It's official. Coro says that we will be starting Warrick over Hedo tonight. And Hedo will probably be the first sub in for Grant Hill. Looking forward to seeing that lineup.
Better late than never. When it happens, it will be a welcome sight.
But there is much more to it than the starting lineup and first round of substitutions.
I am sure that Gentry will know how to effectively use substitution time for Hedo to spell Warrick at PF (until he can find a better long-term solution at that position) and use him to be on the court with Dragic as a Small Forward double-Point threat, as well as perhaps being on the court with the game on the line (depending upon matchups), having shown that he has the skills to be a money player.
Being able to go with the hot hand with Grant Hill or Hedo at various times at the SF is also a plus.
This one move affects three different positions, as well pick-and-roll low post scoring and another 3-point threat vs. rebounding at the "4".
It will also diminish wearing out Hill's getting the third most minutes on the team (29.9) and perhaps even Nash getting the most minutes (34.4), as the two oldest players on the roster.
JRich should certainly be getting the most minutes and have the opportunity to score into the mid-20's every night .
And it reduces our remaining unfilled needs down to a legitimate backup Center and Power Forward.
That's a lot of plusses in one move, for what has been a dysfunctional team.
Versus previous changes in the lineups over the years for both the Suns and especially the D'backs, then undoing them without explanation despite showing good results, I have no doubt that Alvin Gentry will not abandon it if it works.
