Should Tolliver start at Centre?

[Ice32]

Just an idea guys, but how would Tolliver look in the Starting Unit? I really think he could help the starting 5 with his energy, rebounding and shooting. Hes 6'9 and 240, so depends on who we are playing of course, match-up wise.

Tolliver can knock down the three (43%), rebound the ball (7.7) score points (8.7)

Nothing against Darko, but I think having Tolliver on the floor to start with allows the Wolves to have 5 players that can shoot the three, keep the defense honest and run faster.

Sure Darko is bigger, does the things that dont show in the boxscore, and is blocking 3.3 shots per game, but he clearly is struggling with shooting (23%) and scoring.

The 2nd unit would look like:

C - Pekovic
PF - Darko
SF - Wes
SG - Brewer
PG - Telfair

A fantastic defensive minded unit, with points coming from Pek and Wes, and Brewer and Telfair contributing where they can offensively. What are your thoughts?

[Ice32]

PS - as a starter last year, Tollivers numbers were:

29 Starts
Mins - 35
Rebs - 7.1
Asts - 2.2
Blks - 1.0
Pts - 13.9

Shot 45% from the field, 33% from three and 76% from the line. Scored in double figures 20 times and notched 20+ points five times.

[collin_k41]

I don't think so. Darko is a prototypical center and Tolliver cannot match up with most opposing team's centers. Even if Tolliver ends up playing a ton it wouldn't help much of anything to move him into the starting role.

[The J Rocka]

And what do we do when we play against Gasol or Hibbert? Yeah no. We aren't Golden State, he is by no means a center.

Darko is doing good on the boards and blocks, just needs to polish up his offense. Don't press the meltdown button prematurely.

[Ice32]

I agree, it does depend on match-ups, and Darko has the advantage over Tolliver against the likes of Yao, Hibbert and Gasol. But there are certainly other teams with Centres that Tolliver would match up well against.

[Esohny]

Generally, no.

[Guidus88]

Darko = 3,3 block in 22minutes

[gensu3k1]

I definitely think Tolliver should get center minutes instead of Koufos, at least once Kahn decides whether to pick up Koufos' option.

[revprodeji]

Darko is essential for the team as the key passer in the pseudo triangle offense. Notice that most of the time when Darko goes to the bench and Tolliver/Pekovic comes in they no longer use the triangle but a pick/roll offense. I know Darko is struggling to score (3 games, seriously) but his roll in the offense is more then that.

[Klomp]

Tolliver starting at center would be like Mark Madsen starting at center.

[Esohny]

Tolliver starting at center would be like Mark Madsen starting at center.

Except that Tolliver appears to belong in the league, albeit as a bench player (and preferably as a PF).

[SpencerBusch]

Tolliver has been great for the team but i dont think he should be starting just yet. I don't think he could match up with other centers that are bigger then him! hes a great player off the bench..


Btw mark madsen was my 2nd favorite player connected to KG..cause im like him because i suck at basketball but i always try hard! haha

[southern wolf]

If we were going to bench Darko, it would be for Pek. Not that I'd go there yet, but i'd like to see what Pek could do with more minutes/shots.

[Klomp]

I know Darko is struggling to score (3 games, seriously) but his roll in the offense is more then that.

The most forgotten part of the early season thus far.

[shangrila]

I know Darko is struggling to score (3 games, seriously) but his roll in the offense is more then that.

The most forgotten part of the early season thus far.

Tolliver moves the ball well too though, so it's not like the drop off that exists now between Darko and Pekovic or Koufos.

He's an energy guy and the perfect player to bring off the bench to give the team some energy. You don't start guys like that even if the starters have looked lazy so far.

[Ice32]

Darko is essential for the team as the key passer in the pseudo triangle offense. Notice that most of the time when Darko goes to the bench and Tolliver/Pekovic comes in they no longer use the triangle but a pick/roll offense. I know Darko is struggling to score (3 games, seriously) but his roll in the offense is more then that.

Darko has 1 assists in 68 minutes, along with 9 TOs.

Im not bagging the guy, Im just saying that so far, his play hasnt been all that great. Yes its only 3 games into the season and Im sure his productivity will increase over time. But right now, Tolliver is playing good basketball and should get an opportunity to start....DEPENDING on the match up.

Also, the numbers between Ellington and Brewer arent alot different either. I think Ellington has settled nicely into the starting SG spot and Brewer is providing good energy off the bench, already leading the team in steals. These 2 guys are key to the tream until Webster returns.

[AQuintus]

Why start him at the Center spot, though? Why not at PF with Love getting 30+ minutes off the bench (playing more with Pekovic)? Or even start him at the SF spot? He's overmatched physically at either position, but at SF he's too slow rather than being too small at C.

Or, if the problem is Darko's play, why not ask whether or not Peks should start? Or Koufos? I'm not sure why this thread was made.

[Klomp]

Assists are not a measurable statistic of how good a passer you are. It doesn't matter how good a pass you make. If the guy doesn't make the basket, its not an assist.

[Ice32]

Assists are not a measurable statistic of how good a passer you are. It doesn't matter how good a pass you make. If the guy doesn't make the basket, its not an assist.

Couldnt agree more with you Klomp! Maybe those that get to watch the Wolves games on a regular basis can agree or disagree with me. Here are Darkos 9 TOs in the 3 games so far:

-Darko Milicic bad pass (Francisco Garcia steals)
-Darko Milicic turnover
-Darko Milicic 3 second
-Darko Milicic turnover (offensive foul)
-Darko Milicic lost ball (Marc Gasol steals)
-Darko Milicic lost ball (O.J. Mayo steals)
-Darko Milicic bad pass (Marc Gasol steals)
-Darko Milicic lost ball (Mike Conley steals)
-Darko Milicic bad pass

3 bad passes, 3 lost balls, 1 offensive foul, 1 3 second violation, 1 turnover.

[Foye]

I would try out Kevin Love as a Center before Tolliver then.