I would rather have Evans at PF than Fortson to start with, but it makes sense to me to start collison at C and sub in Fortson, Mikki, and Petro. Collison is undersized at center but I think he will hold his own. If he could start games at center and finish at PF for the most part and play match-ups accordingly (like maybe Fortson vs Big Ben or Shaq) I wouldn't worry about our middle so much. What do you think?
I wouldn't mind Nick starting at the 5 even though that definately isn't his natural spot - if Vitaly isn't available. He arguably plays the best posistion D on the team out of our 4s and 5s, and is the best shot blocker out of anyone who'll get substantial minutes. Interesting that Swift got ZERO minutes in tonight's game, while Petro picked up 18. Anyone hear something I didn't? Even if BW is simply giving Johan a look to see if he's worth keeping on the IR/end of bench instead of the NBDL route, its nice to seem him get some run. Even when Swift was getting the time instead of Petro, its worth it to note that big red couldn't stay on the floor nearly as long as Johan has the last few games - or at least wasn't given the chance too. Boxscore 10/19
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting M_Cage89:</div><div class="quote_post">I wouldn't mind Nick starting at the 5 even though that definately isn't his natural spot - if Vitaly isn't available. He arguably plays the best posistion D on the team out of our 4s and 5s, and is the best shot blocker out of anyone who'll get substantial minutes. Interesting that Swift got ZERO minutes in tonight's game, while Petro picked up 18. Anyone hear something I didn't? Even if BW is simply giving Johan a look to see if he's worth keeping on the IR/end of bench instead of the NBDL route, its nice to seem him get some run. Even when Swift was getting the time instead of Petro, its worth it to note that big red couldn't stay on the floor nearly as long as Johan has the last few games - or at least wasn't given the chance too. Boxscore 10/19</div> I listened to the game online and KC and Ehlo were all over how active Petro was. They were even talking about how they felt he could start opening night if Vitaly isnt ready. Odde i dont like that idea because I think it would be hard to keep Nick from fouling out before we even get to the end of the game. Id def start Potapenko and if he isnt ready go with either Moore or Petro. Seems like as of right now atleast Swift has played his way out of the rotation and probably onto the IR.
I'm not against starting Pot, I just mean if he isn't ready to go, or if he isn't in game shape. Posted too fast the last time. I think starting Petro might be a bit too much pressure right away. Maybe not. But think about it, we all know Nick isn't a C, but he may be a better center than any of our centers. I get the point on the fouls and I agree so I won't drag out the discussion. It was a fleeting thought. It's gone now. Bye bye thought. see you next year.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">I listened to the game online and KC and Ehlo were all over how active Petro was. They were even talking about how they felt he could start opening night if Vitaly isnt ready.</div> Wow, thats a compliment none of us thought we would hear after boxscore watching during summer league. As active as it sounds Johan is, I'd still like to see some better rebounding #'s show up before I'm ready to jump on board with him starting. Posistioning is an acquired skill though, so hopefully he'll catch on sooner rather than later. The nice thing is that no matter the 4 he's paired with, Fortson, Evans, Collison - he'll be on the court with a solid rebounder - should take some of the pressure off and help in his development. He probably works best with Nick if only because he's the only 4 who can score consistently. All in all, good news that he's progressing so fast, his development has gotten me a little fired up for the next few preseason games!
It really depends on match-ups. I actually think Nick is our best option at centre simply because he is so smart defensively, but the point about him fouling out is a valid one. We need him on the floor at the end of close games, and you don't want him getting banged about early and getting into foul trouble. In regards to Petro, everyone who has watched him play this preseason says the same thing - forget the stats, he has a presence in the middle. That's something we have lacked for so, so long, apart from Jerome for five minutes here and there. Anyway, in regards to the game, nice to see Rashard get some minutes and some good form under his belt, given the way he finished last season in street clothes. Another strong game from Luke who is looking like he's about to really break out too. No Nate, AD or Jerome, but I am more excited about this coming season than I have been in a long time.
Sir Desmond: Yes, I'll agree with that and Oddie's idea on Collison. I've actually sat up at night wondering about what to do at the 5 for the start of the season. (As well as wondering why.. if Mr. Ed coutld talk, did he never complain about standing in straw soaked in his own urine?) What I can't figure out is if the hoopla over Petro is bonified excitment or rather a forced optimistic view to get us feeling warm and fuzzy about the situation. I don't always buy David Locke's orgasmic tones of certain players and certain situations.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting SonicComic:</div><div class="quote_post">Sir Desmond: Yes, I'll agree with that and Oddie's idea on Collison. I've actually sat up at night wondering about what to do at the 5 for the start of the season. (As well as wondering why.. if Mr. Ed coutld talk, did he never complain about standing in straw soaked in his own urine?) What I can't figure out is if the hoopla over Petro is bonified excitment or rather a forced optimistic view to get us feeling warm and fuzzy about the situation. I don't always buy David Locke's orgasmic tones of certain players and certain situations.</div> I think the idea with Collision at center and the lineup that is being discussed in general is fine. Its just not a good idea for it to be the starting lineup. As for Petro could question..im sure the optimism is running a little high among Sonics fans on Petro as of late (myself included) but clearly the praise he has been getting is atleast a good sign.
Our frontcourt rotation is going to be a puzzle all season. I'm not on the Jo-Pet bandwagon yet. The reason why everyone is so optimistic about his progress is because Robet Swift has played so poorly. Neither one are capable of logging extensive productive minutes right now and although this bodes well for our frontcourt in the future, I'd like to think that we have aspirations of advancing in the playoffs this season. He isn't quite Hakeem yet. Fortson and Pot are both extremely out of shape right now--but to me Fortson is much more vital to our success than Pot is. I know that this sounds crazy but I'd rather start Nick and Clinton Moore in our frontcourt if Pot can't go opening night. If Clinton were to get into foul trouble we'd have Fortson, Petro, and Swift going up against teams second units as opposed to expecting them to be locked down defenders against the league's top big men. Whomever was the better post threat you would put Nick on and use Clinton's and Sweet Lew's length for double teams. Clinton is a bit more active offensively than Jo-Pet, Evans, or Bobby Swift so it gives us little more options on offense. Just a thought. It seems like Clinton Moore is the forgotten man in this entire rotation and he brings some intangibles to the court that many of our posters seem to have underestimated.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Iron Shiek:</div><div class="quote_post"> It seems like Clinton Moore is the forgotten man in this entire rotation . . . </div> I listed him after Fortson in the original post. It seemed to me when I posted it that (assuming Vital is injured) that our best center might not be a center at all. I would love to see Mikki play well. I just can't imagine him gaurding the larger guys very well. I guess divorcing this thought is harder than I imagined.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Iron Shiek:</div><div class="quote_post">Just a thought. It seems like Clinton Moore is the forgotten man in this entire rotation and he brings some intangibles to the court that many of our posters seem to have underestimated.</div> I don't think he's forgotten. If he's healthy and Vitaly is hurt, my ideal starting lineup would be Nick and Mikki. For the same reason though that I mentioned I wouldn't mind Nick starting at the C, and why I'm also printing up Petro for President stickers at the moment, is because Vitaly and Moore are both injured and I have no clue as to when they'll be ready to go. Danny's line last night is reason enough for me to not want to put a guy into the starting lineup unless he's in shape, and with any kind of leg problem - I doubt either of those two will be by the start of the season. I really wish he could get healthy enough to get some game time minutes with the new squad before the regular season starts.
Some food for thought... <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">• Johan Petro does some remarkable things with his body and athletic skill. Elton Brand drove hard at Petro. Petro was athletic enough to defend the drive with a back peddle and then stop and still affect the shot. It was pretty impressive. Not a lot of 7 footers could do that. Most 7 footers couldn’t back peddle, they would be flat footed and they most definitely wouldn’t have been able to still defend the shot. • The Sonics closed the game with Ridnour, Allen, Lewis, Collison and Petro. Petro is playing that well. That could be your starting line-up.</div> Link
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Weiss?s goal with his line-ups are to always have 4 shooters on the floor. He classifies Vitaly and Nick as shooters.</div> If that's your definition of a shooter, it's easy to have 4 on the floor <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Rashard Lewis has a better handle this year then what we saw last year. It is another step in his yearly improvement. </div> I hope it's true, I'l believe it when I see it though. Rashard always just seems so 'upright' all the time. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Often the simplest way to evaluate a player is if it bothers you when he is on the other team. In the case of Cutino Mobley I like it when he is on the other team. </div> Ouch.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Weiss?s goal with his line-ups are to always have 4 shooters on the floor. He classifies Vitaly and Nick as shooters.</div> So using this logic, the shooters at the 4/5 we have available would be Vladi, Nick, and Vitaly. In turn, the possible starting lineups would be(assuming for the moment that injuries persist and Vitaly and Moore aren't available for opening night tipoff)... Nick/Petro Nick/Fortson Reggie/Nick Vladi/Nick Vladi/Petro Vladi/Fortson Since Weiss already said he doesn't want Nick starting, that leaves us with a starting lineup on opening night of Vladi/Petro or Vladi/Forston. Vladi/Petro would get outrebounded by a gazillion, so it leaves us with an opening night startin lineup of Luke, Ray, Lewis, Rad, Fortson...Thoughts???
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting M_Cage89:</div><div class="quote_post">So using this logic, the shooters at the 4/5 we have available would be Vladi, Nick, and Vitaly. In turn, the possible starting lineups would be(assuming for the moment that injuries persist and Vitaly and Moore aren't available for opening night tipoff)... Nick/Petro Nick/Fortson Reggie/Nick Vladi/Nick Vladi/Petro Vladi/Fortson Since Weiss already said he doesn't want Nick starting, that leaves us with a starting lineup on opening night of Vladi/Petro or Vladi/Forston. Vladi/Petro would get outrebounded by a gazillion, so it leaves us with an opening night startin lineup of Luke, Ray, Lewis, Rad, Fortson...Thoughts???</div> Reggie will start on opening night. And if potapenko or moore arent able to go it will be either Collison or Petro starting..never ever will it be Fortson.
I think it will end up Nick starting on opening night if Pot isn't healthy, as that still gives you Reggie in the starting line-up and four shooters on the floor too.
