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Message: [QUOTE="orangepassion, post: 295290, member: 14"] It's really difficult to pick the starting frontcourt right now because it's unclear what DC's condition will be at the start of the season and how much the frontcourt players will have improved over the summer. If DC hasn't lost much weight over the summer and is in the same shape Melo was in his freshman year, he's not going to play much. This is particularly true if JB wants to play a fast-paced game as opposed to a deliberate half-court game. If DC has lost substantial weight and is in good physical shape then he has a good chance of starting and getting substantial minutes. If Rak can improve his offensive game to become a scoring threat, then he will also get substantial minutes. Baye can play defense and can run. If he can gain some weight and strength and develop some kind of inside offensive game, he will get substantial minutes. If not, he'll be the back-up when Rak & DC get into foul trouble and some interior defense is needed. CJ will play over James because he's steadier and more reliable & is a smart player. JB likes players such as him. James is more likely to play if our guards aren't shooting well and the other team is packing in the defense in the inside. If Cooney, MCW and BT are shooting well, then the need for James to play diminishes. The only way James will get much playing time is if his defense and rebounding improve dramatically so that he can used be as a PF - particularly against smaller teams. As for Jerami, I don't see him getting much playing time once the BE season starts unless he's substantially better than CJ & James which is unlikely. JB doesn't bench experienced players to play untested freshmen unless they have Carmelo-like talent or he has no other choice such as when there's no other battle-tested player at the position. After the first practices, JB will decide who is best able to play in his system and start them. My best guess right now is MCW, BT, CJ, DC & Rak. If DC is not ready, JB will play Baye or James depending upon whether he needs defense or offense. [/QUOTE]

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