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

Any possibility Davis comes off the bench? I know its unlikely, but I have a hard time believing someone as good as Ryan Anderson will be coming off the bench on a rebuilding team. He would start on a lot of teams and his shooting will open the floor for Gordon. We could see Lopez and Anderson starting with Davis and Smith off the bench. Long-term wise, Davis and Anderson will the consensus starters.

Anderson will be the 6th man. Forget about his salary. Davis is a PF. Stop trying to make him a C because that isn't what he is. You can't compare AD to Garnett and Bosh playing C because he's not as strong as them. Look at how he's getting muscled in the Olympic games. He is awesome in zone D or when he's roaming but that doesn't justify starting him at C just because Anderson makes 8m a year and needs to start. Let him mature at his natural position. Anderson will get a bunch of minutes coming off of the bench and will be on the floor with AD in a lot of game situations. Also, we'll need a scoring spark off of the bench which Anderson will provide. If Lopez, Henry, Aminu, Smitty all come off of the bench, how are we going to score? Rivers cannot be counted on for that at this point in his career. If this team felt that it had no need for a traditional center because traditional positions are a thing of the past, why even trade for Lopez? We could have gotten a pg and gone with a non-traditional style of play where the best athletes are on the court but we didn't which means that the team felt a need for a traditional C. I said all of that to say that Lopez is the starter. Just my 2 cents.

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Originally Posted by UptownFuz504

Anderson will be the 6th man. Forget about his salary. Davis is a PF. Stop trying to make him a C because that isn't what he is. You can't compare AD to Garnett and Bosh playing C because he's not as strong as them. Look at how he's getting muscled in the Olympic games. He is awesome in zone D or when he's roaming but that doesn't justify starting him at C just because Anderson makes 8m a year and needs to start. Let him mature at his natural position. Anderson will get a bunch of minutes coming off of the bench and will be on the floor with AD in a lot of game situations. Also, we'll need a scoring spark off of the bench which Anderson will provide. If Lopez, Henry, Aminu, Smitty all come off of the bench, how are we going to score? Rivers cannot be counted on for that at this point in his career. If this team felt that it had no need for a traditional center because traditional positions are a thing of the past, why even trade for Lopez? We could have gotten a pg and gone with a non-traditional style of play where the best athletes are on the court but we didn't which means that the team felt a need for a traditional C. I said all of that to say that Lopez is the starter. Just my 2 cents.

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Eventually Davis will be a center when he matures physically. Probably not this season but soon. Bench scoring is overrated. No proven fact that shows teams needs scorers off the bench. Quality minutes and production across the board is more important.

Vasquez/Rivers/?????
Gordon/Rivers/Henry
Anderson/Aminu/Henry/Warrick/Miller
Davis/Anderson/Thomas/Warrick
Lopez/Smith/Davis

My (current) prediction

Before anybody says, Anderson can't guard any SF on defense!!! Davis can (for now) and still play help defense which is what he'll be best at until he gains weight. He'll be dominated by most PF until he adds a good amount of weight. Just my opinion of course

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Originally Posted by Hornets78

Eventually Davis will be a center when he matures physically. Probably not this season but soon. Bench scoring is overrated. No proven fact that shows teams needs scorers off the bench. Quality minutes and production across the board is more important.

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I agree with this. Garnett played SF early in his career until he gained his weight

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Originally Posted by nolagoblue

Vasquez/Rivers/?????
Gordon/Rivers/Henry
Anderson/Aminu/Henry/Warrick/Miller
Davis/Anderson/Thomas/Warrick
Lopez/Smith/Davis

My (current) prediction

Before anybody says, Anderson can't guard any SF on defense!!! Davis can (for now) and still play help defense which is what he'll be best at until he gains weight. He'll be dominated by most PF until he adds a good amount of weight. Just my opinion of course

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I like how you went out on the limb. I guess its my turn.

C - Lopez, Davis, Smith
PF - Anderson, Davis, Smith, Warrick
SF - Aminu, Henry/Miller
SG - Gordon, Henry/Rivers
PG - Vasquez, Rivers

I think Davis will start. However, I think Anderson and Aminu need to be on the floor together. Anderson is a stretch PF while Aminu is the opposite.

The best case scenario is having Anderson come off the bench (for Lopez no matter the position he and Davis play) and coming in when we need free throw shooters. I can see him coming in towards the end of the first and staying in most if not all (but definitely there at the end) of the second. Same thing for 3rd and 4th quarters.

With EG, Rivers, and Davis hopefully we will be in the bonus quickly.

In this case, Anderson is not starting but playing just as many or more minutes than anyone.

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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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Agreed. And let's not forget that the Sultan of Speculation himself Jimmy Smith came to this definitive conclusion, just like his conclusion that Tyler Zeller would be our franchise center at #10. Oh wait...

I guess I'm going to give it a shot too! But I'm just going to do starting five and reserve roles:
PG- Vasquez (the game manager)
SG- Gordon (the key scorer)
SF- Aminu (the wing defender)
PF- Davis (defense, shot blocker and second scorer)
C- Lopez (hustle, defense, shot blocker)

Key Reserves:
Anderson F (first big off the bench, and scoring punch that causes match-up problems)
Warrick F (hustleman for defense and energy)
Rivers G (first guard off the bench and scorer off the bench)
Smith F/C (back-up big for shot jumpers and defense)
Henry G/F (back-up wing)

Other Reserves:
Miller F (developmental forward)
Thomas F (back-up big that can come in for small minutes)

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Originally Posted by Hornets78

I like how you went out on the limb. I guess its my turn.

C - Lopez, Davis, Smith
PF - Anderson, Davis, Smith, Warrick
SF - Aminu, Henry/Miller
SG - Gordon, Henry/Rivers
PG - Vasquez, Rivers

I think Davis will start. However, I think Anderson and Aminu need to be on the floor together. Anderson is a stretch PF while Aminu is the opposite.

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That's a great point, I've never really thought of Aminu that way but you might be right. That kind of throws my whole big lineup out the window though.

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Originally Posted by Soundwave

The best case scenario is having Anderson come off the bench (for Lopez no matter the position he and Davis play) and coming in when we need free throw shooters. I can see him coming in towards the end of the first and staying in most if not all (but definitely there at the end) of the second. Same thing for 3rd and 4th quarters.

With EG, Rivers, and Davis hopefully we will be in the bonus quickly.

In this case, Anderson is not starting but playing just as many or more minutes than anyone.

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Good post, I agree with this also

Marcus Camby is skinny and played center his whole career and has been a great post defender...not because of size but length...so why cant anthony davis....plus how many post dominant centers are in the league..(Andrew Bynum,Marc Gasol, Roy Hibbert, Brook Lopez and Dwight) they're more post dominant pf than that..and I wouldnt want him gaurding Kevin Durant, Melo, Lebron, Iggy, or Rudy gay cause even though he's long I don't believe he'll be capable of keeping up and I rather him down low blocking shots not on the perimeter chasing SF on screens and things of that sort

Ryan Anderson may not start but he will get his minutes I think Aminu, Vasquez, and AD23 are the only 3 for sure starters by the beginning of the year..I cant wait to see Aminu in the olympics

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Originally Posted by Hornets78

Eventually Davis will be a center when he matures physically. Probably not this season but soon. Bench scoring is overrated. No proven fact that shows teams needs scorers off the bench. Quality minutes and production across the board is more important.

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why does he need to be a center? you really think that's where he'll be most suited with some more muscle? i disagree and think he can be much more valuable with his versatility at 4.

I just pray that no one expects him to be a kevin durant

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Originally Posted by neworleanshoo

why does he need to be a center? you really think that's where he'll be most suited with some more muscle? i disagree and think he can be much more valuable with his versatility at 4.

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Not really.

Anyway, his length, athleticism, and skill will make him a nightmare in the paint. Plus, Anderson is a PF and a very good one. He and Davis will complement each other. Anderson will roam around the perimeter and Davis will control the paint.

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Originally Posted by Westbank23

I just pray that no one expects him to be a kevin durant

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Why? If they do and they're wrong the world will keep right on spinning, my man.

There still hasn't been one person come up with a good situation why Anderson should come off the bench or Lopez to start.

In the starting lineup, Anderson has slashers (mostly Gordon) to penetrate, draw the D in and kick it out to an open Anderson. Off the bench he has Miller, Smooth and X. I just don't like Anderson coming off the bench, but hey I trust Monty.

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Originally Posted by Westbank23

Ryan Anderson may not start but he will get his minutes I think Aminu, Vasquez, and AD23 are the only 3 for sure starters by the beginning of the year..I cant wait to see Aminu in the olympics

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U forgot our best player

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Originally Posted by Hornets78

Not really.

Anyway, his length, athleticism, and skill will make him a nightmare in the paint. Plus, Anderson is a PF and a very good one. He and Davis will complement each other. Anderson will roam around the perimeter and Davis will control the paint.

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Yeah. Davis needs to protect the paint. Many PFs in this league are stretch 4s now. We don't want Davis out on the perimeter a lot leaving the paint to be defended only by someone else.

I keep going back to the Tim Duncan comparison. They keep listing him as a PF, but he's a Center. Boris Diaw is not a center. Neither is Matt Bonner. When we used to play them with Davis West & Tyson Chandler... Tim Duncan would guard Chandler so that he could still protect the paint.

Davis may guard the David Wests and Dirk Nowitzkis of the league his first season or two, but it won't take long for that to change IMO. I think the Hornets are mainly just protecting Davis his first couple of seasons to make sure he develops correctly instead of immediately putting him out there to bang with the 300 pounders.

the entire discussion about who should start and who comes off the bench is pretty refreshing....to me it depicts some balance and depth Williams hasn't had the opportunity to work with yet....it will be a test of his matchup skills and either dictating/countering the action as appropriate....who is in the game and when will be an ongoing decision making process for him and we will learn how good he is at it....

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Originally Posted by nolaslim213

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.

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Have you ever seen Anderson routinely guard centers in his career?

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Originally Posted by bradael

Yeah. Davis needs to protect the paint. Many PFs in this league are stretch 4s now. We don't want Davis out on the perimeter a lot leaving the paint to be defended only by someone else.

I keep going back to the Tim Duncan comparison. They keep listing him as a PF, but he's a Center. Boris Diaw is not a center. Neither is Matt Bonner. When we used to play them with Davis West & Tyson Chandler... Tim Duncan would guard Chandler so that he could still protect the paint.

Davis may guard the David Wests and Dirk Nowitzkis of the league his first season or two, but it won't take long for that to change IMO. I think the Hornets are mainly just protecting Davis his first couple of seasons to make sure he develops correctly instead of immediately putting him out there to bang with the 300 pounders.

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Duncan has always been a PF. During his career, he has played with Robinson, Rasho Nesterovic, Nazr Mohammed, Fabricio Roberto, Ian Mahinmi, and Tiago Splitter. Lopez fits that profile outside of Robinson and Splitter.

Its only VERY recently and mostly due to injury that he's played a lot of center. Matt Bonner has never played there and neither had Diaw.

I also agree with your last statement, but also think his skill set (Davis) will place him mostly at PF throughout his career, not C.

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Originally Posted by luckyman

Duncan has always been a PF. During his career, he has played with Robinson, Rasho Nesterovic, Nazr Mohammed, Fabricio Roberto, Ian Mahinmi, and Tiago Splitter. Lopez fits that profile outside of Robinson and Splitter.

Its only VERY recently and mostly due to injury that he's played a lot of center. Matt Bonner has never played there and neither had Diaw.

I also agree with your last statement, but also think his skill set will place him mostly at PF throughout his career, not C.

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Pop has gone on record saying Duncan has been a center his entire career:

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“Do you know who you’re going to start at the five tonight,” ask San Antonio Express-News NBA beat writer Mike Monroe.

“Tim Duncan, like we have for 15 years,” replied Popovich.

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Originally Posted by CP3forMVP

Pop has gone on record saying Duncan has been a center his entire career:

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So Duncan was the starting center over David Robinson huh? I'd like to know why the Spurs went after the 5 guys I listed, but then again, you're probably taking that quote out of context...hence, the beat writer having to ask that question in the first place.

After Robinson got old/injured/busted, Duncan was the primary center on defense for the Spurs. He still played PF on offense. :shrug:

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Originally Posted by Kibner

After Robinson got old/injured/busted, Duncan was the primary center on defense for the Spurs. He still played PF on offense. :shrug:

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So they put even slower players like Mohammed and Nesterovic (both shared time as the starting C) on the opposing team's PF on defense?

You're looking far too much into positions.

I'll even say who you are guarding doesn't dictate what your position you're playing.

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Originally Posted by luckyman

So Duncan was the starting center over David Robinson huh? I'd like to know why the Spurs went after the 5 guys I listed, but then again, you're probably taking that quote out of context...hence, the beat writer having to ask that question in the first place.

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If Duncan was never drafted by the Spurs, he would have been a center his entire career.

Davis and Anderson are the long-term future in the frontcourt.

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Originally Posted by luckyman

Have you ever seen Anderson routinely guard centers in his career?

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Why would he have to? He has played with Howard his entire career.

Monty and Demps both said that they think Anderson can do a lot more than he showed in Orlando because his role was somewhat limited. I think he is strong enough to stand his ground against most Centers in the league. With weak side defensive help from AD, he should be fine. There aren't many dominant low-post Center nowadays.

How many quality centers would Anderson and Davis really have to guard? Outside of the obvious two, what else is really out there? An oft-injured Bogut who isn't nearly what he was 2-3 years ago? Gortat who relies on the pick and roll? Tired old Timmy? Who else am I missing?

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Originally Posted by Hornets78

How many quality centers would Anderson and Davis really have to guard? Outside of the obvious two, what else is really out there? An oft-injured Bogut who isn't nearly what he was 2-3 years ago? Gortat who relies on the pick and roll? Tired old Timmy? Who else am I missing?

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Gortat is going to take a big leap backward this year, IMO. Steve Nash made his career, offensively, and he is going to have a lot of trouble now that he is gone. If Marshall is as advertised, that may ease the transition, but he'll never be the same.

And to answer your original question, I can't think of many. Pekovic? He scores, but I haven't watched him play much. I'm inclined to think it is mostly from Rubio setting him up (see Gortat) and putbacks. Tyson Chander is purely defense, so he isn't a worry. Marc Gasol? He isn't much of a deep post threat, as he is more of a high post shooter/facilitator. Not much else off the top of my head.... The league is void of good centers right now - check out the Olympic team.

Gortat is going to beast this year IMO.

Why oh why did he waste away in Orlando all those years :(

Immense talent and my fave non Hornets player.

Hands down most underrated in the league.

You're kidding yourself if you think the team is paying Anderson 9 mill a year to be a full time reserve. IMO he starts the majority of games, except perhaps for one's against strong low post scorers such as Howard, Bynum, Marc Gasol (more of a high post player), Roy Hibbert, Al Jefferson, Brook Lopez and Al Horford. These in total only account for 18 regular season games, in which Lopez can potentially start. Barring injury, Ryno should start almost every other game. I've followed his career (being a former magic fan), and he has drastically improved his low post D, to the extent where he should be able to comfortably match up with every other center in the league, and in time, as he further improves, he should be able to guard nearly all of them.

Why is it such a bad thing to come off the bench? Anderson doesn't have to start... but he'll get "starter" minutes coming off the bench as does Hardin and Manu.

Not sure why this is such a hard concept to understand. He won't start at 4 over AD, and we just traded for our starting center.

NOTHING's wrong with coming off the bench as long as he gets his minutes. Dude is too lethal of a shooter not have him on the floor.

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Originally Posted by DroopyDawg

Why is it such a bad thing to come off the bench? Anderson doesn't have to start... but he'll get "starter" minutes coming off the bench as does Hardin and Manu.

Not sure why this is such a hard concept to understand. He won't start at 4 over AD, and we just traded for our starting center.

NOTHING's wrong with coming off the bench as long as he gets his minutes. Dude is too lethal of a shooter not have him on the floor.

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^^^what he said. AD is the PF. Lopez is the starter. If the Hornets didn't need or want a starting center, they would not have gone through all that trouble to get him. Anderson's salary has nothing to do with him starting or not. Anderson is not a SF so he's not our starter there either.

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Originally Posted by CP3forMVP

I'll even say who you are guarding doesn't dictate what your position you're playing.

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smart man!

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Originally Posted by Ryno_33 NOLA

You're kidding yourself if you think the team is paying Anderson 9 mill a year to be a full time reserve. IMO he starts the majority of games, except perhaps for one's against strong low post scorers such as Howard, Bynum, Marc Gasol (more of a high post player), Roy Hibbert, Al Jefferson, Brook Lopez and Al Horford. These in total only account for 18 regular season games, in which Lopez can potentially start. Barring injury, Ryno should start almost every other game. I've followed his career (being a former magic fan), and he has drastically improved his low post D, to the extent where he should be able to comfortably match up with every other center in the league, and in time, as he further improves, he should be able to guard nearly all of them.

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you just dont get it, and its not worth explaining for the 56th time.

I mean Thabo Sefalosha starts for OKC, yet Hardin is an Olympian and will get a max contract someday.

People put way too much emphasis on who is standing on the court for tip off or positions.

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Originally Posted by Eman5805

I mean Thabo Sefalosha starts for OKC, yet Hardin is an Olympian and will get a max contract someday.

People put way too much emphasis on who is standing on the court for tip off or positions.

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It's all about how beneficial it is though.

What is the benefit of bringing Anderson off the bench?

I would not at all be surprised to often see AD, Lopez, and Anderson on the court together. Offensively I see it as AD and Lopez low post and Anderson as our new Peja. Defensively Anderson and Lopez down low with AD as some kind of Zone Hybrid monster who is so unique you really dont know where the hell he is and will block your shot while eating popcorn in the first row if he so chooses.

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Originally Posted by Eman5805

People put way too much emphasis on who is standing on the court for tip off or positions.

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They do, but it's nuts to think that the team will start the game with the best and really only floor spacer on the bench. Anderson is starting not because of his salary but because of what he does on the court. He'd have to be pretty bad on defense to not start.

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Originally Posted by BP225

They do, but it's nuts to think that the team will start the game with the best and really only floor spacer on the bench. Anderson is starting not because of his salary but because of what he does on the court. He'd have to be pretty bad on defense to not start.

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you admit "they do" but then continue to put too much emphasis on it.

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Originally Posted by RaisingTheBrow

you admit "they do" but then continue to put too much emphasis on it.

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The 6th man is often the 3rd or 4th best player on a good team and he doesn't start the game because you often want his scoring punch against the second unit. That is not Anderson's role though. He is not a scorer, he is a floor spacer, he helps make other players better and he relies on other players getting him the ball. He'll probably be most effective opening up the paint for and playing off of Gordon and Davis. Unless Monty wants to start games with a defensively skewed lineup, I just think it'd be a misuse of Anderson to bring him off the bench. If starting doesn't matter then why bother starting Gordon and Davis? Starting matters, it's importance is just overemphasized, or rather the importance of good bench players is often underemphasized.

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Originally Posted by BP225

The 6th man is often the 3rd or 4th best player on a good team and he doesn't start the game because you often want his scoring punch against the second unit. That is not Anderson's role though. He is not a scorer, he is a floor spacer, he helps make other players better and he relies on other players getting him the ball. He'll probably be most effective opening up the paint for and playing off of Gordon and Davis. Unless Monty wants to start games with a defensively skewed lineup, I just think it'd be a misuse of Anderson to bring him off the bench. If starting doesn't matter then why bother starting Gordon and Davis? Starting matters, it's importance is just overemphasized, or rather the importance of good bench players is often underemphasized.

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Good point. He is more of a decoy who will try and make good perimeter defenses stay one dimensional.

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Originally Posted by BP225

The 6th man is often the 3rd or 4th best player on a good team and he doesn't start the game because you often want his scoring punch against the second unit. That is not Anderson's role though. He is not a scorer, he is a floor spacer, he helps make other players better and he relies on other players getting him the ball. He'll probably be most effective opening up the paint for and playing off of Gordon and Davis. Unless Monty wants to start games with a defensively skewed lineup, I just think it'd be a misuse of Anderson to bring him off the bench. If starting doesn't matter then why bother starting Gordon and Davis? Starting matters, it's importance is just overemphasized, or rather the importance of good bench players is often underemphasized.

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dude come on. anderson isnt a scorer?

there is no better sg or pf on the team that gordon or davis, thats why that start.

if you get over 30 mins a game, it really doesnt matter if you come off the bench. people need to understand that and stop getting upset that is it a huge possibility that anderson will come off the bench. there is nothing wrong with that, its worked for SA for years.

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Originally Posted by BP225

They do, but it's nuts to think that the team will start the game with the best and really only floor spacer on the bench. Anderson is starting not because of his salary but because of what he does on the court. He'd have to be pretty bad on defense to not start.

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The team's only floor spacer? So they will just leave Gordon all alone to shoot wide open? Is our point guard just going to bring the ball up then twiddle his thumbs?

Yes, Monty would probably like to start with a ”defesively skewed” lineup. That type of lineup can score by forcing turnovers. Anderson comes with the 2nd unit then blends in with starters.

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Originally Posted by RaisingTheBrow

dude come on. anderson isnt a scorer?

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A scorer is someone that creates their own shot. Last year 69% of his shots were jumpers, 95% of those were assisted. http://www.82games.com/1112/11ORL12.HTM Those numbers say he was assisted on about 78% of his shots last season. He's not a scorer, he's a floor spacing shooter.

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Originally Posted by luckyman

The team's only floor spacer? So they will just leave Gordon all alone to shoot wide open? Is our point guard just going to bring the ball up then twiddle his thumbs?

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I expect Gordon will be initiating the offense much of the time. Vasquez only shot 31% from 3 last season so teams will probably leave him open unless he gets hot. Miller looked terrible from 3 in Summer League and so did Rivers, so as the only proven upper 30% or better 3 point shooter that won't be initiating the offense, yes, Anderson is the team's only floor spacer right now.

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Originally Posted by RaisingTheBrow

dude come on. anderson isnt a scorer?

there is no better sg or pf on the team that gordon or davis, thats why that start.

if you get over 30 mins a game, it really doesnt matter if you come off the bench. people need to understand that and stop getting upset that is it a huge possibility that anderson will come off the bench. there is nothing wrong with that, its worked for SA for years.

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Anderson doesn't create his own shot. He was brought in as complementary player to Gordon and Davis. He makes those two much better as well since he spreads the floor. He's not a flat out scorer.

Starting Lopez, Davis, and Aminu will make it difficult for Gordon to attack the basket. Too much crowding in the paint. Anderson will open the floor for Gordon. He's not a 6th man type at all. His biggest weapon is bringing frontcourt players to the perimeter.

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Originally Posted by Hornets78

Starting Lopez, Davis, and Aminu will make it difficult for Gordon to attack the basket. Too much crowding in the paint. Anderson will open the floor for Gordon. He's not a 6th man type at all. His biggest weapon is bringing frontcourt players to the perimeter.

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Even though what you said seems sound strategically, I'm pretty sure you're just hung up on labels. Not starting isn't a big deal.