So it looks like our PF personnel is what it is despite much speculation that at least one or two of last seasons mob would be moved to upgrade the position. Rather than complain about it we might as well assess the crop to see who fits best in our rotation.
Many thought that JT would be backing up the 5 but with the signing of Hollins it seems that is no longer the case. JT seems like a prime candidate to start as he is a sort of jack of all trades master of none PF. Good rebounder, solid defender, isn't a liability on offense, great engine. If this Kings team indeed buys in to more ball movement, less selfish play, JT seems like the guy that will benefit from that. If you hear his recent interviews, that did seem to be the thing that bothered him the most last season. Then again he could have put himself in the doghouse with those same interviews and is only still around because PDA couldn't find the right suitor or any suitor. We will find out very quickly where JT stands.
Next we have Reggie Evans and Carl Landry. The only other true challengers to start. Landry is coming back from an injury plagued season and at this point we don't know how long it will take him to get back to the Carl Landry of old(lets hope thats still possible). If he does, he seems like a much better fit coming off the bench where he isn't sharing post space with Cousins and even Gay at times. He also becomes a more focal point of the offense and going against second unit bigs somewhat masks his defensive weaknesses. Reggie Evans became the starter last season in a lost season. The guy is an all time great rebounder and and a very good hustle/energy guy. I see him playing a similar role to what he has in past teams, come in for 10-15 minutes, gobble up rebounds and bully around the opposing bigs. If Reggie Evans is your opening day starter, there is something wrong. Despite his rep Reggie is actually a pretty poor defender, a bit undersized and with his age doesn't have the quickest feet anymore.
Lastly we have the longshots in Eric Moreland, Derrick Williams and Omri Casspi. Moreland is a long active rookie who is a shot blocking specialist. This is exactly what we need from the 4 spot, but we shall see what if anything he can contribute in year one. If he is a part of the rotation in any way this year, it should be considered a success for him, but it will also mean we are probably losing a ton of games. Derrick Williams is in his contract year and will almost surely never make more money for one season than he makes this year. He will most likely be getting the backup SF minutes and spot PF minutes if we are going small and athletic. At the very least we can expect to see the best Derrick Williams the NBA has seen to this point, at least for his sake and hope of staying in the league. Casspi is another guy that should get minutes when we are going small and athletic. Houston used him as a stretch 4 last year, and while he isn't a deadly 3 point shooter, he is a solid one. He is also active and agressive, traits that Malone seems to love in his players. I wouldn't be surprised if Casspi beats out Williams for the backup SF minutes.
The other thing to consider is that we could see some Rudy Gay at the 4. Fresh off of his World Cup gold medal playing exclusively at the 4, Malone might be tempted to play him there at times to change things up and push the pace against slower teams. A lineup of Collison, Sessions, McLemore, Gay, Cousins is extremely fast and athletic in positions 1-4. Collison, Sessions, Mclemore would probably be amongst the quickest trio any NBA team could play together. I don't know if that trio could actually be any good together, but you have to certainly say they are damn quick.
Many thought that JT would be backing up the 5 but with the signing of Hollins it seems that is no longer the case. JT seems like a prime candidate to start as he is a sort of jack of all trades master of none PF. Good rebounder, solid defender, isn't a liability on offense, great engine. If this Kings team indeed buys in to more ball movement, less selfish play, JT seems like the guy that will benefit from that. If you hear his recent interviews, that did seem to be the thing that bothered him the most last season. Then again he could have put himself in the doghouse with those same interviews and is only still around because PDA couldn't find the right suitor or any suitor. We will find out very quickly where JT stands.
Next we have Reggie Evans and Carl Landry. The only other true challengers to start. Landry is coming back from an injury plagued season and at this point we don't know how long it will take him to get back to the Carl Landry of old(lets hope thats still possible). If he does, he seems like a much better fit coming off the bench where he isn't sharing post space with Cousins and even Gay at times. He also becomes a more focal point of the offense and going against second unit bigs somewhat masks his defensive weaknesses. Reggie Evans became the starter last season in a lost season. The guy is an all time great rebounder and and a very good hustle/energy guy. I see him playing a similar role to what he has in past teams, come in for 10-15 minutes, gobble up rebounds and bully around the opposing bigs. If Reggie Evans is your opening day starter, there is something wrong. Despite his rep Reggie is actually a pretty poor defender, a bit undersized and with his age doesn't have the quickest feet anymore.
Lastly we have the longshots in Eric Moreland, Derrick Williams and Omri Casspi. Moreland is a long active rookie who is a shot blocking specialist. This is exactly what we need from the 4 spot, but we shall see what if anything he can contribute in year one. If he is a part of the rotation in any way this year, it should be considered a success for him, but it will also mean we are probably losing a ton of games. Derrick Williams is in his contract year and will almost surely never make more money for one season than he makes this year. He will most likely be getting the backup SF minutes and spot PF minutes if we are going small and athletic. At the very least we can expect to see the best Derrick Williams the NBA has seen to this point, at least for his sake and hope of staying in the league. Casspi is another guy that should get minutes when we are going small and athletic. Houston used him as a stretch 4 last year, and while he isn't a deadly 3 point shooter, he is a solid one. He is also active and agressive, traits that Malone seems to love in his players. I wouldn't be surprised if Casspi beats out Williams for the backup SF minutes.
The other thing to consider is that we could see some Rudy Gay at the 4. Fresh off of his World Cup gold medal playing exclusively at the 4, Malone might be tempted to play him there at times to change things up and push the pace against slower teams. A lineup of Collison, Sessions, McLemore, Gay, Cousins is extremely fast and athletic in positions 1-4. Collison, Sessions, Mclemore would probably be amongst the quickest trio any NBA team could play together. I don't know if that trio could actually be any good together, but you have to certainly say they are damn quick.
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