Karl opens possibility of Billups/Carter starting backcourt

[MHZ]

Many of us were a little worried when AC started the game in Beijing. Sounds like Karl is strongly considering that atrocious lineup.

This, of course, is a little tricky for Karl because he has two rotations — one when J.R. Smith is in there and the other when Smith is out (because the shooting guard is suspended for the team's first seven games, due to his jail time in a reckless driving case).

While it's possible Arron Afflalo will start some of those games at shooting guard, Karl said that's "not written in stone," and depending on whether an opponent has a smaller backcourt, perhaps he'll start Carter with Billups, or if the opponent has bigger guards, then Afflalo or Graham could get the start and some extended minutes.

Though the ultimate goal is to have Smith as the starting shooting guard, Karl said Tuesday that Smith will likely come off the bench in his first 15 to 20 games, easing him into the season. Smith is a weapon off the bench and, even though he hasn't had the glamour of a starter, he basically played starters' minutes last season (27.7 per game) and was usually on the court in crunch time.

Ugh.

http://www.denverpost.com/sports/ci_13555318

[The J Rocka]

I would start JR or sign Rashad McCants or any talented SG available

[MHZ]

No need to sign McCants. He's not going to be better than Afflalo or JR. I'd be fine starting Afflalo, frankly, and having JR play ~30 minutes off the bench.

[JRMelo15]

I would start JR or sign Rashad McCants or any talented SG available

JR will be coming off the bench, he's got 6th man of the year written all over him. We're not signing McCants, because we already have a battle between Joey Graham and James White for the 13th spot. IMO Graham has been playing better in preseason and should get the last spot.

Damn, I hope Karl won't do it. We all saw what happened when AI and AC both started. Afflalo or JR have to be in when AC is playing.

[J Smitty]

I guess it's settled, I'm going to have to take one for the team and murder AC. Please send me cards and flowers when I'm in prison.

[Nutty Nats Fan]

Just make sure you do it in Denver. You won't go to prison, you'll be given the keys to the city.

Seriously though, Karl's love of AC cost Denver two games against LAL and he still hasn't learned his lesson. Hope the FO is paying attention and doesn't extend him. Promote AD!

[pickaxe]

Why is he obsessed with playing 4 on 5?

[KAVK]

AC Starting? What next? Hope Karl is doing it ONLY until JR comes back. I would prefer JR to come off the bench for the first 20 some games & if he commit to defend then slide to starting SG spot. Really like AA s game so far. I think Melo is going to take that next "Step" this year.

[eathy]

****, I'd rather shift Melo to the 2, KMart to the 3, and have Petro playing the 5 than AC.

wtf is Karl's obsession?

AC hasn't even shown anything this preseason and his defense has taken a step back.

[corona]

i've gotten irate so many times over this situation in the past, it doesn't seem to phase me anymore.

here's to another season of praying jr plays hard/intelligently enough to reduce ac's playing time.

[The Rebel]

Good thing Karl did not get his extension. Anybody else wondering if this is the year for the famous Karl Meltdown? Everywhere he goes his top players quit on him after a certain time period, with the usual reason being that he is overplaying less talented scrubs over better players who he constantly harasses and screws with, costing the team wins in the process. For some reason I figured that Karl had maybe learned not to overplay Carter last year, when Melo demanded that he put in Kleiza who had looked like crap throughout the last few months, while pulling AC off the court. Adding this to Kmart coming out and saying he thinks Lawson is ready and needs minutes now, and I think the players on the team may have a problem with this move.

As for graham getting to start games, Karl must be out of his **** mind. The guy is okay, and has had an okay preseason, but he is not as good as Balkman, JR, or Afflalo, not to mention Chauncey with Lawson playing PG for a few minutes a night, and should therefor be relegated to the bench with a max playing time being restricted to 10 mpg in the case of injuries, or garbage time when fully healthy and ready to go. The guy brings nothing we need, as he cannot shoot the ball outside of 16 feet, he has trouble finishing, his rebounding is not as good as Balkman's or Melo's, he cant dribble the ball, and his defense is nothing to worry about.

Just think we could have signed Coby and he would be our starter playing 35 mpg, with JR splitting time at the 2 and 3 for his 26 minutes per night.

[eathy]

I'd rather Coby do the AC role, because he's young and can actually improve.

And he actually brings a jumpshot and smart bball IQ.

Karl does know AC sucks though... he has never given him high minutes in the playoffs.

[el loco]

I guess it's settled, I'm going to have to take one for the team and murder AC. Please send me cards and flowers when I'm in prison.

I'd be for sending you a big green Hummer to help aid in your escape

[el loco]

Good thing Karl did not get his extension. Anybody else wondering if this is the year for the famous Karl Meltdown? Everywhere he goes his top players quit on him after a certain time period, with the usual reason being that he is overplaying less talented scrubs over better players who he constantly harasses and screws with, costing the team wins in the process. For some reason I figured that Karl had maybe learned not to overplay Carter last year, when Melo demanded that he put in Kleiza who had looked like crap throughout the last few months, while pulling AC off the court. Adding this to Kmart coming out and saying he thinks Lawson is ready and needs minutes now, and I think the players on the team may have a problem with this move.

As for graham getting to start games, Karl must be out of his **** mind. The guy is okay, and has had an okay preseason, but he is not as good as Balkman, JR, or Afflalo, not to mention Chauncey with Lawson playing PG for a few minutes a night, and should therefor be relegated to the bench with a max playing time being restricted to 10 mpg in the case of injuries, or garbage time when fully healthy and ready to go. The guy brings nothing we need, as he cannot shoot the ball outside of 16 feet, he has trouble finishing, his rebounding is not as good as Balkman's or Melo's, he cant dribble the ball, and his defense is nothing to worry about.

Just think we could have signed Coby and he would be our starter playing 35 mpg, with JR splitting time at the 2 and 3 for his 26 minutes per night.

The Meltdown will eventually happen, but I think GK might keep things under control because he is still trying to get an extension like you initially pointed out. I could see the meltdown coming in different directions though. If AC starts that means less minutes for JR and Afflalo, an injury, Lawson not getting minutes, which could upset fans.

[basketballdario]

haha the fans will get upset if ANY of these insane ideas come into fruition in the first place, aside maybe from starting Afflalo, because the team will start dropping games. I don't know what Anthony Carter knows about George Karl, what incriminating pictures or evidence he has against him, but I can't figure out anything that Karl could see to make him think that he is the best option at any point. He's barely an NBA player, and that's being generous. If he wants to ease Lawson in that's okay but it looks like Karl doesn't want to play him this year. Ridiculous.

[milehigh]

Is anyone really surprised?

I would be more shocked if he said he was starting Billups/J.R.

Anyone want to Nancy Kerrigan him? I would say slash his tires before the games but he drives around a green tank so that wouldn't work.

[pickaxe]

What I can't figure out is why can't we find a "reliable" SG that Karl trusts that is at least 6'4", to the degree to which he trusts AC, and have Karl just come out and say they are there until JR comes back. ...the headache is just that we know AC does fine in a backup role with the level of talent we have on this team. Have him fill that role gladly and define what it is. Have Ty gain minutes as he gets better.

Karl has expressed in the past all he wants is someone out there who can keep the team focused. You can't tell me AC is the only NBA player who knows how to do that...plus we have Billups on the floor already.

[milehigh]

Maybe he thinks Billups is not capable of guarding smaller quicker guards, which makes sense but I would feel more comfortable with Afflalo or J.R. doing that rather than AC.

[KAVK]

Is it only me that feel like Billups taken over Karl's job when he came. He seems like doing both coaching and playing.

[J Smitty]

You just blew my mind.