Reading that last article explaining Vonleh can play both forward positions makes me wonder. I didn't even give it a second thought, thinking Vonleh is just a big. Can Vonleh be like our Sheed back in the mid and late 90's? Remember him playing SF with Briant Grant. It would be really interesting to see if Vonleh is quick enough to defend other SFs, because he would absolutely abuse those SFs on the offensive end. I know he has range to shoot the perimeter shot, and I could only imagine how awesome it would be to have both Leonard and Vonleh on the floor together.
I see Vonleh as closer to a Jermaine O'Neal who I think also had a little range. Didn't play minutes at SF though that I remember.
Agreed w/ the offense! However, at least currently, I can only see 4 SFs that he'd have some trouble w/ on offense (LeBron, Kawhi, & Draymond, & K Middleton & possibly Corey Brewer). He still needs a lot of work on offense (he WILL at the very least become decent here ) but I think he's got more challenges/more to learn on defense (but he has the physical gifts, attitude, good ability to learn/pick things up; so I think he'll become a good defender too at the very least) though. Yes defensively, at least currently again (more so v. offense), he'll have difficulty w/ the speed of ~ 1/2 the league's SFs; of the 4 guys I mentioned that he'd have trouble w/ on offense, I DO believe even currently u could put Vonleh up against LeBron for some minutes (& I think u need to to let him get a feel of what it's like/speed his learning process); is he/will he ever be a LeBron stopper? No & probably not (hope I'm wrong ) but @ least he's another body/fouls that u can throw at LeBron to slow him down or maybe even force him into a pass w/; there are plenty of scrubs u could throw out there to use up fouls on but I think Vonleh can do a better job than just that
Even saying what I said, I still think we should play him more @ the PF though; here HE has the speed advantage! 1 of the things I like so much about Vonleh is his versatility; oh the possibilities for him/us!
I can see it for short spurts if you want to get physical with Carmelo or LeBron, but only when he gets more experienced and they are older. Otherwise no.
I think some ppl are reading into the question ("Can Vonleh play SF?") as exclusively @ SF. I interpret the question as, can he play SF @ all/some? Vonleh exclusively @ SF, I'd also say no BUT put him in there for some mismatches & I say yes.
If a team goes small and plays a SG at SF I could see counteracting it by putting Vonleh at SF if he's able to defend there. With Leonard in at PF and whoever at C you'd play Meyers on the perimeter and use Vonleh in the post to abuse the mismatch. So I guess my answer is, only in certain situations.
He has yet to play any position successfully in an actual NBA game! (no, summer league does not count) Yeesh.
Not going off just off summer league (actually didn't weight this all that heavy bc like every1 knows, it's JUST summer league), I've watched him when he got a chance to play w/ Cha. You're partially right, "he has yet to play any position successfully... ;" he HAS "...play any position (PF 4/12/15 against Det. 16pts on 6/11, 12rebs, 1 stl in 29min.; 4/15/15 against Tor. 9pts on 3/7, 12rebs, 2blks in 23min.) successfully in an actual NBA game(s)." Yes, no opponents were scouting him then really & I still don't think they've really scouted him now. Even though he's only had 2 nice NBA games, you look for the little things to see/know IF a guy has learned/could learn & IF he's REALLY got talent or he's a bust or whatever (i.e. I've been talkin' about K Middleton to my friends for a while & he's now showing the things I've BEEN talking about. BTW, I've mentioned Rodney Hood a few times in this forum, watch this guy in the next years; he'll find his way out of UTA. & then watch out!).
He's so young I would hate to box him in at primarily one position. We know he has range on his shot, but does he have the lateral quickness to keep up with players at the 3? I would like to see him play the 3, 4, and 5 at times throughout the season and see how he reacts. It would be a huge plus having players capable of playing more than one position successfully.
Meyers has the skill to play 3 positions. This season I think Kaman will teach Vonleh what he taught Meyers about being a 4 or 5..doubt he'll ever play the 3 given the roster we have
I think they will use him to back up Myers this year. But be suprise see both of them out together some time this year.
Depends on they play Ed Davis at PF or C. I think they'll play him at PF as long as Kaman is in the roster. Stotts will not leave Chris out of the rotation.
