here we go C Marcus Camby Kurt Thomas Chris Johnson Greg Oden F LaMarcus Aldridge Gerald Wallace Nicolas Batum Craig Smith Luke Babbitt G Raymond Felton Wesley Matthews Jamal Crawford Armon Johnson Elliot Williams Nolan Smith What are your thoughts on this roster, how playing time will break down? Who will be the young standouts (If any)? What lineups are you looking forward to seeing?
I'll take a stab. Starting unit: Felton Matthews Wallace LMA Camby Normal Bench: Crawford Batum Smith Closing unit (offense): Felton Crawford Matthews (or Batum?) Wallace LMA Closing unit (defense): Nic Matthews Wallace LMA Camby? Johnson?
Optimally, I think I'd hope minutes are distributed something like this: PG: Felton 30; Crawford 12; Johnson 6 SG: Matthews 30; Crawford 18 SF: Wallace 16; Batum 32 PF: Aldridge 15; Smith 15; Wallace 18 C: Camby 20; Aldridge 20; Thomas 8 Comes out to Aldridge 35, Wallace 34, Batum 32, Matthews/Crawford/Felton 30 each, with 49 remaining for Camby/Thomas/Smith/Johnson.
I have a feeling Thomas will be part of the "normal bench" as well. I don't think we can get through the season with only LMA, Camby and Smith consistently handling the 4 and 5.
I want to see LaMarcus minutes at or below 35, he hit a wall at the end of the regular season last year. With Crawford and Wallace we have solid scoring options to get by while he’s on the bench. Smith can give us a few short minutes of interior scoring if needed. Lower minutes for LaMarcus will increase his productivity during the minutes he does play so he can go all out, run the court, push guys around inside, and not worry about being exhausted. I’m interested to see if Crawford and Batum can get some good chemistry playing together against other teams reserves. Think of Sergio, Rudy, and Outlaw from a couple years ago on the “white” unit but with much more talent.
Agreed. I'm certainly not hoping he plays more. But, unfortunately, Camby really appeared to be slowing down last season.
On a separate note, though I think they're probably good enough to play now, I think I'd actually like to see our rookies join Oden on the inactive list and have them log some minutes in the D-League. I'd love to have Smith and Williams play together and maybe develop some backcourt chemistry. Plus, since the Johnsons actually have NBA experience, they might be better end-of-the-bench options for the moment.
Only reason I put Armon in there is because of my other post, wanting to see Nolan and Elliot get some serious time in running together in the D-League. Aside from that, I agree with you about Nolan over Armon. Crawford over both though, until Nolan demonstrates that he is a legit NBA point guard.
Okay, I missed that second post. I think you have a good point there; I would like to see them develop because i expect crawford to leave next season.
Aldridge - 35 Wallace - 30 Batum - 30 These are our 3 best players and I see them playing alot together this year in various combinations. Felton - 25/ Smith - 15 - I think Nate and Felton will clash at some point over ill-timed shots or simple shot selection or too many turnovers. Smith will be the diametric opposite of Felton, and thereby be the different approach solution at various times this year. Crawford - 25/ Matthews - 20 - I like Wes, but why is he starting? Does the first unit flow better with him in there? Guess we'll see. I think Batum or Crawford seizes the 2 spot at some point this year. They're simply more talented. Camby - 20 when he plays Thomas - 10 Chris Johnson - 7 Williams - 10 Rest - left over
