RealGM

Long time reader, first time poster.

I like the parts of this team but how does it all fit together? Is Drummond the starting C or the 6th man? Does Monroe start at the 4 or the 5, Smith at the 3 or the 4? Who's your starting five on opening night?

This is what I got, Drummond, Monroe, Smith, and Jennings will probably all start. After that I'm not sure.

This is easy!

Jennings
Stuckey
Smith
Monroe
Drummond

I think stuckey will start sg for the beginning of the season but kcp will earn the starter spot later in the season. But I would prefer to have kcp start from the beginning of the season.

I think the Pistons will go with KCP as the starter. We'll have a lot of combinations that the coach will throw out there, so if it isn't working with him in a particular game, Billups or Stuckey will be in there quick. But with our starting unit, we need his perimeter D - which along with the rest of his all-around skills and athleticism will allow the coach to play him, and we need his long range shooting, and ability to knock down shots coming off picks.

He's by far the best fit on the team for SG with our starting 5.

Stuckey makes too much sense as a guy coming off the bench. He has been very good at that role in the past. He and Chauncey would make a very nice combination off the bench, along with Datome or Singler or CV off the bench at one or both forward positions.

It just fits way better this way.

Yeah I see KCP as the starter too. That doesn't mean he will get more minutes than Stuckey, but KCP fits a lot better with the rest of the starters for that initial 5-6 minutes.

I also kind of like the idea of billups/stuckey off the bench.

I *want* KCP to start right away, but I doubt he will. Just doesn't seem to happen around here if any other options are available.

Stuckey's a decent defender, which is all I'd expect KCP to be right out of the gate. It's the range, though, that the starting unit needs. The bench already has Singler, Datome, and CV for threes. It doesn't need four guys like that.

The other question is... Billups? Where does he fit in? I'm sure he'd like to play 20 minutes, but maybe that won't happen. Jennings is going to get 30+ at PG, I assume Bynum at least plays, so that leaves Billups either playing under 15 minutes or playing some at SG. Will be interesting.

Wanting KCP to start and this actually happening will likely lead to disappointment.

mercury wrote:Wanting KCP to start and this actually happening will likely lead to disappointment.

Preach it to them mercury.

If Stuckey starts, it'll further solidify that we literally do not have any outside game. On top of that, as much as I want based-KCP to start, he probably won't since he's going to be slowly brought up with the veterans in place. Which I don't mind at all. If he somehow proves himself to earn a starting role, then more power to us since a Jennings/KCP backcourt could be beast.

https://twitter.com/CaldwellPope1/statu ... 71/photo/1

this pic makes me wish the season started yesterday

DCintheD wrote:https://twitter.com/CaldwellPope1/status/369535855116832771/photo/1

this pic makes me wish the season started yesterday

That pic is raw!

DBC10 wrote:If Stuckey starts, it'll further solidify that we literally do not have any outside game. On top of that, as much as I want based-KCP to start, he probably won't since he's going to be slowly brought up with the veterans in place. Which I don't mind at all. If he somehow proves himself to earn a starting role, then more power to us since a Jennings/KCP backcourt could be beast.

Right? Stuck's 3 point shot is completely broken, so even if we don't open with KCP starting at the 2, I don't see how we can realistically get productive spacing on offense with Stuckey at that spot. I see him leading the bench rotation, where CV and Billups deep shots help spread the floor, along with someone like Singler or Luigi, and he's free to use his athleticism to slash and get inside.

Im 99% sure Jennings, Smith, Monroe and Drummond will start, but SG is a bit of a toss up right now.
Billips has stated he doesn't want to play SG, but if offered a starting spot, he may take it.
Stuckey is a safe choice, but his lack of shooting makes it a questionable move.
KCP is a complete unknown right now, but i could see him starting eventually because he wouldn't be relied on too much with Jennings, Monroe and Smith being the main playmakers.

Once KCP is ready i like...
Jennings / KCP / Smith / Monroe / Drummond.
With Billips / Stuckey / Singler / Smith / Monroe being the primary second unit.
CV could play next to Drummond to rest Moose and Smith. i could even see Gigi and Bynum getting a run depending on match ups.

Jennings
Stuckey
Smith
Monroe
Drummond

Hopefully KCP will start early in the season

I think Billups will start at the 2 but run the point quite a bit, as much as I despise Singler I would not be at all shocked to see him start at the 3 with Drummond coming off the bench early in the season.

Monroe-Smith-Singler-Billups-Jennings

Jennings
KCP
Smith
Moose
Dre

What it'll probably be

Billups
Jennings
SMith
Moose
Dre

sc8581 wrote:I think Billups will start at the 2 but run the point quite a bit, as much as I despise Singler I would not be at all shocked to see him start at the 3 with Drummond coming off the bench early in the season.

Monroe-Smith-Singler-Billups-Jennings

There is no way that Drummond doesn't start.

Another related question: what role should each player have when on the court?
Are they going to waste a year playing "my turn" iso ball like the Heat when they lost in 2011?
Or will coach Cheeks force the talent to gel early by defining clear roles from the beginning?

My votes:

Starting lineup:
Creators: Jennings, Monroe
Cutters: Smith, Drummond
Shooters: KCP, Jennings

2nd Lineup:
Creators: Billups, Smith
Cutters: Drummond, Singler/Datome, Stuckey
shooters: Singler/Datome, Billups