I love threads like this. They get me excited about the future because they get you thinking about just how improved the roster really is going to look in the coming years. I would say the theme for next years roster (and largely what I think Tad wants his teams to be about) is running and versatility. We have a ton of guys who can play multiple positions, and next year we'll really be able to stretch the floor like we never have before.
I've seen a lot of people basically penciling in Talton to be the back up PG, but I wouldn't be entirely sure about that. I'll admit that no one has shown as much improvement as him since the start of the season, but as has been pointed out by WW on the other site, he's easily the worst ball handler amongst the players expected to do that. His jump shot is pretty good, but I'd say he has just average court vision at this point. I contend that we should not forget that Jaron Hopkins was listed as a PG at one point, and he was listed as such for a reason. Go watch his videos again. he's got great court vision, tight handles, and he's a very explosive athlete. The only thing Jaron lacks is a consistent jumper. If that description of Jaron sounded familiar, it's because I think he's kind of a player in the mold of a Tony Wroten. I'm not saying he's as good as Wroten, but he has the same kind of game and can play PG, SG, or SF if need be.
Bear with me because there are going to be a lot of guys listed at more than one position, but here's how I see next years lineup shaping up.
PG- Dinwiddie...Talton/Hopkins, Stalzer
SG- Booker...Hopkins/Jenkins/Talton, Fletcher
SF- X. Johnson...Hopkins/Jenkins, Fletcher/Thomas
PF- Roberson...Gordon, X. Johnson/Thomas
C- Scott...Gordon, Roberson/Thomas(if we really need to open up the lane by pulling out a big man)
That's a convoluted looking lineup, but that because all those guys are capable of playing all those different positions. The versatility, athleticism, and shot making ability of the roster next year really has to make one salivate when thinking about all the possibilities.
I'd love to be able to have Adams in there somewhere because I think he's finally figured out his game and gotten comfortable and has become a reliable back-up, but I don't know if he'll be back next year given that we have to make room for the three new guys. As has been previously mentioned I could also see Stalzer coming off scholarship next year because I'm sure he was given a year to year deal and was not guaranteed that his 'ship would be there no matter what.
To take it even another step forward, if/when we land Perkins or Collier (I'd prefer Perkins and would prefer we only take one), I don't think the impact of losing Dinwiddie will be felt in huge way in '14. Also, I think the combination of Gordon and Thomas can replace and even add more to the lineup than what we will be losing with Andre after next season. Don't forget both Gordon and Thomas put up great numbers on the boards in high school. I don't think they have the instincts or athletic ceiling of Andre, but they are both already bigger and are athletes.
In a perfect world we'd also be able to land a guy like a Malik Pope in '14, in which case look out country. That might be a dream signing, but no one really seems to have any clue on Pope at this point aside from the fact he'll probably stay in the West.
In summation, the future is bright. Get used to winning folks.
