lakers were quiet most of the summer, with the trade for Kwame Brown being their one significant roster move. The former No. 1 pick has the second chance that he desperately needed, but he must take advantage of it. With most of the basketball world focused on the Kobe Bryant/Phil Jackson relationship, the real story in L.A. is whether or not Brown can realize his potential. The Lakers desperately need his size and athleticism, and the triangle very well may suit Brown's talents. If he develops, the Lakers are suddenly a much-improved team. That's a big "if," though. </div> http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AjxI...=yhoo&type=lgns
I hope Payton starts. Even if the minutes between he and Williams are split, I say Payton should start. Respect means a lot.
Payton wonts start. Jason Williams will get the starting role. Posey either. Walker will start as the SF and Haslem has PF rapped up. U know whos playin C and SG of course! The other good question is the San Antonio Line up Who plays SF and C?
Joe Dumars is quitly laughing right now with a devil smirk on his face. People sleep on the Pistons season after season, and they end up going deep.I don't expect this year to be any different.
