Imagine how good this team would be with a backup small forward!!

[Brickowski]

The team has a backup small forward.  Unfortunately he's playing point guard.

[xmuscularghandix]

Seriously, I don't know why this hole is still left open.  Marquis is busy backing up Rondo and Ray, and Scal isn't a true 3 either.  Walker isn't really up to the job even if he was active.

I'm not saying we NEED one, or that one would even make that much of a difference.  It'd just be nice to have a guy that could come in and play some good D for 5-15 minutes a game (better than Scal), and hopefully spread the floor a little bit for Marquis or Rondo.

I hope we can get a trade in closer to now than the dead line.  Tony, Giddens, Scal, (although I'd be sad to see him go) just do it already.

Is there any good reason for us to not have a Pierce backup yet?

Marquis is the backup for Paul, no team uses a ten man rotation.

Plus i truly beleive that if it comes down to having an all bench lineup it'd be Walker in that 3 role. He could just rebound and run on the break, we don't need more three point shooting... we just need some atheleticism.

[mgent]

Seriously, I don't know why this hole is still left open.  Marquis is busy backing up Rondo and Ray, and Scal isn't a true 3 either.  Walker isn't really up to the job even if he was active.

I'm not saying we NEED one, or that one would even make that much of a difference.  It'd just be nice to have a guy that could come in and play some good D for 5-15 minutes a game (better than Scal), and hopefully spread the floor a little bit for Marquis or Rondo.

I hope we can get a trade in closer to now than the dead line.  Tony, Giddens, Scal, (although I'd be sad to see him go) just do it already.

Is there any good reason for us to not have a Pierce backup yet?

Marquis is the backup for Paul, no team uses a ten man rotation.

Plus i truly beleive that if it comes down to having an all bench lineup it'd be Walker in that 3 role. He could just rebound and run on the break, we don't need more three point shooting... we just need some atheleticism.

How are you gonna say no team uses a ten man rotation?

What happens if just one of our guys is injured, if only for a game?  There's a clear drop off from our top 9 and the bottom 6.

Plus it'd be nice to be able to give minutes to whoever is producing the most that night.  Eddie House and Marquis Daniels are definitely not poster boys for consistency.

And you've got to think about the fact that Marquis only averages about 60 games a season.

There's just so many reasons why a backup 3 would be helpful.

[nickagneta]

Imagine how good this team would be with a backup small forward!!

Seriously, I don't know why this hole is still left open.  Marquis is busy backing up Rondo and Ray, and Scal isn't a true 3 either.  Walker isn't really up to the job even if he was active.

I'm not saying we NEED one, or that one would even make that much of a difference.  It'd just be nice to have a guy that could come in and play some good D for 5-15 minutes a game (better than Scal), and hopefully spread the floor a little bit for Marquis or Rondo.

I hope we can get a trade in closer to now than the dead line.  Tony, Giddens, Scal, (although I'd be sad to see him go) just do it already.

Is there any good reason for us to not have a Pierce backup yet?

Yeah!! Imagine!!! They might be able to win it all if they just had a backup at the 3!!!!

Seriously though, Daniels is the backup there, it's just that he plays a point forward position on offense. Also, my guess is that Scal and Tony and maybe even Giddens or Walker will be gone for SF sometime before the end of January. Then I think your concerns will be assuaged and will will be going into the playoffs with a bench rotation with the following 5 players contributing:

Wallace
Davis
Daniels
House
Shane Battier or Gerald Wallace or Raja Bell or John Salmons or Tayshaun Prince or Andres Nocioni or James Posey or Caron Butler or Grant Hill or Kirk Hinrich


It would not surprise me in the least to see any or even all of the players I listed above to be traded for one reason or another next year, whether it be because of economic problems, cap clearing strategy for the FA season, possible team sale or even a dreadful season so the GM determines it's time to start over and wants to clear cap room and get a pick or two (C's 2010 and/or 2012 1st rounders and or any 2nd roundersas well).

[JBcat]

Imagine how good this team would be with a backup small forward!!

Seriously, I don't know why this hole is still left open.  Marquis is busy backing up Rondo and Ray, and Scal isn't a true 3 either.  Walker isn't really up to the job even if he was active.

I'm not saying we NEED one, or that one would even make that much of a difference.  It'd just be nice to have a guy that could come in and play some good D for 5-15 minutes a game (better than Scal), and hopefully spread the floor a little bit for Marquis or Rondo.

I hope we can get a trade in closer to now than the dead line.  Tony, Giddens, Scal, (although I'd be sad to see him go) just do it already.

Is there any good reason for us to not have a Pierce backup yet?

Yeah!! Imagine!!! They might be able to win it all if they just had a backup at the 3!!!!

Seriously though, Daniels is the backup there, it's just that he plays a point forward position on offense. Also, my guess is that Scal and Tony and maybe even Giddens or Walker will be gone for SF sometime before the end of January. Then I think your concerns will be assuaged and will will be going into the playoffs with a bench rotation with the following 5 players contributing:

Wallace
Davis
Daniels
House
Shane Battier or Gerald Wallace or Raja Bell or John Salmons or Tayshaun Prince or Andres Nocioni or James Posey or Caron Butler or Grant Hill or Kirk Hinrich


It would not surprise me in the least to see any or even all of the players I listed above to be traded for one reason or another next year, whether it be because of economic problems, cap clearing strategy for the FA season, possible team sale or even a dreadful season so the GM determines it's time to start over and wants to clear cap room and get a pick or two (C's 2010 and/or 2012 1st rounders and or any 2nd roundersas well).

If we got one of those guys by the trade deadline that would be awesome.   Caron Butler though I think would a be a reach if we are thinking of using the TA/Scal pupu platter.  I think we all need to preach patience here.   No need to rush to pull the trigger now when we could have much more options for trades by the deadline. 

[Cman]

Shane Battier or Gerald Wallace or Raja Bell or John Salmons or Tayshaun Prince or Andres Nocioni or James Posey or Caron Butler or Grant Hill or Kirk Hinrich


It would not surprise me in the least to see any or even all of the players I listed above to be traded for one reason or another next year, whether it be because of economic problems, cap clearing strategy for the FA season, possible team sale or even a dreadful season so the GM determines it's time to start over and wants to clear cap room and get a pick or two (C's 2010 and/or 2012 1st rounders and or any 2nd roundersas well).

Nick, I like your thinking, but think it is completely unrealistic to think the Cs can land Caron Butler or Kirk Hinrich without giving up a player of value (ie: not just picks and expiring cruddy contracts).  That said, I would love either of those guys on the Cs!

[Fafnir]

Nick you might have to cross Raj Bell of your wish list:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4581263

Sucks, though honestly I don't think he's very good anymore...

[Fafnir]

Shane Battier or Gerald Wallace or Raja Bell or John Salmons or Tayshaun Prince or Andres Nocioni or James Posey or Caron Butler or Grant Hill or Kirk Hinrich


It would not surprise me in the least to see any or even all of the players I listed above to be traded for one reason or another next year, whether it be because of economic problems, cap clearing strategy for the FA season, possible team sale or even a dreadful season so the GM determines it's time to start over and wants to clear cap room and get a pick or two (C's 2010 and/or 2012 1st rounders and or any 2nd roundersas well).

Nick, I like your thinking, but think it is completely unrealistic to think the Cs can land Caron Butler or Kirk Hinrich without giving up a player of value (ie: not just picks and expiring cruddy contracts).  That said, I would love either of those guys on the Cs!

I don't see the Suns trading Grant Hill.

I also think the C's would be outbid for most of those players. The others have big contracts and that the C's don't want. But crazy trades *coughPauGasol*cough* do happen....

[moiso]

100% of the years Posey was on the C's they won the championship.  Sounds good to me!
I'd love to get Battier, but out of everyone on that list Nocioni will be the most available.  If the Hornets underachieve, then possibly Posey.

[slamtheking]

Seriously, I don't know why this hole is still left open.  Marquis is busy backing up Rondo and Ray, and Scal isn't a true 3 either.  Walker isn't really up to the job even if he was active.

I'm not saying we NEED one, or that one would even make that much of a difference.  It'd just be nice to have a guy that could come in and play some good D for 5-15 minutes a game (better than Scal), and hopefully spread the floor a little bit for Marquis or Rondo.

I hope we can get a trade in closer to now than the dead line.  Tony, Giddens, Scal, (although I'd be sad to see him go) just do it already.

Is there any good reason for us to not have a Pierce backup yet?

Marquis is the backup for Paul, no team uses a ten man rotation.

Plus i truly beleive that if it comes down to having an all bench lineup it'd be Walker in that 3 role. He could just rebound and run on the break, we don't need more three point shooting... we just need some atheleticism.

How are you gonna say no team uses a ten man rotation?

What happens if just one of our guys is injured, if only for a game?  There's a clear drop off from our top 9 and the bottom 6.

Plus it'd be nice to be able to give minutes to whoever is producing the most that night.  Eddie House and Marquis Daniels are definitely not poster boys for consistency.

And you've got to think about the fact that Marquis only averages about 60 games a season.

There's just so many reasons why a backup 3 would be helpful.

Take a step back from the brink and just give this a moment of thought.  The whole reason for having a "backup" for PP is to get him off the floor for 12 minutes a game and give him some rest.  Daniels affords the team that opportunity quite well.  It doesn't matter what he's doing in the game (playing PG or point-forward is irrelevant) as long as PP is resting.  The C's have a few players they can trot out there besides Daniels (in case the big bad injury bug happens even for a game)---Scal, Walker, TA, Giddens---to perform that same function.  Even Ray or KG could cover that spot for limited minutes while other bench players fill their usual positions.

Would having more depth be desirable, of course, but the team as constructed is pretty deep (except at PG).  Last year the bench was thin.  Not an issue this year with more players that can contribute and also cover multiple positions.

[Fafnir]

100% of the years Posey was on the C's they won the championship.  Sounds good to me!
I'd love to get Battier, but out of everyone on that list Nocioni will be the most available.  If the Hornets underachieve, then possibly Posey.

Posey is absolutely available, his contract is an anchor around the Hornets financial flexibility.

[moiso]

100% of the years Posey was on the C's they won the championship.  Sounds good to me!
I'd love to get Battier, but out of everyone on that list Nocioni will be the most available.  If the Hornets underachieve, then possibly Posey.

Posey is absolutely available, his contract is an anchor around the Hornets financial flexibility.

I think they will see how it goes with Okafor for a bit... see if they think they can be competitive for a title.  If they think they can win, then I see them holding onto Posey.  However, the answer is going to be that they can't compete with LA, so they probably will look to deal him.  They have to give it a shot, don't they?