VCfor3 wrote:Whole Truth wrote:VCfor3 wrote: Just take Utah and Gobert right now. They let him play a fairly traditional role and utilize his insane rim protection and they are a top 3 defense and offense even without a true lockdown wing defender. At some point I think it will circle back like you are saying though teams will still prefer a big with at least some semblance of a 3pt shot. JV has one and it is very helpful for us even though down in the paint is where he excels and spends most of his time. The nice thing for Gobert, JV, Capela, etc right now is that they are able to feast down low on teams without a true big defensive center.
Best team in the league. Fortunately for Memphis, Jonas has had several career games against Utah & Gobert's defense.
I'm actually not looking for it to circle back. I'm trying to blend small ball & traditional big men into one versatile team option. Jonas is not going to command or ask for a lot of money to price him out of Memphis rotation. He's a loyal & manageable player, which gives Jenkins IMO much needed flexibility.
Jonas / Tillma - 3J
3J / Clarke - Anderson
? / Anderson - Brooks
?
Ja / Tyus - Melton
Jonas C, 3J PF allows Memphis to play big with 2 7 footers, inside out due to Jaren's versatility & mobility.
Tillman C, 3J = small ball rotation where Tillman handles size & length better than Clarke.
3J C, Clarke PF = small ball rotation, transition.
Tillman C, Clarke PF = Small, small ball, quicker defensive switches.
Give it time, this will be the best big man rotation in the league. Capable of playing 6 ways to Sunday. Health willing.
Sidetracking in our already sidetracked thread ha, but how do people see our lineup moving forward beyond this year? Anderson plays best at PF, but we have JJJ and Clarke there already. JJJ also probably needs some run at C since our small ball lineup with him can be absolutely elite from 3 with the right pieces and Clarke getting his shot back. Heck you could probably put some lineups out ith JJJ at the 5 and Anderson at the 4 that would be interesting. Brooks, Melton, Bane, and Allen are all probably best at SG but Brooks can play some SF and three guard lineups are an option at times.
PG: Ja (34), Tyus (14)
SG: Bane (24), Melton (17), Allen (6), Konchar (1)
SF: Brooks (24), Anderson (20), Allen (4)
PF: JJJ (24), Clarke (20), Anderson (4)
C: JV (28), Tillman (10), JJJ (10)
Ideally we get a starting SF in this draft, but at some point we probably will need to consolidate our depth.
IMO, It all comes down to where Memphis see 3J playing most of his minutes. I have him down like Davis. Too injury prone to play C full time not handling the wear & tear of the position well. He's also a sub par rebounder at least for now. So I have him playing most of his minutes at PF where he'd be a 7' PF playing like a wing next to a bruising 7 foot C which with their size & inside out game, will wear down teams early, then move him to C or some combination of Tillman or Clarke to close defensively if Jonas is getting burned defensively or not a physical advantage.
So if Memphis see it as I do, with 3J getting most of his minutes at PF/ If Anderson is best suited as a 4, Where does that leave Clarke?
IMO I need to see how Winslow fits on this roster in order to make a decision on Anderson & or Clarke. I have Memphis drafting a 2 way wing that has the skill & size to play either SG/SF either next to Anderson at SF or one of Bane/Allen/Melton at SG
C - Jonas, Tillman - 3J
PF - 3J, Clarke - Anderson
SF - Anderson - Anderson - Melton
SG - Bane - Bane - Allen
PG - Ja - Tyus - Melton
Having said that, with 3J not having played a full season in his first 2 yrs, I wouldn't be quick to dump the depth in the front court.
IMO the hardest questions will be in consolidating the guard rotation - Brooks, Melton, Allen, Winslow, Anderson
Brooks competitive nature is his best asset, he brings the energy every game & the team feeds off it. Problem is, his aggression unchecked can be a crippling negative impact when he hijacks the offense.
Melton is looking like he could be an improving 3 & D wing, he does a lot of the little things that help the team win. Negative is when he over handles the ball/playmaking ability.
Allen. His shooting is much needed but I haven't got a good read on him yet.
Winslow, still hasn't played in over a season so injury has to be a big consideration in whether he stays or goes.
Anderson has grown so much this past few months evolving his game with a consistent 3 ball with his defense & playmaking might have moved ahead of both Clarke & Winslow for me in terms of retention. Where if Clarke can help Memphis in combination of picks net that SG/SF prospect, I think I pull the trigger on that consolidation trade backup 3J with Anderson if he doesn't start at SF.