Hawks lead the league in Position battles!?!!?

[Diesel]

Position Battles

Anthony Maggio

printOctober 24, 2007

Andruw Bynum is one of three Lakers centers vying for playing time.

The NBA season is less than a week away, but some teams have yet to write out the starting lineup in ink, and many more rotations have yet to be decided. Here is a look at the most important battles and who is most likely to win the jobs and playing time when the regular season begins.

1. Hawks point guard: Acie Law IV vs. Speedy Claxton vs. Tyronn Lue vs. Anthony Johnson

The most optimistic plan the Hawks had this offseason was having a healthy Claxton start at point guard while Law learned on the fly as a backup. Lue was to serve as the third wheel when one of the two was ineffective or injured, and Johnson was the emergency guy. Things certainly haven't gone as planned. Speedy played in just two games before succumbing to knee problems, Law sprained his wrist and has been treated with kid gloves, Lue struggled to come back from offseason knee surgery and has played in just one preseason game, and Johnson has been just fine. Claxton and Lue currently have no timetable for a return, although Atlanta is optimistic both will be back for the regular season. Lue seems more likely than Claxton, but both are far from a sure thing. Johnson has played well in his four starts, but isn't someone coach Mike Woodson wants to rely on. So when the season opener comes around, expect Law to be the starter and Johnson to be the backup, although Joe Johnson, Josh Childress, and even a now healthy Salim Stoudamire could see some spot duty at the position. If everyone is able to come back healthy, expect Claxton to eventually work his way back into a starting role with Law backing him up. But Speedy's health is far from certain, so Law is the safest pick for playing time and fantasy digits at this point.

2. Hawks power forward: Shelden Williams vs. Al Horford vs. Marvin Williams

The starter from this group – Marvin – was pretty much a no-brainer for Atlanta, but how the minutes would break down depended upon how well Horford picked up the systems during the preseason. Woodson has been used to breaking in raw talent, so wasn't about to thrust anyone into a position they weren't ready for. But Horford has been everything Woodson could have wanted and more. The Florida rookie has looked like a veteran and has likely earned himself the role of first man off the bench. However, Shelden played great at the end of last season and in summer league, and Woodson would like to get him more time. But with Josh Smith already on the floor for big minutes at a forward spot, that could mean Horford and Shelden end up playing some center and pushing down Zaza Pachulia's minutes in the process. Marvin will be the best fantasy producer of the bunch, but Horford will be a regular in fantasy rotations as well. Shelden is likely to contribute as well, but expect him to be third on that totem pole.

3. Bulls power forward: Andres Nocioni vs. Joe Smith vs. Tyrus Thomas vs. Joakim Noah

Although it's a good problem to have, Bulls coach Scott Skiles definitely has a problem. He has too many good players and not enough minutes to go around. Kirk Hinrich, Ben Gordon, Luol Deng, and Ben Wallace already have starting spots locked up, leaving the four listed above to fight for the last one. The good news is that in the regular rotation, Deng can slide down to shooting guard to make room for Nocioni to help him get minutes, but the other three are primarily fours. Smith entered as the favorite to win the starting job, but swelling in his right knee has slowed him down and limited his minutes this preseason. Noah has looked great at times and is leading the team in minutes per game this preseason, but has yet to start. Thomas started four games and is third on the team in preseason minutes, but has drawn lukewarm reviews from Skiles at times during training camp. The unfortunate outcome for fantasy owners is the most likely one – where all the aforementioned players get decent minutes. This limits the fantasy ceilings of all of them. Even if Smith doesn't win the starting job right away, expect him to get the most minutes. Thomas and Nocioni should be close behind, with Noah trailing, but still contributing.

4. Nuggets power forward: Nene vs. Kenyon Martin

This battle is interesting only because it's a race to see who can get healthy first. When healthy, both of these guys will play a significant role in the Nuggets' frontcourt and have fantasy value. Nene was assumed to be the starter at power forward with the ability to slide to center to spell Marcus Camby, but he entered the preseason with a calf injury and still hasn't played in a preseason game. Martin is coming back from a second microfracture surgery and taking things painstakingly slow, but he started and played 15 minutes in his first preseason action. Martin actually appeared to be headed for a pretty good fantasy season through two games last year and had nearly double the playing time of Nene in those two contests. If he turns out to be the healthiest early in the season and contributes, he could force Nene's value down some by stealing some of his minutes from last year. Nene would still play at center and retain enough value to be usable for fantasy owners, but not as much as he was last season. If both succumb to their injuries, Eduardo Najera and Linas Kleiza will fill in, and both would be just mediocre fantasy contributors.

5. Warriors shooting guard: Monta Ellis vs. Kelenna Azubuike vs. Marco Belinelli

Golden State coach Don Nelson seemed ready and willing to provide the fantasy world with a top-notch sleeper this preseason, but then Ellis had to go and sprain his neck. Fortunately, Ellis wasn't seriously injured and will likely be ready to go for the regular season. The unfortunate part of this is that Nelson had planned on returning Ellis to his more natural position of point guard and using him primarily as a backup to Baron Davis. Meanwhile, Azubuike was lighting up training camp and earned praise from Nelson as the second-most impressive player of the preseason behind Al Harrington. Azubuike was ready to swipe the starting gig that Jason Richardson left behind, but then Nelson changed course. Without seeing Ellis in his new role, he was reluctant to pull the trigger on this bold move. As a result, Ellis will likely spend most of his time at shooting guard, leaving Azubuike and Belinelli to fight over the backup minutes. Belinelli has been a strong contributor as well, but with Troy Hudson doing enough at point guard to keep Nelson from being tempted to go with his original plan on Ellis, he probably won't get as much burn as Azubuike, leaving him with little fantasy value once Stephen Jackson returns from his seven-game suspension.

6. Timberwolves small forward: Ricky Davis vs. Ryan Gomes vs. Gerald Green vs. Corey Brewer

Minnesota would have liked to have seen some return on investment in Rashad McCants by now, at least enough to put him in the starting lineup. But because that's not likely at this point, Davis will probably slide down to the shooting guard spot and open up minutes at small forward. Green is the most athletic of the bunch, Brewer is the exciting rookie with strong potential, and Gomes is the steady contributor. Brewer's been getting more of the minutes this preseason, but that is likely just to help him get his feet wet. Gomes has the ability to contribute in all facets of the game, which coach Randy Wittman likes and fantasy owners love. He is also the only one of the three likely to provide consistent fantasy value this season. Gomes can move to power forward when the Wolves go small, so that versatility will help him stay on the floor. In addition, if McCants is able to step up or Marko Jaric or Sebastian Telfair wind up being regular contributors, then Davis could get pushed back to small forward and put a squeeze on the excess minutes. Brewer and Green should share those minutes equally, but they won't be enough for fantasy value.

7. Lakers center: Andrew Bynum vs. Chris Mihm vs. Kwame Brown

Mihm is coming back from reconstructive ankle surgery, Brown is coming back from offseason ankle and shoulder surgeries, and Bynum is coming back from Chuck E. Cheese's in preparation for his 20th birthday party. And you wondered why Kobe wants out? The Zen master Phil Jackson said he envisions a rotation where all three get significant minutes, which is more an indictment on them than praise for all of them being such go-getters. Jackson said he will need his team to be very aggressive defensively and could see having all of his big men in foul trouble nightly. Excited about the fantasy potential here yet? All three have started at least one preseason game, with Bynum getting the most playing time and thus putting up the better digits. He's definitely got the most upside of the three, but he may not reach his potential for another few years. If Brown is healthy, he seems to be Jackson's favorite to start, but that will mean little with this group. The starter could change nightly and the minutes will probably fluctuate depending on who is in the worst foul trouble on a nightly basis. In short, this isn't a fun trio to have to mess with for fantasy purposes.

8. Bucks forwards: Charlie Villanueva vs. Yi Jianlian vs. Desmond Mason vs. Bobby Simmons

No one was off to a faster start than unfrozen caveman lawyer Villanueva last season before injuries took their toll. He's healthy now, but his upside came tumbling down when the Bucks rolled the dice on Yi with their sixth overall pick. The two are still fighting for a starting spot at power forward, and although Charlie V is the better pick, Milwaukee may go with Yi just to keep his spirits up since he didn't want to go to Wisconsin in the first place. Both guys will get plenty of minutes and be fantasy factors, and Chuck should still outperform Yi even though he won't get the chance to improve on his start from last year. At the small forward spot, Mason is back after a pair of seasons in New Orleans/Oklahoma City and Simmons is back following foot problems that cost him all of last year. The two have gotten similar minutes this preseason, with Simmons being the more effective despite starting one fewer game. Simmons should win the job, but much like the power forward situation, both guys will be valuable. In fact, these two will be even more valuable because both can slide to the shooting guard spot and spell Michael Redd. The power forward tandem could also help out at small forward, but that probably won't happen as often. Plus, Andrew Bogut will eat up some power forward minutes with Dan Gadzuric getting time at center.

9. Heat point guard: Jason Williams vs. Smush Parker

With Williams constantly battling injuries and Gary Payton enjoying forced retirement, the Heat brought in Parker to compete for a starting spot at point guard. But to this point, it hasn't been much of a competition. Williams started all four preseason games at the point and has been more productive overall. Parker will slide up to shooting guard some until Dwyane Wade returns, but then Wade will take a bite out of some of the point guard minutes. Williams will be the go-to guy for Pat Riley at the point guard spot, but don't expect a huge jump in production with Payton now out of the picture. Parker will get enough time to be usable in deeper leagues, but won't see the minutes Williams will.

10. 76ers shooting guard: Kyle Korver vs. Willie Green

The Sixers have used Korver successfully in a sixth-man role, but decided this offseason to give him a try in the starting rotation next to Andre Iguodala. However, during the preseason coach Maurice Cheeks said he was toying of the idea of putting Korver back in a sixth-man role because he likes the energy he brings off the bench. This was somewhat fueled by the health and ability of Green, who made big strides in his first season playing in more than 57 games. Green will likely start next to Andre Miller, but don't expect a huge jump in his fantasy value. Green is sound defensively and a nice role player on the offensive end, but not someone who is going to put up a ton of numbers in 25 minutes per night. Expect Korver to still get more playing time off the bench or as a starter and be more productive – especially in 8-cat leagues – because of his ability to shoot the three and his solid percentages.

11. Trail Blazers point guard: Jarrett Jack vs. Steve Blake vs. Taurean Green

With Brandon Roy playing in just one game this preseason due to his heel problem, Jack and Blake have both been able to start and get significant burn this preseason. But only one can start at point guard when the season begins, and even worse, a third guard has entered the competition. Jack knew that his starting job was up for grabs when Blake came on board, but coach Nate McMillan has been so impressed with Green that he said Green could be the one who plays at the end of games. He's also mentioned how well Green and Roy play together. Jack and Blake have both played well this preseason, leaving Jack as the probable starter since he was in town last season. Blake will likely be the first off the bench for awhile, but don't be surprised if Green does just enough to keep Blake's value minimal, while Blake steals just enough time from Jack to make him less productive than he was a season ago.

12. Trail Blazers small forward: James Jones vs. Martell Webster

The Blazers knew that Webster would be a project when they drafted him out of high school, but it appears that the youngster is starting to turn the corner. He was great by all accounts during offseason workouts and scrimmages, and he has been the team's second leading scorer while starting in three of five games this preseason. Jones, meanwhile, has played in only one preseason game due to injury, leaving Webster as the runaway winner in this battle. Jones will still get playing time – and probably a bit more than he did in Phoenix – but Webster will definitely be the Blazer of choice to produce fantasy digits out of the small forward spot this year.

13. Jazz shooting guard: Gordan Giricek vs. Ronnie Brewer

Giricek was the frontrunner coming into this season because of his experience, but he never has been a favorite of coach Jerry Sloan. That left the door open for Brewer to get a shot, and so far he's taken the job and run with it. Giricek hasn't started this preseason while Brewer has started five games. Brewer is leading the team with 17 points per night to go with 2.33 steals per game. His percentages have been great, and he's chipping in a couple rebounds and assists per night. So not only has Brewer run away with this job, he's also turned himself into a fantasy sleeper. Giricek and Morris Almond will still get minutes, but Brewer should be able to sneak out 25 minutes per night, which is plenty for him to do some fantasy damage.

14. Rockets point guard: Steve Francis vs. Mike James vs. Rafer Alston

New Rockets coach Rick Adelman said at the beginning of training camp that he wasn't too worried about the glut of point guards on his roster. He alluded to the fact that two point guards could be on the floor at the same time in his offense and that was pretty much the end of it. Incumbent starter Alston then went on to start each of the first four home games, but he definitely will be losing some floor time even though he's still the starter. James averaged more than 20 minutes per game and Francis nearly 15. Aaron Brooks was also in the mix, but don't expect to see much of him in the regular season. As for the pecking order for the other three, James and Alston will likely get equal playing time, with Francis trailing not too far behind. Alston's is the best all-around player of the three, so he's got the most fantasy value. Francis' name might still get him drafted in some leagues, but he's probably not worth it.

15. Sonics everything sans Kevin Durant

Durant is going to start at shooting guard, this much we know. Actually, that's as much as coach P.J. Carlesimo knows at this point. A total of 11 players have started at least one game and nine have started multiple games during the preseason, as Carlesimo works out what combination of players he'd like to see where. Let's start at point guard. Luke Ridnour has struggled to fight of Earl Watson before, and the same thing is happening this time around with one additional monkey wrench thrown in – Delonte West. The guard who came over in the Ray Allen trade from Boston hasn't started, but in his two games has averaged much better numbers than Ridnour and Watson. Ridnour has averaged the fewest minutes of the three, but started the most games. Confused yet? Unfortunately, it may take a few weeks into the regular season to sort this mess out, so fantasy owners will have to be quick on the waiver-wire trigger. As of now, West is the best bet. Then there is the frontcourt. Some combination of Kurt Thomas, Nick Collison, Chris Wilcox, Robert Swift, and Wally Szczerbiak seems to be what Carlesimo is looking at. Szczerbiak almost seems to be a necessity in order for Seattle to spread out defenses and give Durant room to penetrate, but the other four have all made decent cases as well. Swift is likely to win the starting center spot because he is the biggest body. Thomas could serve in that capacity to start the season, however, because he's a veteran. Wilcox has outplayed Collison so far this preseason, but those two went back and forth last year and appear headed down the same path again. Much like the point guard situation, this doesn't look to be resolving itself any time soon. Wilcox and Collison will have the most fantasy value out of the box, followed by Swift. Szczerbiak will have some value in 8-cat leagues, and Thomas will have his moments early on as Swift gets used to things after a year off due to knee surgery. But the exact shakedown of all of this won't be evident for a least another few weeks.

[jerrywest]

These are the types of reporters that pollute Diesel's innocent mind into thinking that Smoove is our small forward.

[Diesel]

Nah...

I actually watch the games.

I don't think Marvin is a PF... however, I don't know if he has the quickness to be a Sf either.

We have a lot of tweeners.

[AHF]

How ignorant do you have to be to believe that Marvin is our PF? Why write about the Hawks if you are just blowing smoke?

(Obviously, this is in reference to the author and not D).

[exodus]

Quote:

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How ignorant do you have to be to believe that Marvin is our PF? Why write about the Hawks if you are just blowing smoke?

(Obviously, this is in reference to the author and not D).

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LOL

[DJlaysitup]

Still, even though some facts are wrong...the title of the post makes sense. Actually, if the author got it right he'd see that there are even more positional battles on the Hawks...basically for every starting position except SG.

Hopefully Woody can sell the guys on minutes instead of starting positions.

C - Zaza vs Horford

PF - Smoove vs Horford (next to closest to being a lock)

SF - Marvin vs Chillz

PG - All of our PGs depending on who's healthy

...and that's not counting Shelden as a contender.

[AHF]

I agree that we have a position battle at PG and an abundance of talent at forward. Of course, that could also be the premise of an article called "stating the obvious."

Seriously, I don't have a problem with the Hawks being on this list. I just don't think you should write about something if you can't do it intelligently. Marvin has played two full seasons in Atlanta and has never logged serious minutes or started a game at PF. Moreover, Josh Smith started a considerable number of games last season at PF and did enough that NBA writers should be aware of where he plays. The ignorance factor is nothing unique to this writer, though.

[Jdawgflow]

Shelden might be a contender for minutes. But he is in no way a contender for being a starter IMO.

[cowa]

I don't think PF is the position that the author felt was what Marvin plays, but I think he had to default to one position as opposed to the generic "forward" for his labels. He clearly states that Josh Smith will be at a forward spot, but doesn't say SF. The battle is correct, as it really is Horford vs. Marvin, with Smoove taking on whatever is a better fit regarding who the other forward is.

The author is making the assumption that Zaza is our starting center regardless, and that's not how a lot of us bloggers see this play out (Horford moving to the 5). In my mind, the comparison should really have been Marvin vs. Al vs. Zaza, not Sheldon.

[Diesel]

I wouldn't be surprised if it were. There are a lot of media outlets that call Smoove a Sf and Marvin a PF.

[Murat]

Quote:

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I don't think Marvin is a PF... however, I don't know if he has the quickness to be a Sf either.

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So you think Smoove is quicker than Marvin? Smoove moves like a slow motion compared to Marvin.

Are you sure you watch "Hawks" games?