Should Donte Greene start over Casspi?

[pillwenney]

Omri was clearly the better player before he hit the rookie wall. Once he gets mentally and physically prepared to play a full season, I think he'll be the better player. I also think Donte will be better off the bench if he can be a stretch 4. But that's "if". He really isn't right now.

And I would like the Tyreke/Omri/Donte lineup in stretches for sure. Over all though, there just isn't enough ballhandling.

[cdt3]

Speaking of a hard matchups... think about if donte bulked up and played some more 4.. if he Gets strong enough to defend the post then no 4 can stay with him around the perimeter...

Greene has a shutdown defense gear that is a little better than Casspi who is very tough and rugged defender. Casspi's toughness made Noci expendable.Donte was the biggest reason they traded Hawes because Donte could also bring big perimeter and interior game and could play the 3/4/5 ala Odom. Although I think Hawes will grow into a better player if he is on a not as deep team. Both guys bring a lot. I think Casspi probably gets the start now will get the most from Donte working harder to get minutes.

And yes this team has a lot of young guys hit walls last year Donte/Casspi/Hawes/JT. But they all are deep in talent will continue to become more consistent. This team has so much upside if the Maloofs will get out of the way and let them grow. Michael Jordan took 7 years in the league to get a ring and the Bulls were terrible for years. Patience.

[SacKingZZZ]

Speaking of a hard matchups... think about if donte bulked up and played some more 4.. if he Gets strong enough to defend the post then no 4 can stay with him around the perimeter...

My thoughts on him since college were that he'd be much more effective at PF than on the wing. He's a matchup nightmare and doesn't mind physical play. If the plans are to play him off the bench he'd really be better as a combo F.

[longfellow44]

Omri was clearly the better player before he hit the rookie wall. Once he gets mentally and physically prepared to play a full season, I think he'll be the better player. I also think Donte will be better off the bench if he can be a stretch 4. But that's "if". He really isn't right now.

And I would like the Tyreke/Omri/Donte lineup in stretches for sure. Over all though, there just isn't enough ballhandling.

I like that lineup for stretches too but the fact is that there wouldn't be much ball movement in that lineup so we couldn't sustain it for very long. It would be something we put out there for 5 minutes at a time and really hustle on defense and head out on fast breaks as much as possible, but that lineup gets eaten alive in the half court sets.

[Silver Man]

Casspi now, but in the future I'm hoping it will be different, and Greene will start or we'll get another Small Forward.

[Passive Sloth]

I like Greene starting better. I think he's a better 'lock down' defender and has a higher ceiling. I like Omri off the bench as a energy, change of pace guy that brings us the deep ball threat along with a strong scoring presence. I think those are both players ideal roles.

[KM44]

He should and he will. The guy has excellent size and that's going to be the kicker. He has potential to be a superb shut down defender and if he can work on his outside shot and passing abilities, he could be quite the asset. Plus I really like the idea of bringing Casspi off the bench as an energy guy. I think he could eventually be 6th man of the year.

[ICMTM]

In all honesty I'd like to see the Kings define a role for Donte Greene because I thought he looked good at times as a 2/3/4 and then the next day looked horrible doing the same thing. Casspi is a 3. He has a role and it fits him. Me personally I like Greene @ the 2 and Casspi at the 3. Why not play them together?

Casspi has been playing professional basketball for Maccabi since 05-06 whereas Greene was a one and done. Casspi's basketball IQ is high. Greene's is rising. I just feel like if I'm looking at this team in three years they aren't even the same player and can play together just fine.