KG part time SF?

[JBcat]

As far as I can tell KG stopped being a part time SF in the 2003-04 season where he played that position 3% of the time per 82games.com.   He also played SF 4% of the time the previous season so he has done it before in the past a little.  I've seen him play there countless times in all star games as well not that all star games really tell you much however it got me thinking.  We have been clamoring to find a SF to fill the void left by Posey but what if KG can play SF say 5 minutes a game while the rooks, Scal, TA, pick up the rest of the backup minutes there at the position?  I think he could certainly do it against some matchups like when Odom moves over to the SF position next year for the Lakers and most back up SFs I don't see some players giving him much trouble there and if anything we would be causing matchup problems for the opposing team.  Say if KG plays 27 minutes at PF and Perk plays his 25 minutes at C that leaves 44 minutes for the big positions between BBD, Powe, and O'Bryant (or if we sign another big man).  Powe and Davis played a combined 28 MPG last year and there is no reason to believe their minutes will not go up next season or even Perk for that matter if he stays out of foul trouble better.   I'm never too crazy of when KG plays the center position and in this format especially if we sign another center it should eliminate him from having to do so.   He has the ability in my opinion more so than Powe or BBD to handle small minutes at SF because of his quickness and the thought of a frontcourt of KG, Powe, and Perk out there at the same time has to be frightening for many teams.  We would totally own the boards.   This is more appealing to me than anything left in the free agent market at the SF position with maybe only Bonzi Wells I would consider (Miles is too much of a risk, Snyder might duplicate TA too much).

I'd like to hear what people think of this.  Stupid idea? Intriguing idea?

[kw10]

That's a thought for sure. KG started in the league as a SF, so it's no strange role for him. The reason I think he's stopped playing there is because he's packed on some muscle and is half a step slower than 5-10 years ago (although he's still fairly agile), I think 5 minutes a game is no problem for him with Powe playing an extra 5 minutes. Sounds good to me. But I guess it all depends on matchups.

[wdleehi]

Not really.  He is just to effective and good as a PF.  Why move him?  So Powe or Davis could get more minutes? 


Rather see them use Scali at SF with KG at PF then KG at SF and Powe or Davis at PF.

[CelticsWin]

Anything is possible with KG because he is so versatile. If they do not find a SF free agent they will go with Scal, TA and Walker as backups in the pre-season. If Walker is healthy his minutes will increase gradually over the next few years.

[cdif911]

Not really.  He is just to effective and good as a PF.  Why move him?  So Powe or Davis could get more minutes? 


Rather see them use Scali at SF with KG at PF then KG at SF and Powe or Davis at PF.

anything that keeps scal off the floor is a good thing imo... actually the idea of a huge frontline with KG, Powe and Perk/O'Bryant/hopefully someone else, isn't the worst idea in the world at times. it'd be a great defensive unit and would rebound quite well

people also forget that KG can hit the 3 - something that wasn't asked of him this year, but looking way back to 2001-2002, he shot 32% on 37-116 (the most makes and attempts in his career) - at the 3, he'd have more shots like that - I remember one game against us where he pulled up for a long 3 and nailed it. I forget if it won the game or not, but I think it was near the end....

[billysan]

I dont really like any idea that will take KG's game further away from the basket. In case it was forgotten, we are most vulnerable when KG becomes a perimeter player and we are least productive on the offensive boards. Not to mention his shooting percentage plummets proportionately.

Does anyone not believe he will be taken off the dribble and get in foul trouble?

Lets just use these guys in their best position.

[Roy Hobbs]

anything that keeps scal off the floor is a good thing imo... actually the idea of a huge frontline with KG, Powe and Perk/O'Bryant/hopefully someone else, isn't the worst idea in the world at times. it'd be a great defensive unit and would rebound quite well

If the lineup is ever O'Bryant / Powe / KG, that lineup will get killed defensively.  O'Bryant hasn't shown an ability to play NBA defense consistently, Powe still gets lost, and KG is playing out of position, being asked to defend smaller, quicker players.

Yes, the unit would probably do okay rebounding, but that's about the only benefit.

Also, Scal isn't so bad at a couple of skills; he's actually quite good at defending SFs/PFs and keeping his man off the boards.  He can also hit the occasional three, although he shouldn't be relied upon for that.

[cdif911]

anything that keeps scal off the floor is a good thing imo... actually the idea of a huge frontline with KG, Powe and Perk/O'Bryant/hopefully someone else, isn't the worst idea in the world at times. it'd be a great defensive unit and would rebound quite well

If the lineup is ever O'Bryant / Powe / KG, that lineup will get killed defensively.  O'Bryant hasn't shown an ability to play NBA defense consistently, Powe still gets lost, and KG is playing out of position, being asked to defend smaller, quicker players.

Yes, the unit would probably do okay rebounding, but that's about the only benefit.

Also, Scal isn't so bad at a couple of skills; he's actually quite good at defending SFs/PFs and keeping his man off the boards.  He can also hit the occasional three, although he shouldn't be relied upon for that.

I agree on O'Bryant, I hope he averages <1 minute per game, but KG can guard anyone in the league, and I think Powe will develop defensively, he has the desire, the intensity to be a solid player, he just needs to learn team defense better... I agree scal has shown the ability to defend, but the complete lack of offense (to the point where he doesn't need to be guarded) is a huge liability - if I'm the opposition and Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett, Eddie House, Perkins and Brian Scalabrine are on the floor, I double off of Scal and let him beat me... plus he's another year older, not sure if he'll have the same ability to defend...

[no kidding]

I'm not wild about Garnett covering 3's out on the perimeter, but the idea of Scalabrine doing it is hideous.  So to give Pierce a rest for short periods, if Tony Allen or the rookies can't get it done, then I'm with those who'd rather see Garnett and Powe at the 3 and 4, respectively, rather than Scalabrine and Garnett.

[RebusRankin]

KG hasn't played SF since about 2001.

[JBcat]

I dont really like any idea that will take KG's game further away from the basket. In case it was forgotten, we are most vulnerable when KG becomes a perimeter player and we are least productive on the offensive boards. Not to mention his shooting percentage plummets proportionately.

Does anyone not believe he will be taken off the dribble and get in foul trouble?

Lets just use these guys in their best position.

By switching to the SF position at times doesn't automatically mean he will have to play farther away from the basket on the offensive end.   If should still give him opportunities to post up against smaller players.  You can take advantage of posting up at any position.   Pierce plays on the post a good portion at SF,  Eric Williams did it for us back the day, Gary Payton was a master of posting up at the point guard position in his prime.  On the defensive end not all small forwards have a great ability to drive to the hoop especially if he does this against other teams second unit.  He could certainly do this against the Shane Battier's of the world that don't drive to the hoop often.   As far as foul trouble he could be just as prone to getting fouls as when he is asked to play the center position and it's only for limited minutes against certain matchups so it wouldn't be much of a concern for me.  

I love Powe as a player and I believe he will get better defensively.   His team defense needs improvement but so do many young players.  He probably takes more charges than the average PF per 48 minutes.  He had a very good second half of the season before Brown came on board and I would certainly be disappointed if Scal got minutes at the expense of Powe.  

[LB3533]

I am pretty sure KG is more than willing to play SF than to play Center.

[jdub1660]

Before I make this point, I wanna say how much of a KG fan I am. The guy is awesome, fav player of all time for me. BUT. At his age, he can't play SF anymore. He has gas left in the tank to dominate, but not there. That's the position where most team's have their best player at(Melo, Pierce, LeBron, etc)
We can't expect him to move down and play backup minutes for Pierce at the 3 spot. We need a bench player to do that. KG needs rests before we blow him out and cause him to have his first injury season. I keep hearing how Darius Miles is such a risk...HOW? The guy is asking for a minimum contract and he wants an injury clause to where if he gets injured, then the team can waive him w/o paying him the remaining contract balance. How risky is that? I'd much rather have an athletic guy like him out there taking up 10 mins or less per game behind or in front of Giddens/Bill Walker than have Scalabrine out there at all. That guy can't run or defend the SF position. Leave KG at PF, Powe can be his backup, Pierce starts at 3, Miles backs him up with the help or our rookies, Ray stays at SG with Tony and House backing him up, Rondo starts with a combo backup of House and Pruitt, and Perk stays at C with Patrick backing him up along side one more addition that we need..a true experienced C like Theo Ratliff or Jamaal Magloire.

[butterbeanlove]

The problem is if you bring him out on the wing you limit his effectiveness as a help defender, whereas at the 4 he is ideal - doesn't have to bang with the centers, but can help out on pick-and-rolls, etc. from the high post. I don't want him out there guarding Antawn Jameson or some other 3-point threat - that's why we had so much trouble with the Wizards this year I thought.