How should we build our starting lineup?
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How should we build our starting lineup?
- aaron_gray
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How should we build our starting lineup?
A quick look at some of the other top starting lineups:
Golden State
Curry - offense focal point, distributor, 3
Thompson - 3, defense is fine
Iggy - glue guy, defense is great, 3
David Lee - offense focal point, post
Bogut - rim protector, bruiser
Totals: OFP 2, distributor 1, 3 point 3, wing defense 2, glue guy 1, post 1, rim protector 1, bruiser 1
LAC
Chris Paul - offense focal point, distributor, defense is great
Redick - 3
Barnes - 3, defense is good
Griffin - offense focal point, post
DeAndre - Rim protection*1
Totals: OFP 2, distributor 1, 3 point 3, wing defense 2, post 1, rim protector 1
Indiana
Hill - 3, defense is great
Stephenson - 3, glue guy*2, defense is fine
George - 3, offense focal point, defense is great
David West - bruiser
Roy Hibbert - Rim protection, post
Totals: OFP 1, 3 point 3, wing defense 3, post 1, rim protector 1, bruiser 1
Houston
Beverly - defense is great
Harden - offense focal point, 3
Parsons - 3, defense is good*3
Jones - 3
Coward - offense focal point, post, rim protection
Totals: OFP 2, 3 point 3, wing defense 2, post 1, rim protector 1
Portland
Lillard - offense focal point, 3, distributor
Mathews - 3, defense is great
Batum - glue guy, 3, defense is good
Aldridge - offense focal point, post*4
Lopez - rim protection*5
Totals: OFP 2, distributor 1, 3 point 3, wing defense 2, post 1, rim protector 1
Side notes:
1*: The dude took a lot of heat last year for his defense, but he's taken a giant leap this year.
2*: I don't think Lance Stephenson is quite there yet as a focal point of the pacers offense, so I put him down as a glue guy instead.
3*: A glue guy is someone who can take care of ball handing duites, play defense and shoot 3s and play off the ball when required. I had a hard time defining Parsons, because he seems like one of those guys who will always shoot, drive or pass. Same goes for Kawhi and to a lesser extent, Luol Deng.
4*: Aldridge gets the ball in the same place as Griffin and Lee. Only difference is he stays there.
5*: He is according to Bill Simmons
Conclusion:
Most teams have at least 2 focal points on offense, a rim protector, 2 wing defenders and 2 3 point shooters. A glue guy is not necessary for a high powered starting lineup, but they're a great for leading bench units when the other starters need a break.
Here is my ideal starting lineup for the 16 season.
Smart, Kobe, 3 and D, Love, rim protector
With Kobe's contract though, we're probably not going to get a rim protector unless Mitch drafts him or sacrifices the bench in the process. We're probably not going to be able to afford a glue either.
Love, Kobe - offense focal point
Smart - distributor
Smart, 3 and D - defense
Love, 3 and D - shooters
Rim protector - Rim protector
So what do ya'll think? Did I hit all the needs of a balanced starting lineup? Who would you target in free agency/draft to fill those roles?
Golden State
Curry - offense focal point, distributor, 3
Thompson - 3, defense is fine
Iggy - glue guy, defense is great, 3
David Lee - offense focal point, post
Bogut - rim protector, bruiser
Totals: OFP 2, distributor 1, 3 point 3, wing defense 2, glue guy 1, post 1, rim protector 1, bruiser 1
LAC
Chris Paul - offense focal point, distributor, defense is great
Redick - 3
Barnes - 3, defense is good
Griffin - offense focal point, post
DeAndre - Rim protection*1
Totals: OFP 2, distributor 1, 3 point 3, wing defense 2, post 1, rim protector 1
Indiana
Hill - 3, defense is great
Stephenson - 3, glue guy*2, defense is fine
George - 3, offense focal point, defense is great
David West - bruiser
Roy Hibbert - Rim protection, post
Totals: OFP 1, 3 point 3, wing defense 3, post 1, rim protector 1, bruiser 1
Houston
Beverly - defense is great
Harden - offense focal point, 3
Parsons - 3, defense is good*3
Jones - 3
Coward - offense focal point, post, rim protection
Totals: OFP 2, 3 point 3, wing defense 2, post 1, rim protector 1
Portland
Lillard - offense focal point, 3, distributor
Mathews - 3, defense is great
Batum - glue guy, 3, defense is good
Aldridge - offense focal point, post*4
Lopez - rim protection*5
Totals: OFP 2, distributor 1, 3 point 3, wing defense 2, post 1, rim protector 1
Side notes:
1*: The dude took a lot of heat last year for his defense, but he's taken a giant leap this year.
2*: I don't think Lance Stephenson is quite there yet as a focal point of the pacers offense, so I put him down as a glue guy instead.
3*: A glue guy is someone who can take care of ball handing duites, play defense and shoot 3s and play off the ball when required. I had a hard time defining Parsons, because he seems like one of those guys who will always shoot, drive or pass. Same goes for Kawhi and to a lesser extent, Luol Deng.
4*: Aldridge gets the ball in the same place as Griffin and Lee. Only difference is he stays there.
5*: He is according to Bill Simmons
Conclusion:
Most teams have at least 2 focal points on offense, a rim protector, 2 wing defenders and 2 3 point shooters. A glue guy is not necessary for a high powered starting lineup, but they're a great for leading bench units when the other starters need a break.
Here is my ideal starting lineup for the 16 season.
Smart, Kobe, 3 and D, Love, rim protector
With Kobe's contract though, we're probably not going to get a rim protector unless Mitch drafts him or sacrifices the bench in the process. We're probably not going to be able to afford a glue either.
Love, Kobe - offense focal point
Smart - distributor
Smart, 3 and D - defense
Love, 3 and D - shooters
Rim protector - Rim protector
So what do ya'll think? Did I hit all the needs of a balanced starting lineup? Who would you target in free agency/draft to fill those roles?
TyCobb wrote:Embiid at peak value after reaching a new maturity level.
Re: How should we build our starting lineup?
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Re: How should we build our starting lineup?
Depends on who we draft and who we sign.
Re: How should we build our starting lineup?
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Re: How should we build our starting lineup?
Good rim protectors are hard to find and that's the second building block after a superstar scorer. Provided we assume that Kobe is going to be that guy we need to look at buying someone whose stock is low, like Larry Sanders if Milwaukee pick Embiid or go after someone like Asik in free agency in 2015.
Gortat and Varejao are attractive pieces but one is 30 and the other is injury prone.
Gortat and Varejao are attractive pieces but one is 30 and the other is injury prone.



Re: How should we build our starting lineup?
- GeorgeDillion
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Re: How should we build our starting lineup?
The other one is 31 and injury prone.
Re: How should we build our starting lineup?
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Re: How should we build our starting lineup?
Find a coach that holds players accountable on defense & is versatile enough to build the offense based on the team we build instead of forcing them into a system.. Hollins is probably at the top of the list.
We should focus on strengthening our perimeter defense this summer. If Kobe is going to be able to do anything at an elite level when he gets back it's going to be scoring, so adding 2 strong perimeter defenders lets Kobe focus on offense.
That starts with hoping Smart falls to 7. Bledsoe if we can get him for 12-13M, Deng if we can get him at 10-12M. Deng is more realistic in that price range obviously..
Best case get Deng for close enough to 10 that we can bring Hill back at a slight raise.. Sign 1 year bigs or get them with late 1st or 2nd round picks.. Develop Kelly/Sacre & hope 1 of them becomes a rotation player long term on the cheap. Don't waste the 2 year Room Exception to maximize cap space for 2015. Retain as much of our bench from last season as you can for minimum contracts.
Smart
Kobe
Deng
Kelly
Hill
Add a major piece to our frontcourt next summer (Love, Aldridge, Marc)
We should focus on strengthening our perimeter defense this summer. If Kobe is going to be able to do anything at an elite level when he gets back it's going to be scoring, so adding 2 strong perimeter defenders lets Kobe focus on offense.
That starts with hoping Smart falls to 7. Bledsoe if we can get him for 12-13M, Deng if we can get him at 10-12M. Deng is more realistic in that price range obviously..
Best case get Deng for close enough to 10 that we can bring Hill back at a slight raise.. Sign 1 year bigs or get them with late 1st or 2nd round picks.. Develop Kelly/Sacre & hope 1 of them becomes a rotation player long term on the cheap. Don't waste the 2 year Room Exception to maximize cap space for 2015. Retain as much of our bench from last season as you can for minimum contracts.
Smart
Kobe
Deng
Kelly
Hill
Add a major piece to our frontcourt next summer (Love, Aldridge, Marc)
Re: How should we build our starting lineup?
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Re: How should we build our starting lineup?
Move down from 7th to at least get Gordon and another 1st rd pick
Lowry or Bledso at the 10-12mill range, bring back Farmar
Kobe
late 1st pick
Gordon/Kelly
Pau
I feel Gordon can be mobile enough to help Pau from weakside when we're facing more mobile C's. But there very few of those in this league right now.
Lowry or Bledso at the 10-12mill range, bring back Farmar
Kobe
late 1st pick
Gordon/Kelly
Pau
I feel Gordon can be mobile enough to help Pau from weakside when we're facing more mobile C's. But there very few of those in this league right now.
Re: How should we build our starting lineup?
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Re: How should we build our starting lineup?
i think the first question is, do we keep our pick, trade it down, or trade it for a player
if we keep it and end up with one of gordon or vonleh
FA PG (would love lowry, dont know how feasible that'd be. bledsoe doesnt seem realistic)
Kobe or 3&D SG
Kobe or 3&D SF (is gordon a 3 or 4 in this league?)
Gordon, Vonleh?
Okafor for a two year deal with a player option 2nd year? (he was playing pretty decent to good in his last year with the wiz)
If vonleh is destined to be a stretch 4, it would allow kobe to be our main scorer working on the block. and with a pg like lowry, ball movement wont be stagnant, but the best part about him is that he's a pitbull on defense. and if we sign a defensive minded wing to take some slack from kobe, our defense shouldnt look half bad.
If we trade the pick, maybe try for sanders, and hope he gets his head on straight playing for a respected franchise. If hes anywhere close to his 12/13 season, our interior defense would be astounding. Giving up the 7 for sanders may seem like too much from us, but it may be possible to move down a couple spots and pick up a late lottery pick (which we would trade for sanders, because i see them going after embiid) and an early 2nd round pick.
if we keep it and end up with one of gordon or vonleh
FA PG (would love lowry, dont know how feasible that'd be. bledsoe doesnt seem realistic)
Kobe or 3&D SG
Kobe or 3&D SF (is gordon a 3 or 4 in this league?)
Gordon, Vonleh?
Okafor for a two year deal with a player option 2nd year? (he was playing pretty decent to good in his last year with the wiz)
If vonleh is destined to be a stretch 4, it would allow kobe to be our main scorer working on the block. and with a pg like lowry, ball movement wont be stagnant, but the best part about him is that he's a pitbull on defense. and if we sign a defensive minded wing to take some slack from kobe, our defense shouldnt look half bad.
If we trade the pick, maybe try for sanders, and hope he gets his head on straight playing for a respected franchise. If hes anywhere close to his 12/13 season, our interior defense would be astounding. Giving up the 7 for sanders may seem like too much from us, but it may be possible to move down a couple spots and pick up a late lottery pick (which we would trade for sanders, because i see them going after embiid) and an early 2nd round pick.
Re: How should we build our starting lineup?
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Re: How should we build our starting lineup?
I don't mind Deng but not for more than 10 mill. I would say 8 to 10 mil
and i would be happy with 9.
Lowry I would not pay up for him.
Hopefully Smart is there.
If not get Gordon and there is no need for Deng.
Smart, Farmar, Nash
Kobe, Resign Swaggy P
Deng,
Gasol, Kelly
PF
and i would be happy with 9.
Lowry I would not pay up for him.
Hopefully Smart is there.
If not get Gordon and there is no need for Deng.
Smart, Farmar, Nash
Kobe, Resign Swaggy P
Deng,
Gasol, Kelly
PF
Re: How should we build our starting lineup?
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Re: How should we build our starting lineup?
I could see a deal for Nash's expiring for Larry Sanders (and a 2nd round pick) ... yes, they give US a pick ... new owners, player with a rap, with a new big contract they might be looking to move. That addresses the rim protector.
Obviously a lot of this comes down to the coach decision.
Obviously a lot of this comes down to the coach decision.
Re: How should we build our starting lineup?
- kblo247
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Re: How should we build our starting lineup?
Smart
Kobe
Melo
MWP
Pau
* Nash gets stretched
Yeah I said go after Metta for the minimum and let him start and guard 4s. He and Dwight were a top 5 defensive tandem at 4 and 5. Metta is fine playing stretch 4 and guarding the 4s of the league.
We just have to fill out the bench with our youth.
I personally don't want to invest in hill who can't play over 20mins a night hard without being gassed. Plus he's young enough to get overpaid, but if the price is close between him and Pau, I go Pau
Kobe
Melo
MWP
Pau
* Nash gets stretched
Yeah I said go after Metta for the minimum and let him start and guard 4s. He and Dwight were a top 5 defensive tandem at 4 and 5. Metta is fine playing stretch 4 and guarding the 4s of the league.
We just have to fill out the bench with our youth.
I personally don't want to invest in hill who can't play over 20mins a night hard without being gassed. Plus he's young enough to get overpaid, but if the price is close between him and Pau, I go Pau

Re: How should we build our starting lineup?
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Re: How should we build our starting lineup?
If biyombo played with monta Ellis and Jennings he'd probably make ridiculous money like Saunders. Biyombo is is a better player with a better attitude and his stock is low. We need to buy with stock low much like we did with ariza, earl Clark and Jordan hill
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Re: How should we build our starting lineup?
what would jack bauer do? wrote:If biyombo played with monta Ellis and Jennings he'd probably make ridiculous money like Saunders. Biyombo is is a better player with a better attitude and his stock is low. We need to buy with stock low much like we did with ariza, earl Clark and Jordan hill
I still like Biyombo's potential. I just don't see how we get him.
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Re: How should we build our starting lineup?
Pg: If we can't get Lowry then I'd roll with ... Farmer, Marshall, Nash < used sparingly should'nt start
SG: Kobe < Swaggy < Meeks, Bazmoore
SF: Deng, Wes, X
PF: < this is more tough, I'd love to get Love, but might end up with Boozer?
C: I'm rolling with Kaman < virtually the same as Gasol IMO
Starters:
PG: Farmer or #pick?
SG: Kobe
SF: Deng:
PF: Boozer
C: Kaman
Bench: As I said b4 as long as we keep - Hill, Swaggy, Wes, X, Kaman, Farmer. I'm happy
Virtually the same team as last year added Deng/Boozer and bye bye Gasol < tired of him.
Unsure of cost and some spelling
SG: Kobe < Swaggy < Meeks, Bazmoore
SF: Deng, Wes, X
PF: < this is more tough, I'd love to get Love, but might end up with Boozer?
C: I'm rolling with Kaman < virtually the same as Gasol IMO
Starters:
PG: Farmer or #pick?
SG: Kobe
SF: Deng:
PF: Boozer
C: Kaman
Bench: As I said b4 as long as we keep - Hill, Swaggy, Wes, X, Kaman, Farmer. I'm happy
Virtually the same team as last year added Deng/Boozer and bye bye Gasol < tired of him.
Unsure of cost and some spelling
My Go Team
Magic, Jordan, Pippen, Duncan, Shaq
My Counter
Stockton, Kobe, Bird, Rodman, Dirk
Today's Team
Luka, SGA, Tatum, Giannis, Wemby
Magic, Jordan, Pippen, Duncan, Shaq
My Counter
Stockton, Kobe, Bird, Rodman, Dirk
Today's Team
Luka, SGA, Tatum, Giannis, Wemby
Re: How should we build our starting lineup?
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Re: How should we build our starting lineup?
kblo247 wrote:Smart
Kobe
Melo
MWP
Pau
* Nash gets stretched
Yeah I said go after Metta for the minimum and let him start and guard 4s. He and Dwight were a top 5 defensive tandem at 4 and 5. Metta is fine playing stretch 4 and guarding the 4s of the league.
We just have to fill out the bench with our youth.
I personally don't want to invest in hill who can't play over 20mins a night hard without being gassed. Plus he's young enough to get overpaid, but if the price is close between him and Pau, I go Pau
I hope to never see sub par 30% MWP chucking from 3's ever again and MWP is no longer the defensive stalwart he once was and with Pau at C might as well expect another bottom defensive ranking team again
Re: How should we build our starting lineup?
- Jajwanda
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Re: How should we build our starting lineup?
I want physical perimeter defenders, fast big men that can rebound/block shots/and spread the floor, and multiple guards that can create as well as post-up.
I like this starting lineup:
PG- Smart
SG- Stephenson
SF- Bryant
PF- Payne
C- Hill
There's shot-blocking, lots of speed at the 4 and 5, 3 guards that can create, enough floor spacing and Smart-Bryant can both post-up.
I like this starting lineup:
PG- Smart
SG- Stephenson
SF- Bryant
PF- Payne
C- Hill
There's shot-blocking, lots of speed at the 4 and 5, 3 guards that can create, enough floor spacing and Smart-Bryant can both post-up.
Re: How should we build our starting lineup?
- crazyeights
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Re: How should we build our starting lineup?
Slava wrote:Good rim protectors are hard to find and that's the second building block after a superstar scorer. Provided we assume that Kobe is going to be that guy we need to look at buying someone whose stock is low, like Larry Sanders if Milwaukee pick Embiid or go after someone like Asik in free agency in 2015.
With the rise of John Henson (and the fact he's on his rookie deal), I wouldn't be shocked if Larry Sanders was traded away even without Embiid.
Re: How should we build our starting lineup?
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Re: How should we build our starting lineup?
crazyeights wrote:Slava wrote:Good rim protectors are hard to find and that's the second building block after a superstar scorer. Provided we assume that Kobe is going to be that guy we need to look at buying someone whose stock is low, like Larry Sanders if Milwaukee pick Embiid or go after someone like Asik in free agency in 2015.
With the rise of John Henson (and the fact he's on his rookie deal), I wouldn't be shocked if Larry Sanders was traded away even without Embiid.
Absolutely. Buying low on Sanders would be a great business and we might get him for relative nothing considering they have some absolutely horrible contracts in Ilyasova, Mayo and Pachulia handicapping them.



Re: How should we build our starting lineup?
- crazyeights
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Re: How should we build our starting lineup?
I'm partial to Ilyasova, the healthy one...although rarely does he exist.
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Re: How should we build our starting lineup?
crazyeights wrote:I'm partial to Ilyasova, the healthy one...although rarely does he exist.
me too. good rebounder for his position, and a legit 3 pt option to held spread the floor to allow kobe and whatever C we have to operate down low. and regarding his injuries, its crazy how his ankle injury continues to linger for a year now, considering the type of game he plays (close to the ground). however, his lingering wrist injury i understand.
Re: How should we build our starting lineup?
- myersia
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Re: How should we build our starting lineup?
I like
Smart (likely won't happen)
Kobe
Deng
Boozer
Pau (likely won't happen)
More likely
Farmar
Kobe
Deng
Gordon
Kaman (would not be shocked if he stayed now that MDA is gone)
Smart (likely won't happen)
Kobe
Deng
Boozer
Pau (likely won't happen)
More likely
Farmar
Kobe
Deng
Gordon
Kaman (would not be shocked if he stayed now that MDA is gone)