Starters C - Robert Parish (1985-86)
PF - Charles Barkley (1992-93)
SF - Jayson Tatum (2021-22)
SG - Danny Green (2019-20)
PG - Mark Price (1991-92)
Bench C - Bo Outlaw (2000-01)
F/G - Anthony Parker (2009-10)
G - Marcus Smart (2018-19)
Rotations C - Parish (36), Outlaw (12)
PF - Barkley (40), Tatum (8)
SF - Tatum (32), Parker (16)
SG - Green (28), Smart (12), Parker (8)
PG - Price (37), Smart (11)
FGA Per PlayerWe can hurt you in a number of ways on the offensive end, starting with Chuck either backing down or facing up. He's unstoppable around the rim, and an excellent passer who can punish the defense when it collapses on him. Chuck's gravity allows Tatum to function in his ideal role as a #2 option. Price knits everything together at the point, a dynamic off-the-dribble creator and finisher whose lethal shooting helps space the floor for the big guns. Parish will feed off the other stars for dumpoffs, transition layups, and midranger jumpers. Green, Parker, and Smart space the floor. Defensively, Chuck and Price are our weakest links, but the rest of the rotation ranges from above average to elite. In particular, the perimeter help instincts of Tatum, Green, and Smart make it harder to isolate favourable matchups, and there's strong rim protection at all times from Parish and Outlaw.
Matchup- Defensive assignments will be straight up to start. Smart will also play a key role absorbing some minutes against KJ.
- With the exception of locking in Allen, our overarching defensive approach is to shrink the floor as much as possible to protect against drives from KJ and Worthy as well as Ness's two bigs. We have strong backline support from Parish and Outlaw, as well as several quality help defenders on the perimeter (Tatum, Green, Smart). Also, while Chuck is quite flawed defensively, he can cause some disruption with his quick hands (1.6 spg), especially if he doesn't have to stay attached to a shooter.
- We have a few advantages at the offensive end. Ness doesn't have a lead creator at the level of Chuck or Tatum, and we're getting a similar calibre of PG play from Price vs. KJ. Our shooting is also stronger across the roster between Price, Green, Parker, Tatum, and Smart, while Ness is running two non outside-shooters (KJ and Worthy) on the perimeter for large stretches.
- Ness has a stronger bench, but that's largely driven by Dudley playing 18 mpg and Worthy 30. Smart and Cooper are comparable, so the main difference is Walton vs. Outlaw, and Outlaw is still a good backup big even if Walton is obviously better. That should be balanced against us having two of the three best players with the supporting stars being at a similar level overall.
Good luck Ness.