The biggest surprise, I think, will be how much the need for defense and rebounding alters our roster expectations. I see more time for Stewart, Ross and Abraham and less for McNeeley and even Karaban than most expect.
It's unfair, I know, to judge a player's defensive abilities by his play in an all-star game. but Liam simply did not show up at all, defensively, in the Jordan Brand Classic. He not only was beaten many times on defense, but every time. He not only grabbed no defensive rebounds but made no effort to do. His lack of aggressiveness was almost Polleyesque.
I know, he was MVP of the game, but I wonder if he would have been MVP on DH's ballot.
Karaban will get his minutes, of course, but Stewart stole a few minutes from Alex several times last year and I see that happening routinely this year (that is, unless Stewart starts at the 3 over McNeeley).
I just think that Alex and Liam at the corners leaves us vulnerable both defensively and on the boards Last year we had very aggressive, strong rebounding guards (Newton and Castle) to offset a lack of agility at the fore corners. And Spencer, although slow-footed, was an instinctive rebounder. I'm not sure we have that offset this year.
