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[QUOTE="RF2044, post: 1685193, member: 40"]
We had two point guards that year--GMac and Edelin.  Edelin most certainly could do those things, and was dynamic both as a playmaker and passer.  GMac might not have been Sherman Douglas, but he was at his best that year because he was the guy who was the third [at best] priority defensively.  He was also unique compared to his predecessors at lead guard in that he was a solid three point shooter who was perfectly cast in a complimentary role.  Nobody's been harder on GMac and his limitations than I was back then, either--I agree a lot with what you say about his general limitations.

But let's also keep in mind that we had Carmelo Anthony that year when things broke down and we needed someone to make lemonade out of lemons.

And let's also keep in mind that the 2003 team had four guys in the starting lineup who were double figure caliber scorers, and three guys who could knock down threes at a more than respectable clip.  We also had two guys off of the bench who could score in double figures [Pace and Edelin], and a backup center who provided quality depth.  That was a pretty good team that had balance in terms of inside scoring, size, rebounding, shot blocking, and defense.  So I don't know that referencing the 2003 team works compared to most of our other squads.

I like Battle a lot, too.  I just don't see him as a lead guard, and think we would have some of the same issues that we have this year if he were cast as a PG full time.  Fortunately, next year he won't be--because I expect Howard to improve as a function of the experience he gained this year, and to play a major role off the bench playing alongside both Battle and Richardson.  I wouldn't be surprised at all to see Howard play starter's minutes, a la Scoop in 2009-2010, on a very good offensive team.
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