Case for LaVine Starting

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Meh. LaVine is going to get plenty of playing time no matter what, including with the starters, as Martin won't play much more than 28-30 MPG and will inevitably miss his fair share of games. If he actually outplays Martin in camp and pre-season, than by all means, he should start.

[bleedspeed]

So if they play even in training camp you start Martin over LaVine?

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Bleed, that's a good question. First, if they truly are neck and neck, that means LaVine has made tremendous strides since last season, which is a good thing. I think we all want to believe that his last month or so of games is going to automatically carry over to the new season, but I'm a bit more cautious on that front.

So....If they are neck and neck, I'd look at chemistry. Who blends best with which set of players? I honestly don't know. I'd probably still start Martin because it offers the best blend of vets/young guys on both the 1st and 2nd units. We know Towns and Wiggins are starting, so that is collectively one year of NBA experience between the two of them. I'd like them to be surrounded by vets. In the second unit, you can afford to have a bit more youth, especially with Andre Miller running the show.

[bleedspeed]

If I was Flip I would be tell them both the best defender will start. If LaVine focuses on it I don't think it would be that tough for him to win the job. It also would force Martin to put his heart in it too.

[TheFuture]

If I was Flip I would be tell them both the best defender will start. If LaVine focuses on it I don't think it would be that tough for him to win the job. It also would force Martin to put his heart in it too.

I doubt martin would care enough to improve on defense. Hes never seemed to care about starting or coming off the bench as long as he collects his check.

[bleedspeed]

I doubt martin would care enough to improve on defense. Hes never seemed to care about starting or coming off the bench as long as he collects his check.

I would hope not, but I think the message would be pretty good one for developing the team. If you pick who is the better team defender over who is the better scorer.

[khans2k5 [enjin:6608728]]

Lavine for a couple reasons. First being I believe in putting players in the best position to succeed which is why Lavine should start in between Ricky and Wiggins and Towns next to KG. That way Lavine can improve his defense on the opposing teams third best perimeter player without needing to be any kind of stopper. Martin doesn't need to play next to Ricky offensively because Martin is gonna gets his own offense regardless of who he plays with so Lavine should get the benefit of playing with Ricky.

I want the second ball handler on the first unit with Ricky because Ricky isn't a good enough scorer to warrant having the ball all the time when he's on the court. Ricky should still be the primary ball handler, but with a secondary ball handler Ricky isn't responsible for everything which is how it should be.

Another reason is continuity. If Ricky, Lavine, Wiggins and Towns are the projected long-term starters, then they should play together as much as they can now to build chemistry. Continuity is what helps teams like San Antonio, Memphis, LAC, OKC and now GS make the playoffs and go far in the playoffs year after year. Their core players have been playing together for years and they just have to fill in pieces that fit around them to keep the machine turning every year. There's no reason to go for an extra couple wins in a likely non-playoff year starting Martin and Pek at the sacrifice of chemistry building time for our core moving forward.

Finally, he gives the starting unit a more versatile offense because his athleticism next to Wiggins and Towns turns that unit into an immediate fast break after every miss. Martin is a half-court offense type of player. Let the starters run and have Miller, Martin and Pek slow the game down as the second unit and play efficient half-court offense so they can keep the lead and not give the other team the extra possessions to cut into the lead because our second unit won't be great defensively. Ricky, Wiggins, KG and Towns should be able to hold down the fort defensively in a faster paced game. If you have Lavine and Bazz on the second unit you have 2 high pace players pushing the tempo with no real plus defenders to stop the other team at any time so that will likely lead to lost leads or the inability to cut into a lead especially on any off nights. Unless Lavine is significantly behind Martin which I don't think he is, I want him starting for all those reasons.

[The Rage Monster [enjin:8010341]]

Not to discount this thread because there is valid and interesting discussion here but...Who starts and who's apart of what unit is relatively meaningless. Generally the best players start/play the most minutes and that's what I think will and should happen here. As for the units, teams rarely sub as units, it's more 1 player here or there and to get a 2nd unit on the court together it usually happens over several minutes and doesn't last long. Meaning regardless of who starts LaVine will most likely see time with the veterans and the young core.

That said I'd start Martin, at least to begin the season. LaVine looked great at the end of the year and in summer league but I'd say it's a stretch to say those few game prove he's better than Martin. I would definitely get LaVine plenty of playing time and even a few starts by limiting Martin's playing time. Some of his injuries seem just unlucky but he's proven he can't stay healthy for an entire season.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

If I was Flip I would be tell them both the best defender will start. If LaVine focuses on it I don't think it would be that tough for him to win the job. It also would force Martin to put his heart in it too.

That's what I think too, and hopefully Zach will pick up his defense in training camp and pre-season and win the starting spot. He wasn't very good defensively in Vegas...Clarkson scored at will on him...but I still think the potential is there to be a plus defender.

Bleed, would your philosophy also hold for the starting center decision? it would for me, and I don't think a 19-year-old rookie is going to be better defensively than Pek and/or Gorgui at the start of the season...at least not at center I think Towns is going to be a defensive star, but he got pushed around in Vegas by guys much worse than the competition he is going to see once the regular season starts. He clearly needs to get stronger before he reaches his potential defensively.

[bleedspeed]

LST, It would be tough with Pek. I think he just is so strong that he doesn't get pushed around. I think Towns will be a better defender then Towns by the time the season starts. I would have KG guard centers with Towns guarding PFs.