Your 9-man rotation - Everyone Healthy

[fatlever]

Clifford has said many times over the past 2 years that his ideal rotation only includes 9 players. Reading between the lines, he usually plays 2 point guards, 4 bigs, and 3 wings when using a 9-man rotation. Assuming everyone is healthy, who do you think should be our 9-man rotation for stretch run to the playoffs and in the playoffs? Trades excluded.

Ranking the guys in my rotation
1. Kemba
2. MKG
3. Jefferson
4. Henderson
5. Zeller
6. Roberts
7. Biyombo
8. Marvin
9. ????

I need another wing and it comes down to Lance, Neal, Hairston or Taylor (wildcard - Williams)

The case for Lance
The has the most talent of the bunch. We have the most to gain if he plays well and we have the most invested in him, either for our future or as a trade asset. He is the most clever tight spaces passer on the team and is the best defender of the bunch (except for Taylor).

The case for Neal
Neal is the smartest player of the bunch. He can catch fire and carry and offense thru a dry spell. He can score in a variety of ways. He add ball handling and passing. He is the best free throw shooter of the bunch.

The case for Hairston
PJ adds immediate spacing. He has a quick release and is big enough to shoot over defenders. He still has a lot of upside. He has size to defend and is willing to rebound and play physical.

The case against Lance
He is careless with the ball. He makes dangerous passes that often lead to fast break layups. He is still shooting in the teens from 3pt range. He is an awful FT shooter this season. He can't play off the ball and therefore doesn't fit next to Kemba.

The case against Neal
His size creates defensive problems. He can shoot you out of a game just as quick as he can shoot you into a game. He has been in a two-month slump that shows no signs of ending.

The case against Hairston
He is a rookie and not ready for minutes in a playoff run. He has awful shot selection. He gets lost defensively. He doesn't add anything to the passing and ball handling needs of the team.

Alternate Suggestion
Play Maxiel or Vonleh as the 9th man and back up power forward and move Marvin Williams to the backup small forward spot. This would only work vs teams that aren't going small. Marvin isn't quick enough to guard the Henderson type's playing small forward in a small ball lineup and he doesn't have the skills to really exploit that matchup on the offensive side.

[stinger14]

Lance

[Liver_Pooty]

Probably Lance, unfortunately.

[yosemiteben]

Gotta be Lance unless / until he's traded.

[tondi123]

I would prefer that 9th guy not be set in stone and instead be based on the teams game specific needs based on individual matchups, how well the 8 guys in front of them is playing, and on which of the candidates is playing best. Of course, Cliff may prefer a set rotation, production/matchups or situations be damned, but hopefully he will eventually realize that's a half witted way to run a basketball team.

[fatlever]

Cliff's mantra (right or wrong) has always been that wings needs a steady stream of minutes in a game and over a period of time to get in rhythm. Therefore I can't see him going with the "hot hand" approach or changing that 3rd wing based on matchups.

[mrknowitall215]

I would honestly prefer Hairston for that 9th spot since he provide something that nobody else in the 9-man rotation does. I can seriously do without Stephenson's over-dribbling & trying to be fancy before turning the ball over antics. If Stephenson isn't capable of making the 3-point shot at a similar to better rate than he did the previous season in Indiana then he doesn't necessarily serve a purpose on this roster/rotation with MKG & Henderson in it

However, if I had to go by expectations, it would be Stephenson over Hairston

[BlackOutBuzz]

Kemba, Roberts
Hendo, Lance
MKG
Cody, Marvin
Biz, Al

[KembaWalker]

I'll take PJ

wouldn't really be bothered if I never saw Lance suit up in a Charlotte jersey again. He's among the worst players I've ever seen play for this franchise.

[catch20two]

Give me PJ. The only unconscious 3pt threat we have on the team that can legitimately stretch the floor. Sure PJ may brick a ton but he'll make defenses respect it and more importantly he'll take the 3 with a defender 5 feet off him unlike everyone else.

[fatlever]

Lance would probably be my 3rd choice out of PJ, Neal and Lance. Ideally Neal gets out of his funk and in that case he'd be my clear 9th man. But I also have no problem giving the minutes to PJ to see what he can do. And whenever possible, I'd go with the alternate plan of using Max at the 9th man, moving Marvin to SF.

[catch20two]

Kemba, Roberts
Hendo
MKG, Hairston
Zeller, Messy
Al, Biz

[Hornet Mania]

Ranking the rotation:
1. Kemba
2. MKG
3. Henderson
4a. Al Jefferson
4b. Bismack Biyombo
6. Cody Zeller
7. Brian Roberts
8. Marvin Williams
9. Lance Stephenson

The key for me is to play both Al and Biz about 24 minutes apiece on average. Doesn't matter who starts, they both bring such vastly different skill sets to the table but I think both (now that Al is back to trying again on defense) help the team enough to justify more than a small role. This has the added benefit of keeping Al fresh for the 4th quarter, which is pivotal. I would not try to play any of our substitutes big minutes other than that in tight games (or playoffs), unless injury or foul trouble force our hand. The dropoff from Kemba/Roberts, Hendo/Lance and MKG/Whoever is a sheer cliff. I prefer Lance to Neal, both for showcase purposes and also for the tiny advantage he seems to bring in actual performance.

I very nearly ranked MKG 1st overall, even knowing how much Kemba means to this team. We've proven we can win without Kemba, and we tanked when we went a stretch without MKG, so that gave me pause. Henderson has been our most consistent player besides Kemba/MKG since we started winning consistently. I know Al is "better", but I trust Hendo more at this juncture.

[BlackOutBuzz]

I think we stick with Lance for now, same with Marvin, but I hope our rooks eventually take those spots.

[BigSlam]

Kemba, Roberts
Hendo, Lance
MKG
Cody, Marvin
Biz, Al

I can't stand Goggles paired with Al. I'd rather Max with Al. At least Max helps his fellow big out.

I'd actually love to see:

Kemba - Rob
Hobe - Lance
Gilly
Biz - Max
Al - Cody

Then swing Goggles between the SF and PF as needed (hoist some occasional 3's)

[fatlever]

Kemba, Roberts
Hendo, Lance
MKG
Cody, Marvin
Biz, Al

I can't stand Goggles paired with Al. I'd rather Max with Al. At least Max helps his fellow big out.

I'd actually love to see:

Kemba - Rob
Hobe - Lance
Gilly
Biz - Max
Al - Cody

Then swing Goggles between the SF and PF as needed (hoist some occasional 3's)

and that would make for a 10-man rotation. cheater.

[BigSlam]

Kemba, Roberts
Hendo, Lance
MKG
Cody, Marvin
Biz, Al

I can't stand Goggles paired with Al. I'd rather Max with Al. At least Max helps his fellow big out.

I'd actually love to see:

Kemba - Rob
Hobe - Lance
Gilly
Biz - Max
Al - Cody

Then swing Goggles between the SF and PF as needed (hoist some occasional 3's)

and that would make for a 10-man rotation. cheater.

I'd be ok with making Goggles the odd man out then.

Trading him for a contract that expires at the end of this season would be ideal for me.

[BlackOutBuzz]

Kemba, Roberts
Hendo, Lance
MKG
Cody, Marvin
Biz, Al

I can't stand Goggles paired with Al. I'd rather Max with Al. At least Max helps his fellow big out.

I'd actually love to see:

Kemba - Rob
Hobe - Lance
Gilly
Biz - Max
Al - Cody

Then swing Goggles between the SF and PF as needed (hoist some occasional 3's)

I agree, actually, just kind of listing them without much consideration for particular lineups. I'd rather Cliff's deference toward pairing Al and Biz together would instead be relegated to the Al/Marvin duo.

Biz and Al remains a very intriguing pairing to me, but I've accepted we're not likely to see it. So instead Al should always play with Zeller, with Marvin playing with Biz or Zeller at the 5.

[catch20two]

The pairing of Al and Biz in the frontcourt together might be a great pairing but we'll never know.

[HornetJail]

Al/Biz
Zeller/Marvin
MKG/
Hendo/Lance
Kemba/Roberts