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Message: [QUOTE="oldhusky, post: 4451931, member: 9844"] On some of your points we may be closer than it appears at first. I agree with the concept that you don't necessarily play the 5 best players, partly because it might mean playing someone out of position where they are less effective. I have used that line of reasoning as to why I believed Nika made more sense starting than Lou, when Caroline was healthy and presumably a starter with Azzi. That was because I thought Azzi could play the point, but is a much better player as SG. With next year, however, if you had to pick between Azzi and Paige as to who played the 3, if both of them started with Nika, the best choice might be Paige. She is longer, rebounds better etc. So in that case two players would be at their natural position, Nika PG and Azzi SG. Paige would have an adjustment for sure, but i think she could do it well. I think Paige could be an All American at 3 positions, and while we don't have a track record with her at the 3, last year when Nika and Paige were on the floor together, Nika mostly at the point worked better than the other way around, so I think Paige has at least for SG proved that she can be just as good there as at the point. My "burden of proof" comment regarding KK applies just to the possibility of her being a prominent part of the rotation. She could easily spend the year learning under Paige and Nika and that is probably what most expect from her next year. My point is that if she does want to break into the rotation her freshmen year, she needs to approach the level of play of Aubrey or Caroline since they could handle the backup small minutes by themselves. When Aubrey or Caroline was in the game, they would play mostly the 3. If they were both in the game at the same time one of them, probably Caroline would be the 2 and Aubrey the 3. You wouldn't have Azzi or Paige at the 3 if either Aubrey or Caroline was available. If Aubrey or Caroline came in for Nika, Paige or Azzi would move to the point. If it was a 5 small rotation, then you could keep just about everyone in their natural position, or one where they are very comfortable. Nika at PG, Azzi at SG, Aubrey at SF, and Paige playing PG/SG, and Caroline SG/SF. That certainly looks like a very potent combination to me, so KK or anyone else trying to crack the rotation at 1-3 has a pretty high bar to clear, and be very good to force Geno to put them in the rotation. Regardless it will be interesting. The sure thing is that everyone will have Paige and Azzi in the starting lineup. The debate will be between Nika, Caroline and Aubrey for the third small. If it is Nika, Paige or Azzi will need to be a 3. That would be an adjustment, and that is a fair point, but I don't think it would be that difficult for either player. I think we can forecast a long thread on this subject prior to next season! [/QUOTE]

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