Our Starting 5 Today Assuming We Add No More Players

[footey]

The above assumption is unrealistic, given all the trouble we've gone to create cap space, presumably for a starting center and/or point guard. But who knows when we will actually sign or trade for our missing pieces?

Let's say we had to put out a starting lineup with what we have today on the roster, including our 4 new draft picks, but no additional players (such as Rozier).

Whom do you start?

My starting lineup:

Hayward (Point Forward)
Brown (Wing, Defender of Quickest Opposition Player)
Tatum (Big Wing, defends Big Wings)
Grant Williams (Power Forward)(Play similar role as Al Horford, setting picks, setting up teammates)
Robert Williams (Center)(Mostly for defensive, rebounding, pick and rolls).

Bench:

Smart (1st off bench, for Hayward or Brown, depending on matchups, who's hot, who's in foul trouble)
Semi
Langford
Edwards
Yabu (back up to either Williams guy)

I realize I am putting 3 rookies into the rotation. But only one in the starting lineup. I'm confident that Grant Williams could handle starters minutes, as a 2 time player of the year in SEC.  Very mature, savvy player. 

Edwards would be electric off the bench.

Langford will take some time, but has a good feel, has good nose for the hoop, and should improve his jump shot.  Can create.

Would this be a playoff team? I think that would depend on how much a jump Tatum and Brown take, and how much the ball movement and chemistry improves with Kyrie (and Terry) gone.  I see this team buying into Brad's system, both offensively and defensively, playing mad hard, and overachieving to high 40's  in wins, which should put them in the playoffs.

I went with Hayward over Smart to start because he is a better play maker, and I am expecting him to be close to his normal playing self with the additional time.  Plus I think Smart would be fine coming off the bench.

I went with Grant Williams over Semi to start because I think he has a better feel out on the court as a play maker, and is a better rebounder.

What do you think?

[dreamgreen]

I think that looks terrible lol! Right now I'd say Semi is the starting PF but if we get a PG I imagine Tatum, Brown and Hayward all start. They can't go through another year of 2 of them coming off the bench it wont work IMO. But boy oh boy do we need to get better at the 4 and spots!

[Evantime34]

I think they would have to start Smart, I don't want Brown defending opposing ones. I'd go with Smart, Brown, Tatum, Hayward and Robert Williams to start and Smart, Brown, Tatum, Hayward and Grant Williams to end games.

I expect Grant and Robert Williams, to be replaced in those lineups by free agents.

[Pvictor11]

I think they would have to start Smart, I don't want Brown defending opposing ones. I'd go with Smart, Brown, Tatum, Hayward and Robert Williams to start and Smart, Brown, Tatum, Hayward and Grant Williams to end games.

I expect Grant and Robert Williams, to be replaced in those lineups by free agents.

Yes sir. Saved me the time to write the exact same thing.

[Who]

Smart (PG)
Jaylen (SG)
Tatum (SF)
Hayward (PF)
Grant Williams (center)


Not because I think that lineup has balance but because the team has no center ready to play. Ideally it would be Hayward or G.Williams at the PF next to a center but that is not available.

[RodyTur10]

PG: Smart (32), Edwards (16)
SG: Brown (36), Langford (12)
SF: Tatum (36), Hayward (12)
PF: Hayward (20), Ojeleye (16), G.Williams (12)
C: R.Williams (24), G.Williams (16), Yabusele (8 )

[footey]

Smart (PG)
Jaylen (SG)
Tatum (SF)
Hayward (PF)
Grant Williams (center)


Not because I think that lineup has balance but because the team has no center ready to play. Ideally it would be Hayward or G.Williams at the PF next to a center but that is not available.

This would be my second choice. I really think Grant Williams can play small ball center. Just worry about Hayward defending big 4's.

[Birdman]

Team be lucky win 25 games

[footey]

Team be lucky win 25 games

Harsh.

[Pvictor11]

Team be lucky win 25 games

Come on man. You can't be serious

[Silky]

I absolutely HATE the idea of small forward playong as power forwards. Is moronic and is becoming am old trend.

Just absolutely stupid.

Hayward number last season were worst at pf, 2nd worst at sg and best at sf

Tatums worst numbers last season came at the pf spot. Second worst at sg and the beat at small forward.


And they were both baaaaad at pf.





Need size and length in your lineup not pushing people out of their natural positions.

Therefore.

Smart
Brown
Tatum
Williams
Williams

That isbthe starting linup right now with a
Pg, sg, sf, pf and center.

Not 4 small forwards and a power forward
Not 4 small forwards a shooting guard

This is not an allstar game
This is not a game against a euro team

[Pvictor11]

I absolutely HATE the idea of small forward playong as power forwards. Is moronic and is becoming am old trend.

Just absolutely stupid.

Need size and length in your lineup not pushing people out of their natural positions.

Therefore.

Smart
Brown
Tatum
Williams
Williams

That isbthe starting linup right now with a
Pg, sg, sf, pf and center.

Not 4 small forwards and a power forward
Not 4 small forwards a shooting guard

This is not an allstar game
This is not a game against a euro team

I understand what you are saying.
But Hayward is 6'8 and G. Williams is reported to be 6'7. So I don't get the size and lenght argument for starting Williams instead of Hayward

[Tr1boy]

DEPTH

Starting lineup
C - Vonleh or Bryant
F -  Hayward
F - Tatum
G - Brown
G - Smart

C - Vonleh or Bryant/Robert Williams
F -  Grant Williams/Semi
F -  Semi/Langford
G -  Langford/Edwards
G -  Edwards/Waters

Sign Thomas Bryant to a 3 year 15-18 million dollars
Sign Noah Vonleh to a 3 year 15-18 million dollars

Don't think Robert Wililams will be ready for regular mins off the bench and will need to keep refining his game, extending range and building his body.

For 12 million dollars signing both Thomas Bryant and Vonleh would help add length/size but also they would provide capable shooting

Don't think Langford will get meaningful minutes at first, but in the 2nd half provide some scoring punch (5 mins per game).

Lineup rotation at the start of the season

C- Vonleh or Bryant
F - Hayward
F - Tatum
G - Brown
G - Smart

C - Vonleh or Bryant
F - Grant Williams
F - Semi
G - Edwards

[wiley]

With no other changes?  If G. Williams can acclimate quick enough, which I"m sure he can: 

Rozier, Smart, Edwards
Brown, Smart, Langford
Tatum, Hayward, Semi
G. Williams, Hayward, Semi
R. Williams, Yabu

[Tr1boy]

With no other changes?  If G. Williams can acclimate quick enough, which I"m sure he can: 

Rozier, Smart, Edwards
Brown, Smart, Langford
Tatum, Hayward, Semi
G. Williams, Hayward, Semi
R. Williams, Yabu

Disagree

Danny and CBS wont ask either Brown or Hayward to come off the bench imo

This is why having a center like Bryant or Vonleh to do dirty work underneath the basket is important

At the end of games (quite possible)

Grant Williams (small 5)
Hayward
Tatum
Brown
Smart

Or take off one of Smart, Tatum, Brown, Hayward for Edwards if he is on fire