should matt carroll start at the two?

[HMFFL]

we arent going to waive him clearly, but he can get some value if he plays with the starters and plays well. atleast a shorter contract or expiring best case if a teams seems he is in our rotation. he can still shoot, and will get wide open shot with the starters.

We need our chemistry to stay strong and by starting him at the two brings up some red flags. The road is very long for him to make these types of steps and for his value to increase. His value will only increase so we can move him for a similar role player. If he can get his old form back, I would prefer to keep him, so we have another accurate shooter coming off our bench. With four years left on his contract (final being a player option) I doubt any teams will have a strong interest for him, or would be willing to move any actual value for him.

[SamBone]

starting him is only maximizing what he offers. It doesn't matter who starts, it is who finishes. And to finish games it will always be Kidd, JET, JHo, Matrix and Dirk. The reason starting him (and playing him 12-18 min) is because he would be at his best on the court with JKIdd, Matrix and Dirk. JHo would be still playing 30+ min a game just would be on the court with JJ and JET. Which will not affect his game at all. MC on the otherhand would be useless with JJ and JET

[HMFFL]

SamBone, a nice way to think about it, but very much wishful thinking on your part. If Matt starts over any of our legit #2 players it can and will get ugly. I highly doubt most of the players would support it and I would like to think, or hope most of the fans wouldn't stand for it. We need the best match-up on the court against our competition and Matt is simply just a struggling role player.

12-18 minutes per game for Matt Carroll is simply hilarious.

[Teffer10]

starting him is only maximizing what he offers. It doesn't matter who starts, it is who finishes. And to finish games it will always be Kidd, JET, JHo, Matrix and Dirk. The reason starting him (and playing him 12-18 min) is because he would be at his best on the court with JKIdd, Matrix and Dirk. JHo would be still playing 30+ min a game just would be on the court with JJ and JET. Which will not affect his game at all. MC on the otherhand would be useless with JJ and JET

I actually think it would make more sense to start Terry at SG and let JHo be our supersub 6th man.
Terry's lack of D wouldn't kill us so much playing with Kidd and Marion. If Terry comes off the bench, we will see a lot of Terry/Barea in the game at the same time which is a scary thought.
Kidd/Terry/Matrix/Dirk/Damp would be a solid starting lineup with a good blend of O and D.
JJ/Ross/Howard/Singleton/Gooden gives a very solid 2nd unit with good O and D balance where JHo could be the catalyst. JJ's lack of D wouldn't kill us as much playing with Ross and Howard.

The problem is that Howard probably wouldn't accept or thrive in that role.

[catalyst]

Carroll was the MVP fo the fanfest, scored about 12 to 14. Shot well, and had an Alley oop to Marion. No Howard in the mix tho.

[JES12]

http://dallasbasketballdotcom.yuku.com/topic/32375

Carroll is starting the 1st pre-season game

[catalyst]

I just cannot see anyone trading this year for that awful contract. If a team does, they are dumping a max out deal for an old and hurt player.

[myconsumerclub]

Carroll got showcased through first 2 games of the preseason and I am not seeing any great potential maybe as a guy you use sparingly that can be there in an emergency when your starter and 6th man are down the problem with us is we have too much talent on this team. Carroll might be ok as a backup on OKC or Memphis but this is the Mavs and we are stacked in the talent area even our rookie is showing more ability than most teams have at the combo gaurd.

[Teffer10]

Carroll got showcased through first 2 games of the preseason and I am not seeing any great potential maybe as a guy you use sparingly that can be there in an emergency when your starter and 6th man are down the problem with us is we have too much talent on this team. Carroll might be ok as a backup on OKC or Memphis but this is the Mavs and we are stacked in the talent area even our rookie is showing more ability than most teams have at the combo gaurd.

I agree...at best Carroll is probably insurance if we lose Terry by injury or trade. Maybe in very unique situations when we fall way behind or are desperate for 3ptrs in the closing minutes.

[mffl_14]

Even with Howard hurt I dont start Carroll. I think you want to start each game sending a message and I think it's best just to let the guy come off the bench.

[cmavswin]

Right now all I see Carroll being is a 15th man who gets to dress if injuries occur. The max I see out of him is someone who comes in the last few seconds to take a three point shot. Maybe the Mavs can get lucky and get the Knicks to panic maybe they could move him on.

[thruthefire]

Matt Carroll was a nice player in Charlotte, who always came ready to play, but it was obvious once LB came around that he wouldn't be there much longer. He should have played more in the prior season, but Sam Vincent is a **** idiot, so he didn't. Instead, Bobcats' fans got to watch the 'Jeff McInnis Show'.

As for the originally question, no, I wouldn't start him. Try to find him 10-12 MPG early on in the season, and see if a trade comes up. Last season was a fluke; he's still one of the best shooters in the league, and a good backup shooting guard when given the chance.