RealGM

Could Dunleavy play the point?

Does he have the handles, court vision, passing ability, etc, to be at least an average NBA PG?

We've seen that he's smart and skilled. But skilled enough for that?

If the answer is even tentatively "yes" consider this possible startiing lineup:

C - Jeff Foster
PF - Jermaine O'Neal
SF - Troy Murphy
SG - Danny Granger
PG - Mike Dunleavy

comments?

I have to say that lineup is a mess. JO is the only one playing his natural position. You've moved Dunleavy (a SG/SF) to PG, Granger (a SF/PF) to SG, and Murphy (a C/PF) to SF. We've already moved Foster from PF to C, but by now I guess you could argue that it's his natural position. Murphy is a great shooter for a C, but only because the guys guarding him don't come all the way out. If you watch him against the zone he has a lot more shooting problems. Granger could play SG, I'll give you that. I don't, however, think that Dunleavy is quick enough off the dribble to play PG. He's not low enough to the ground. There are taller PG's in history for sure, but they kept their dribble low to the ground and were usually incredibly quick. I'm not knocking your idea, it might be that it would work out great...these are just the reasons I don't think it would.

No.

He trips over himself when he needs to do tough point guard jobs.

He cannot go behind his back, and his crossover leaves something to be desired. Plus, his court vision isn't up to snuff. He's a good passing SG at best. As a PG, he would not fare well at all.

No way. He is not strong enough with the ball or a good enough ball handler to be a PG. Also, being point would take away him coming off curls and hitting jumpers, which he is very good at.

First of all, replace Murph with Williams.

Second, I don't think it would work. Maybe if Granger had good dribbling skills. It would be interesting to see how they lineup would play a few minutes a night. Almost impossible to defend.

We already use a Non-PG at the PG spot with Flip.

Depending on what team we play and how quick the opposing PG is....I think that Dunleavy can play spot minutes at the point but not for extended periods of time.

Frankly, I would much rather go huge with Dunleavy playing 5 minutes at the PG spot then have Flip do it for 15-20 minutes a game. His turnover rate as of late has been irritating.

Nellie tried this with point-forward leavy..didn't work out too well

Not quick enough to guard other PG,I think he could be ok with bringing the ball up,but I just dont think he passes well enough in the half court offence.

darkflashfox wrote:Nellie tried this with point-forward leavy..didn't work out too well

Nellie also couldn't figure out how to properly use Dunleavy in his offense either. For the short-term ( at least until the offseason when Bird can HOPEFULLY fix this PG situation ) and for very short periods of time....I really wouldn't mind going with a huge lineup where Dunleavy be used to run the point so that we don't have to rely on Flip or Marquis to give Diener a rest.

I'm not suggesting that he is a long-term ( or even "beyond this season" ) solution....I just don't like Flip as a PG option.

Is this seriously a question? Anyone who has ever witnessed Mike Dunleavy dribble a basketball would know there is not a snowball's chance in he## that he could play point guard.

Mike's handles and passing aren't good enough for the point. Plus, we have a hard enough time stopping penetration now, we'd have to play zone 75% of the game.