Camden wrote:Rubio, Martin, Wiggins and Towns can be penciled into the starting lineup right now (assuming we stay true to all reports and draft Towns). Those four guys will be there and I'd bet big money on it.
If Pek actually is healthy, then he'd be my fifth starter over Garnett. A healthy Pek is a really productive Pek and I've stated many times I believe Towns could play next to him.
If Pek's not healthy, then you look at Garnett as being the guy to start, although he obvously wouldn't play starter minutes.
We saw it last year with Wiggins. We'll see it this year with Towns. No. 1 picks are given the chance to start from day one (unless you're Anthony Bennett).
Carlos Danger wrote:Whoah. I like LaVine as much as you guys. But I certainly don't see him starting over Martin - at least to begin the season. I'd hope he can over take Martin at some point during the season. But I would make him earn it. There should still be plenty of minutes for him as back up SG and PG. Also, remember Coaches normally don't want a ton of young guys all on the same unit. Wiggins + Towns would fine. But if you have three young guys I think that might be too much.
Agreed. Let the kid earn it. If he really does take a step in the right direction, then Flip will eventually make the switch. Either way, Flip is going to find playing time for LaVine.
Camden wrote:Rubio, Martin, Wiggins and Towns can be penciled into the starting lineup right now (assuming we stay true to all reports and draft Towns). Those four guys will be there and I'd bet big money on it.
If Pek actually is healthy, then he'd be my fifth starter over Garnett. A healthy Pek is a really productive Pek and I've stated many times I believe Towns could play next to him.
If Pek's not healthy, then you look at Garnett as being the guy to start, although he obvously wouldn't play starter minutes.
We saw it last year with Wiggins. We'll see it this year with Towns. No. 1 picks are given the chance to start from day one (unless you're Anthony Bennett).
I agree q. Kg will get the start even if he only plays part time. Flip will never bring kg off the bench. Just not flip's character to do that. Only way kg comes off the bench is if he volunteer to do so. Kind of like mitchell telling flip to start the rookie kg over him back then.
I think towns should and will start. I dont see kg telling flip to start pek, dieng or payne over him.
Camden wrote:Rubio, Martin, Wiggins and Towns can be penciled into the starting lineup right now (assuming we stay true to all reports and draft Towns). Those four guys will be there and I'd bet big money on it.
If Pek actually is healthy, then he'd be my fifth starter over Garnett. A healthy Pek is a really productive Pek and I've stated many times I believe Towns could play next to him.
If Pek's not healthy, then you look at Garnett as being the guy to start, although he obvously wouldn't play starter minutes.
We saw it last year with Wiggins. We'll see it this year with Towns. No. 1 picks are given the chance to start from day one (unless you're Anthony Bennett).
I agree q. Kg will get the start even if he only plays part time. Flip will never bring kg off the bench. Just not flip's character to do that. Only way kg comes off the bench is if he volunteer to do so. Kind of like mitchell telling flip to start the rookie kg over him back then.
I think towns should and will start. I dont see kg telling flip to start pek, dieng or payne over him.
Right. He's a token starter that helps set the tone defensively, but ultimately plays only about 1/3rd of the game. It's not a new concept, as many teams in the past have started a defensive Center (PF in our particular case) to start halves, only for him to sit for large stretches deeper in the period.
My concern is a Payne/Dieng/Shabazz/LaVine/potential rookie PG bench. That is just awful defensively. One could make a reasonable case that KG would fit better on that side of the rotation, but I just don't see it happening.
Q - Have you given up hope on Dieng becoming a competent defender? I know you've blasted him all year (his bad habits and poor frame) but do you think any of that is correctable?
Volans19 wrote:Q - Have you given up hope on Dieng becoming a competent defender? I know you've blasted him all year (his bad habits and poor frame) but do you think any of that is correctable?
Not completely. I actually think he can be halfway decent if paired up with some muscle. He and Pekovic played quite well together defensively when Dieng didn't have to bang with bigger, stronger players. But if he's the guy anchoring the paint, paired up with someone like Payne.....Ugh.
The problem is he's an old-ish two year vet. How much more can he really improve in terms of his strength, balance, and fundamentals? If it hasn't happened by now, after multiple years playing top flight D-1 ball and now two years in the NBA.......
Right. He's a token starter that helps set the tone defensively, but ultimately plays only about 1/3rd of the game. It's not a new concept, as many teams in the past have started a defensive Center (PF in our particular case) to start halves, only for him to sit for large stretches deeper in the period.
My concern is a Payne/Dieng/Shabazz/LaVine/potential rookie PG bench. That is just awful defensively. One could make a reasonable case that KG would fit better on that side of the rotation, but I just don't see it happening.
[do so. Kind of like mitchell telling flip to start the rookie kg over him back then.
I think towns should and will start. I dont see kg telling flip to start pek, dieng or payne over him.
Right. He's a token starter that helps set the tone defensively, but ultimately plays only about 1/3rd of the game. It's not a new concept, as many teams in the past have started a defensive Center (PF in our particular case) to start halves, only for him to sit for large stretches deeper in the period.
My concern is a Payne/Dieng/Shabazz/LaVine/potential rookie PG bench. That is just awful defensively. One could make a reasonable case that KG would fit better on that side of the rotation, but I just don't see it happening.
I dont see kg being more effective with the 2nd unit to be honest. At this stage of his career, he cant be a go to scorer or a reliable one at that. He will look better if paired with better players and in turn, he can compliment and make the whole team better in that way.
The key for us with regards to our bench play is for pek to stay healthy and to trade or sign a capable pg ( like a darren collison). A pg to run the team and pek inside along with lavine at sg and bazz and dieng at the forward spots. Thats a good set of 2nd string players.
I always think it's funny how people basically talk about Martin like he is a worse ball handler than Corey Brewer his first time around. If Martin is healthy start him let him be the shooter to space the floor for everybody If you are dying for Lavine to star just wait till game 21 or 30 when Martin gets hurt for a few games and bingo Lavine will be there. Based on how much time Lavine got last year some solid strides he made and the obvious amount Flip likes the Kid he will get run if he can play.
As for the bench. IDK if it will be good or not. If we bring over Bjelica and he is reasonably effective after say 20 games into the season that could help a lot. Who will the backup PG be? It's too early to say who some of the players will be on the team. If Bud is on the team and reasonably healthy he could be a pretty solid depth guy. The answer to this thread is health and to be decided.
monsterpile wrote:I always think it's funny how people basically talk about Martin like he is a worse ball handler than Corey Brewer his first time around. If Martin is healthy start him let him be the shooter to space the floor for everybody If you are dying for Lavine to star just wait till game 21 or 30 when Martin gets hurt for a few games and bingo Lavine will be there. Based on how much time Lavine got last year some solid strides he made and the obvious amount Flip likes the Kid he will get run if he can play.
As for the bench. IDK if it will be good or not. If we bring over Bjelica and he is reasonably effective after say 20 games into the season that could help a lot. Who will the backup PG be? It's too early to say who some of the players will be on the team. If Bud is on the team and reasonably healthy he could be a pretty solid depth guy. The answer to this thread is health and to be decided.
This is the argument I can't stand for Martin over Lavine. Spacing the floor.
"But let's take a look at some of the tangible elements of LaVine's season that showed improvement, beginning with shooting. Dividing the season up into 10 game chunks, you can see that LaVine's 3-point shooting improved measurably. After shooting 34.9% from 3-point range in his first 10 games, he shot over 40% through the rest of the season, peaking in terms of percentage at 45.3% over the last 10 and in terms of efficiency in games 51-60, where he managed a 56.8% true shooting percentage."
Looks like Lavine is just as good of a floor spacer and he contributes in multiple areas instead of just scoring. Sure there is probably a slight scoring drop, but that's it. We talk all the time about Ricky making his teammates better and then we let all the vets who don't need his help play with him while leaving all the young guys to come off the bench and earn those vets' spots basically having to do it themselves because none of them help each other like Ricky can help them. Should not the guys who could benefit the most from Ricky play with him and let the vets who's games are still effective without Ricky run the second unit? Martin is going to score and space the floor no matter who he is playing with. Meanwhile Lavine could learn a lot more playing off the ball with Ricky as the PG and develop at a quicker pace as an off guard since he spent most of his rookie year as a primary ball handler.
LaVine certainly has the tools to supplant Martin as the starting SG. I'm just not sure he will earn it before the season starts. But I do hope his game continues to develop so he does earn it.
