The Insanity of the Current Starting Lineup Is Obvious

[Balls of Steel]

Okafor anyone? We got a fat TPE. That is if New Orleans bites and why not? They get out of an albatross contract, we get a true center and they're free to pursue anyone else to keep Paul happy.

[knowledgep]

I believe riding it out until the trade deadline would be the best option. That way we also get to see what Davis and the rest of the bigs have to offer. Using the TPE prematurely is a bad idea in my opinion.

[Trife76]

Why didnt Calderon get traded ?
BC gave up after Bronzy Brown and cheese eyes basically said "no were not taking ur overpaid bum of a PG"
I get that but why then did we basically say ok nobody wants you cuz your terrible def and overrated off but we'll keep you anyway and screw with chemistry and our fans ??

[Buddahfan]

Unfortunately nothing has happened yet to change my position on this

[Buddahfan]

Three changes were needed to the opening night starting lineup

One has already been made

1. Weems for Kleiza

If the trade goes down the second move will be made

2. Calderon for Jack

That leaves one move remaining.

[Mack North]

BC must've read your thread Buddah!

[DunkinDerozan]

Last season when Bosh started the Raptors scored a lot of points and Bargnani also scored well and shot pretty good.

Last season because Bosh required double or sometimes even triple teaming the Raptors starting lineup was in effect playing five on four. With Bosh constantly being double teamed someone else was always open. Bosh could not only score out of the double team but the other four Raptors constantly had relatively easy shots being guarded three on four.

Now enter 2010-11 with Reggie starting.

To his credit Evans lost a lot of weight and has played well on defense. However on offense he is a big zero. So now the Raptors minus Bosh and plus Evans are playing four on five on offense because no one guards Evans.

Clearly when you are playing in the NBA four on five on offense and you have no one who can break the defense down off of the dribble your offense is going to have a rough go.

Starting Evans and playing him next to Bargnani has really negatively impacted Bargnani's offense. Where last year he would often find himself open he is now being double teamed and the other three scorers on the Raptors are having to go one on one while Evans remains unguarded.

So what is the solution to this stupidity of starting Evans?

Remove him from the starting lineup.

The Raptors could go several ways, some of which would be a massive improvement over Evans as a starter.

1. Start Kleiza at PF and either Weems or DeRozan at SF and either DeRozan or Barbosa at SG

2. Start Anderson with Bargnani - Not near as good a choice as the first one and may be worse than starting Evans because Evans has been playing better defense.

3. Start Johnson and play him until he has to come out due to fouls or finishes his prescribed rotation minutes. Johnson at least showed last season that a starting unit encompassing Johnson and Bargnani could score and beat the below .500 teams.

4. Start Alabi - He at least has some offense and why not give him a chance.

5. Start Dorsey - About the same as Evans in terms of not having to be guarded.

6. Sign Dampier or another big who can play some defense and has to be guarded.

Wow you read my mind couldn't have said it better myself good stuff

[Red and White]

This will sound weird but I love the alabi idea. Even if it is for 1 game (i mean, only for one game) start him. He plays against the best players with no pressure. Its what they did for derozan.

As for the other ones, they all make sense, and we need to play with them to find the one with the most connection.

Its not this easy, but its dam well close. Love the post buddah.

[Red and White]

Best starting line-up based on pre-season.

Banks, Dorsey, Kleiza, Weems, Alabi. Serious, Kleiza and Weems provide scoring. Alabi for screens/ pick-n-roll. Substitute Jack, Derozan and Barbosa into the 2nd line. Anderson for shooting, Julian for hustle and defense. Reggie for Regginess and comedy. Get Davis minutes when he gets back.

TRADE AB and JOSE. Recipe for 30 win season.

DId you just propose what i think you just proposed?

Oh dear god.