Do you think it's finally time to start Wallace?

Fine. Let him take up the offense. But he's got to take smart shots--not jumpers that clang off the backboard, and not shots lofted up immediately after he gets the ball. He seems to force his jumpshot a lot, and that's not the coach's fault--and I don't see how it has anything to do with him coming off the bench.

 

I don't want him to be the #1-2 offensive option on any line-up. I really don't think that has us using him at his greatest strengths. I want Wallace to not be asked to score, instead, be our Kersey or sane Ruben Patterson. Kersey and Ruben's major points were on fast breaks or put backs. That's what I want out of Wallace. That's what I think is his best contribution to this team will be. I 100% agree with you about outside shots. I want those to go up if there is zero options left (beat the shot clock scenario)

 

The problem with starting Wallace in place of Batum is we wouldn't have a backup big man. Right now we can bring Wallace in the game for either LA or Camby. If we start all three of them then we are going to need a backup like Collins or Chris Johnson to play ~10 minutes a game and that will come at the expense of Rudy/Batum/Matthews minutes.

I also don't like the idea of Andre, Wallace and Camby being on the floor at once. If LaMarcus is posting up down low, then we only have one player who can space the floor.

Now if you can start Wallace in place of Camby I think it would work better. I wonder if crash would want that though, against teams that have two physical big men he'd have to play extended minutes against one of them whereas now he gets some time against the second units big men.

Overall I think there are bigger issues with this teams play, Wallace has gotten plenty of minutes off the bench and looked great against Miami. I think the teams FG% and defense are the two biggest weaknesses and who starts won't have much of an effect on either.

 

Is that a bigger problem than having a soft player starting at SF?

 

Very solid points and I think I agree with most of them. The concern is we aren't scoring now. This team is in a seriously slump. Terrible shooting, shot selection and play making. Having a line-up of Miller, Wes, Wallace, Aldridge and Camby forces the "Aldridge down low" issue. Also, Wes is a very capable outside shooter. In fact, solidifying him being the #1 outside shooter will allow the starting unit to have an identity. If Wes's shot ain't going down, then bring in one that can.

My concern is establishing the defensive identity. Okay so we can't score. We sure as hell won't let you score either!

 

The problem being that the starting unit doesn't run enough for GW to get his off of fast breaks. The second unit seems like more of a running team, with Patty at PG.

Go Blazers

 

Freudian slip?

Go Blazers

 

LMAO! I didn't even catch that. My subconscious is GENIUS! I wish I could take credit for thinking that up.