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Who starts at 4??

colton said:
That looks about right to me. The one thing I would add, is that I wouldn't be surprised to see Jerry go with a Deron-Watson lineup every once in a while. That would mean that either Deron or Watson should have some minutes at SG.
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Agree. The minutes I gave to Price at SG could very well go to Deron, with Watson getting more time at PG. Deron and Maynor played together quite a bit before the trade. In fact, IINM, Deron said he didn't mind playing off the ball a little bit. It allowed him to score more and not have to work so hard bringing the ball up. Watson/Deron is probably the best 2-PG combo, but Sloan will probably want to get Price some minutes.

And UB...I also didn't account for injuries. Few players go all 82 games, so those average mins. will probably go up a bit for everyone - until Memo returns. Then Okur either gets all of the Elson/Fes minutes, or AK moves back to a full-time SF. The development of Hayward and Evans wlll factor into that. My guess is Deron misses 4 games, AK 15, Millsap 2 and CJ 6. Raja and Big Al will play all 82. Now I need to grab my abacus and see what that does to the avg mins/per game.
 
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Hotttnickkk said:
Boy oh boy - would TwinTowers have something to say about this one... LOL
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Well, the article also says "probable starter, Deron Williams."
Yes, Sloan says the starters haven't been decided, but do you really think Earl Watson has a chance at unseating Deron. Or Elson or Fes will start ahead of Jefferson? Millsap will start at the 4. Everything that's been said to this point, about him finally getting a shot, expandding his role, etc. That doesn't point to sitting on the bench behind AK. I'd say there's maybe a 5% chance AK starts at the 4, with CJ and Raja at the wing spots.
 
Since none of us get a vote and it's only for fun, here's mine.

WITH everyone healthy;

Deron
Raja
AK
Okur
AJ

While Okur is out;

Deron
Raja
AK
Sap
AJ
 
I know it wont be popular but I would rather have AK start at PF until Okur gets back then start Jefferson and Okur if and when he does. Jefferson and Millsap are just too much alike on offense for me. They are not good passer's and need the ball in the block to be effective while also making our front court way undersized. Ak is a better defender and passer than either of these other 2 players. Also I have never bought that Millsap can be a successful starting PF because of his size.
 
JoelHodgeJr said:
Here is a crazy thought: Lets go real big in real way.
1. Deron
2. Bell
3. Milsap
4. AK
5. AL
I know it sounds crazy but AK needs to be on the block to get those hands in the interior passing lanes, and disrupt interior shots with his spontaneous shot blocking. Although I know many will come out and disagree with me, I think Sap is athletic enough to body quicker 3's but still be able to play D, and manhandle on offence. Remember AK is taller then Sap.
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Milsap cannot play 3, he is 250 maybe even 255 lbs this year. If you watched games last year you know his only chance was indeed to body SF's so they couldn't get their first step on him. It usually resulted in a foul. Lets not forget Sap blocks almost as many shots as AK nowadays so taking him away from the rim also is detrimental. AK is the better 3, he is lighter on his feet and on offense gives you a little more range than Milsap.
 
Jazz4ever said:
Milsap cannot play 3, he is 250 maybe even 255 lbs this year. If you watched games last year you know his only chance was indeed to body SF's so they couldn't get their first step on him. It usually resulted in a foul. Lets not forget Sap blocks almost as many shots as AK nowadays so taking him away from the rim also is detrimental. AK is the better 3, he is lighter on his feet and on offense gives you a little more range than Milsap.
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Agree.
When Okur comes back, it's not like he's going to be ready for 30+ mins/per. It will take him a full year to recover from his injury. Let's see how Fes and Elson are playing. Chances are that neither are making huge contributions. So you play Okur 13-15 mins/per at the 5 behind Jefferson for a month or so and Fes/Elson only play in blowouts or in case of injuries. And keep the Millsap/AK minutes the same at PF. Then, if Okur can handle it, increase him to 20-25 mins max. It's likely down the stretch Sloan would want to cut back on the minutes given to Evans and maybe Hayward anyway, so that frees up more P/T for AK at the 3.

Of course, this may all be a mute point at the deadline. Miller is out to save money, so if CJ, Hayward and Raja are all playing well, and the Jazz are getting solid contributions from Elson (or Fes) and Evans, expect KOC to come out with the same old song about a logjam at the wing or forward postions and then trade AK for tax relief and a mid-1st.
 
AK is a rhythm player. He's proven to be better starting the game than coming off off the bench. Millsap is the starting PF this season, we've heard it from Sloan himself. It's Paul's spot to lose.

So, I agree that AK should start at the 3, with CJ backing him up, like last year. But, I'd like to see a bunch of minutes at the 4 spot, more than at the 3. He's just too good at the 4 spot to not take advantage. You give Paul his dues, and let AK become the energy 4, which Millsap played behind Boozer. He gets to start and get in rhythm early.

Apparently, CJ is not as prepared as he was last season. I think he still has a lot to prove. I've been pulling for him, I hope he brings it.
 
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