Re: Mercer at small forward

[j.hironaka@unesco.org]

Not that I adhere to this train of thought, but aren't you forgetting the Knicks'
presumably anomalous 3-guard playoff run?

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Alex Wang wrote:

> 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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