Can Vonleh play SF?

[magnifier661]

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.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

No.

 

[KeepOnRollin]

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.

 

[0-Our!]

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.

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

 

[Mediocre Man]

Against another PF, sure

 

[0-Our!]

Against another PF, sure

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!

 

[Reep]

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.

 

[JfizzleBlazer]

No

 

[0-Our!]

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.

 

[BonesJones]

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.

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.

 

[oldmangrouch]

He has yet to play any position successfully in an actual NBA game! (no, summer league does not count)

Yeesh.

 

[0-Our!]

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!).

 

[Hobbesarable]

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.

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.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Potentially as well as Marvin Williams who technically plays both forward spots.

 

[0-Our!]

Potentially as well as Marvin Williams who technically plays both forward spots.

Yikes! I hope Vonleh's not that streaky/bad. Vonleh will b better than him

 

[riverman]

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

 

[Pinwheel1]

Yikes! I hope Vonleh's not that streaky/bad. Vonleh will b better than him

I meant to say at least as well at the SF position. At PF he will be much better.

 

[Sinobas]

I said this a long time ago. He can shoot and has a good ball handling skills.

 

[Trackjack]

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.

 

[Sinobas]

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.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Stotts will not leave Chris out of the rotation.

He should. Olshey should (and probably already did) make it very clear to Stotts that this year is ALL about development of the youth. Unnecessarily playing Kaman should not be tolerated.

 

[e_blazer]

He should. Olshey should (and probably already did) make it very clear to Stotts that this year is ALL about development of the youth. Unnecessarily playing Kaman should not be tolerated.

I think Kaman should get some minutes to show the young guys how it's done and to maintain his trade value leading up to the deadline.

 

[0-Our!]

Got a strong feeling this is how it goes w/ our bigs: Mason exclusively @ the 5 (only would play the 4 if we get in foul trouble @ the 4), Meyers exclusively @ the 4 (only would play the 5 if we get in foul trouble @ the 5), interchangeably Davis & Vonleh get their minutes @ as the backup 4 & 5 when needed & Vonleh will see some min. @ the SF because (@ least for the 1st 1/2 of the season), there r minutes to be had here/foul trouble will occur here so it will b necessary to have more bodies @ the SF. There WILL be times when we'll see Vonleh & Meyers on the floor together (in times when the interior has shotblockers/when it gets crowded w/ opponent bigs)

I endorse the above w/ a slight twist: Keep teams off-balance/guessing by mostly playing Mason @ 5 & Meyers @ 4 but do some switching when the matchup favors it on O or D w/ these 2. Also, I think we might even see a Vonleh (@ the 3), Meyers (@ the 4), Davis/Mason (@ the 5) lineup or @ least I'd love to see this!

 

[Pinwheel1]

when needed & Vonleh will see some min. @ the SF because (@ least for the 1st 1/2 of the season), there r minutes to be had here/foul trouble will occur here so it will b necessary to have more bodies @ the SF.

Will there be minutes at the sF? I am not saying don't try Vonleh there, but we do have Aminu and Harkless. Plus I think Crabbe will get more minutes at the 3 than the 2.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Will there be minutes at the sF? I am not saying don't try Vonleh there, but we do have Aminu and Harkless. Plus I think Crabbe will get more minutes at the 3 than the 2.

Many think Aminu's game is more suited for the 4 than the 3 anyway. If they were on the floor together, would it really matter which is considered the SF and which is the PF? An Aminu/Vonleh forward pairing could definitely cause problems for the opposition.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Many think Aminu's game is more suited for the 4 than the 3 anyway. If they were on the floor together, would it really matter which is considered the SF and which is the PF? An Aminu/Vonleh forward pairing could definitely cause problems for the opposition.

You are right, it doesn't make a difference. However I disagree that Aminu's skill set is "more" suited for the 4 spot. Yes he will be effective guarding stretch 4's, but he is also needed guarding the other team's best wings. (and at times PG's) I think Terry will use him like Nic on D.

 

[blue9]

Many think Aminu's game is more suited for the 4 than the 3 anyway.

Many people are stupid.
But seriously, with the number of players we have who are naturally fitted to PF (or C), I don't see any point in playing Aminu at PF when we have so little talent at SF. Perhaps in end-game situations, but outside of that it seems dumb to play him at PF.

 

[0-Our!]

You are right, it doesn't make a difference... Yes he will be effective guarding stretch 4's, but he is also needed guarding the other team's best wings. (and at times PG's) I think Terry will use him like Nic on D.

There will DEFINITELY b times this season where we'll switch on everything/every1 on D

 

[0-Our!]

Many people are stupid.
But seriously, with the number of players we have who are naturally fitted to PF (or C), I don't see any point in playing Aminu at PF when we have so little talent at SF. Perhaps in end-game situations, but outside of that it seems dumb to play him at PF.

I'll agree w/ u on the 4 & 5 spots having well suited players for the positions & not needing to put Aminu @ 4 often & in end-game situations BUT I don't think it's dumb to again play him some@ 4 for mismatch purposes.

Rather than rebuild or how ever ppl want to brand our team/season, I think the theme for this year to b preached should b "versatility."

ps there ARE MANY people that ARE stupid BUT... NOT in THIS forum! We're all fuckin' brilliant in here man!

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Many people are stupid.
But seriously, with the number of players we have who are naturally fitted to PF (or C), I don't see any point in playing Aminu at PF when we have so little talent at SF. Perhaps in end-game situations, but outside of that it seems dumb to play him at PF.

That wasn't at all my point. Positions are less important than skillset. For example, in addition to Vonleh, some have mentioned that the offensive skillset Leonard brings to the table is closer to a 3 than a 5. So, if Leonard, Vonleh, and Aminu are all on the floor together, who fills what role? Based on their heights, you would naturally classify Aminu as a 3, Vonleh a 4, and Leonard a 5. But Aminu is actually the best rim protector of the three, while Leonard is the best shooter, and Vonleh is the best ball-handler. Then again, Aminu is probably also the best slasher/finisher, Leonard the best post defender, and Vonleh the best rebounder.

Honestly, that's the lineup I'm looking forward to more than any other, specifically because of the positional ambiguity.