[JoeWolf1]

After two years in the NBA Julian Wright has proved to be just another inconsistent lottery pick with the “potential” label still hanging around his neck. It looks like he’ll get his chance this year to prove whether he was worth his draft status or not. This was posted on insider this morning.

Hornets coach Byron Scott has informed Julian Wright that the starting small forward job is his to lose. Throughout the summer, Scott had considered making Peja Stojakovic a backup in hopes of extending his career and strengthening the bench with another scorer.

“Right now Julian is the starting three,” Scott told The Times-Picayune. “It’s his position to lose. He’s comfortable and he has a lot of confidence in himself. I think he knows we have a lot of confidence in him.”

I personally think he can succeed in this role. The have Chris Paul who can push the ball and really makes everyone around him better. Despite Julian’s limited minutes his first two years he would occasionally crack sportscenter’s top 10 with a highlight fast break dunk or as the benefactor of a Paul alley oop. West is a legit low post scorer and Wright will not be expected to carry any large offensive burden (which is where he struggles, ex. his summer league shot selection), and I think Julian can play a Boris Diaw role on this team, playing defense, creating shots for teammates as well as himself, and running the floor. I think he is going to surprise some people this season, I think he is could average around the 12ppg 4 rpg 3 apg with a block and a steal if he has his consistency and confidence down. What do you guys think?

[Champzilla21Participant]

I thought this was a great pick for the hornets and i still think he was. Hes excellent in the fast break and could finsh in transition with the best of them. He also can dribble and pass which would relieve chris paul from having to create everything. Julian wright could do what Trevor ariza did and more, all he has to do is be able to knock down that open shot and not force anything, and play some nice D

[tli232]

I like this notion of Wright winning MIP for a few reasons. Just off the top of my head, they have Mo Peterson, Devin Brown, and maybe Posey (defensive quickness at the 2 issues). All of those guys are getting up there in age and probably can’t effectively guard against the likes of Iguodala, Ginobili, Roy, amongst others. This is where Julian Wright steps in. He’s not a lockdown defender yet, but his physical attributes and his youth should make him a better wing defender than the three SG options.

Furthermore, Peja is what… 33? In today’s NBA, if you can’t play defense, you’re not starting. I legitimately see the time spilt at the three to be about 28-20 for Wright.

I also see the Hornets going with a small lineup to imitate the Suns of yesteryear as Okafor is the only legit Center on this team. Looking at his past, he’s gotten into foul trouble an awful lot for a starting center due to his aggressive defense. I mean, when Okafor goes to the bench, would you want to play a similar style and put Hilton Armstrong in?

I think not.

Would you rather have a lineup like:
C- West
PF- Wright
SF- Peja
SG- Posey / mo Pete
PG- Paul

or…

C- HIlton Armstrong
PF- West
SF- Wright / Peja
SG- Posey/ Mo Pete
PG – Paul

My point is this: the smaller the NO roster gets (with Okafor on bench, of course), the better for Wright as from what I’ve seen, he’s most effective in transition to semi transition filling lanes and shooting mid range jumpers from time to time. And from the looks of it, they should be running a fair bit this year, perhaps turning Wright into a poor man’s Josh Smith.

thoughts?

[dwilks101586Participant]

And would Okafor off the bench. I think they didnt do that trade to bench a double-double guy.

this is my lineup……

C-Okafor ( Armstrong needs more time to develop)

PF- West ( West is a lock at the 4 but i hate him for punkin Dirk lol)

SF-Wright (Cause Peja said he wanted to come off the bench so he can have a longer career but he is the highest paid on the team)

SG-Posey(by defalt) cause Mo cant stay healthy and Thornton will get he’s time

PG-Who else? lol CP3

[doubledribblerParticipant]

I think the team might not be that good going small. I don’t think they have enough speed or quickness surrounding Paul to do that. The only guys on that team I could see him running with are Collison, Wright, Okafor and maybe the kid from LSU, but there is no way you put all of those guys on the floor at the same time together. But from looking at what is posted, they are in serious need of a lot of talent. They have too many guys on the downside of their career, their 2nd and 3rd best guys aren’t going to improve much more and they don’t have many guys with high upside.

[dwilks101586Participant]

wright will get Most improved and if not top 3 in vote because anytime u have paul on ur team he’s goin to make u better

[tli232]

I meant that Okafor WILL start. It’s just that he tends to get in foul trouble a lot. So, they could employ the small lineup as opposed to the one featuring Armstrong at the 5.

[youngmagParticipant]

Thorton will be startin soon I could see it. Wright should start it will even them out especially for defense.

[SlimParticipant]

Yea Thornton played like OJ Mayo in college
but with a LOT more fire…
plus he’s from Baton Rouge

4 years in college (2 in JC)=hungry=He’s my sleeper pick for ROY

[youngmagParticipant]

But he won’t be one of the main options so he won’t really win it…Jennings or Tyreke is a lock for that spot.

[SlimParticipant]

What about Stephen Curry lol

Warriors guard Stephen Curry believes that he’ll be among the players in the running for the NBA’s Rookie of the Year award this season.

“Definitely,” Curry told HoopsHype when asked if he felt he was a strong candidate.

“If my opportunity comes, I’m going to take it and run with it. I feel like I’m one one the best guys that were drafted this year. Hopefully I’ll get the opportunity to play and show that.”

[JNixonParticipant]

If he gets dealt to NewYork or Pheonix its a definite possibility

[youngmagParticipant]

Currys game is perfect for Golden State since no one over there plays defense but Monte keeps complaining so I don’t think Curry is going to be able to play his game the way he wants too.

[SlimParticipant]

defense wins championships
GSW is kidding themselves if they think they can duplicate PHX
I think they’re dumb for not taking the step in the right direction as far as defense goes
just look at PHX they’re defensive personel all left

IMO
if you can’t play both offense and defense is a role player (tony allen/redick/Curry/morrison)
Joe Dumars/John Stocktons should be the model for
young PGs not all offense Steve Nash/Allen Iverson types

[Author]

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