Dunleavy returning ealry?

[IrishLuck31]

http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archi ... ery_early/

doesn't give a date, but that is really good news. Dunleavy would be a great addition to our second unit, as he could be the # 1 scoring option for a defense-orientated group (watson, jones, dunleavy, hansborough/mcroberts, foster/solos jones).

Realistically, I would be happy if he makes it back before New Years. so we still definitely need a backup SF. when do you guys think he will be back?

[PaceWalker]

If this is true and he is expected back in the first half of the season I would assume that we will sign Price and suck it up with 3 wings until he returns. That's if this report is true and he comes back early.

[IrishLuck31]

If this is true and he is expected back in the first half of the season I would assume that we will sign Price and suck it up with 3 wings until he returns. That's if this report is true and he comes back early.

I get what you are saying, especially w/ us looking to possibly keep only 14 guys on the roster. but it is still really dangerous - imagine if Granger has to take time off b/c of his knee, I guess we could sign someone then, but still.

[I miss Reggie]

I would sleep easier knowing that we signed a backup SF, however, if Dun is returning before January, then I agree with Pace. Lets just pray no one gets hurt and just go with 3 guys at the wing.

[Donerik]

I almost feel as though the person read his blogs, drank the kool-aide and then wrote a story. On the plus side un named sources and blogs are reliable these days so.....

Welcome Back Mike Dunleavy.

We still need more depth.

[Wizop]

rings true. were it not I think we would have signed another three by now.

[fienX420]

I think we really need another wing anyway. We're losing Marquis Daniels and Stephen Graham (both of whom saw significant usage) and replacing them with only Dahntay Jones so far. Even with Dunleavy, we are too thin - without him, we are going to have some really stupid lineups. The Ford/Jack back-court sucked - but a Ford/Diener or Ford/Watson back-court is really, really going to suck. Especially if our 3 is Dahntay Jones. Bad defensive strategy? Mediocre players giving up massive amounts of size.

We need one more body (any body) as long as they are a legit SF.

[jowglenn]

We need one more body (any body) as long as they are a legit SF.

Absolutely agree. There is simply no way you can have a basketball team with only 3 wing players. You're talking about 96 minutes to split up among three guys. What if one gets hurt? Gets in foul trouble? These things will happen. Even if it's a minimum salary vet, you need SOMEONE. Hell, even if Dunleavy were fully healthy RIGHT NOW, I'd still want to sign an emergency backup wing guy.

[Boneman2]

If Dunleavy returns healthy than we are fully equipped at both SF & SG positions. We need a stop-gap w/o taking on a lot of salary for one season.

[Dunthreevy]

We need one more body (any body) as long as they are a legit SF.

As long as Dunleavy is fully healthy, we will be good with a rotation of

Granger
Dunleavy
Rush
Jones

to cover our 2 and 3 spots. Rush or Jones are fully capable of playing the 3 (Rush on offense and defense, and Jones at least on defense). There is no need to commit to a player for a full season if we know that Dunleavy is going to be back 4-8 weeks into the season. That's just me though, I could be completely off.

[fienX420]

I agree completely. Until somebody gets hurt. I don't think we need another rotation guy - I like Granger, Dunleavy, Rush, & Jones just fine. We just need another body for 'in case.' If Dunleavy isn't ready to start the season, we are a sprained ankle away from being seriously stretched too thin. I guess you can keep a roster spot open and sign someone if that happens. But doing so is to the detriment of the game in which someone got hurt and every game after until new guy X is ready to contribute at the appropriate level.

On the other hand... can McBob, Foster, and/or Psycho T put in some minutes at the 3 spot in an emergency? Maybe. I'd have serious doubts about our ability to defend the spot. Maybe when Jeff was younger, he could get by. But I really don't know about Josh and Tyler.

I think it would be safest to bring in another bigger wing player.

Who all thinks Hansbrough or McRoberts can defend the 3?

[Dunthreevy]

I agree completely. Until somebody gets hurt. I don't think we need another rotation guy - I like Granger, Dunleavy, Rush, & Jones just fine. We just need another body for 'in case.' If Dunleavy isn't ready to start the season, we are a sprained ankle away from being seriously stretched too thin. I guess you can keep a roster spot open and sign someone if that happens. But doing so is to the detriment of the game in which someone got hurt and every game after until new guy X is ready to contribute at the appropriate level.

On the other hand... can McBob, Foster, and/or Psycho T put in some minutes at the 3 spot in an emergency? Maybe. I'd have serious doubts about our ability to defend the spot. Maybe when Jeff was younger, he could get by. But I really don't know about Josh and Tyler.

I think it would be safest to bring in another bigger wing player.

Who all thinks Hansbrough or McRoberts can defend the 3?

I would say that Hansbrough is as athletic as Foster EVER was, and if you think Jeff could've guarded the 3 at any point in his career, then Tyler should be just fine.

[fienX420]

Well, Jeff did used to guard 3s on occasion back in the day. Foster has length on Hansbrough, and I'd disagree that Hansbrough is athletic. Foster could dunk from the free-throw line - that is freaking athletic. In fact, I'd say Foster has gotten by a good deal on his athleticism. Hansbrough is almost the opposite - not as athletic, but very skilled. Anyway, if Hansbrough (or McBob) can get by defending the 3-spot, we should be fine with the roster we have.

[Dunthreevy]

Well, Jeff did used to guard 3s on occasion back in the day. Foster has length on Hansbrough, and I'd disagree that Hansbrough is athletic. Foster could dunk from the free-throw line - that is freaking athletic. In fact, I'd say Foster has gotten by a good deal on his athleticism. Hansbrough is almost the opposite - not as athletic, but very skilled. Anyway, if Hansbrough (or McBob) can get by defending the 3-spot, we should be fine with the roster we have.

What are you basing these statements on? Obviously it's not facts because Tyler Hansbrough is fairly athletic for a 4. Watching his game, or reading his scouting reports since hitting up the combines would tell you that.

When the hell did Foster ever dunk from the FT line? Maybe I missed something.

[Dunthreevy]

Wait a minute. Damn it, you got me. I wasn't even paying attention to who was posting these comments. Touché.

[freeman]

I'd still say it's better for us to sign a back-up three while waiting for Dunleavy.
No exact date has been given yet, and it's still comes with a "might".. even if it's January 2010, that would be 2 months of Granger playing at least 40 mpg. That would be a big big risk.

[Boneman2]

Well, Jeff did used to guard 3s on occasion back in the day. Foster has length on Hansbrough, and I'd disagree that Hansbrough is athletic. Foster could dunk from the free-throw line - that is freaking athletic. In fact, I'd say Foster has gotten by a good deal on his athleticism. Hansbrough is almost the opposite - not as athletic, but very skilled. Anyway, if Hansbrough (or McBob) can get by defending the 3-spot, we should be fine with the roster we have.

FT line/Foster = funny joke
good one!

Foster has yet to display any lateral quickness. Jeff's most vital assett is his strength and length. He does shuffle well because of his huge step, but that's only if he is set.

[Miller4ever]

Foster today needs a foot in front of the free throw line, maybe even 2. He might've at one time been able to dunk from the FT line. Many players can do it, but few can pull it off on the first try like Dr. J and Jordan.

I agree with Boneman's assessment of Foster.

On needing a backup SF, is anyone willing to give Stephen Graham a shot? I'm not crazy about him at all, but I think he could harness that athleticism into a decent defender and okay scorer at the position.

[freeman]

On needing a backup SF, is anyone willing to give Stephen Graham a shot? I'm not crazy about him at all, but I think he could harness that athleticism into a decent defender and okay scorer at the position.

I'm kinda thinking on that same way since Graham is already familiar with the guys, he's cheap, and most importantly he knows Obie's system. But i think Stephen is Larry's worst-case scenario guy. He's probably looking for an upgrade over Graham, someone who's got better potential. If nothing works out in the trade talks and the rest of the free agents, bringing back Graham would be the obvious move, IMO.

[Dunthreevy]

Mike Wells via twitter -

"Coach Jim O'Brien has gone from saying Dunleavy won't be back until January, to now saying he hopes he'll be ready for the season opener."