Logjam in the backcourt

[Chaos]

PJ should have got the messages with these off season additions. Now he's fugging up off the court again, he's gotta be on the thinnest of ice

[rico6]

Cannot wait when PJ gets the axe.

[davos]

Seriously guys, Cho and Cliff already said Batum is our shooting guard. They literally said that during a press conference.

I don't think people are saying he won't play there.  He's our starting SG and also a utility piece that can be used in a few different ways.    

[MedellinHeel]

Most SG's can play SF and visa versa. 

[davos]

Most SG's can play SF and visa versa. 

That's true.  The more discernible difference nowadays is with the guys more on the SG/PG side and then as we're talking about, the SG/SF side.  Batum is that 2/3 type, he's our swingman.  We've got a handful of them now on the squad (Taylor, Hairston) but Batum is far and away the best one of the but he's going to primrily be our 2. 

Beyond just wings, you've got these types in the league like Klay, Beal, Korver, Wiggins, etc. but then there's the likes of a Harden, Wade, Oladipo, Ellis on the other end.  Going into the offseason, I think a lot were dead set on finding the latter but we went out and got Batum, Lamb, possibly a PF that finally sticks, and Linsanity.  Interesting approach.  I think the one people may be underestimating is Lamb.  I'd love to see him rebound in Charlotte.

I think the fact that our 2 is only 1.5" shorter than our 5 is probably why casuals are confused.   

 

The way I'm looking at our lineup now:

 

Kemba-Lin-Roberts

Batum-Lamb

MKG-Marvin

Frank-Zeller

Jefferson-Hawes 

 

-A possible rotation could be Kemba-Lamb-Batum-Frank-Al; with Lin running the court: Lin-Lamb-MKG-Zeller-Hawes

-Taylor, Daniels, Harrison, and whoever else are battling it out for the final active. I'd still like to see another 4/5 big added rather than having more of a cluster in this one area. 

 

[Proudiddy]

Lol, yall think PJ is gone for the traffic citations?  Lol...  You're projecting Harrison or Roberts make it over him?  I want us to sign Harrison, but if anyone goes out of the current roster, it's Roberts.  The idea behind this thread seems convoluted too...  Lamb, Batum, and PJ can all play the 2 and the 3 pretty interchangeably.  So, they are needed for their versatility...   Daniels has earned his spot as well, but he's primarily a 2 and doesn't really have the body for a 3.  Furthermore, even if PJ stinks it up shooting wise, which he has through SL, he has shown the ability to play outstanding defense, even in his PT as a rookie.  So, I don't see him being the odd man out.  The one guy out of the backcourt that lacks size and versatility is Roberts.  Plus, he was signed as the backup last year, unquestioned coming in, and lost his spot in the rotation after trading for Mo because he was that bad... 

Again, I think MKG, Batum, Lamb, and PJ are all part of the 2/3 rotation, and then PG is Kemba, Lin, and I think Harrison will be signed as the third with Roberts being the odd man out...  I'm guessing he will be waived or traded (more likely waived because I don't see anyone trading for him). 

[CPF4LIFE]

Keeping Lin and Roberts over Harrison is a stupid idea at this point. Just not worth it to keep them over a guy who could be show promise down the road.

[Jeremy Igo]

Kemba / Lin

Batum / Lamb

MKG / Batum / Lamb

Frank / Zeller

Al / Zeller / Hawes

Sounds right. 

[davos]

Lol, yall think PJ is gone for the traffic citations?  Lol...  You're projecting Harrison or Roberts make it over him?  I want us to sign Harrison, but if anyone goes out of the current roster, it's Roberts.  The idea behind this thread seems convoluted too...  Lamb, Batum, and PJ can all play the 2 and the 3 pretty interchangeably.  So, they are needed for their versatility...   Daniels has earned his spot as well, but he's primarily a 2 and doesn't really have the body for a 3.  Furthermore, even if PJ stinks it up shooting wise, which he has through SL, he has shown the ability to play outstanding defense, even in his PT as a rookie.  So, I don't see him being the odd man out.  The one guy out of the backcourt that lacks size and versatility is Roberts.  Plus, he was signed as the backup last year, unquestioned coming in, and lost his spot in the rotation after trading for Mo because he was that bad... 

Again, I think MKG, Batum, Lamb, and PJ are all part of the 2/3 rotation, and then PG is Kemba, Lin, and I think Harrison will be signed as the third with Roberts being the odd man out...  I'm guessing he will be waived or traded (more likely waived because I don't see anyone trading for him). 

Honestly forgot PJ.  One thing though--Cho has said he wants 3 PGs on the roster.  Don't know if it was just presser talk and yeah, Roberts doesn't really add much scoring, but it'was mentioned. 

[Cuttinedge]

I don't care if I ever see Roberts play again. 

[Woodie]

Interesting. Batum is an inch taller than MKG, which is why I figured MKG would be SG and Batum SF. Maybe its for defensive reasons.

I've read that Batum was the SG for the French National team, so has a lot of experience at that spot.  As others have said, I think the only reason he played SF at Portland was because of his size and their roster.  But it sounds like he has the skillset to be a quality SG for the Hornets. 

[pantherphan96]

I've read that Batum was the SG for the French National team, so has a lot of experience at that spot.  As others have said, I think the only reason he played SF at Portland was because of his size and their roster.  But it sounds like he has the skillset to be a quality SG for the Hornets. 

I would say he has been the best pickup this offseason for the Hornets. His ability to play significant time at SG and SF is a definite strength.

[Woodie]

I would say he has been the best pickup this offseason for the Hornets. His ability to play significant time at SG and SF is a definite strength.

Absolutely!  Two things stand out to me about this offseason: first is that we were determined to improve our 3 point shooting, the second is that we wanted to get bigger and have a versatile team.  Most of our pickups have been guys with size that can play competently at multiple positions and can also shoot the three.  This will allow us the flexibility to match up well whether teams go big or small.  The only thing we really lack is a tough interior defender.  Should be a fun year.

[MedellinHeel]

all we need is a lockdown post defender and rebounder.