First and foremost, as a fan base I'd like to know where everyone stands. If you agree and/or disagree, state why...
Stoudemire is on the verge of returning which is why I created this thread. Should be back by Christmas, or maybe even before. We're only 7 games away before our matchup with the Lakers come Christmas day, and Stoudemire will be there.
In today's NBA you can have 13 players active per game night. Once both Shumpert and Stoudemire return, James White and Chris Copeland will then slide over. A currently 15-5 team being on the verge of replacing White and Copeland with the likes of Shumpert and Stoudemire? Sign me up.
It appears as if Stoudemire's expected to come off the bench upon his return, and rightfully so, but I do believe that we'll work Stoudemire into our starting lineup sooner rather than later. But this time, he'll understand that our offense goes through Melo. Which is why Amar'e being out, starting off our season, could end up being/becoming a blessing in disguise moving forward. We all know that it's Melo's team moving forward, and Amar'e has always been an outstanding teammate, which means that Stoudemire will play his role in regards to helping us compete for a championship.
Stoudemire's return to the starting lineup should really help our team overall. A.) Brewer then goes to the bench as more team depth. B.) Melo then goes back to his natural position (SF) and C.) Melo at SF along with Stoudemire at PF should improve our ability to board off the glass. Melo's stronger than Brewer off the glass and Stoudemire's stronger than Melo off the glass; a trickling effect.
I'm getting way ahead of myself. Lets look at our rotation upon Stoudemire's return...
C: Tyson Chandler.
PF: Carmelo Anthony.
SF: Ronnie Brewer.
2G: Jason Kidd.
PG: Raymond Felton.
C: Rasheed Wallace / Marcus Camby.
PF: Amar'e Stoudemire / Kurt Thomas.
SF: Steve Novak.
2G: J.R Smith.
PG: Pablo Prigioni.
Look at that backup unit. Pretty scary. Unlimited options for our coaching staff. We could rest both Melo and Kidd at the PF and 2G positions with Stoudemire (PF) and J.R Smith (2G). Also, having Rasheed Wallace as a stretch 5 who can drain the deep ball could become huge for Stoudemire working in space down low. I really hope to see lots of Stoudemire and Rasheed Wallace working together, because Rasheed can open up the court in order for Stoudemire to feast with space. Continue to use both J.R Smith and Steve Novak as a duo off the bench, but we could (now) be on the verge of a few more bench duo's. A.) Wallace and Stoudemire. B.) J.R and Stoudemire and/or C.) Novak and Stoudemire. Crazy just thinking about it...
Now, what happens once Shumpert returns? By that time, I believe Stoudemire will have returned to our starting lineup. Like Stoudemire, I believe we'll work Shumpert back into our starting lineup. Allowing Kidd more rest along with Kidd working more with our backup unit moving forward.
C: Tyson Chandler.
PF: Amar'e Stoudemire.
SF: Carmelo Anthony.
2G: Jason Kidd.
PG: Raymond Felton.
C: Marcus Camby.
PF: Rasheed Wallace / Kurt Thomas.
SF: Iman Shumpert / Ronnie Brewer.
2G: J.R Smith
PG: Pablo Prigioni.
Our bench then becomes so deep, where you'll have to play one of either Shumpert or J.R Smith out of position (depth chart wise). J.R, Shumpert and Brewer will provide us with amazing perimeter defense off the bench. Insane.
I also believe that Stoudemire being surrounded by defensive BIG's such as Chandler, Camby, Wallace and Kurt Thomas will help Stoudemire himself in regards to the defensive end of the court. He'll be held accountable by these veteran big men, and I believe we'll see a focused and hungry Stoudemire in return on the defensive end. He can rebound and contest shots, that's not a question. The defensive talent is there. It's all about focus with Amar'e and defense. If we get a focused Stoudemire, watch out.
Now, come postseason play, will Shumpert and Stoudemire both return to our starting lineup? I really hope so.
C: Tyson Chandler.
PF: Amar'e Stoudemire.
SF: Carmelo Anthony.
2G: Iman Shumpert.
PG: Raymond Felton.
C: Marcus Camby.
PF: Rasheed Wallace / Kurt Thomas.
SF: Steve Novak / Ronnie Brewer.
2G: J.R Smith.
PG: Jason Kidd / Pablo Prigioni.
And that's our 13 man rotation when fully healthy.
I truthfully love that starting 5. Defensive minded players in Shumpert and Chandler. Felton and Melo can also D-up. Offense in Felton, Melo and Stoudemire. Shumpert can also contribute on offense and Chandler finishes anything near the rim. We also feature rebounding in Melo, Stoudemire and Chandler in regards to our frontcourt. Looks to be a very well balanced starting 5.
That backup unit looks to be deadly with a future H.O.F PG in Jason Kidd running the show.
J.R Smith for instant offense and/or defensive energy off the bench. Novak as a threat beyond the arc. Brewer for lockdown perimeter defense. Kurt, Rasheed and Camby for veteran BIG's down low. Pablo Prigioni as a player who can (help) keep Kidd fresh moving forward.
I just like the idea of Shumpert developing with our stars, Melo replacing Brewer at his natural position (SF) along with Shumpert replacing Kidd at 2G. Allowing Kidd the opportunity rest up while leading our backup unit.
Raymond Felton, Jason Kidd, Pablo Prigioni, Iman Shumpert, J.R Smith, Ronnie Brewer, Steve Novak, Carmelo Anthony, Amar'e Stoudemire, Kurt Thomas, Rasheed Wallace, Marcus Camby and Tyson Chandler.
In all my years of watching NBA basketball, I've never once seen a team as deep as this one. So I'll understand if we all have our own differences in regards to our starting lineup and/or rotation moving forward. Well over 20 years of watching, and have never once seen anything like this before. 13 deep without question. When fully healthy, this team can not be stopped.
