The Starting 5: Will it include Watson? Or Timme?

[tyra]

Assume we have a season on some basis (please dear God, please). There seems to be a difference of opinion on the board about who will start. The consensus picks: Suggs, Kispert, Ayayi, Petrusev. Some have suggested Timme will start in the fifth spot; others have said Watson. Setting aside the usual “it doesn’t matter who starts but who is in the game at the end” comments, what are the relative merits of each player starting (or coming in later)? (This is the kind of problem/challenge every team would love to have.)

[GoZags]

Assume we have a season on same basis (please dear God, please). There seems to be a difference of opinion on the board about who will start. The consensus picks: Suggs, Kispert, Staying, Petrusev. Some have suggested Timme will start in the fifth spot; others have said Watson. Setting aside the usual “it doesn’t matter who starts but who is in the game at the end” comments, what are the relative merits of each player starting (or coming in later)? (This is the kind of problem/challenge every team would love to have.)

I'll go with Watson as the 5th starter ... he was starting before he went down and I think has the most upside. Also ... thinking that "Staying" may be a "thought typo" for Ayayi in your post, tyra.

Like you I am hoping against hope for "some" basketball this season. I'd take (in a heartbeat) a conference season ... then tourney starting after the 1st of the year.

[Zagceo]

I'd guess Watson. The fact that he started last year as GoZags pointed out tell us the staff had a lot of trust in his ability.

I'm optimistic about having a season.....a lot can change in 6 months.

[bdmiller7]

https://www.slipperstillfits.com/202...gas-frontcourt

This article from TSSF outlines all the reasons I've been thinking Watson will start. I think Timme plays a ton of minutes, but Watson will fit better with Petrusev. Both start if Petrusev leaves.

[GoZags]

https://www.slipperstillfits.com/202...gas-frontcourt

... Both start if Petrusev leaves.

Bingo.

[Birddog]

I think Timme starts until Watson is 100% recovered and confident in his shoulder.

[hockeyzag]

Timme was great for us last year but I would be much more excited to see Watson start. He's going to be a star for the Zags, and he was playing so well as a freshman before his shoulder got hurt.

As the Slipper Still Fits article points out, defensive efficiency is much better when Watson teams with Petrusev than when Timme does. Offensive efficiency stays much the same.

[jazzdelmar]

Timme was great for us last year but I would be much more excited to see Watson start. He's going to be a star for the Zags, and he was playing so well as a freshman before his shoulder got hurt.

As the Slipper Still Fits article points out, defensive efficiency is much better when Watson teams with Petrusev than when Timme does. Offensive efficiency stays much the same.

After Suggs, Watty is the best player on the team.

[hockeyzag]

After Suggs, Watty is the best player on the team.

Tough to put him ahead of a senior Kispert but with Watson's talent I wouldn't argue.

I hope you're right about Suggs.

[jsnider]

https://www.slipperstillfits.com/202...gas-frontcourt

This article from TSSF outlines all the reasons I've been thinking Watson will start. I think Timme plays a ton of minutes, but Watson will fit better with Petrusev. Both start if Petrusev leaves.

Assuming Petrusev comes back, I think Watson starts at the 4. They complement each other better and Watson is the best defender on the team. Neither Petrusev or Timme excel on defense. Plus Timme and Petrusev are very similar in style and neither can stretch the floor as well as Watson can. Their best lineup if everyone comes back is Suggs/Ayayi/Kispert/Watson/Petrusev with Timme getting considerable minutes. Their talent and depth this year is undeniable. This just might be the deepest and most talented team yet if everyone returns - a big if. If Petrusev does not return but the other two do then yes Watson and Timme both start. And according to the article above that is the best combination. But I hope that Petusev does return.

[gonstu]

Assuming Petrusev comes back, I think Watson starts at the 4. They complement each other better and Watson is the best defender on the team. Neither Petrusev or Timme excel on defense. Plus Timme and Petrusev are very similar in style and neither can stretch the floor as well as Watson can. Their best lineup if everyone comes back is Suggs/Ayayi/Kispert/Watson/Petrusev with Timme getting considerable minutes. Their talent and depth this year is undeniable. This just might be the deepest and most talented team yet if everyone returns - a big if. If Petrusev does not return but the other two do then yes Watson and Timme both start. And according to the article above that is the best combination. But I hope that Petusev does return.

Maybe. But it will take quite a bit to change my perception of the Final 4 team as the most talented. Your two bigs off the bench were Collins and Tillie. !WOW!

[Mr Vulture]

After Suggs, Watty is the best player on the team.

Second most talented, I could buy that. Second best player, not even close right now, IMO.

[jsnider]

Maybe. But it will take quite a bit to change my perception of the Final 4 team as the most talented. Your two bigs off the bench were Collins and Tillie. !WOW!

That final 4 team was special wasn't it. Collins and Tillie coming off the bench was truly special. I can't and won't argue with you on your point. Only time will tell if this team can match that team. On paper this team might be deeper with Timme, Ballo, Cook, Pavel, Arlo, (the other 2 freshman) all coming off the bench. I have a feeling that if everyone comes back - Arlo might redshirt but there are 10 guys who deserve a fair amount of minutes although there won't be enough minutes to go around. Quite a contrast to last year's team when some games we had a core rotation of 6 when both Tillie and Watson were hurt. Is a starting lineup of Suggs/Ayayi/Kispert/Watson/Petrusev < = > Williams Goss/Perkins/Matthews/JW3/Karnowski? Bottom line is - we should be very proud of both teams. 1A and 1B.

[jazzdelmar]

Second most talented, I could buy that. Second best player, not even close right now, IMO.

Of course. Mean upside.

[jazzdelmar]

Maybe. But it will take quite a bit to change my perception of the Final 4 team as the most talented. Your two bigs off the bench were Collins and Tillie. !WOW!

With a young Rui way down the bench.

[GoZags]

With a young Rui way down the bench.

I am kinda liking Oumar Ballo on this year’s bench. Plus an improved Zakharov also ready to come in.

[FlyZag]

Watson starts, Timme in at crunch time (end of game).

[zagamatic]

With a young Rui way down the bench.

IIRC, Norvell would have been eligible that year as well had he not been recovering from knee surgery. I believe that had he been able to play even 7 minutes a game, that team would have had a great chance at being undefeated

[katman50]

Am believing Drew will start, initially. They will both get lots of minutes.

[jazzdelmar]

IIRC, Norvell would have been eligible that year as well had he not been recovering from knee surgery. I believe that had he been able to play even 7 minutes a game, that team would have had a great chance at being undefeated

Fewer shots for Jordan, NWG, Josh may not have been such a good outcome.
Nevertheless, how many NBA players will have come from that roster when Tils get the nod? Too many for me to count.

[TheOtherGreatOne]

To me Timme reminds me of Kevin McHale with his inside moves and footwork. To me that says he starts. Watson never impressed me nearly as much as ha apparently did some of you other people. To me Timme is a pro in the making, I'm not that sure about Watson. That's just my opinion of course.

[TexasZagFan]

To me Timme reminds me of Kevin McHale with his inside moves and footwork. To me that says he starts. Watson never impressed me nearly as much as ha apparently did some of you other people. To me Timme is a pro in the making, I'm not that sure about Watson. That's just my opinion of course.

Rarely have I seen a freshman dominate an opponent as we saw from Drew in the WCC title game. He has elite footwork and passing skills that complement his ability to grab rebounds. Which of the two should start? They’re both deserving.

[FriarZag]

Every player on this roster is skilled at putting the ball in the bucket. What will separate Watson from the pack, net him a starting spot, and earn more minutes per game than most will be his next-level ability as a disruptor on defense. The only thing that would hold him back is the shoulder.

[FloridaZagFan]

I think Timme was awesome last year. He may not have the upside of Watson but the guy is solid. Needs to shoot a higher % at the line but for a freshmen the guy was nails!
After the injury Watson was clearly playing with fear. His sample size was so small last year. So for my vote Timme starts.
So many viable options in the front court.

[MDABE80]

In Some ways, it really doesn't matter who starts. Few picks the best lineup to deal with the opponent. If that changes during a game, we have so much talent that even if Filip left, we'd still be a no 1. This promises to be a spectacular season. It's regrettable this disease is changing things.