McGary vs Morgan. Who do you start?

There are definitely great arguments for either scenario.  On one hand, Morgan has the experience, and plays great D (as said above).

However, I just can't get the missed layups and comparitively "soft" play when driving to the basket we have seen over the years.  I know he has been doing better this season, but those past impressions are what start to push me toward McGary.  His drive, demeanor, and tenacity on the court are always apparent.

Ultimately, however, if it is this energy, spark, and drive that make me take McGary, starting off the bench is where he should remain.  There is always the possibility that Morgan be charged with some quick fouls in the first half, and, if that were to occur, it feels great to know that McGary is waiting to be unleashed.

I'd like McGary to start, but he hasn't earned it yet. As long as they are more or less equal, you start Morgan, because of seniority. If either is having an off day, you sit them, and bring the other guy (or Horford) in to play.

Where things get sticky are when McGary's stats across the board are significantly better than Morgan's. That is to say, when McGary does the following:

• becomes an equal defender to Morgan; 
• doubles offensive output over Morgan, specifically:
• sets pick and roll and consistently is a threat for Burke to pass to and McGary to finish with points.

We saw this play out with Vogrich and Stauskas. Beilein fought it, but finally had to start Stauskas. When McGary's offensive production goes up, and he has the stamina, and he is defending approximately equal to Morgan, Beilein's hand will be forced, and McGary will start. It might not happen this year, but this is a nice problem to have.

I must say, this reminds me a bit of the NBA, where having a deep bench is very important. The drop off to the bench sometimes is very negligible, and often if just is who has the hot hand. Think, for instance, of Vinnie "the Microwave" Johnson back in the day for the Pistons. He not only could spell Isaiah or Dumars, but his production was at a high level, and when he was on, he was really on. It's nice to have something like that happening with McGary.

The better player need not start.

The real question you want to ask is who should play more.  I don't think the stats are going to answer that for you given the sample size of games, McGary's youth, defense, etc.

The system that is in place now is working so I wouldn't mess with it.  A better question may be who you have as your ending 5 because it's not so much how (or who) you start but how you finish.  Granted a huge hole to start against Ohio hurt but they did finish better.

I don't agree with "the better player should start" at all.  With McGary coming off the bench you can get a feel for the game and adjust as needed when coming in.  With McGary's aggressiveness, it's nice to see how the game is called as far as fouls go with him on the bench rather than finding out they're calling them close when he starts and has to sit the half after 5 minutes with 2 quick fouls.  Plus he'll match up better against a second unit big that comes in later (or it may force the other team to keep their main big in longer to match up with McGary when he comes in after 5 minutes or so).  If you start McGary and bring in Morgan for him, opposing coaches may feel they can substitute their big out once McGary leaves.

McGary may not start but he will start to log more minutes.

When I was in high school I was on the second unit (our coach would sub 5 at a time) but each day we would beat out the starters in practice yet he'd never start us.  Apparently there was pressure from the 'star' kids' parents to start their kid.  He fed their ego and started them but it was always our group ending the games with the starters sitting the bench.  Funny how those parents never complained about that...only who started.  This thread reminds me of those days.  Starting isn't that big of a deal.  Team chemistry is greater than starting your best players and Belien has that with the rotation he's got going now.

Both........go big, slide GR3 to the 3, and Morgan to the 4. Stauskas can be the first off the bench for GR3 or Hardaway. Now you have NBA size, and a dynamic player coming off of the bench. This also allows for Horford to rotate more often for Morgan and McGary when healthy. 

Morgan's experience and defense dictates that he should start. Plus I love McGary's energy off the bench. Pretty sure that the existing lineup is what we will see the remainder of the year.

As if Morgan start/ McGary off the bench needed another vote, I will gladly do the honors. Start the smart experience vet, and let the kid run wild off the bench..."release the hounds" should be the chant when Spike, LeVert, and McGary are in at the same time.

the bench - team is 16 - 1, why mess with success?