Proposed Lineup

Jefferson is not by any stretch of the imagination a three-point shooter. Though this lineup definitely spreads out the floor to where he could, in theory, penetrate into the lane.

What lineup does feature is good rebounding, a lot of good mid-range shooting, and good defense for the most part (the one exception being the ever-inconsistent Blair).

Parker off the bench is a good idea as it’s very similar to what Manu does, only with more consistent offense. However, this could hurt Manu’s game.

Manu uses his time on the bench to watch the game, study the opponent, and react to what they’re doing. This what makes him the momentum shifter he is. Without being able to take that time to study, I question how he might fare starting; let alone at point guard where he’d basically need to lead an entire offense.

Overall I do like this lineup plan, its success however would depend on how Manu would play without valuable bench time and if Parker can be that momentum shifter. And also if the court could be spread out enough for RJ to get some drives going.

My biggest question would be: If we took so much time to help George change positions and hes supposed to be a point guard, why would we start him at shooting guard? And then have Tony come of the bench to play point guard and still have George at off guard?

I agree with kaizer that Manu should come off the bench and I think Tony should start. But I do agree with what I think part of your point is: that we need a strong defender at the 2 spot.

I think a better idea might be to just swap George into the starting lineup at the 2 spot. Tony and George seem to work well together, and Manu would come in for George halfway through the first, with George coming back in at PG at the start of the 2nd. George’s game isn’t predicated on playing the point, and he doesn’t need the ball to be effective, so I think that the combination of skills that he, Tony and RJ possess would create a matchup nightmare for our opponents. Then, instead of getting a break from chasing George around, they’d half to deal with Manu after the first substitution. It’s sorta like having Bogans start, but with a much better offensive game.

The problem is the offensive system. RJ needs to be the #1 option on offense, not Tony, not Timmy. Tony needs to learn how to play with RJ if this team is going to make some noise. Timmy should be the 3rd option on offense, he’s not a 20-10 player anymore but he is still effective.

Also the spurs should consider trading Mason or Finley, I dont think the spurs have enough minutes for both of them.

I like the idea of Blair starting if he gets better at defense. Ive notcied since he has been starting Center he has had a block, maybe as the season goes on he will become a good defense player. All in all though im still with McDyess starting which will probably happen sometime later on into the season. As for manu it is clear he is a better passer than Tony but starting him at PG just wouldnt work. Manu plays better coming off the bench anway. Also Kieth Bogans shold be our starting SG. He stole the inbound pass that could of won the game against the Thunder. He is still learing the system and by season end I predict he will be our starting SG getting min over Findog and Mason.

I think McDyess should start and run some early pick and pops with RJ. And McDyess is a better defender than Blair. I like defense.

If we consider our “full” bench (as in, no starters) to be Tony, Mason (or Bogans), Finley, Bonner, and Dice, I think that would be a very good offensive lineup. Dice can pick for Tony forever, and all Parker has to do is drive or drive and dish. Tony with spot up shooters around him will be very efficient offensively.

But we’ll get beat on defense and rebounding. I know we don’t really sub in five for five, but if George-Manu-RJ-Blair-Tim is our starting five, there should be no point in time when a starter isn’t playing. Our front court just cannot consist of Bonner, Dice and Finley.