My money is on Rui. Word heading into camp that Rui and Prince had the upper hand. For them to have made the decision already without seeing each iteration of the lineup has to be from having Intel from how a player looked this summer. Rui traveled and trained with Handy and then did the same with Bron when he was stateside. True, Vando was there with Camp Handy but I don't think only Handy's vote is enough to tip the scales. A stellar review from Bron regarding his shadow could do the trick, though.
I'm pretty sure it's Rui. I like the idea of Prince as well, but with Rui getting the contract and the props this summer from Lebron I have to believe he's the favorite.
Personally I think Vando makes the most sense (unless we’re playing a team with no elite wing scorer and don’t really need his defense). I like the idea of starting the game with Vando’s energy and defensive intensity against the opposing team’s best wing, and feel like we don’t necessarily need Rui’s offensive firepower in the starting lineup. Then we bring Rui off the bench as our sixth man when Lebron needs a breather. I think that’s a point in the game where we could better utilize Rui’s offense, and he’d likely be going up against the opposing team’s reserves. Meanwhile if we go the other direction and bring Vando off the bench, his defense may not be as important when the other team has their bench rotation in. In conclusion, Rui will start.
Pippen Jr if he sprouted 9 inches within 3 weeks But if Darvin is smart this would be the starters AD Woods Castleton Bron Vando. Hayes Rui Prince. Lewis AR Christie CR DAR GV. JHS Hodge
Ham is not that complicated, my bet would be Vando. Rui has impressed too, and they have said Prince ran some with the starters, but I think they want Rui as a 6th man. Vando probably fits best with the starting group, go out and give all out energy on D and then come out for Prince or Rui after 5-6 mins.
I hope and think it will be Vando starting. That’s the only call that makes sense to me for balancing the bench scoring and initial defense. If Rui started our offense would be ridiculous good, but he’s not a SF defensively. Rui doesn’t have the lateral quickness to slid his feet and keep up with the best wing players. Teams would abuse forcing a switch to tire LeBron out. That said, I’d bet just as much that Rui ends games on the court.
lol this was my thought process exactly. ham won't get out of his own way in this regard, and i'd be lying if his early love for jhs didn't make fear that he could be the 5th starter. at sf. i'm only slightly exaggerating my concern. so yes, vando makes most sense to me as the starter, but i think rui is going to get it. again, ham talks a lot about defense but most of his lineup decisions are about prioritizing offense.
IMO there are 4-5 guys that could be the fifth starter and it doesn't matter a ton. With DLO and LeBron being suspect on defense it will likely be a strong defender. But like abeer said Ham talks defense but his line ups reflect offense. I start Max because he will not hurt us on either end and I'm already looking at the playoffs. As good as Max is now if we use the regular season to develop him, he will be like having another Austin by playoff time. In my evaluations Max is going to be an all-star level player sooner than later. I want him a comfortable starter by playoff time, so I start developing him day one. Lots of options and paths to take so I'm not sweating it however it goes, but that is my thinking. I'm comparing his impact to that of Dennis Johnson with the Sonics. Not playing style but impact. Dennis kind of came out of nowhere. This kind of forces AD at the five but that is what happens when you name starters before you have camp. I'm really looking forward to an AD, Christian, Rui, Max and Austin line up at some point. We have a surplus of great line up possibilities.
Vando makes more sense with Wood plus either Riu or Lebron rather than AD - his offensive concerns would be helped somewhat with a more 4 out offense Suspect it will be Prince still although I'd love to see Max in their.
Based on what Ham just said late yesterday, and ignoring the fact he says one thing and then does something else, which kinda sucks …. I think it will be Vando. The reporter asked him what he wanted from that player and he laughed and said if he answered everyone would know. The only thing that could be where it would be that clear is if he said “defense” and setting the tone early, or something to that effect. Would have to be Vando. If he says strong defense and offense (or words to the effect NOT prioritizing defense) then we all could be wondering between Rui, Prince or less likely Max C.
The only real shocker here would be if it were Wood, Max, Hayes or Reddish who are all pretty much slated to come off the bench. Vando, Rui and Prince are all viable candidates and none would be truly surprising. Maybe Prince would be because he seems the least familiar and least likely.
