Starting two guard (1 Viewer)

[HailBlazers]

I think it's a misconception to think that your starters are your best five players. Certainly your best two or three players should start (so long as they're at different positions) but then you want players that complement them, so that the unit makes sense. That's why Matthews should start over CJ even if CJ is better, because CJ is not better than Lillard, and Matthews complements Lillard better than CJ (plays defense, doesn't need the ball).

Word, well said.

If CJ could become our reliable Jason Terry first off the bench spark I would be ecstatic

 

[blue9]

Word, well said.

If CJ could become our reliable Jason Terry first off the bench spark I would be ecstatic

Yup - that seems to be his ideal role. At least in the short-term. If he proves to be better than a 6th Man, then he'll get a more appropriate role.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

I think you're right, C.J will START OUT with the short straw. It'll be interesting to see if he can pass it off.

You're right - somebody is going to get the short straw. Probably CJ this season. But Wes and Mo might not get the minutes they want either. I think something like this would be ideal for this season, +/- a couple minutes:

Lillard - 33m
Wes - 30m
Mo - 18m
CJ - 15m

 

[Blazer4ever]

I think it's a misconception to think that your starters are your best five players. Certainly your best two or three players should start (so long as they're at different positions) but then you want players that complement them, so that the unit makes sense. That's why Matthews should start over CJ even if CJ is better, because CJ is not better than Lillard, and Matthews complements Lillard better than CJ (plays defense, doesn't need the ball).

I actually think Lillard and CJ compliment each other very well on offense, they're not that similar offensively, Lillard is an amazing shooter while CJ is better from mid-range, maybe penetrating to that area than dishing out to Dame for 3. In summer league CJ had to face double teams while also not having another ball handler, you can't double him if u leave a guy like Lillard open.
I think Wes starts at the beginning of the season but the Dame-CJ combo soon becomes too good to ignore. Also, with Batum and Lopez their defense isn't as big a liability. I agree with MM on Wes coming of the bench and I think at some point either him or Mo are traded.

 

[Natebishop3]

I think we should start Will "The Thrill" Barton. Winning be damned.

 

[BBert]

I think we should start Will "The Thrill" Barton.

...on the Stampede.

 

[Natebishop3]

...on the Stampede.

Actually I was thinking the Forest Dragons. He could play WR.

 

[MarAzul]

I'm not sure McCollum can do it, but our team would be much better with Matthews off the bench. IMO

It sure would Having a better starting 2 and a better 2 off the bench has been a need for quite awhile.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

I really think of this as the no lose scenario. I like the following combinations of players out on the court at the same time:
lillard williams - very good
lillard wes - very good
lillard cj - very good
williams wes - good
williams cj - good
wes cj - good

 

[BrianFromWA]

Wes-CJ seems iffy to me right now, hopefully CJ can show some PG skills.

Lillard-Williams also seems sub-optimal, unless it's in the Maynor-esque 6-10 mpg where Lillard plays off the ball. I think that would only be effective against reserves, when Lillard probably will be sitting.

Frankly, I like the option of Lillard-Batum-Wright at the 1-2-3 with Mo and Wes (CJ?) coming off the bench a lot better.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Frankly, I like the option of Lillard-Batum-Wright at the 1-2-3 with Mo and Wes (CJ?) coming off the bench a lot better.

I like it. They won't do it unless an injury to Wes forces the issue, (Then once he comes back he comes off the bench) but I must admit I like that lineup. There really isn't anything Wes can do at the 2 (i.e ball handling) that Nic can't do just as well.

Supposively Wright has point forward skills. I have not watched him enough to know for sure, but if he does, having him and Batum in there with Damian would be nice. It would also give Victor a few minutes off the bench at the 3.

 

[BrianFromWA]

And, my fault for writing it this way, but by the All-Star break I think CJ's getting a lot more minutes than Mo.

 

[Natebishop3]

And, my fault for writing it this way, but by the All-Star break I think CJ's getting a lot more minutes than Mo.

I disagree Brian. I think we make a trade if CJ is balling. I still feel like Wes might be moved. CJ isn't a point guard, but Mo is. I don't think Stotts will sacrifice Mo's minutes because they want to be able to play Lillard at shooting guard for stretches.

 

[Pinwheel1]

I disagree Brian. I think we make a trade if CJ is balling. I still feel like Wes might be moved. CJ isn't a point guard, but Mo is. I don't think Stotts will sacrifice Mo's minutes because they want to be able to play Lillard at shooting guard for stretches.

Yeah I agree with you on Mo. He is too versatile to not get more minutes than CJ. This year anyway. Mo plays PG well and the SG position is too deep for CJ to get major minutes. You have Wes, CJ, Batum, and Lillard who can all play it. Not to mention Barton and Crabbe. I wouldn't say any of them are ideal as a SG but we are deep.

 

[Natebishop3]

Yeah I agree with you on Mo. He is too versatile to not get more minutes than CJ. This year anyway. Mo plays PG well and the SG position is too deep for CJ to get major minutes. You have Wes, CJ, Batum, and Lillard who can all play it. Not to mention Barton and Crabbe. I wouldn't say any of them are ideal as a SG but we are deep.

If CJ is ballin', and I'm talking like 18+ ppg type of ballin', then I think we could see a trade to open up minutes.

 

[BigGameDamian]

Could this conversation be brought up again?

 

[Rhal]

Could this conversation be brought up again?

not this year. With how well Mathews is playing CJ's shot at taking over the 2 guard spot will be in the summer. Its pretty stupid to suggest otherwise at the moment.

 

[jlprk]

I don't know if I'd say, "there's not a chance in the world."

Ha ha!! Okay, how about "The chance is one out of ten to the thousandth power."

A superstar, this guy is not. And LeHigh is not top-notch preparation.

 

[BlazerWookee]

Not even a little.

 

[BBert]

Wes is having a better year than just about anyone expected. CJ is going to have a long way to go to make Wes expendable.

 

[Draco]

CJ could easily push Mo out of the rotation if he really lights it up, he was considered a stronger rookie prospect than MCW. No chance he pushes a healthy Wes out of anything this year though.

If Batum's finger diminishes his effectiveness for a few weeks we could see a lot of Wes at the 3 which opens up space for CJ at SG.

 

[ripcityboy]

I think he is going to get some of Mathews minutes, but not a lot. I don't think Stotts wants to screw with
the Lillard-Mo tandem right now. I don't know what CJ's ball handling skills are or defense. It does bother
me that we have so many small guards right now.

 

[Natebishop3]

CJ is still out of shape. He'll be fine playing 18-20 minutes, but I doubt he even gets that much.

 

[BigGameDamian]

CJ is still out of shape. He'll be fine playing 18-20 minutes, but I doubt he even gets that much.

If thats the case I might look to deal Mo and Leonard or Robinson.

 

[BigGameDamian]

Would Milwaukee Bucks for for a Mo+ Leonard or Robinson for Zaza Pachulia swap?

 

[BBert]

I think he is going to get some of Mathews minutes, but not a lot. I don't think Stotts wants to screw with
the Lillard-Mo tandem right now. I don't know what CJ's ball handling skills are or defense. It does bother
me that we have so many small guards right now.

OK, who's got the stats on the 'Lillard-Mo tandem'? It's my impression that overall, the Lillard-Mo tandem, as it's being run, blows. The numbers could say otherwise, but IDK. Maybe when Lillard stays at point and Mo is the off-guard and not controlling the ball, it's OK. Once CJ gets in shape, I want to see the Lillard-CJ tandem for comparison.

 

[blue9]

Would Milwaukee Bucks for for a Mo+ Leonard or Robinson for Zaza Pachulia swap?

Of course they would. We wouldn't, though.

 

[Draco]

OK, who's got the stats on the 'Lillard-Mo tandem'? It's my impression that overall, the Lillard-Mo tandem, as it's being run, blows. The numbers could say otherwise, but IDK. Maybe when Lillard stays at point and Mo is the off-guard and not controlling the ball, it's OK. Once CJ gets in shape, I want to see the Lillard-CJ tandem for comparison.

The best lineup from a +/- perspective is actually with Lillard on the bench and Mo playing with the starters. The offense is only a point or two worse than with Lillard in the game but the defense is significantly better.

 

[Natebishop3]

If thats the case I might look to deal Mo and Leonard or Robinson.

CJ isn't a point guard. Mo isn't a great point guard, but he's still a point guard.

 

[HailBlazers]

CJ could easily push Mo out of the rotation if he really lights it up, he was considered a stronger rookie prospect than MCW. No chance he pushes a healthy Wes out of anything this year though.

MCW has blown away most projections. Not only can he score, with his length his defense is solid.

CJ isn't a point guard. Mo isn't a great point guard, but he's still a point guard.

Nope, I look forward to him playing alongside Mo though. Dame for that matter too, at least when Defense isn't a priority. I don't think CJ will ever supplant Wes strictly because of his lack of D.