Starting Lineup for Game One

[bklynspursfan]

Probably better suited for the bench mob. Pau can do work against other bench units, but he will get bent over by other starting centers.

I'd like to see Murray/White/Derozan/Poetl/Aldridge or Murray/Derozan/Gay/Poetl/Aldridge, but wouldn't be surprised if Bertans gets a nod over Jakob until he gets acclimated in the system.

Yea for sure. I'm hoping his 3 point shot comes back too...

I'd be cool with Poetl starting too, just didn't know how realistic that is, unless he does big things during training camp/pre-season, which I guess is a possibility. I said and kinda preferred Bertans simply for his spacing ability, but we'll see maybe Murray's improved shooting rolls over into the season.

[TimmyBuckets]

Starters:

1. Murray
2. DeRozan
3. Gay
4. Aldridge
5. Gasol

Bench

1. Mills
2. White/Ginobili
3. Belinelli
4. Bertans
5. Poetl

I really don't think that DDR should start or even play much of the 3 position. This, imo, is the most realistic starting lineup.

[Dverde]

No way Bertrans starts unless there are injuries

[bklynspursfan]

No way Bertrans starts unless there are injuries

why not?

[bklynspursfan]

"This just in...professional athlete hopes to get better."

Gotta love Twitter journalism.

Haha.. I mean there are athletes who are who they are and don't do much outside of their comfort zone. So trying to develop more is a good thing. Maybe he'll get some time with TD

[Dex]

Haha.. I mean there are athletes who are who they are and don't do much outside of their comfort zone. So trying to develop more is a good thing. Maybe he'll get some time with TD

All joking aside, I agree. It's good to see he is coming in with the mindset of an expanded role.

[spurraider21]

first thought is pop is going to start out with the murray/mills backcourt again, until white wins the job from mills. but we dont really have a backup pg at this point, so maybe he opts with marco instead of patty at the 2

so murray/belinelli/derozan/aldridge/gasol

gay subs in for gasol and aldridge slides to the 5

[TimmyBuckets]

first thought is pop is going to start out with the murray/mills backcourt again, until white wins the job from mills. but we dont really have a backup pg at this point, so maybe he opts with marco instead of patty at the 2

so murray/belinelli/derozan/aldridge/gasol

gay subs in for gasol and aldridge slides to the 5

I don't get why people have DD at the 3. He's a bad defender at the 2, which is his natural position, and will be far worse against the Durants, Lebrons, Paul Georges, etc of the league. So why put him at the 3? Isn't Gay far better suited?

[spurraider21]

I don't get why people have DD at the 3. He's a bad defender at the 2, which is his natural position, and will be far worse against the Durants, Lebrons, Paul Georges, etc of the league. So why put him at the 3? Isn't Gay far better suited?

the collective outside shooting ability of murray/derozan/gay is not workable imho

[SpursDynasty85]

I don't get why people have DD at the 3. He's a bad defender at the 2, which is his natural position, and will be far worse against the Durants, Lebrons, Paul Georges, etc of the league. So why put him at the 3? Isn't Gay far better suited?

I honestly think the opposite. Looking at videos he has trouble staying in front of quicker guards trying to penetrate or quick step backs or spot ups. He will see less quickness and a bit more physicality at the 3. He has plenty size and strength to handle that.

Nick Nurse said that they can't hide from Derozans lack of defensive effort. In my opinion I think DeRozan slacked off on perimeter defense hoping their stacked interior depth would handle the rest. His defense looked pretty horrid from what I can tell. At his size and athleticism guarding 2 or 3 should not be a problem, it's more about effort and discipline at this point which I think Pop will focus on.

[BSfromTX]

Murray, White, DeRozan, Gay, Aldridge

Mills, Ginobili, Belinelli, Bertans, Gasol

Forbes, Walker, (Blossomgame?), Cunningham, Poeltl

+1

at least it is my preference. I would put JP ahead of Gasol though

[bklynspursfan]

All joking aside, I agree. It's good to see he is coming in with the mindset of an expanded role.

No doubt,.. I'm excited to see what he can do

[Ocotillo]

"This just in...professional athlete hopes to get better."

Gotta love Twitter journalism.

Yeah, I agree but then again at least he is not tearing it up at Whataburger like John Wall.

[TD 21]

I just don't see Gasol starting anymore, but maybe i'm wrong. Maybe Aldridge/Bertans/DeRozan/White/Murray

Then prepare to be disappointed. Expect Gasol to generally start (Bertans probably will in certain matchups) because of his 3-point shooting, high post passing and doing so makes it easier to play Poeltl some.

In many cases, especially on this team, starting is overblown anyway. Gasol is probably going to play about half a game again and in most matchups, it doesn't really matter if those minutes start during or after the first 6 minutes of the 1st/3rd quarters.

I honestly think the opposite. Looking at videos he has trouble staying in front of quicker guards trying to penetrate or quick step backs or spot ups. He will see less quickness and a bit more physicality at the 3. He has plenty size and strength to handle that.

Nick Nurse said that they can't hide from Derozans lack of defensive effort. In my opinion I think DeRozan slacked off on perimeter defense hoping their stacked interior depth would handle the rest. His defense looked pretty horrid from what I can tell. At his size and athleticism guarding 2 or 3 should not be a problem, it's more about effort and discipline at this point which I think Pop will focus on.

Depends on the match-up. With a relatively paltry 6'9'' wingspan, DeRozan's not long enough to defend big wings who can create their own shot. This is why I think Gay starts, at least to begin the season.

[TimmyBuckets]

Yeah, I agree but then again at least he is not tearing it up at In-N-Out like John Wall.

FIFY

[kobyz]

the hate here on Bryn Forbes is unbelievable, he is ready for a breakout season and should start!

[TimmyBuckets]

the hate here on Bryn Forbes is unbelievable, he is ready for a breakout season and should start!

Undersized 2 in a lengthy wing league, that's why

[TimDunkem]

Not to mention he is only an average shooter at best, which is his only skill.

[r0drig0lac]

probably something like:
Murray/White/Walker
Mills/Bellinelli/Forbes
Demar/Ginobili/Cunningham
Bertans/Gay
Aldridge/Gasol/Poetl


I would like:
Murray/White/Mills
Walker/Bellinelli
Demar/Ginobili
Bertans/Gay
Aldridge/Poetl/Gasol


a good scenario imo would be to get Demarre Carroll
Murray/White
Derozan/Bellinelli/Walker
Carroll/Gino
Gay/Bertans
Aldridge/Poetl/Gasol

[dbestpro]

the hate here on Bryn Forbes is unbelievable, he is ready for a breakout season and should start!

I totally agree, and Dante Cunningham is going to win DPOY.

[Walter Donovan]

Then prepare to be disappointed. Expect Gasol to generally start (Bertans probably will in certain matchups) because of his 3-point shooting, high post passing and doing so makes it easier to play Poeltl some.

In many cases, especially on this team, starting is overblown anyway. Gasol is probably going to play about half a game again and in most matchups, it doesn't really matter if those minutes start during or after the first 6 minutes of the 1st/3rd quarters.

Depends on the match-up. With a relatively paltry 6'9'' wingspan, DeRozan's not long enough to defend big wings who can create their own shot. This is why I think Gay starts, at least to begin the season.

As glad as I am to see Kawhi the Cancer gone, it sucks that Green had to be shipped out in that deal. Green would’ve been ideal to take over the 3. You’d likely have a rotation of:

PG - Murray, Mills, White, Forbes
SG - DeRozan, Belinelli, Ginobili, Walker
SF - Green, Gay, Cunningham
PF - Aldridge, Bertans
C - Gasol, Poeltl

[Allan Rowe vs Wade]

FIFY

Five Guys tbh

[SouthTexasRancher]

...

[Fusternino]

Pretty sure it will be Murray/Mills/DDR/Aldridge/Gasol. The Murray/Mills combo worked well enough last season and DDR may actually be a better defender at the 3 due to (as someone said earlier) guarding slower opponents. Gasol adds much necessary spacing and I think the high-low game is still going to be attempted. I think we will end up with an 11-man rotation. Bench will be (White or Manu)/Marco/Gay/Bertans/Poeltl. Deep bench will be Forbes/Walker/(hopefully Quincy Acy)/Cunningham. Bring in Forbes only if Mills is really way off. I don't ever want to see those two on the floor together ever again. Walker should basically only play in garbage time or if there's a mountain of injuries and Acy/Cunningham can be used as 3&D specialists at the 3/4 if certain match-ups favor it and match-ups against Dubs and Rox certainly will.

[spurs10]

I don't get why people have DD at the 3. He's a bad defender at the 2, which is his natural position, and will be far worse against the Durants, Lebrons, Paul Georges, etc of the league. So why put him at the 3? Isn't Gay far better suited?

Yes Gay is better suited at the 3 and DD is better suited at the 2 and would struggle, especially defensively, at the 3. Gay with some help from Beli, Manu, and Bertans will play SF I'm thinking.