Best Starting 5 in the league

[magnifier661]

I can tell you, having looked, that you're right.

Except for the points the refs dock us for playing a white American-born center.

LMAO!!!!!

 

[mook]

There is a certain chemistry and fit that reminds me of this starting 5 (well, plus Prince):

Not the defense, though.

 

[magnifier661]

There is a certain chemistry and fit that reminds me of this starting 5 (well, plus Prince):

Not the defense, though.

If only we had a Ben Wallace type player starting at center.... Maybe we should try our best to get Drummand. I have 5 ounces of magic mushrooms. Wanna go with me and Oshley and mix them into their salad before trade talks?

 

[KeepOnRollin]

If only we had a Ben Wallace type player starting at center.... Maybe we should try our best to get Drummand. I have 5 ounces of magic mushrooms. Wanna go with me and Oshley and mix them into their salad before trade talks?

Ben Wallace was only 6 foot 9. Hickson is 6 foot 9. Wallace was of course a much better defender (which we could use). Hickson much better on offense.

I think if we strike out on Center it wouldn't be so bad to have Hickson back. Just reverse his and Leonard's role.

 

[magnifier661]

Ben Wallace was only 6 foot 9. Hickson is 6 foot 9. Wallace was of course a much better defender (which we could use). Hickson much better on offense.

I think if we strike out on Center it wouldn't be so bad to have Hickson back. Just reverse his and Leonard's role.

Charles Barkely was a 6'4" PF and better than most the PF's in the league.

The defense is exactly what we need. We have enough scoring in our starting 5. I would much rather swap defense for offense.

 

[MickZagger]

Ben Wallace was only 6 foot 9. Hickson is 6 foot 9. Wallace was of course a much better defender (which we could use). Hickson much better on offense.

I think if we strike out on Center it wouldn't be so bad to have Hickson back. Just reverse his and Leonard's role.

Wallace wasn't that skilled. He just found his niche. Wallace probably couldn't dribble a basketball for all we know, yet he carved out a HOF career and won an NBA title.

 

[KeepOnRollin]

Charles Barkely was a 6'4" PF and better than most the PF's in the league.

The defense is exactly what we need. We have enough scoring in our starting 5. I would much rather swap defense for offense.

Solution may be for Aldridge to step up on Defense then. His rebounding numbers are there but there is so much more to D that he isn't better than average at yet.

 

[magnifier661]

Solution may be for Aldridge to step up on Defense then. His rebounding numbers are there but there is so much more to D that he isn't better than average at yet.

I will totally agree that Aldridge needs to step up on the defensive end. I can see he is trying though. His blocks and rebounding numbers are the highest of his career. He's not there yet though.

 

[MickZagger]

I will totally agree that Aldridge needs to step up on the defensive end. I can see he is trying though. His blocks and rebounding numbers are the highest of his career. He's not there yet though.

He's playing more minutes.

 

[KeepOnRollin]

I will totally agree that Aldridge needs to step up on the defensive end. I can see he is trying though. His blocks and rebounding numbers are the highest of his career. He's not there yet though.

Most Centers are not the go-to-players on other team's offenses. If LMA could be Duncan on D then we could get away with an average defensive Center (I think Leonard can be above average in time - but it is going to take time).

 

[magnifier661]

He's playing more minutes.

Aldridge averaged 39.6 mpg in 10/11; 1.6 minutes more than this season. Last season, he averaged 1.7 less minutes.

 

[magnifier661]

Most Centers are not the go-to-players on other team's offenses. If LMA could be Duncan on D then we could get away with an average defensive Center (I think Leonard can be above average in time - but it is going to take time).

I would love to see Leonard become that type of player. I just think he's a few years away from being that type of player. I don't know if I want to wait that long.

 

[blue9]

If LMA could be Duncan on D then we could get away with an average defensive Center (I think Leonard can be above average in time - but it is going to take time).

If ifs and buts were candy and nuts...
I don't get the point of saying "if LMA could be Duncon on D" - yeah, that'd be great! Not gonna happen. I swear the next time LMA leaves his man to slide over and protect the basket will be the first.

 

[BBert]

There is a certain chemistry and fit that reminds me of this starting 5 (well, plus Prince):

Not the defense, though.

Those are the butt ugliest uniforms I've ever seen. I may need retinal surgery after looking at that picture.

 

[KeepOnRollin]

If ifs and buts were candy and nuts...
I don't get the point of saying "if LMA could be Duncon on D" - yeah, that'd be great! Not gonna happen. I swear the next time LMA leaves his man to slide over and protect the basket will be the first.

This goes back to what I said above though. IF our PF could play great D down low then you aren't required to have a Center that is above average defensively. So since you think that won't happen (and I don't disagree) then we do need a Center that can play very good D.

Need 1 or the other. Can't have both guys be average defensively.

 

[blue9]

This goes back to what I said above though. IF our PF could play great D down low then you aren't required to have a Center that is above average defensively. So since you think that won't happen (and I don't disagree) then we do need a Center that can play very good D.

Need 1 or the other. Can't have both guys be average defensively.

Okay, agreed. I don't think you can have either be an average defender - I think one needs to be great, and the other above average. Especially when it comes to team defense - if one is an average man/man defender but an above average team-defender I think that could work.

 

[magnifier661]

Okay, agreed. I don't think you can have either be an average defender - I think one needs to be great, and the other above average. Especially when it comes to team defense - if one is an average man/man defender but an above average team-defender I think that could work.

Sheed was so underrated for his defense. Personally, I think Sheed was one of the best at one on one D against other PFs. I've seen him totally frustrate even Shaq during the few stints he had to guard him.

 

[Hobbesarable]

Solution may be for Aldridge to step up on Defense then. His rebounding numbers are there but there is so much more to D that he isn't better than average at yet.

That would be a nice solution if LA was willing to do that. Heck, I've suggested he put more effort into D and score a tiny bit less if necessary. But it doesn't sound like he wants to do that. He suggested he wants a "real" center next to him. It's nice having a captain dissin' his own teammates (Hickson & Leonard) with that comment.

 

[blue9]

Sheed was so underrated for his defense. Personally, I think Sheed was one of the best at one on one D against other PFs. I've seen him totally frustrate even Shaq during the few stints he had to guard him.

Totally agreed - Sheed was terrific.

 

[Denny Crane]

Wallace wasn't that skilled. He just found his niche. Wallace probably couldn't dribble a basketball for all we know, yet he carved out a HOF career and won an NBA title.

Ben Wallace was one of the two best defensive players I've seen in my lifetime. That goes back to the 1960s. He also had 5 straight seasons with PER over 17, and his best was 18.6.

 

[MickZagger]

Ben Wallace was one of the two best defensive players I've seen in my lifetime. That goes back to the 1960s. He also had 5 straight seasons with PER over 17, and his best was 18.6.

I agree. He knew his niche. I was a huge fan.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

Ben Wallace was one of the two best defensive players I've seen in my lifetime. That goes back to the 1960s. He also had 5 straight seasons with PER over 17, and his best was 18.6.

Funny Story: Ben was told by his first NBA coach that he'd never make it in the league unless he learned the SF position.

 

[Blazer4ever]

Narlens Noel, the draft prospect (from Kentucky, right?) is very similiar to Ben Wallace. Probably wouldn't go undrafted, though...

Also, to answer the thread's original question: According to this stat-site I highly recommend - http://www.hoopsstats.com - our starting five is 5th in the league (behind Miami, OKC, Memphis, Indiana) and our bench is the worst in the league.

 

[KingSpeed]

I think our starters production would go down though with a decent bench. I do think we have three very good starters though.

Yes, Aldridge is an All Star and Batum and Lillard are borderline All Star and could make the team in the next year or too. We truly do have a great Big 3 in the making.

 

[HomerLovesKoolAid]

Yes, Aldridge is an All Star and Batum and Lillard are borderline All Star and could make the team in the next year or too. We truly do have a great Big 3 in the making.

Oh yeah, some solid improvement from a couple of guys, maybe a little bench help, and we're right there. It could happen fast.