PorterIn2004

Myself, I like the idea of long minutes going to a crew like this:

Damon
Anderson/Wells
Wallace
Randolph
Davis

Damon's taken some heat but really, comparing his line with Pippen's, it's hard to pin the loss on him. Also, Damon provides more range, thus aiding with the inside-outside game.

At the two guard spot, Wells has what might be a useful chip on his shoulder and Anderson is unlikely to be such a non-factor two games in a row.

Wallace seems important to have on the floor even if he's not going inside -- his defense is significant and, if we're going to Z-bo and/or Davis inside, having him at the three point line might not be a bad thing though, clearly we're best off with Wallace down low most of the time... don't get me wrong there.

Much like DA, Zach seems unlikely to be that much a non-factor twice in a row. And, he was passing out of bad situations better than some other times this year. I think it's only a matter of time before he and the team figure out how to adjust to all the attention he's getting.

Davis at full strength would be great to have right now. Sadly, that's not what we have. As much as I like Sabas, he seems too slow for long minutes against this team. What to do? One thing to try if Davis is hurting too much to really go would be Pippen, if he can go at all, on Nowinski, moving everyone accordingly. And, there's also the option of unleashing Patterson on Nowinski -- Patterson might see 40+ minutes for the first time in....?

PorterIn2004

Oops! Sorry Dirk. It's Nowitski.

digital jello

It's Nowitzki.

__________________
as long as i know right from wrong,
i'll be okay, i'll sing my song.

FIRE BILLY KING.

Terrible

Damon can be used from time to time off the bench but if he starts he's a defensive liabilty and the other team will use it. Damon can get a player like Dirk, Finley or Nash in flow and that's not what we want. At times he can come in and bring energy and make some nice shots but please let's leave it at that.

AD needs to be used now!

PorterIn2004

So, if Pippen's not ready to go, would you start AD?

PorterIn2004

Another possibility that occurs to me is having DA run the point some. Not a good idea for long stretches, maybe (and certainly not for a season), but that way DA, Wells, Wallace, Zach, and DD could all be on the floor at the same time. I fear, though, that their collective ball-handling skills would undo whatever gains might be there. I still say that it's worth getting Damon the lion's share of the PG minutes unless AD of Jeff come in and do well. I'm not eager to see another performance like Pip's, though using him at SF might be worthwhile.

Terrible

In a heart beat, he can body Nash and will be faster on defensive rotations.

mook

actually, that's first one is really not a bad lineup there, particularly if Nellie runs a lineup of Nash, Finley, Nowitiskinty, Raef and Bradley at us. the added length might help us better cover pick and rolls.

I don't think Cheeks is at the point yet where he should change his starting lineup. but if Pip and DA can't get it going in the first 8 or so minutes, you have to yank both of them and do something like this.

mook

I like the idea of starting Daniels over McInnis, but part of that is just because we haven't seen much of Daniels and we already know that McInnis sucks. I'd start either of them over Damon.

PorterIn2004

Don't get me wrong, Terrible, I like AD. But I'd not move someone who's been buried on the bench to a starter's role if only because of the sudden lack of flow it'd likely create with a vitual stranger in the line-up. Also, while AD can defend at the point, I'd argue that he's really a 2 guard and is hard pressed to deal with all the ball handling on the offensive end of things. I'd sure try using him but for me, it'd be more like six or eight minutes at first, sometime in the second quarter, with more minutes added if it seems to be going well.

Terrible

Anything we can do to take Dallas out of a great jump shooting flow early will make this teams day a lot easier. Nash is the key to the kick out for Dirk so making Nash's day a tough one is a good start! However we can do it.

PorterIn2004

Also, guys, keep in mind that if Daniels or even McInnis suddenly leap over Damon in the rotation we risk losing Damon to a "Well fine then!" funk and, frankly, I'd not blame him if that's what happened. Sure he's a defensive liability but we all knew that going into it. He's been playing really pretty well and has been working hard on the floor. If we start someone who's hardly seen any action for months now when games really matter.... are you really prepared to play the rest of the series with Damon suddenly not giving a mouse's tush?

Terrible

This is a team sport and what's best for the team in this particular series should be what we are doing without reservations to a single players wish list or fragile ego. Damon has had this team by the balls for years and keeps squeezing till he gets his way.

Truth is Damon is a runt that got really lucky and really well paid with his career. His time has past and he should do what's best for the team and be greatful for all his good fortune. He'll never have to worry about money again and he's not in jail for selling dope by the pound out of his house! How more fortunate can he be? Oh that's right on top of everything else he should be starting in the playoffs! Wrong!

Start the players that help this team win, if that's Damon fine but playing a guy so he wont have a fit, is lame.

PorterIn2004

Okay Terrible, I'm going to give it one more try:

A) I think a strong case could be made for Damon being the best option the Blazers have at the point, though certainly there's room for others to play. And keep in mind that Cheeks and his staff want to win -- we've not seen AD and McInnis much and we know Cheeks doesn't have any special loyalty to Damon -- isn't it possible that, over the season, Cheeks and crew have correctly concluded Damon is the best option even with his defensive short-comings?;

B) I think that Damon probably and rightfully enough shares the opinion that he himself is the best option this team has at the PG position when Scottie's not healthy;

C) Even if the team could suddenly add to the roster a Payton, Parker, Stockton, or virtually any other PG (with the possible exception of Kidd), while working them in is certainly something I'd try to do, I'd not start any of them nor look to get them long minutes in the next game simply because the players wouldn't know each others tendencies and such. Granted, Daniels isn't that much of a stranger but he's not logged a great deal of minutes recently and certainly not with the starters. Besides that, I really haven't seen the hands or the head of a point guard when he's been out there. If we're going to have a 2 guard try to run the offense, I'd much rather go with DA who's at least use to the other starters, etc.;

If you don't buy any of these points then I guess we'll have to agree to disagree.

Blazer Ringbearer

Why not McInnis...

Here's his line from Saturday...

24 minutes, 8 points on 4-7 shooting, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 0 turnovers...

He looked solid out there to me, hit some nice mid-range jumpers, ran the offense okay and didn't get destroyed on switches like Damon.

I would start McInnis if Pippen isn't good to go, and then give AD at least half of Damon's minutes to give him a shot.

Pip might be more ready to make a good contribution though after a few more days of practicing and getting himself into shape.

Cheers