1. Dallas Mavericks 6th man
With a stockpile of guards, Coach Avery Johnson will have a difficult decision to make when selecting his go-to guy off of the bench. After GM Mark Cuban signed Devin Harris to a lengthy and pricey extension, it seems clear the Mavericks will continue to start him at PG as they did for 67 games last season. Jason Terry, meanwhile, is too good to bring off of the bench, so he should continue to start at off-guard ahead of the more specialized veterans.
Which veterans? Jerry Stackhouse effectively handled the 6th man role last season as the 67-win Mavericks appeared to be the team to beat before combusting in the playoffs at the hands of Golden State. After watching Stack shoot 35% in those six games, GM Mark Cuban felt the need to strengthen his bench. He signed veteran three-time All-Star Eddie Jones and then recently traded for defensive specialist Trenton Hassell. Clearly, there are some questions in the front office about Stackhouse’s ability to handle the role at soon-to-be 33 years of age. Throw Devean George into the mix (over 20 mpg last season) and it looks to be a veteran-SG derby this preseason.
As usual, Erick Dampier or DeSagana Diop may continue to be the first man off the bench but neither will contribute as much as the previously mentioned crop.
2. Memphis Grizzlies Point Guard
The Memphis Grizzlies stretched and selected 19 year-old Mike Conley Jr. out of Ohio State with the fourth overall pick. However, new coach Marc Iavaroni already had a fairly respectable pair of point guards in veteran Damon Stoudamire and second-year man Kyle Lowry. Stoudamire played much of last season on a bad knee and witnessed his least productive year yet. Now he comes into camp healthy and hoping to prove that he is still the best floor-general on the roster.
Before going down in the team’s 10th game, Lowry was looking like a steal at the 24th pick averaging as many assists and rebounds per game as shots. During his five summer league games in Vegas Lowry averaged 16.4 points, 3.2 assists, 3.2 rebounds and 1.8 steals playing ahead of Conley Jr. "The wrist is 100 percent," Lowry said. "It doesn't hurt anymore." His game adapts well and he appeared to be on his way to an All-Rookie selection along with teammate Rudy Gay before the injury.
Enter Pau Gasol’s best friend, 6’3” combo-guard Juan Carlos Navarro. Navarro was selected as the Spanish league MVP in 2006 and led Spain to the 2006 FIBA World Championship. With Rudy Gay and Mike Miller on the wings, Navarro, too, will be auditioning for the starting point guard position.
Stoudamire was quoted earlier this summer as wanting to play for a contender rather than going thru another rebuilding season in Memphis. However, Stoudamire’s 2003 marijuana charge is still in courts and may be lowering his trade value. Also, teams want to see Damon playing at full-speed again after his off year before making any offers.
The Griz currently have sixteen players on their payroll. If the younger three point guards appear capable during pre-season, then it’s not out of the question for Stoudamire to be bought out of his remaining two years and become a free agent. There’s little doubt that the Celtics, Cavaliers, Lakers, or even the Spurs would all be interested in the 34 year-old playmaker.
3. Charlotte Bobcats 6th man
Third overall pick, Adam Morrison was a disappointment last season as a rookie. His poor shooting percentages led to a below-expectations scoring average (11.8 ppg). In his defense, he was often the focus of the other teams’ defenses because of the Bobcats’ depleted offensive attack.
While Morrison struggled, two unheralded players snuck up and made names for themselves. Matt Carroll signed a dramatic six-year, $27 million deal after posting 12.1 ppg and shooting nearly 42% from behind the arc. Although not likely to ever contend for a starter’s role, Carrol is a prototypical 6th man with range. Walter Hermann, perhaps the best shooter of all the candidates, is back and will be looking for the playing time he earned last season. At 6’9” he can play the power forward slot. Although his game is more adapted to the perimeter, Hermann could very well be the first man off the bench backing up the oft-injured Sean May.
All three players are most comfortable playing the wing so they will figure to back up the Bobcats’ two best players (arguably) in Jason Richardson and Gerald Wallace. Wallace has played some power forward in the past so he may see more time there to allow minutes for the sharp-shooting trio.
4. Houston Rockets Point Guard
First-year GM Dwayne Morey’s initial move was a trade of veteran asset Juwan Howard for Minnesota PG Mike James. Despite starting 65 games for the ‘Wolves, James was nowhere near the offensive force that he was in Toronto two seasons ago.
Shortly after acquiring James, Morey signed former Rocket franchise player, Steve Francis. Francis’ minutes and production declined sharply a season and a half ago after being acquired by the New York Knicks. Despite playing in a crowded backcourt, he still started over 65% of his games played as a Knick. Prior to that, Francis was averaging nearly 20 ppg for his career. Now 30, Francis is back with the team that made him a star and he’s out to prove his time in New York was an aberration.
Alas, let us not forget point guard-incumbent Rafer Alston who was arrested twice this past summer on assault and public intoxication charges. Could he really still be in the mix? According to the Houston Chronicle, yes. “Alston and Rockets management believe the criminal charges against him are frivolous, and for now he's still very much in the Rockets' point guard mix.” Alston drained the 4th most 3-pointers in the league, but shot just 37.5% from the field. He was 9th in the league in steals, but 20th in assists. Although he has a reputation of being careless with the ball, he ranked a very respectable 6th in the league in turnovers/48 minutes. In 2006-07, Skip-to-my-Lou, as he is known, averaged 13.3 ppg and 5.4 apg while logging the 7th most minutes of all players in the league.
New coach Rick Adelman has three additional PGs further down his roster including summer league MVP Aaron Brooks. John Lucas and a healthy Bob Sura are at the bottom of the depth chart but will be aggressively competing for their playing time during this preseason.
5. Phoenix Suns starting forward
SF Grant Hill was the biggest acquisition for a team that won 61 games last season and is expected to contend for the championship. Hill is coming off his second best season of the past six – an impressive (for Hill) 64-start campaign. He is the consummate professional and undoubtedly brings leadership and an all-around skill set to Mike D’Antoni’s squad. With Hill in the starting lineup, Shawn Marion would play in the power forward spot.
Boris Diaw saw 59 starts last year but was not the player of 2005-06. His points, rebounds and assists all took a prominent dip. He reported to camp last year significantly heavier and many alluded to the new playing weight as the cause for his drop in production. Still, the Suns need some beef on the front line so Diaw may well stay at last season’s weight. If he doesn’t return to form, he will see his spot taken by Hill.
6. Milwaukee Bucks Small Forward
One-time 6th man of the year and ballyhooed free agent acquisition Bobby Simmons, 27, returns after taking last season off recovering from multiple foot surgeries. "(I’m) looking forward to playing 82 games and the post-season," said Simmons.
However, he could likely be heading back to his 6th man role due to the signing of former-Buck Desmond Mason. Mason has 200 starts in his last three seasons and looks to be Milwaukee’s most reliable option. He is, perhaps by default, the best defender on the roster.
Finally, Yi Jianlian was drafted 6th overall and is promised plenty of playing time by ownership. He’s an experienced pro (albeit in China’s significantly less-talented CBA) and is used to being the man. At nearly 7’0”, Yi is not your prototypical SF, but he is widely regarded as more of a perimeter player with a sweet stroke. PF Charlie Villanueva is back at 100% and should claim the PF position. It is most likely that Yi will spend his time backing Charlie up. Nevertheless, if he does show promise on the perimeter as is expected, GM Herb Kohl may push a starter’s role for his reputation-related investment.
7. Los Angeles Lakers Point Guard
This past summer GM Mitch Kupchak decided to let go of his point guard fill-in of two years, Smush Parker. Although this was a fairly wise decision on the face of it, who did Kupchak have in mind to replace him? Jordan Farmar? Shammond Williams? Sasha Vujacic?
The answer would appear to be former-Laker Derek Fisher. The 33 year-old was bought out of his Utah Jazz contract in order to re-sign with the Lakers, presumably as the starting point guard. Fisher is a family man first, as we learned in the playoffs when he regularly went on leave to be with his daughter who was undergoing eye cancer treatments. Assuming he is available for 82 games this season, can he be effective 35 minutes a night throughout the season? Unlikely.
Although, Jordan Farmar received far more playing time last season than most Phil Jackson rookies, he did little to prove he is a worthy NBA caliber PG and even did a brief stint in the D-League. In his sophomore campaign improvement is not only expected, but needed.
Finally, the Lakers drafted 6’5” Javaris Crittenton out of Georgia Tech with their first pick of this year’s draft. Crittenton outplayed Farmar in every aspect in the summer league, including clutch shots and team leadership. He averaged 17 points and 3 assists while, by all accounts, looking very sharp. Could a 19 year-old rookie start on a Phil Jackson team? Not likely, but maybe he should.
Assuming Fisher stays healthy and hasn’t slipped much with age, he will be the starter. But perhaps, just maybe, Crittenton sees extensive playing time and assumes the starter’s role in the second half of the season.
8. Sacramento Kings Power Forward
Assuming Brad Miller is back to form as he claims and Spencer Hawes will be groomed as the future, free agent Mikki Moore, 31, will likely get most of his minutes at power forward, a spot where the Kings already have veteran depth.
Shareef Abdur-Rahim, 30, started 45 games in the role last season, but he is coming off of knee surgery and may not be ready to go at season’s tip off. Kenny Thomas, 30, was good for 53 starts himself but had the worst season of his career.
It appears the new guy, Moore, will get most of the starts here, at least until Abdur-Rahim gets back to 100%.
9. Minnesota Timberwolves 5th starter
It’s no secret that Minnesota is loaded with youth but not even the head coach knows what the rotation will be. It appears that Randy Foye will get his chance as the starting point guard. Ricky Davis and Al Jefferson will certainly be in the lineup. It also appears incumbent center Mark Blount (81 starts last season) will likely remain the anchor in the post, although Jefferson can play center if the team wants Juwan Howard to start. The fifth starter is anyone’s guess and could rotate throughout the season. The 5th man will likely depend on which position Davis plays.
If Davis plays the shooting guard spot, then the ‘Wolves will be looking for a capable small forward. If so, then it will be one of the many new faces in Minneapolis-St. Paul. Ryan Gomes comes over from Boston where he started 60 games last season next to Jefferson. He brings solid defense, intense rebounding, and an improving shot. If Gomes can continue to shore up his perimeter game, as he did last season, he should land the starter’s job. Gerald Green, 21, joins him from Boston. Seemingly everyone expects him to improve on his 10.4 ppg scoring average. He is one of the league’s top athletes and in stretches he is one of the league’s most exciting players. Lottery selection, Corey Brewer came out of college as one of the “sudden impact” prospects. If his potential turns into production, there’s a chance he could get some starts in the second half of the season.
If Davis lands at the small forward spot, it will be one of two returning ‘Wolves starting opposite Foye in the backcourt. Rashard McCants is finally healthy and many project an “arrival” of sorts from him. 6’5” Marko Jaric is back and has the most NBA experience by a long shot. However, in a rebuilding season, the 28 year-old is likely the odd man out.
10. Portland Trailblazers Small Forward
There is an interesting battle brewing here between re-signed Travis Outlaw and Martell Webster. Outlaw, 23, is coming off of his best season, but still has not put together a reliable NBA skill set. Webster saw 27 starts last year but the 20 year-old must expand his offensive repertoire and overall athleticism if he expects to be a regular starter in the NBA.
The two will battle throughout camp to rise above the other and its likely Nate McMillan will select one of the two potential laden youths and stick to him all season.
Finally, Darius Miles claims to be a brand new man but he will not likely be available until December. Not many are buying Miles’ good intentions but assuming he recovers well from knee surgery, he may be the best option for Portland. With a rebuilding franchise, can he really expect to see playing time over the young guns? It is more likely that the Blazers will showcase him early in his return and try to deal him before the trade deadline.
Photos Courtesy of youbeenblinded.files.wordpress.com, bballone.com, lakersplayers.org, and smm.org, respectively