ill receive the most minutes on the floor and will
play down the stretch of a game and season (i.e.
"playoff" squad).<br><br>Point Guard - Alvin
Williams<br>Every great team has a "general" or floor leader who
can control the offence by having court awareness,
good ball-handling skills and, most importantly, a
passing game. Williams has all the tools to be that
"type" of player but his inexperience limits him. He
needs to get the ball as often as he can (as well as
the minutes) and, more importantly, "want" to handle
the rock. His ball-handling would keep turnovers
down. His talent is may be a bit under-appreciated.
<br><br>Shooting guard - Doug Christie<br>Tenacious defender
against all opposing guards ... maybe "hogging" ball a
bit on offense (but who isn't) ... needs to "throw
away" one-on-one game and focus more on team play ...
good post game but needs to work on positioning when
receiving the ball ... a bit streaky beyond the arc ...
will defend "prime-time" players (eg. Pippen,
K.Byrant) in the late minutes of the game. <br><br>Small
Forward - John Wallace<br>A key position that requires an
offence-minded player. Third-year player John Wallace has shown
he can score consistently in this league and
deserves more minutes this year... still has unstopable
short jumper - just his timing is a little "off" ...
has worked on and shown improvements in rebounding
and defending ...confidence level down - but who
wouldn't be after being beaten by a "rookie" (i.e.Vince
Carter) for the starting job ... more minutes will help
him find "lost" timing on offence.<br><br>Power
Forward - Charles Oakley<br>A no-brainer.<br><br>Center -
Kevin Willis<br>Team's highest scorer ... good post
game and short game ... descent defender ...
veteran-savvy ... intense player on the boards.<br><br>First
Substition:<br>These players will see the first action when they can
off the bench. <br>1. Vince Carter - for
Christie<br>From one highly atheletic player to another. Explosive
slasher ... needs to develop a jumpshot beyand arc and a
strong defence to be complete player... team can't
depend on a rookie for the latter part of games, so he
will see action in the first and third quarters.<br>2.
Michael Stewart - for Willis (and his aching back) Good
defender, rebounder ... still a young player who needs
experience and minutes ... can learn from mentors, Willis
and Oakley, by playing behind them.<br>3. Tracy
McGrady - for Oakley <br>Improved player from last year
... but still inexperienced and needs minutes ...
explosive like his cousin Vinnie but still needs an outside
jumper ... almost there (as a prime-time NBA player) but
not quite ... maybe next year.<br><br>Second
Substitution:<br>Mark Baker - for Alvin Williams<br>"Fat" chance that
this will happen. But from what I heard, he's got good
floor instincts and can handle the rock like a true
point guard. So, why not give him a shot? ... he can
keep turnovers down with his good ball-handling skills
... descent shooting (but I could only guess since he
see's so little action).<br> <br>Third
Substitution:<br>Dee Brown- I'd play this guy at shoot guard where he
can work his perimeter shot, at will ... he would
play in the fourth quarter if Christie suffers another
oh-for-ten night... will be the third-string point guard ...
will receive 10-15 minutes a game for his veteran
presence.<br><br>The "Hack-a-Shaq" Squad:<br>These players will use
whatever "fouling" techiniques they can by defending
("hacking") poor free-throw shooting centers/power fowards in
the league ... will receive limited minutes. <br>1.
Reggie Slater- Recently, seeing a lot of minutes because
of his aggressive play... too short to defend
centers or power forwards ... has shown that he has
worked on perimeter game.<br>2. Sean Marks - Will get,
at least, one alley-oop dunk a game<br>3. John
Thomas - A young forward who plays intense ball