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I would start monk.

Whoever is the best 3 point shooter between Lamb or Graham (and maybe Bacon). Leaning towards Graham. We might need to start Frank to get some playmaking in the starting unit, which would also make Grahams defense valuable if we are downgrading on the end from Marv to Frank.

Kemba/MCW/Stone
Graham/Monk
MKG/Lamb/Bacon
Frank/Marv/JOB
Dwight/Cody

edit: I hope Monk is actually the correct answer. That would be a huge positive sign if he was ready to fill in as a starter.

monk. and zeller

It will be Lamb. But he won't be the only one getting more PT. Monk, Graham, Bacon, and MCW when he comes back will all get more playing time. Thankfully we're one of the deepest teams in the league on the wings.

Lamb finally gets his big break, literally and figuratively. It's time to unleash the beast Clifford has caged for so long.

Get well soon Batum.

I understand the logic of Monk - 3pt shooting, pairs better with Howard, and Dwight can help clean up his defensive misakes....BUT, I'd give Lamb 1st crack. He's earned more PT and he seems to play well as a starter.

I'd start Lamb and replace Marvin with Frank for the extra playmaking.

But if Frank doesn't improve his outside shot, then forget that last part.

Lamb Season.

I voted Monk because I think he's the better player and would do a better job, but I also hope Cliff gives Lamb first crack at it. Let's see what he can do, the "he has potential" window is fast closing so this is his opportunity to prove he can be a starting-level player (or at least highly-regarded sub) in the league.

I also think it's the better psychological choice. Monk can easily shrug off the "slight" of not starting over Lamb, a vet with tons of experience in our system. Maybe it even motivates him to push Lamb for minutes to prove he deserves it in spite of his inexperience. On the other hand if Lamb has to make way for Monk I think we risk alienating him a bit. Thoughts like "what's the point if I can't even get an opportunity over an effing 19 year old coming off an injury?" would creep into his head and cause him to check out on us.

catch20two wrote:Lamb Season.

Hornets season

Other teams will also have injuries (not that i wish them, but..). I am still optimistic for a great season & deep PO run.

Has to be Lamb. Rookies don't start for playoff teams.

Lamb is the best option based on overall ability, but are we really going to be able to get away with starting Lamb/MKG/Howard? Seems like a spacing nightmare.

Lamb. Finally he got his chance.

Idk fellas. I'm a former UConn fan and a fan of Lamb, but Im just not sure if starting him is the best way to balance the lineups in Nic's absence. I'm thinking playing Lamb starter minutes, but off the bench, and starting Graham (sort of like we did with Hairston, but Graham isn't garbage) if he is a viable 3&D option.

I also think we need to be open to starting Frank. Our starting units playmaking is abysmal with no Nic. To be fair, starting Frank would leave a big playmaking issue on the 2nd unit, but I think thats more manageable with creative rotations. Kemba/Lamb/MKG/Marv/Dwight, has terrible playmaking and spacing. Seems like a recipe for disaster on offense. If Lamb can hit c&s 3's then he definitely should be the starter, but that has yet to be seen. I'd probably roll with Frank at PF regardless of what we do at SG (maybe unless its Monk, but I don't see that happening).

I'm curious the see MysticalApples take on this.

It would be nice if we could manage to pull off a small trade to bring in another playmaker with both Batum and MCW out. I wonder what it would take to get Philly to send Stauskas our way or Chicago for Jerian Grant?

Edit: There's also Exum in Utah. The rumor is that he doesn't get along with Snyder and would prefer to be with another team. As we all know Cho loves Jazz players and I'm sure that MJ would be pumped to land the son of a former UNC teammate. I'd hate to give up a first because there are a lot of good hybrid forwards in this upcoming draft, but if we could get him for MCW, Graham, and a 2nd we should jump at that.

Stuff it, let's bring back Diaw to play the passing Frenchmen role, Marv can start at sf.

LofJ wrote:It would be nice if we could manage to pull off a small trade to bring in another playmaker with both Batum and MCW out. I wonder what it would take to get Philly to send Stauskas our way or Chicago for Jerian Grant?

Edit: There's also Exum in Utah. The rumor is that he doesn't get along with Snyder and would prefer to be with another team. As we all know Cho loves Jazz players and I'm sure that MJ would be pumped to land the son of a former UNC teammate. I'd hate to give up a first because there are a lot of good hybrid forwards in this upcoming draft, but if we could get him for MCW, Graham, and a 2nd we should jump at that.

I think Exum is better as an attacking point guard, would fit an up tempo team not sure about half court sets.
I would jump at that trade though, 2 crappy parts for Exum.

Bugger it, seeing as we are in the east and should make the playoffs, I'd offer our first for Exum. I am biased though.

Diop wrote:

LofJ wrote:It would be nice if we could manage to pull off a small trade to bring in another playmaker with both Batum and MCW out. I wonder what it would take to get Philly to send Stauskas our way or Chicago for Jerian Grant?

Edit: There's also Exum in Utah. The rumor is that he doesn't get along with Snyder and would prefer to be with another team. As we all know Cho loves Jazz players and I'm sure that MJ would be pumped to land the son of a former UNC teammate. I'd hate to give up a first because there are a lot of good hybrid forwards in this upcoming draft, but if we could get him for MCW, Graham, and a 2nd we should jump at that.

I think Exum is better as an attacking point guard, would fit an up tempo team not sure about half court sets.
I would jump at that trade though, 2 crappy parts for Exum.

Bugger it, seeing as we are in the east and should make the playoffs, I'd offer our first for Exum. I am biased though.

You're right, Exum's handle is too loose for him to be effective in half-court sets. He needs to be paired with another guard that can handle the ball and shoot (i.e. Monk) and preferably play at a faster pace to take advantage of his speed. If we traded for him we'd be crazy to not do that with him, Monk, and Zeller on the floor. He would fit well on this team.

yosemiteben wrote:Has to be Lamb. Rookies don't start for playoff teams.

Cody Zeller disagrees.

I am actually not to worried about Batum being out. Clifford plays him out of position at SG. Hopefully Lamb will continue playing well and lock down the spot full time. That way when Batum comes back he can take over at SF or PF which is a more natural spot for him at this point in his career given the current trend of going small in the NBA.

Batum is a nice passer and secondary ball handler, but the league figured out how to defend the Batum/Cody pick and roll last year. Everyone realized you can just switch that and it became much less effective. The Kemba/Cody or Kemba/Dwight or Kemba/Frank Pick and rolls are much more effective because switching creates a size mismatch. Lamb is also a decent ball handler and passer so I don't see a huge drop off.

Our ideal lineup should be:

Kemba/Monk/MCW
Lamb/Monk
MKG/Batum/M.Williams
Batum/M. Williams/Frank
Dwight/Cody/Frank