Dunlap names starters

[ncstamey]

I agree... Haywood gets the start but I'd be willing to bet Smack sees more PT

[Mustachio]

Missing the point. Yes Biyombo will get minutes, but where is the benefit of starting Haywood at all? I'm not upset about it, and am not brazen enough to criticize Dunlap's lineup choices before we even play a real game. ESPECIALLY since its not like he said its for the whole season, just for opening night. But I'm just looking for the benefit of having Haywood start. Perhaps I will see it come Friday night. Just seems like to me we would benefit more from having Biyombo's confidence high. Instead, he's been effectively demoted and lost out to valuable minutes against other teams starters. I would like to see the benefit of Haywood starting over Biyombo, and it better not be "because he gives us a better shot at winning" because thats been tried before, and it sucks.

[ncstamey]

I would like to see the benefit of Haywood starting over Biyombo, and it better not be "because he gives us a better shot at winning" because thats been tried before, and it sucks.

Reason #1 has a RING

Reason# 2 "hey Biymbo, look at how this guy plays basketball... now go out there and try that"

[fan_of_a_fan]

If Biyombo was to win the starting job over an experienced veteran like Haywood without earning it with his play, it would make for bad morale to a team that is already in disarray. This isn't NBA 2K13 where you can just throw the 62 overall player in over the 67 overall player because you feel like it. First and foremost, they are human beings with emotions that work hard in the gym on daily basis to deserve the recognition that they receive as professional athletes. Based on what I seen throughout the preseason, it's not even a competition between the two. At least not at the moment. Not yet.

[Mustachio]

Reason #1 has a RING

Reason# 2 "hey Biymbo, look at how this guy plays basketball... now go out there and try that"

Reason 1... What does Rings have to do with anything? Alexis Ajinca has a ring as a backup Center on the Mavericks too, Adam Morrison has 2. I don't see us bringing those guys in and starting them in front of our rookies. secondly, he was the BACKUP center on that Mavericks team, which is what he needs to be here.

Reason 2... Biyombo can't learn from the bench after starting? His brain shuts down and can't observe Haywoods play after sitting down? No. "Hey Biyombo, look at how this guy plays basketball... now go out there and try that" works anytime Biyombo isn't on the court. It has nothing to do with starting. weak sauce.


I don't think Biyombo should play the whole game and Haywood should absolutely get minutes. But Haywood is a blip on our radar. He's not in any way shape or form integral to our future, Biyombo is critical to our future. Its more about confidence and trust, and you are essentially demoting and destroying any confidence Biyombo may have... and for what? Because he won a ring as a backup center? We've done this through out our history as a franchise and its one of the few consistent things about this organization other than a losing record. We draft players, then immediately replace them if they aren't world beating super freaks in their first year. We never gain the players trust, and we destroy any semblance of confidence they may have. We did it with Raymond, with Brevin Knight and McInnes. We did it to DJ with Raymond. We never just draft a guy and hand it over to them. This is your team... we drafted you 7th for a reason, now prove us right. Thats all I'm asking for... a single reason that justifies why we are doing that again. Reason better than jewelry, instruction, or the other players getting their feelings hurt.

[ncstamey]

"give me reason other than ________"
"give me another reason other than _____ AND _____"

You want him to start and obviously there's no reason that is going to make you think otherwise. Fair enough.

I on the other hand, don't mind this decision and don't think for one second that Biz's moral is going to be weakened because this seasoned vet with superior offensive skills and defensive awareness is starting over him on opening night against one of the best centers in the game.

More than anything we want to win tomorrow night to show and we are trying to turn this thing around... it's a long season. We will see a few different starting lineups by the time it's all said and done.

[SJackson1]

Biyombo will play quality minutes this season and will probably end up starting just like last season. When he's getting 8 rebounds and 4 blocks in 18 minutes i think Dunlap will realize that he should be starting

[Veteran_Picksetter]

All I can say is that I attended the Wizards game, and Haywood was obviously superior to Biyombo. Haywood did not stuff the stat sheet, but he provided tremendous defensive presence and communication. I think it is important to get off on the right foot and win some games, if for no other reason than we don't want to break the NBA record for consecutive losses.

It is a long season. The nagging pain and injuries will pile up. Biyombo should get his chance soon enough.

It is IMPERATIVE that we steal a few wins early for the sake of morale. Haywood starting is part of that equation. And we need to push Biyombo to earn more minutes.

[BlockParty]

Haywood starting of Biz makes sense early in the season. Biz can learn from the bench as long as he gets early and consistent minutes, but most importantly, Biz gets some success against the 2nd string Centers/PF's during the first part of this season. Confidence will go a long way with Biz, which would then be contagious with our young team.

[SJackson1]

MKG should play at least 30 mins tomorrow, can't wait to see how he does in the NBA !