Wallace asks not to play PF

[dvdbumpus]

Gerald Wallace made it clear at practice Monday that just because he can play power forward doesn't mean he should.

"I think my time at the 4 (position) is done," Wallace said, after his first full-contact practice since suffering a concussion Feb. 22 against Sacramento.

Wallace expects he'll be well enough to play Wednesday against the Dallas Maverics. However, he's asked the coaches to stop using him at power forward, to cut down on collisions with bigger players. He's suffered at least four concussions in his three-plus seasons as a Bobcat.

"It was fine playing 4, but I'd be better off out on the wing," Wallace said of returning to the small forward position.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/rumors/p...?urn=nba,71087

I agree with that. Wallace has developed an outside shot, and is a constant mismatch with his athleticism and hustle. I only hope he doesn't change his style of play.

[Keetch]

He's right; but it puts the team in a quandary; because Crash playing Small Forward takes minutes away from Matt Carroll and/or Jared Dudley, who have been big reasons for our recent success.

If Crash comes back on board and starts killing the ball at the 3 point line or forcing drives while the others stand around; our little playoff run will be in trouble.

We are winning with outstanding ball movement led by a PG (Felton) who is constantly challenging the opponents defense with tremendous speed and vision. It's been a pretty thing to watch. I hope the substitution of Wallace for Carroll/Dudley doesn't short-circuit that process. Hopefully Felton will stay in charge of the ball.

[dvdbumpus]

He's right; but it puts the team in a quandary; because Crash playing Small Forward takes minutes away from Matt Carroll and/or Jared Dudley, who have been big reasons for our recent success.

My hope in this situation is that Dudley plays majority of his minutes at PF in place of Crash. Then Matt gets the remainder of his minutes splitting time @ the 2 and 3.

I think when Crash is out, have Matt at the 2 and J-rich at the 3. Same goes for Crash. When Ham biscuit decides to have Boykins he'll slide over to the 3. Then of course when both are on the bench Matt @ the 2 and Dudley @ 3. My guess is Matt will get 25-30 minutes, and Dudley will get about 20-25 minutes. Crash and J-rich shouldn't really have their minutes lessened as The Mcinnis minutes will factor in to the increased playing time for the bench (thank god!)

[TheBeagle]

My hope in this situation is that Dudley plays majority of his minutes at PF in place of Crash. Then Matt gets the remainder of his minutes splitting time @ the 2 and 3.

I think when Crash is out, have Matt at the 2 and J-rich at the 3. Same goes for Crash. When Ham biscuit decides to have Boykins he'll slide over to the 3. Then of course when both are on the bench Matt @ the 2 and Dudley @ 3. My guess is Matt will get 25-30 minutes, and Dudley will get about 20-25 minutes. Crash and J-rich shouldn't really have their minutes lessened as The Mcinnis minutes will factor in to the increased playing time for the bench (thank god!)

That's what I'm thinking too, Bumpus. JD is a bruiser, whereas GW, while willing to be a bruiser in the past, is just not thick enough to put up with the 4 anymore, and that is a very good thing. It's just up to our intrepid "coach" to continue to leave well enogh alone and not screw things up in terms of rotation!

[Icky Thump]

A few things....

1. It's a shame it had to come to this... I mean really, Gerald has to suffer a serious concussion and say "I think my time at the 4 (position) is done," before he is moved to his natural position? Thats screwed up in my opinion and it should fall on whoever made the decision to play him there.

2. This is just one of many examples of the horrible line-ups we have run with this team... I just don't get it. Felton at SG, Wallace at PF, etc. etc. *I think Okafor at C is out of position as well*

3. We need either a TRUE center or power forward... (I suppose we should hope to find one in the draft). I'd prefer to find a good Center and move Okafor to PF permanently where he would more naturally fit IMO. But if somehow we managed to land a Beasley I guess we'd have to keep Okafor at Center.

4. With Dudley coming on at SF and if Wallace comes out of this incident ok should we consider trading Carroll?

[Wallace15]

I'd rather have a healthy Crash playing the 3 for most of the season rather than a Crash playing the 4 for only about half the season because of injuries.

[timang]

great decision by crash, now the organization will be forced to utilize our bigs (twiggy, JD2, nazr, othella) more OR get a big in the draft or in the free agency come next year. i'm just glad he's making sure now for his health than before. his injuries scare the hell out of me everytime.

[Muttley]

great decision by crash, now the organization will be forced to utilize our bigs (twiggy, JD2, nazr, othella) more OR get a big in the draft or in the free agency come next year. i'm just glad he's making sure now for his health than before. his injuries scare the hell out of me everytime.

It hasn't really stopped Vincent from playing him at the 4. Occasionally, FHB played him with JD and Mek or Nazr and Mek, but at least when he first came into the game he replaced Nazr in the line-up.

[ohara831]

This whole situation is a conundrum! It makes my head hurt!! Can the past 4 years have just been a dream, and we are about to select our pick at #2 in 2004? Please! Let's have a redo.