Roster (Player[minutes]):
PG: Goran Dragic [32] / Darren Collison [16]
SG: Eric Gordon [32] / Demar DeRozan [14] / John Jenkins [2]
SF: Shawn Marion [28] / Demar DeRozan [8] / Omri Casspi [12] / Jeffery Taylor [xx]
PF: Dirk Nowitzki [32] / Derrick Favors [14] / Rashard Lewis [2] / Shawn Marion [xx]
C: Roy Hibbert [30] / Derrick Favors [10] / Brandan Wright [8]
Easily my favorite presser of the division.
Q1. Does your team have a fight song? If so, does it feature Usher or Justin Bieber?
Q2. How long before you decide to ship Rashard Lewis to the glue factory?
Q3. Is Derrick Favors ready to log major rotation minutes for a contender? Is DeRozan? What bout Casspi or Wright? Any concerns about these young and relatively inconsistent players stepping it up when it really matters?
1. Yes. It's Man in the Mirror by Michael Jackson, because unlike other teams in our division, we want to CHANGE THE WORLD.
2. Rashard is...special. I think he can kick in a few minutes per game stretching the floor on a team that needs veteran leadership. If not, no big deal. We can always trade him to the real life Wizards, somehow.
3. Favors in the playoffs this year: 29 mpg, 11.8 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 1.5 blocks. I think he'll be in good shape to take another step forward this year in a similar role to the one he played last year in Utah. First big off the bench, focusing primarily on defense.
DeRozan is a different story, as he's completely untested in the playoffs. He's also being shifted into the role he was made for - microwave off the bench. He just needs to provide scoring from the second unit rather than carry the load for a terrible Raptors team. I think the shift in philosophy will serve him well, though his lack of experience is a detriment.
Wright and Casspi have limited roles, so they won't be called on to handle too much pressure. Wright's crappiness in the playoffs was disappointing, but he's still a highly efficient player who causes problems at the 5. Casspi is still growing and could be usurped by Taylor thanks to his defensive chops.
These guys will be mentored by Dirk and Marion, two solid vets who can help hold a team together. The character is there, and with 8 playoff veterans (and two NBA champs - only DeRozan/Gordon are rotation players who haven't been to the postseason) there's enough experience amongst a young team to alleviate concerns.