Don Nelson loves experimenting with his lineups and the Warriors have a lot of talent and flexibility at each position. Who should the starting five be? Who will the starting five be? Current roster Azubuike, Kelenna Belinelli, Marco Biedrins, Andris Claxton, Speedy Curry, Stephen Ellis, Monta Jackson, Stephen Law, Acie Maggette, Corey Morrow, Anthony Randolph, Anthony Turiaf, Ronny Watson, C.J. Wright, Brandan
damn, the warriors have a ton of talent. I would start ellis, jackson, randolph, and biedrins. The 5 could be any one of those guys. They could go small or big with those 4. So much versatility.
Monta/Jax/Azu/AR/Biedrins Curry backing up PG, moving monta to 2 and Jax to 3 Morrow backing up SG, moving Jax to 3 Maggette backing up 3 Unfortunately Beli isn't going to get to play, I still think he's the best PG on the roster
I think on opening night, the starting lineup will be: Monta Ellis Anthony Morrow Stephen Jackson Anthony Randolph Andris Biedrins This lineup will change on a nightly basis, but I think this is a safe bet.
Speaking of a lot of talent: From Bill Simmons' Article where he takes quotes from "Almost Famous" and applies it to the NBA Assuming no major Trades, Signings, or Injuiries: I have a feeling that the starting 5 will be Monta Ellis Stephen Jackson Corey Maggette Anthony Randolph Andris Biedrins If I were choosing the lineup Watson (Still the best PG we'd have) Monta Jackson Randolph Biedrins
Nelson did call Jackson and tell him he'd be moving up a spot, presumably that means he'll be starting at SF. I don't imagine he was thinking of starting Curry at SG, so it's probably either Azubuike or Morrow. That's an awfully small backcourt though with Morrow, I don't know. I have a feeling Jackson will still be spending a lot of time at the 2 this year.
Opening night I think it'll be Monta, Jack, AR, Biedrins with either Azu or Morrow at the starting 2/3. Pretty decent chance that its a small ball unit of Monta, Jack, Azu, Biedrins, and some other wing. I think eventually Curry will get a starting spot though.
CURRY ELLIS JACKSON RANDOLPH BIEDRINS that's mostly wishful thinking...if i went with my brain (instead of my heart) i think that morrow or buike will start at SG and push monta to the point...MAAAYBE watson over curry though.
That's the lineup of the future but Curry is not going to be ready to be the starting PG for at least 1/3 of the season. Plus, he's a rookie. He's got a lot of adjustments to make to the pro game, mostly the travel and the conditioning. To expect any rookie to jump into the starting lineup from day one is definitely wishful thinking. Not many rookies can do that. I don't think Curry is the exception. LeBron James, et al are the exception and LeBron Curry is not.
Ellis Jackson Randolph Wright or Turiaf Biedrins I'd say we'd have a rebounding advantage and the tall guys are pretty light on their feet.
Is Maggette for sure going to be the 6th man of this team? I only saw one person put him in their starting line up. All of these lineups show one thing to look forward to - perhaps the worst passing team in the league. Hopefully Curry/Ellis can make the transition to point quickly. We could see a lot of experimentation throughout the season again from Nelson with the starting lineups. I wouldn't be surprised if Nelson went with a Ellis/Morrow(or Azubuike)/Jackson/Maggette/Randolph starting lineup.
