Samb is going to get minutes during the camp. We'll see a lot there to figure out where he stands. He'll be facing mostly NBA competition at that point.

Anyone reading this, hey, its just me thinking. Please do not read more into it than that.

Billups, Tay, JMAX, Amir, Sheed start. Why? Tay has the height to feed the post well, plus we could actually post up any player on this 5 man squad. CB and Tay certainly give you enough outside shooting, and Sheed adds to that as well. We also know JMAX can hit midrangers. Amir Johnson, we know he is working on his range too, but thats a question mark at this point. In all, plenty of shooting to draw defenders away from the basket, while we have lots of options to post up.

Further, since Rip would not be part of the starting unit, the best part of his game, coming off picks, and the fact the whole team gets involved in that by setting picks etc. won't interfere with us trying to post up. The first play of the game will be a post up, as will the 2nd, 3rd, etc.

Now Rip would have to play some point-at least defensively, since he still would have to play 28 minutes a game. Let me see, Tay could play a total of 30 minutes, 25 at shooting guard, and 5 minutes at small forward. This leaves 23 minutes for Rip at shooting guard so he would be playing point,defensively, for 5 minutes.

Stuckey, Afflalo, Samb, Dyess, and Mejia will also be getting minutes. I imagine that Mejia is the guy who would be paired up with Rip some in the backcourt, with Mejia running the point on offense while Rip guards the point on defense.

And of course, Rip and Stuckey would get pair up a lot, with Stuckey running the point, while again, Rip would most likely guard the point-but it would depend on matchups of course.

Afflalo is squeezed out of mintues to some extent. I still see him playing, but not every game. Players do fine in college playing just a couple times a week. Afflalo could steadily gain experience while just getting about 14 minutes on a twice a week basis. Samb would be the other guy just playing some of the games. When Samb does not play, Tay plays more small forward, JMAX a bit of power forward, moving Dyess to center more. And this leaves some time for Afflalo to play some shooting guard. He would also be getting some minutes at small forward, as would Mejia. But Mejia would not always get minutes at small forward. Its his minutes running the point that really will be helpful to us more than anything. He would get minutes at the point every single game and plus sometimes at small forward.

I will follow this post up sometime in the near future with a more exact scenario: a pattern of substitutions that will achieve the above goals.

Lee:

I didn't see Davis or Nazr in your rotation.

By intent or oversight?

I have read nothing to indicate Dale Davis will be back with us next season. As for Mohammed, thats no oversight. Sheed, Dyess, Amir, Samb, and JMAX can cover all the minutes for us at center and power forward.

Somebody better start numbering these things.

It will wear on them though. Regular season doesn't matter. During the playoffs Sheed can play more center if Nazr can't get the job done.

Nazr will start at center next year. It's his job to lose now.

We went strictly with a three man rotation at center and power forward in Brown's 2nd year, and in Flip's first year. Last year, we added JMAX into the mix as a fourth big. This year, adding Samb and Amir (While losing Webber) makes that 5. So I have to disagree that anyone should get worn out this season with Mohammed sitting on the bench-or traded away.

Samb won't play, and I doubt that Amir will get heavy minutes. Max is much to short to play at the center position. Nazr will start next season.

Is Mohammed what you want at center? Or are you just resigned to mediocraty for us next year at that position?

I'm going to agree with Linwood and predict that Samb will not play for the Pistons this year and Nazr will start the season as the starting center. It's not a matter of what you want as a Pistons fan. When you look at the current roster, Nazr is simply the best option as the starting center, unless you throw McDyess into the starting lineup.