Jimmy Smith: Lopez immediately becomes the team's starting center

Why can't we make other teams react to us, rather than reacting and matching up with them?

What will they do about Al-Farouq Aminu? Its perplexing that they've acquired 4 guys that can play that SF spot (Davis, Anderson, Warrick, Miller) and already have 2 other players that will compete for minutes in X. Henry and L. Thomas too. I smell another deal coming soon.

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Originally Posted by Topdawg26

Get in line buddy! I believe I was first to say it!

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BULL!!! Lol

pure speculation...monty has final say

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Originally Posted by TPDG22

What will they do about Al-Farouq Aminu? Its perplexing that they've acquired 4 guys that can play that SF spot (Davis, Anderson, Warrick, Miller) and already have 2 other players that will compete for minutes in X. Henry and L. Thomas too. I smell another deal coming soon.

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I was just thinking about this yo!!!


**** Is about to get real!!!!

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Originally Posted by TPDG22

What will they do about Al-Farouq Aminu? Its perplexing that they've acquired 4 guys that can play that SF spot (Davis, Anderson, Warrick, Miller) and already have 2 other players that will compete for minutes in X. Henry and L. Thomas too. I smell another deal coming soon.

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I'm not worried about this. The best players will be on the floor. AFA is only 21 years old, he is going to have plenty of opportunities.

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Originally Posted by DavidA

Jed Collins is the saints starting fullback. He doesn't necessarily start every game (in fact, I don't know that he started more than 3 or 4). He gets less snaps than sproles, Ingram, lance Moore, who are not "starters.". However, he is still the saints "starting" fullback. Just like Lopez is the hornets "starting" center. Maybe we list our starting lineup as 3 forwards like Kentucky did. I can't wait for ppl to figure this dynamic out once the season. smh

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You know, I'm a pretty new member to this board. And it may or not seem weird, but I probably respect your posts that anyones' from what what I've seen. That being said, I get what you are saying about Jed Collins. But if Lopez is anywhere close to the impact of Collins, then this is a complete bust. You are comparing a bit player on a 52 or 53 man squad vs. a bit player on a 12 or 13 man squad. Lopez better be a HELL of a lot better than Jed Collins. If you want to do the Saints comparison, it should be more along the lines of Lance Moore. Or some other important or semi-valuable piece. Anyway, no offense.

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Originally Posted by Topdawg26

Get in line buddy! I believe I was first to say it!

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Check the history. I was. Even in the euphoria of Davis' game against DR. I think someone spit on me when I mentioned it.

Maybe Heath Evans before he got hurt in his first Saints year if you really want to go FB? :D

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Originally Posted by Soundwave

Why can't we make other teams react to us, rather than reacting and matching up with them?

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You can do that on offense or in the complexity of 11 men in football. Basketball, there is only so much you can do when their center weighs 260+ and yours is 220...a very young and still developing muscle mass 220. Demps pretty much spelled it out that we desperately needed another big.

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Originally Posted by NO_Bound

So do you think Anderson will be the sixth man or will he start at the 3

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Anderson will NEVER start at the 3. Common sense, just like the fact we would match Gordon.

Anderson will come off the bench but play big and important minutes.

I doubt Lopez is the starter

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Originally Posted by Soundwave

Why can't we make other teams react to us, rather than reacting and matching up with them?

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Because people don't understand the game.

Im not sure (for the people that predicted Lopez would be the starter) why you'd be happy he is our starter? He would be better as our back up off the bench.

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Originally Posted by luckyman

Check the history. I was. Even in the euphoria of Davis' game against DR. I think someone spit on me when I mentioned it.

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I'm not sure Luckyman, but I do remember you and I both saying this tho and being attacked for saying this!!

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Originally Posted by opotowsky

what is the cap situation for us after this trade?
if i'm doing the math correctly, looks like we are a few million over, with at least one more roster spot to fill
correct me if i'm wrong with the numbers

Rashard Lewis- $13,765,000
Eric Gordon- $13,688,750
Ryan Anderson- $8,700,000
Anthony Davis- $5,144,280
Robin Lopez- $5,000,000 (estimated)
Hakeim Warrick- $4,250,000
Al-Farouq Aminu- $2,947,800
Jason Smith- $2,500,000
Xavier Henry- $2,323,200
Austin Rivers- $1,865,300
Greivis Vasquez- $1,191,240
Lance Thomas- $762,195

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I get $61,965,138 not including Thomas, using slightly lower Lopez esitmate, giving Rivers more (I will believe the 100% scale when I see it elsewhere). Over the cap is all that matters. We have the Room MLE, Veteran Minimum exception (Where Thomas fits if I choose to count him), and the TPE to use. That's it.

Enjoy.

Lopez is a little better than some are giving him credit for here. His role will be similar to Kendrick Perkins' on the Thunder--a solid post presence who anchors the lane and does the dirty work. He's young and has some upside as well. Good pick up. I agree he'll start but won't finish many games, 20-25 minutes seems about right for him.

I think Lopez gets the "start" and Davis at PF. Then Anderson will slide in at 4 and Davis at 5 from time to time

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Originally Posted by Kibner

Why can't Davis play the 5 on offense and Anderson mans the 5 on defense? And you are getting too hung up on the position number.

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This is the answer. And you are right - people are way to hung up on traditional "positions."

Anderson will guard the opposing Center, with weak side help from Davis, and he'll play PF on offense. Don't make it more complicated than it is people.

It's an outrage to think Ryan Anderson won't start next year. He started every game he played in last year for a playoff team, a team that was much better than this team will be (not saying it was a great playoff team or anything, but still). And we just signed him to an eight million dollar contract. He is our second highest paid player. We don't have the luxury of being a Okc or San Antonio yet. We will put our best players on the floor at the beginning of the game. Three of the will certainly be Gordon, Anderson and Davis.

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Originally Posted by sfernald

It's an outrage to think Ryan Anderson won't start next year. He started every game he played in last year for a playoff team, a team that was much better than this team will be (not saying it was a great playoff team or anything, but still). And we just signed him to an eight million dollar contract. He is our second highest paid player. We don't have the luxury of being a Okc or San Antonio yet. We will put our best players on the floor at the beginning of the game. Three of the will certainly be Gordon, Anderson and Davis.

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There are bench players that get more minutes, and play just as important roles, as some starters on certain teams. A starting lineup doesn't have to be your 5 absolute best players. You need to determine a balance, and put players where they're likely to be most successful.

I don't think anyone have a clue what Monty Williams have plans for depth chart. Let's stop pretending like we or anyone else in the local media knows. Hell, I don't even think Monty himself knows at this point.

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Originally Posted by Nola Hornet

I don't think anyone have a clue what Monty Williams have plans for depth chart. Let's stop pretending like we or anyone else in the local media knows. Hell, I don't even think Monty himself knows at this point.

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Eh, we can make some reasonable guesses. This isn't the case like the CBA where most are in over their heads.

For instance, I would bet my daughter's life that Eric Gordon will start opening night (assuming he's not injured).

CAn we trade warrick for a pick? having him is a hassle

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Originally Posted by Pantazis76

CAn we trade warrick for a pick? having him is a hassle

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I don't think it's that much of a hassle. We can use him for depth and then he comes off the books next year. Plus, take it how you want, but he is the only player over 29 on this team. We need at least one veteran with all this youth.