Re: Mercer at small forward

[Alex Wang <awang@mit.edu>]

Well, Pheonix did make it to the playoffs with a three guard lineup,
and Orlando used one with some success (I'm counting Anderson and 
Hardaway as guards though they both have superior post up skills
than Mercer). But I agree with you, I think Denver is going to get
killed. They are going to be undersized at every position. Even 
McDyess is kind of skinny though ferocious.

I remember Joe Dumars posting up Ron Mercer with a lot of success
his rookie year. If he can't stop an old 6'3" guard, he's in for
a long year defensively at small forward. I just don't think that
Denver had much choice. Keeping Fortson wouldn't help their first
unit because neither Forston or McDyess will work as a small forward.
So they might be thinking, "if we're going with three guards we might
as well have a bigger one in Mercer." But you'll probably see Mercer
taking minutes away from Billups at the 2; or maybe they even try to
train Billups to play some 1 too.

Alex
 
> We're not talking about Mercer filling in at forward for a minute or two 
> here, although I can't say I even remember that happening last year.  Seems 
> to me, Minor and Bowen were used at forward and not Ron.  What we're talking 
> about is Ron logging major forward minutes alongside a backcourt that is no 
> bigger than Kenny and Marlon Garnett (ie. NVE and Chauncey).  I'm no expert 
> on Raef LaFrentz, but I don't believe he's the most physical big man around, 
> either.  I know this is the Western Conference, but when is the last time a 
> three guard lineup ever amounted to anything.  How do you think Ron's going 
> to look matched up with Shareef or Antoine?  Does he know how to defend in 
> the post at all?  Does he know where the post is?  When's the last time you 
> saw an all-star forward with zero inside moves?  Denver's lack of inside 
> options is irrelevant.  If that were a concern to them, they wouldn't have 
> traded Fortson and Williams for a guard and a forward who's an unknown due 
> to injury.  Issel obviously considers Mercer a "three", or he wouldn't have 
> made the trade.  I guess it's just that in Denver the "three" is another 
> guard.  Must be the altitude.
> 
> Jim
> 
> 
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