Do you think it's finally time to start Wallace?

[magnifier661]

I think we need that player to help jump start the offense with physical play. Like Mike Tyson used to try and get "that knock out punch" in early and set the tone for the entire game. I think Wallace doesn't need motivation to play well like many of the youth would like Batum.

I think coming out strong and physical right from the gate will allow the team to establish the paint, so the outside shooting can work its way into the game. Too many times I see our team just shoot from the perimeter and go inside once the shots aren't falling. I think this is ass backwards.

 

[PapaG]

Yes.

I'd start him tonight. Nic would probably go back into a shell, but that's his problem.

 

[Natebishop3]

I would at least like to see how starting would help his game.

 

[BBert]

One could argue either way, and I'm sure that argument goes on within Nate's cranium. But yeah, as much as Nate has always seemed to want the kind of a strong bench unit that he has now, I'd start Wallace. You don't get a player like G Wallace and not start him.

I think Batum would also be a strong addition to the bench unit. Give Nico some run with the second team and feature him a little bit more on offense.

 

[Wheels]

as much as I heart Batum... Wallace is just more effective right now. Hopefully that little move Nate pulled will help Batum to ease up a little.

 

[HailBlazers]

Yes, Batum is sore. Good excuse to start G.

 

[magnifier661]

I agree with all points; especially the one about Nic giving offense to the bench. I think Wallace's offense is much different than Nic's. Also I believe Brandon would rather play with a spot up type shooter of Nic, than Wallace. Not that we are trying to make Roy happy; just that Nic plays a game more to Roy's strengths. I believe Wallace's offense would actually work out better with the starting unit as well. There are a lot of opportunities for Wallace to get offensive rebounds; having Camby needing to be boxed out and a ton of attention on the low block for Aldridge.

WIN WIN!

 

[james3921]

Miller
Matthews
Batum
Wallace
Aldridge

Bench (in order of minutes played):

Camby
Fernandez
Roy
Mills

 

[mook]

Miller
Matthews
Batum
Wallace
Aldridge

Bench (in order of minutes played):

Camby
Fernandez
Roy
Mills

You know, Dallas is a jump shooting team without any real center-based offense. This lineup could be quite effective tonight. I've never really seen Wallace guard Nowitzki before, so it'd be interesting to see him at the 4. Batum seems to do a respectable job on Dirk too, so you could switch a lot.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Start?!? Didn't you read yesterday's interview with Nate? We're focusing on our finishing lineup. Not our starting one.

Next month we'll worry about our starting lineup.

 

[james3921]

You know, Dallas is a jump shooting team without any real center-based offense. This lineup could be quite effective tonight. I've never really seen Wallace guard Nowitzki before, so it'd be interesting to see him at the 4. Batum seems to do a respectable job on Dirk too, so you could switch a lot.

I think that lineup could work not just for tonight, but permanently. Why not? It's kind of a cool idea to have this interchangable frontcourt of wallace-batum-aldridge, each of which are 6-9 or taller and long and athletic. We could really give teams trouble with that lineup. I mean, Golden State won a playoff series by using small ball, and I'd argue that our bigs are much better than theirs were during that run (although baron davis was a beast that year).

You have Camby off the bench, setting up a nice little 3-man rotation between LA, Wallace, and Camby each playing 30 minutes a game (give or take 5-7, depending on circumstance).

You get Rudy in for 25 minutes a game, and give B-Roy 20 minutes a game as the slow, but crafty sniper off the bench.

Could be pretty fun.

 

[magnifier661]

I think that lineup could work not just for tonight, but permanently. Why not? It's kind of a cool idea to have this interchangable frontcourt of wallace-batum-aldridge, each of which are 6-9 or taller and long and athletic. We could really give teams trouble with that lineup. I mean, Golden State won a playoff series by using small ball, and I'd argue that our bigs are much better than theirs were during that run (although baron davis was a beast that year).

You have Camby off the bench, setting up a nice little 3-man rotation between LA, Wallace, and Camby each playing 30 minutes a game (give or take 5-7, depending on circumstance).

You get Rudy in for 25 minutes a game, and give B-Roy 20 minutes a game as the slow, but crafty sniper off the bench.

Could be pretty fun.

Could be fun, but I strongly believe that we don't have wings that can come off the bench and take a load off our starters. I would much rather have Batum come off the bench and back up the 3; while Wallace can still get 30+ minutes playing 3/4 most the game. This line-up will be on the court regardless, because I suspect Wallace will move to the 4 when Aldridge needs to sit.

 

[magnifier661]

I think Fernandez really needs to step up his game. The guy needs to try and take it to the hole more, until his outside game comes back to him. Fernandez cold be the key to being able to start both Batum and Wallace, IMO. If Fernandez cold come in and give quality 3 minutes, then that helps fill the gap off the bench if we start Batum and Wallace.

 

[LittleAlex]

Yes please.

 

[Pinwheel1]

So you all want three starters in the line up with below average shooting skills to go against their Zone?
I guess if he replaces Camby it will be OK. But I would wait. Lets see if the home court can give them some energy first. If not then go ahead and make a change.

 

[Shooter]

No. I think it's time for Wallace to start proving he can hit a shot.

 

[magnifier661]

No. I think it's time for Wallace to start proving he can hit a shot.

I would much rather see Wallace in the starting line-up because I think he is way more comfortable being the "garbage man" for the team. And having Wallace, Camby and Wes be the go to defenders instantly makes our starting line-up one of the better defenders on paper. If they work out of course.

Batum coming off the bench will give us that scoring option that we need. I think Batum is a better offensive player than Wallace, so Batum can pick up a scoring load off the bench. I think Roy is more comfortable playing with a Batum than a Wallace as well.

 

[HailBlazers]

Starting in Place of Camby per Quick. Guess he's the one who is not 100%.

Blazers will start Gerald Wallace in place of Marcus Camby tonight against Dallas

 

[Shooter]

I would much rather see Wallace in the starting line-up because I think he is way more comfortable being the "garbage man" for the team. And having Wallace, Camby and Wes be the go to defenders instantly makes our starting line-up one of the better defenders on paper.

I understand your points. I'm just tired of seeing Wallace jack up 20 foot jump shots that have no chance of going in. He is a much more willing and eager jump shooter than I realized (I'd always heard he was a slasher), but he shoots too quickly and from bad spots on the court. I think he's more of a liability than an asset on offense right now.

 

[magnifier661]

I understand your points. I'm just tired of seeing Wallace jack up 20 foot jump shots that have no chance of going in. He is a much more willing and eager jump shooter than I realized (I'd always heard he was a slasher), but he shoots too quickly and from bad spots on the court. I think he's more of a liability than an asset on offense right now.

But I think it has more to do with his role coming off the bench. Other than Roy (not like he used to be) and Fernandez (In a serious slump), he is our only true offensive option. He is asked to take up the offense, IMO. I think putting him in the starting unit will give him more freedom to make an impact without scoring.

 

[Shooter]

But I think it has more to do with his role coming off the bench. Other than Roy (not like he used to be) and Fernandez (In a serious slump), he is our only true offensive option. He is asked to take up the offense . . .

Fine. Let him take up the offense. But he's got to take smart shots--not jumpers that clang off the backboard, and not shots lofted up immediately after he gets the ball. He seems to force his jumpshot a lot, and that's not the coach's fault--and I don't see how it has anything to do with him coming off the bench.

 

[magnifier661]

Fine. Let him take up the offense. But he's got to take smart shots--not jumpers that clang off the backboard, and not shots lofted up immediately after he gets the ball. He seems to force his jumpshot a lot, and that's not the coach's fault--and I don't see how it has anything to do with him coming off the bench.

I don't want him to be the #1-2 offensive option on any line-up. I really don't think that has us using him at his greatest strengths. I want Wallace to not be asked to score, instead, be our Kersey or sane Ruben Patterson. Kersey and Ruben's major points were on fast breaks or put backs. That's what I want out of Wallace. That's what I think is his best contribution to this team will be. I 100% agree with you about outside shots. I want those to go up if there is zero options left (beat the shot clock scenario)

 

[Draco]

The problem with starting Wallace in place of Batum is we wouldn't have a backup big man. Right now we can bring Wallace in the game for either LA or Camby. If we start all three of them then we are going to need a backup like Collins or Chris Johnson to play ~10 minutes a game and that will come at the expense of Rudy/Batum/Matthews minutes.

I also don't like the idea of Andre, Wallace and Camby being on the floor at once. If LaMarcus is posting up down low, then we only have one player who can space the floor.

Now if you can start Wallace in place of Camby I think it would work better. I wonder if crash would want that though, against teams that have two physical big men he'd have to play extended minutes against one of them whereas now he gets some time against the second units big men.

Overall I think there are bigger issues with this teams play, Wallace has gotten plenty of minutes off the bench and looked great against Miami. I think the teams FG% and defense are the two biggest weaknesses and who starts won't have much of an effect on either.

 

[hasoos]

The problem with starting Wallace in place of Batum is we wouldn't have a backup big man. Right now we can bring Wallace in the game for either LA or Camby. If we start all three of them then we are going to need a backup like Collins or Chris Johnson to play ~10 minutes a game and that will come at the expense of Rudy/Batum/Matthews minutes.

I also don't like the idea of Andre, Wallace and Camby being on the floor at once. If LaMarcus is posting up down low, then we only have one player who can space the floor.

Now if you can start Wallace in place of Camby I think it would work better. I wonder if crash would want that though, against teams that have two physical big men he'd have to play extended minutes against one of them whereas now he gets some time against the second units big men.

Overall I think there are bigger issues with this teams play, Wallace has gotten plenty of minutes off the bench and looked great against Miami. I think the teams FG% and defense are the two biggest weaknesses and who starts won't have much of an effect on either.

Is that a bigger problem than having a soft player starting at SF?

 

[magnifier661]

The problem with starting Wallace in place of Batum is we wouldn't have a backup big man. Right now we can bring Wallace in the game for either LA or Camby. If we start all three of them then we are going to need a backup like Collins or Chris Johnson to play ~10 minutes a game and that will come at the expense of Rudy/Batum/Matthews minutes.

I also don't like the idea of Andre, Wallace and Camby being on the floor at once. If LaMarcus is posting up down low, then we only have one player who can space the floor.

Now if you can start Wallace in place of Camby I think it would work better. I wonder if crash would want that though, against teams that have two physical big men he'd have to play extended minutes against one of them whereas now he gets some time against the second units big men.

Overall I think there are bigger issues with this teams play, Wallace has gotten plenty of minutes off the bench and looked great against Miami. I think the teams FG% and defense are the two biggest weaknesses and who starts won't have much of an effect on either.

Very solid points and I think I agree with most of them. The concern is we aren't scoring now. This team is in a seriously slump. Terrible shooting, shot selection and play making. Having a line-up of Miller, Wes, Wallace, Aldridge and Camby forces the "Aldridge down low" issue. Also, Wes is a very capable outside shooter. In fact, solidifying him being the #1 outside shooter will allow the starting unit to have an identity. If Wes's shot ain't going down, then bring in one that can.

My concern is establishing the defensive identity. Okay so we can't score. We sure as hell won't let you score either!

 

[oldguy]

I don't want him to be the #1-2 offensive option on any line-up. I really don't think that has us using him at his greatest strengths. I want Wallace to not be asked to score, instead, be our Kersey or sane Ruben Patterson. Kersey and Ruben's major points were on fast breaks or put backs. That's what I want out of Wallace. That's what I think is his best contribution to this team will be. I 100% agree with you about outside shots. I want those to go up if there is zero options left (beat the shot clock scenario)

The problem being that the starting unit doesn't run enough for GW to get his off of fast breaks. The second unit seems like more of a running team, with Patty at PG.

Go Blazers

 

[oldguy]

I think Fernandez really needs to step up his game. The guy needs to try and take it to the hole more, until his outside game comes back to him. Fernandez cold be the key to being able to start both Batum and Wallace, IMO. If Fernandez cold come in and give quality 3 minutes, then that helps fill the gap off the bench if we start Batum and Wallace.

Freudian slip?

Go Blazers

 

[magnifier661]

LMAO! I didn't even catch that. My subconscious is GENIUS! I wish I could take credit for thinking that up.