2019 Starting Lineup / Rotations?

[Bornstellar]

What do you guys think will be our starting lineup next season? Knowing Pop it will be different on opening night than at the end of the year. I'm thinking something like...

1st game of the season:

Murray
Mills
DeRozan
Gay
Aldridge

After the AS break:

Murray
White
DeRozan
Bertans
Aldridge

This team has a plethora of guards and not many real SF type players. What do you think the rotation/depth chart will be like? Going by my end of season roster I'm assuming something like...

Murray/Mills/Forbes
White/Belinelli/Walker
DeRozan/Manu?/Cunnngham
Bertans/Gay
Aldridge/Poeltl/Gasol??


Gasol seems to be the odd man out here. What do you guys think?

[G R E Y]

Pop was asked something about rotations in a presser today, and he basically said that the roster will get settled as such once they get to training camp. Until then, here are a couple of position/possession charts pre- and post-trade and FA acquisitions. It doesn't show output per possession, but I assume that we went with what worked / had to at the time. We solidified the PG, SG, PF, and C now and in the future via re-signings, trades, FAs, but based on the charts, it looks like DeRozan will be the starting SF. Outside of him and Manu, it's the position that is most likely to be filled by committee.

We were using more small ball line-ups last year, but that was also a function of just having to respond to injuries, and trying to get some scoring.

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[Bornstellar]

Pop was asked something about rotations in a presser today, and he basically said that the roster will get settled as such once they get to training camp. Until then, here are a couple of position/possession charts pre- and post-trade and FA acquisitions. It doesn't show output per possession, but I assume that we went with what worked / had to at the time. We solidified the PG, SG, PF, and C now and in the future via re-signings, trades, FAs, but based on the charts, it looks like DeRozan will be the starting SF. Outside of him and Manu, it's the position that is most likely to be filled by committee.

We were using more small ball line-ups last year, but that was also a function of just having to respond to injuries, and trying to get some scoring.

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Nice info! Thanks.

Concerning that we don't really have a SF. One reason I am not thrilled Spurs did not push for OG from the Raps. We basically lost all 3 of our players that could reliably play at SF this offseason (Leonard, Anderson, Green). I really hope Spurs look to move Gasol for a SF in the coming weeks or the Spurs take a gamble on Blossomgame/Metu

[UDRIH14]

i think murry can play the 3 if he can hit the 3 with efficiency...his got the length and speed for that position, as for pg they can have white/ginoboli handle the ball...they have plenty of sg who can probably play point forward or handle t he rock to create or lookout for cutters

[eso3]

I know that Rudy Gay has played a ton of small ball 4 during the last seasons but why don’t you guys consider him as your starting small forward?

DeRozan might have played most of his minutes at the 3 last season but he’s a bad defender and I having him guard Lebron, Durant, George in probably not the best idea?

Is Gay’s athleticism really that bad?


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[Ballings7]

SF is now a weakness and question mark defensively for this team. Anderson, Kawhi, Green are all gone.

Either really going to have to play well as a team or risk inconistency at SF/SG. Gay did well defensively last season I thought, but Anderson usually played the best big wing.

I'm thinking:

Murray (with a surprise 3PTer)
Mills
DeRozan
Cunningham (Pop will like his defense, hustle, floor spacing and deference)
Aldridge

Bench:

White
Belinelli
Manu
Gay
Bertans
Poetl

Gasol/Walker spotting in... hopefully Walker forces his way into the rotation, but will likely have to ease in like Simmons.

Murray, Cunningham, and Aldridge is a good defensive trio... would really like to see White bump Mills to the bench to give us more size out there by end season.

The depth is still there in general... lots of versatility, except for at SF on defense.

Looking forward and focusing the most on White, Murray, Walker, Poetl, and Cunningham.

[SK21209]

Murray/Mills/Forbes
White/Manu/Walker
DeRozan/Belinelli
Aldridge/Gay/Bertans
Poeltl/Gasol

I bet we see Poeltl start next to Aldridge, but I think that lineup will have the same offensive struggles at the beginning of games that we've had for the last couple of seasons. I really don't want Mills starting. I want to keep a bench unit of Mills/Manu/Beli/Gay/Pau together as much as possible; I think that group could recapture some of the magic our bench units had a few years ago. Hopefully, White and Walker step up; if they do, I can get really excited about this team

[ColeNiles]

I think, as has been said, the lineup will go through so many changes. I think i would put my money on a

Murray-Mills-Derozan-Gay-Aldridge

starting lineup, maybe stick Pau in there at points... It will shift around, maybe Bertans gets in there at the beginning too. The most important thing in the starting lineup now is to surround Derozan, a great playmaker in his own right, with defense and shooters. Murray with a 3 point shot would be great, but I wouldnt bet on it being close to consistent yet. I am going to guess there will be some clunky offense with DJM and Derozan out there with eachother, but some massive potential if Derozan can find Bertans, Bellinelli, Mills on his drives.

I think, OFFENSIVELY (obviously wont be a starting lineup) but a

Mills, Derozan, Gay, Bertans, LMA

lineup could be great offensively, probably the best we could put out there.

DEFENSIVELY, i like

Murray, Bellinelli, Derozan, Cunningham/Poetl, LMA

Bellinelli was sneaky great on D last year for the Sixers, and Cunningham is a really tough and versatile defender too.

this all being said, i want to see, best case scenario:

Murray- Lonnie Walker IV- Derozan- Bertans- LMA

but thats wishful thinking

[No-Man]

This is imo what makes most sense;

Mills
Murray
DeRozan
Aldridge
Pöltl

Mix of shooting, defense and play-making, Jakob is the best and most versatile defensive big, Gasol fits better with the bench guys
Mills is a SG on offense and a PG on defense, Murray defends the best perimeter player of the other team, the defense relies on size, smarts and Murray to stay solid

Bench;

White-Forbes
Belinelli
Ginobili
Gay-Bertans
Gasol

Slower unit, anchored by Pau with his play-making, room to Derrick to grow along shooters and smart players, can improve spacing with Bryn and Bertans, who should play since Gasol, Gay, Ginobili and Belinelli will probably get plenty of rest and games off

Then you have Cunningham and Paul/Hilliard in case of injuries, and Lonnie Walker and Metu basically in Austin for the year

[No-Man]

You want to avoid having Gay next to DeMar as much as possible btw, so starting both should be a giant no-no

[CoachD]

Playing as a 3, Demar gets destroyed by bigger, stronger players and sacrifices his best offensive weapon .... Posting up against guards.

Also ... Even though Demar was logged as a SF for many of those minutes.... He was still playing the 2 spot in the offense. Always.

[ObiWan_Ginobili]

I wouldn’t be surprised to see a lineup of

PG Murray
SG Bellinelli
SF DeRozen
PF Aldridge
C Gasol/Poetl

Marco’s 2nd stint here and played pretty well. Gives us a bit more size on the wings and should allow DeRozen to try an utilise his post up game a bit more easily than with 2 PGs in the backcourt. Plus Marco give us some good shooting in the backcourt.

I would like to see Pop use Mills as a spark of the bench.


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[Donald Kaufman]

I'd like to see:

Murray
Belinelli
Derozan
Gay
LMA

I think LMA at the 5 would be more effective. I don't think I like Gasol starting at this stage of his career. And I'm hoping LW4 gets decent minutes this season, but I'm not counting on it.

[Donald Kaufman]

I think, as has been said, the lineup will go through so many changes. I think i would put my money on a

Murray-Mills-Derozan-Gay-Aldridge

starting lineup, maybe stick Pau in there at points... It will shift around, maybe Bertans gets in there at the beginning too. The most important thing in the starting lineup now is to surround Derozan, a great playmaker in his own right, with defense and shooters. Murray with a 3 point shot would be great, but I wouldnt bet on it being close to consistent yet. I am going to guess there will be some clunky offense with DJM and Derozan out there with eachother, but some massive potential if Derozan can find Bertans, Bellinelli, Mills on his drives.

I think, OFFENSIVELY (obviously wont be a starting lineup) but a

Mills, Derozan, Gay, Bertans, LMA

lineup could be great offensively, probably the best we could put out there.

DEFENSIVELY, i like

Murray, Bellinelli, Derozan, Cunningham/Poetl, LMA

Bellinelli was sneaky great on D last year for the Sixers, and Cunningham is a really tough and versatile defender too.

this all being said, i want to see, best case scenario:

Murray- Lonnie Walker IV- Derozan- Bertans- LMA

but thats wishful thinking

Great post. I agree.

[Donald Kaufman]

Gasol seems to be the odd man out here. What do you guys think?

I think Gasol is a very high IQ player, even at his age - but yeah, he feels a little bit obsolete in today's NBA.

[DROB27]

I think white needs to start at SG or keep at the 2.

Pair mills with manu and Beli off the bench


Any decent SF we could get ?

[Denisaur9]

Honestly I can see you guys using a lineup of

Murray/Derozan/Gay/Aldridge/Jakob

Jakob and Murray are great defenders. I think Jakob is being very under estimated as a part of this trade. He is extremely intelligent, efficient, great instincts and his passing is fantastic. He will be starting at C before the end of the Season and it will allow Aldridge to play PF.

Mills, Belli, White, Walker, Gasol,Bertans, Cunningham is a great bench.



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[G R E Y]

I wouldn’t be surprised to see a lineup of

PG Murray
SG Bellinelli
SF DeRozen
PF Aldridge
C Gasol/Poetl

Marco’s 2nd stint here and played pretty well. Gives us a bit more size on the wings and should allow DeRozen to try an utilise his post up game a bit more easily than with 2 PGs in the backcourt. Plus Marco give us some good shooting in the backcourt.

I would like to see Pop use Mills as a spark of the bench.


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The thing is that Dejounte and Patty are already familiar with one another, and Beli and Manu have had great synergy together. With DeMar in the lineup, we've already got a big scoring boost, though with the other starters, there's Patty and Gasol as the 3 shooters (maybe Murray a bit more, too, but until we see it, we can't say it's something to rely on as of yet). Beli's shooting off the bench is key, too, along with Rudy/Davis, and Poeltl - that's some good firepower and options of style of play. Manu's playmaking/finding his own shot, anchored by steady White is a nice second unit.

p.s. I forgot to add Dante into the equation, who is a solid presence on both ends.

Defensively, however, new guys will have to step up. There's Murray's stalwart defense and LMA's improved D, but without Kyle and Danny's steady D presence, we've got to find other solutions, so hopefully with Dante and new guys having that end instilled and executing, we can hold the D line.

I'd like to see:

Murray
Belinelli
Derozan
Gay
LMA

I think LMA at the 5 would be more effective. I don't think I like Gasol starting at this stage of his career. And I'm hoping LW4 gets decent minutes this season, but I'm not counting on it.

Gasol had a solid first half, but wear and injuries caught up with him in the second. I expect him to start, but to get more rest as well. As for his game being obsolete, well he shoots 3s and is a great facilitator from the arc, so he's not really such a traditional C. Hopefully he gets some hops back, that would help. But also his tutelage of Poeltl should go a long way to Jakob's development.

As for Lonnie's playing time, well that depends on him, too. Tony got the starting role at 19, Dejounte in the new year last season, so if Lonnie stays committed to D, I think Pop will be more amenable to tolerating O 'experimenting' to see what he can do and how he can grow. He brings great body control, creativity and hops. It's nice to get the influx. We've got a boost of it with young talent via draft and trade, so I am looking forward to seeing what the new guys bring and how they gel together.

[Ballings7]

Would love to see LW4 make his impact felt by defending, hustling, and spotting up... then letting the rest of his game come out slowly, and pick his spots to score. Try stuff out and work on it over time.

Like Kawhi did in his first couple seasons. Kawhi made himself a force into the rotation by defending, hustling, rebounding, and spotting up confidently for threes.

Lonnie should follow a similar mindset to get minutes with some consistency.

I think white needs to start at SG or keep at the 2.

Pair mills with manu and Beli off the bench


Any decent SF we could get ?

Corey Brewer, Acy, or Huestis..

All can defend, rebound, and shoot the three at an adequate clip from game to game. Long and athletic. Brewer can also handle the ball effectively as a helper there. Acy and Huestis are solid "young veterans" on both ends, and smart. Brewer still has a few nice years left as an athlete.

[Frankie23]

So roster is:
PG: Murray/Mills/White/Forbes
SG: DeRozan/Bellineli/Manu/Walker
SF: Gay/Dante
PF: Aldridge/Bertans
C: Gasol/Poertl

You have a lot of players to play small ball, but also to play big. Rotation i guess is going to vary depending on match ups, resting players, etc