02-18-2025, 10:28 PM
(02-18-2025, 10:14 PM)F Gump Wrote: With the encouraging news that DP and Martin will be back soon, we lose sight of the bigger impact looming of PJW returning. They've been without any of their real PF's, as well as C's. And PJW is a starter.
FWIW, I think PJW will play his natural position of PF, the vast majority of the time. I think DP will start at C. After the 1st quarter, and how they handle the rest of the minutes at those 2 positions (perhaps another 35 or 40 that neither PJW nor DP will get?) will be a scramble. But I wouldn't be surprised if we see some periods of small ball, maybe with PJW at C --- or maybe not. They've been playing small with NEITHER and it wouldn't surprise me if they use some of those lineups again just because of all the smaller guys they want to use; and if Martin is back in the mix, that's yet another SG-sized player with talent that will DEFINITELY get minutes.
PJW will play ~36 minutes. Any time he’s not sharing the floor with Powell, he’ll be the teams “Center”. He’s played plenty of 5 in his career. He’s by far the best rebounder of the bunch. He has the size and physical strength. He fits the bill for small ball or 5-out just as Edwards or Omax would, with much better perimeter shooting. All that to say, he’s technically the 5, with no Powell, even if paired with Edwards or anyone else in the front court.