G.W. to come off the bench.

[DusterBuster]

Ya, it makes sense that he comes off the bench right away. Get him acclimated to the team first, then slowly get him into the starting lineup.

[shamelessblazer]

I think it makes a lot of sense to have Wallace come off the bench, he's a very high energy guy and his game will be less affected than Batum's coming off the bench (who's a flow guy and less experienced). But I also think Wallace should get more minutes than Batum at the three spot. Ideally, this should free up Batum to handle the ball a bit more and specialize in guarding littler guys. If the rotation was something like this I think it'd be great (and work better with Roy).

Miller/Matthews/Batum/Aldridge/Camby

This group would set the tone, run, and beat up the other team initially.

Roy/Mathews/Batum/Wallace/Aldridge
(still plenty of shooting so Aldridge can play down low and Roy is free to create, enough ballhandling to handle the 1-3 spots and Batum guards the best wing player with Wallace and Aldridge playing cleanup). Keep feeding the hot hand, use Wallace to avoid grinding everything to a halt, and let Roy adjust to the pace of the game.Wallace bangs with PF's who are already tired so he doesn't get too beat up.

Roy/Fernandez/(Matthews or Batum)/Wallace/Camby
This is where Roy really goes to work while Aldridge rests. I would see it being a shorter term lineup just to get Aldridge a breather and ride Roy's momentum (however long it lasts and how his knees feel), while having some shooting and defense in to clean up for a Roy/Fernandez backcourt that would not play perfect defense. Wallace bangs with second unit PF's who are often undersized so he doesn't get too beat up.

Miller/Fernandez/Wallace/Aldridge/Camby
After the other team is tired and worn out Miller and Fernandez run the hell out of them with Wallace, Aldridge, and Camby playing cleanup. Additionally, if Fernandez is not playing well in his prior stint you bring Batum or Matthews back. Here Miller, Rudy, and Camby can all feed Wallace (who looks to score here more w/Roy out) and Aldridge who constantly penetrate to the rim (along with Rudy). I like this as a non-iso close the game lineup full of aggressive guys who won't defer and be lulled to sleep.

Theoretically the minutes for a game (if each lineup played six minutes) would shake out to:
Aldridge: 36
Camby: 36
Wallace: 36
Matthews: 30
Batum: 30
Miller: 24
Roy: 24
Fernandez: 24

Of course, this would all change based on matchups, who has the hot hand, etc. etc. But I think that's a lot of versatility and different looks to throw at people. I also think it makes the most of a couple of different combinations we have out there. Roy's always out there with shooters and defenders, Aldridge is out there with PG's most of the time, Miller gets to feed guys who move a lot, and things just seem pretty cohesive. Of course Roy and Miller each would play less minutes than they're used to, but I feel like with Roy's knees and Miller's age that wouldn't be a bad thing, as long as it was consistent and the players knew what to expect.

[Milkdud]

Short term Wallace off the bench isn't a bad idea. When we have Camby out there it will be good to keep Batum's shooting out there to space the court. Plus I think Wallace grabbing rebounds off the bench will have a huge impact for the team.

[farzi]

This was the idea I said was smart yesterday, and the reason they could include Dante in the deal

[portlandpilot]

I'm pretty tired of the Nate hate. You would think that you would start getting the benefit of the doubt after exceeding expectations for another season.

[Yadadimean]

roy and wallace will murk any second unit out there

[Blazermania08]

DOES NOT MATTER WHO STARTS THE GAME... its who finishes the game. NBA games are won in the last few mins not the first 6 mins... After tonights game vs Denver I am SO FLIPPIN excited for wallace to join this group. If we can get a big who can help the interior defense, anything can happen in the playoffs! DENG I WISH I WAS BACK IN PORTLAND... GO BLAZERS!!!

[King d]

Sorry guys but that's insane. GW is a starter....no doubt. If McMillan thinks Batum is better than Wallace or even a better fit in the lineup he is dead wrong.

And what position is he going to play when Camby is back? At sf?

We need a three point shooter at the sf position. We can't play with a Miller-Matthews-Wallace-Aldridge-Camby lineup where Wes Matthews is the only 3pt threat. That wouldn't be good for Aldridge and for the Blazers. Simple as that

[TBpup]

Miller-32 / ???
Matthews-32 / Fernandez-16
Camby-28 / (Aldridge)-20
Batum-32 / Roy-16
Aldridge-14 / Wallace-34

Roy or Rudy will likely get most of those minutes at PG. Maybe something like this although with all the switching going on, it will be tough to determine who is playing what position.

Miller-32 / Roy-16
Matthews-28 / Fernandez-20
Camby-30 / (Aldridge)-18
Batum-28 / Wallace 16 / Matthews - 4
Aldridge-20 / Wallace-20 / Batum / 8

[JasonStern]

Wallace doesn't know any of the offense

I'd imagine it wouldn't take a gym rat like wallace long to learn both of nate's sets...

[DaVoiceMaster]

I like Roy, Rudy and Wallace as the bench. It'd be nice if they can add another big, but if not, those are the 3 guys I like off the bench. Wallace will get the bulk of his minutes at the PF position relieving both Camby and Aldridge.

The lineup I can't wait to see if Mathews, Batum, Wallace and Aldridge on the floor for a defensive stand. I'm not sure who the 5th player will be (does it really matter???). You could go with Camby or go smaller with Miller or maybe even Armon Johnson.

[Soulyss]

Long term I think They are going to start giving Roy the "Duncan" treatment to try and extend his career and ease the wear on his knees.. He'll play 65-68 games a year, will probably not play on back to backs unless there is a long rest after them. I think if Roy comes back he'll be limited to 25-30 minutes a night tops.

Miller 32 / Roy 16
Mathews 24 / Rudy 20 / Roy 4
Batum 18/ Crash 18 / Roy 6 / Mathews 6
Aldridge 20/ Crash 18 / Batum 10
Camby 28 / Aldridge 20

So what you are going to see is some interesting. flexible line-ups. Things Like:
Roy/Rudy/Batum/Crash/LMA
or
Miller/Mathews/Crash/Batum/Camby

[shamelessblazer]

Miller 32 / Roy 16
Mathews 24 / Rudy 20 / Roy 4
Batum 18/ Crash 18 / Roy 6 / Mathews 6
Aldridge 20/ Crash 18 / Batum 10
Camby 28 / Aldridge 20

I get that you are showing the versatility of the lineup, but I don't see why Batum and Wallace trade off at 3/4 (wallace is always the 4 if batum is in and playing the three it seems, etc.) Cleaned up it would look a little simpler...

Miller32/Roy16
Matthews18/Rudy20/Roy10
Batum28/Matthews12/Crash10
Aldridge20/Crash28
Camby28/Aldridge20

[Mr Odd]

Does Nate run a tough system or something? Sorry IDK because Im a Bobcats fan lol.....

No system.. .He runs a "tight ship" however.

Nates trackrecord is he doesnt like change & is very hardheaded
but he does usually come around and ends up seeing the light.. .

I have a feeling many people wanting Batum to stay the starter
hasnt seen much of Wallace. Also bringing Wallace off the bench
might not sit to well with him. Remember Miller & Blake?? lol

Wallace will end up starting, I dont think Nate is that crazy.. .

[sisibilio]

The no head band rule?
Playing him off the bench?
Planning on playing him some time at the PF spot?

Three strikes - and he hasn't even played a game for you yet!!

We can pretend that Batum is playing as PF and Crash as SF if that makes him feel more comfortable.

[UGotThrilled]

For a guy who just landed in Portland, has had only a couple practices with the team, I don't think coming off the bench is at all unreasonable. McMillan isn't terribly familiar with him, he obviously wants to get comfortable with him before he makes him a central figure for the team.

I mean, I am sure Nate knows something about Wallace, but nothing in depth like he does his own players. He will give Wallace pt, be able to evaluate, and I think if we do well with Wallace on the floor, he will find his way into the starting lineup in the near future. I really think Nate has learned a thing or two since the beginning of last year.

[GoBlazersGo]

For a guy who just landed in Portland, has had only a couple practices with the team, I don't think coming off the bench is at all unreasonable. McMillan isn't terribly familiar with him, he obviously wants to get comfortable with him before he makes him a central figure for the team.

I mean, I am sure Nate knows something about Wallace, but nothing in depth like he does his own players. He will give Wallace pt, be able to evaluate, and I think if we do well with Wallace on the floor, he will find his way into the starting lineup in the near future. I really think Nate has learned a thing or two since the beginning of last year.

Nate did coach Gerald on the U.S. Select Team. So, I'm not sure how much he actually got to know him, but I'd imagine he's quite familiar with his skill-set and how he hopes to integrate Wallace into our squad.

[DusterBuster]

I'm with Thrilled, I don't think it's much of a travesty that Wallace is coming off the bench initially.

[m0ng0]

give him a couple of games to get a feel for how things run, he will be starting very soon!

[UGotThrilled]

Keep him coming off the bench for a while if necessary, but somebody please get that man a headband!

Wallace showed flashes yesterday, but it was obvious he was pressing a bit. Not surprising for a guy wanting to make a good impression. I think he will do great once he settles down. Maybe Batum can learn how to be a real lock down defender from him, instead of letting Crawford launch that 3 in his eye at the end of the shot clock. Seriously, how did Batum not know that was coming. Everybody does that at the end of the shot clock! Swat that!