Who will start at the point?

Discussion in 'Oklahoma City Thunder' started by Iron Shiek, Sep 1, 2004.

  1. Iron Shiek

    Iron Shiek Maintain and Hold It Down

    Joined:
    May 19, 2004
    Messages:
    1,731
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    36
    Location:
    Keystone State
    This is a question that really has been dodged by management and in this forum. The loss of Brent Barry has opened up this position for competition. The candidates: Antonio Daniels, Luke Ridnour, and Ronald Murray.

    Antonio Daniels is a veteran point guard with an NBA Championship with the Spurs (although he didn't really play at all). He is a good athlete, a solid defender, protects the ball well, and a streaky shooter. He was solid last season as a back up and in the moments that he started. He's not a scoring point guard nor is he a playmaker. He doesn't make too many mistakes and he always plays hard.

    Luke Ridnour is a second year point guard who didn't play that much last season. He is a good set shooter w/ range (although his field goal percentage would not indicate so), he pushes the ball well in transition, he is a good passer, and he is still developing. The knock on him is that he is a poor defender and he turns the ball over too much. Ridnour is more of a playmaker than Daniels, but he still has trouble making solid plays in the half court. He also didn't play well in the summer league and will be coming into camp nursing a hip injury.

    Ronald Murray is a third year player who excelled last season as a combo guard. He can beat his man consistently off the dribble, has three point range, has a good mid range jump shot, attacks the rim relentlessly, is a good passer, and is a clutch player. The knock on him is that he doesn't defend well, is turnover prone, and that he looks for his own shot too much. Murray is definitely a scorer, but he showed last season that he is capable of getting his teammates involved. Murray flourished last season when he was splitting time between the point guard position and the shooting guard position. There are many people that doubt the Murray will ever mature into a legitimate point guard.

    In my opinion Murray is too talented to keep on the bench. Antonio Daniels is a solid back up but he is a bottom tier starting point guard. Luke Ridnour has not adjusted to the strength and speed of the NBA game. Murray and Ray Allen had difficulties playing together, but that could change w/ another year of experience playing w/ each other. My vote is to start Murray, what's yours?
     
  2. Sir Desmond

    Sir Desmond JBB Stig!

    Joined:
    May 12, 2003
    Messages:
    6,053
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    36
    Well, I'll answer this in two parts. Wo I think will end up starting, and who I'd like to see starting.

    Who I think will start? I feel that when the starting five takes the floor on opening night, Daniels will be starting. Now there are whispers that management weren't entirely happy with AD last season (not sure why), and these sentiments were certainly evidenced by such a heavy campaign to find a point guard this offseason. I think AD starts by default at the start of the season; he isn't as flashy as Luke and he isn't as aggressive and talented as Flip, but he is tough, unselfish, plays solid defense, and doesn't turn the ball over. With Ray in from opening night (it seems), I think that's what Nate will opt for first-up.

    Who do I want to see? I want Daniels to be starting on opening night, but I don't want him to be starting by the All-Star break. In other words, I hope to see one of Luke or Flip make the step up this season, and be given every opportunity to do so. I still think Ridnour has a future with this team, but I've had a change of heart in the sense that I hope Flip gets a real chance to establish himself as a starter, even if it's at the one. Give him 20-25 minutes a night leading the team, because while Ridnour is a natural point guard, Flip has superstar qualities.
     
  3. BigBlueFan

    BigBlueFan BBW Member

    Joined:
    Jul 1, 2004
    Messages:
    2,685
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    36
    I agree, put Murray at point, he showed last year that he can do it and I think he can do it again...

    I personally think that he is underated, he had a great year last year and no one even said a word about him. I say this year he will get people chattering about him.
     
  4. Xman

    Xman JBB JustBBall Member

    Joined:
    Jul 30, 2004
    Messages:
    130
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    16
    Well I think Daniels will be the starter on opening night, but he's definately not going to keep the job, I see there being some good competition for that spot. Management will push for ridnour, Nate will push for Daniels, and Murray will try to get the job as well.
    I think all of them will see time as the starter at some point during the season, but I don't think the question will be answered this season. I see next year Murray and Rid competing for the spot in training camp. I don't think we are going to see definate starting point gaurd this year
     
  5. Casual

    Casual JBB First Team

    Joined:
    May 18, 2004
    Messages:
    1,089
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    36
    I think Daniels did a great job last season. He put up real good numbers, but he looked bad when compared to Brent (everybody does) because he couldn't create offense as well. I feel Ridnour will earn the job by next year. He might still have a ways to go as far as durability is concerned.

    Flip is no doubt the most talented of the three on the offensive end, but I feel like pairing him with Allen is just a bad idea. They both need the ball in their hands to score. It would work out better if Flip was always in when Ray was out, meaning he comes off the bench. Even if he becomes one of those guys who comes off the bench but plays starter minutes, I think he would be better utilized if he's given as many minutes on the court without Ray as possible. If Flip and Ray start together, they'll have to sit together on the bench, leaving nobody on the court to create offense when the Sonics need it.
     
  6. Sir Desmond

    Sir Desmond JBB Stig!

    Joined:
    May 12, 2003
    Messages:
    6,053
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    36
    <div class="quote_poster">Quoting Casual:</div><div class="quote_post">I think Daniels did a great job last season. He put up real good numbers, but he looked bad when compared to Brent (everybody does) because he couldn't create offense as well. I feel Ridnour will earn the job by next year. He might still have a ways to go as far as durability is concerned.

    Flip is no doubt the most talented of the three on the offensive end, but I feel like pairing him with Allen is just a bad idea. They both need the ball in their hands to score. It would work out better if Flip was always in when Ray was out, meaning he comes off the bench. Even if he becomes one of those guys who comes off the bench but plays starter minutes, I think he would be better utilized if he's given as many minutes on the court without Ray as possible. If Flip and Ray start together, they'll have to sit together on the bench, leaving nobody on the court to create offense when the Sonics need it.</div>

    I reckon you'd probably see a case of Daniels and Allen starting, and then Flip coming in for Daniels, and then sliding over to the two whenever Ray takes a breather. Your point about starting them together is certainly a valid one, though. Still, I'd rather find that out through trying it than just assuming.
     
  7. Iron Shiek

    Iron Shiek Maintain and Hold It Down

    Joined:
    May 19, 2004
    Messages:
    1,731
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    36
    Location:
    Keystone State
    <div class="quote_poster">Quoting Casual:</div><div class="quote_post">I think Daniels did a great job last season. He put up real good numbers, but he looked bad when compared to Brent (everybody does) because he couldn't create offense as well. I feel Ridnour will earn the job by next year. He might still have a ways to go as far as durability is concerned.

    Flip is no doubt the most talented of the three on the offensive end, but I feel like pairing him with Allen is just a bad idea. They both need the ball in their hands to score. It would work out better if Flip was always in when Ray was out, meaning he comes off the bench. Even if he becomes one of those guys who comes off the bench but plays starter minutes, I think he would be better utilized if he's given as many minutes on the court without Ray as possible. If Flip and Ray start together, they'll have to sit together on the bench, leaving nobody on the court to create offense when the Sonics need it.</div>

    If Flip comes in the game when Allen is sitting then Flip will average eight minutes a game. They are going to have to share the backcourt together sometime so why not give Flip the opportunity to start.

    For the record, two starters paired together don't have to come out of the game at the same time. One could be substituted for earlier than the other one.
     
  8. Casual

    Casual JBB First Team

    Joined:
    May 18, 2004
    Messages:
    1,089
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    36
    <div class="quote_poster">Quoting Iron Shiek:</div><div class="quote_post">If Flip comes in the game when Allen is sitting then Flip will average eight minutes a game. They are going to have to share the backcourt together sometime so why not give Flip the opportunity to start.

    For the record, two starters paired together don't have to come out of the game at the same time. One could be substituted for earlier than the other one.</div>

    Right, my idea was to have Flip come off the bench in the middle of the first quarter and middle of the third quarter and basically act like a starter from there.
     
  9. Sir Desmond

    Sir Desmond JBB Stig!

    Joined:
    May 12, 2003
    Messages:
    6,053
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    36
    <div class="quote_poster">Quoting Casual:</div><div class="quote_post">Right, my idea was to have Flip come off the bench in the middle of the first quarter and middle of the third quarter and basically act like a starter from there.</div>

    Works for me, that means Flip is always in the game when Ray checks out, but still gets a chance to play the point.
     

Share This Page