05-06 opening day 1st unit Sebastian Telfair Charles Smith Darius Miles Zach Randolph Joel Przybilla 08-09 2nd unit (for now) Jerryd Bayless Rudy Fernandez Travis Outlaw Channing Frye Joel Przybilla I think this year's 2nd string beats the shit out of 05-06's starters. That's scary.
Telfair vs Sergio/Bayless: I think I give this to the 08-09 unit because we have stronger defense with Bayless. I think by the middle of the season, Bayless will be better than Telfair was. Charles Smith vs Rudy: No competition here. Rudy by a mile. Darius vs Outlaw: It depends which Darius shows up. If you figure they play at their average level, I give the offensive nod to Outlaw and the defensive nod to Darius. Darius was also a much better ball handler and playmaker. Overall, I'll give the advantage to 05-06. Zach vs Frye: Obviously Zach has the scoring and rebounding advantage here. Frye is probably a little better defensively. However, if Frye continued to play like he did at the end of last season, this is a pretty close matchup. Still, I give the advantage to 05-06. Joel vs Joel: Since 08-09 Joel will be playing less minutes this year, he can play harder and more physical, and has less injury risk. So, I give the advantage to 08-09. Overall, I think 08-09 bench beats the 05-06 starters about 7 out of 10 times, mostly due to Rudy and overall better defense.
It's amazing how forgettable some of the guys on those 2004-2006 teams were ... Christ I remember getting semi-lukewarm, excited about the prospects of Ha and Khryapa.
I think the two lineups are actually pretty close. In terms of potential, obviously our second unit now is superior. Zach, though, is the best player of those 10 and he would positively kill Frye. Of course, as we all know, one never knows what one is going to get from Miles, so if it's the Miles at the top of his game the 05-06 team is better, but if it's him at the bottom much less so. Ed O.