NBA Training Camp Battles: Starting Lineup Postions, Pt. 1

Here is a look at Pt. 1 in a two-part series that I call NBA Training Camp Battles.

It is where I look at each team and analyze the battles for rotation spots at certain positions and give my opinion on who will win the job.

Pt. 1 will look at each team's starting lineups and give you analysis on who will battle for each open position in training camp.

Starting Lineup Battles

The long-awaited segment of Training Camp Battles is here. I will go through teams in the league that will have a flurry of rotation battles as the season approaches.

Atlanta Hawks

Starting PG: Jamal Crawford vs. Mike Bibby

This should be interesting as Jamal Crawford is the big addition to the Hawks this season and most likely will back up the shooting guard spot while playing spot minutes at the point, but one has to wonder if the Hawks don’t view Crawford as a way to reduce Mike Bibby’s minutes during the season in order to keep him fresh during the playoffs. Crawford played point guard in Golden State and New York and can score in bunches but, as said earlier, is better suited as a scorer; it will be fun to watch the battle in camp.

Winner: Mike Bibby

Charlotte Bobcats

Starting PG: Raymond Felton vs. D.J. Augustin

Raymond Felton is still without a contract and will likely sign the club’s one year offer and bolt next season in free agency, but he faces stiff competition in second-year guard D.J. Augustin for the starting point guard spot.

Felton brings more experience and better passing skills, but no one can deny that Augustin is a speedster who can fill up the lane in a hurry and get quick points. The question is can Augustin develop more of a pass first role in order to win the job over Felton?

Winner: Raymond Felton

Chicago Bulls

Starting Center: Brad Miller vs. Joakim Noah

Brad Miller is more experienced and now with more time in the system can look to challenge for the starting center spot with last years starter Joakim Noah. Noah possesses many skills on the defensive end and has endless hustle but is limited on offense, while Miller is more of a offense first type center who is healthy after injuries hit last season early on.

Head coach Vinny Del Negro will have to ask his self if he needs more scoring up front with Miller alongside Tyrus Thomas and Luol Deng or will he rely on the other starters to supply offense and let Noah start and do all the dirty work.

Winner: Joakim Noah

Cleveland Cavaliers

Starting SG: Anthony Parker vs. Delonte West

Returning starter Delonte West will battle the newly signed Anthony Parker for the starting 2-guard spot and it should be a tough battle as West knows the system and performed well there last season supplying solid offense alongside Mo Williams but also combined with him to be one of the smaller back courts in the league. Parker brings leadership and tough defense along with very good outside shooting and is a bigger guard to pair with the smaller Williams.

Winner: Delonte West

Detroit Pistons

Starting Center: Chris Wilcox vs. Kwame Brown

Kwame Brown will look to secure his starting center spot over newly acquired Chris Wilcox as he will be asked to rebound and hustle while not having to score much. Wilcox brings a legitimate scoring threat to the post and a strong rebounding prowess that will be needed upfront but will often be needed off the bench with a young core in place.

Winner: Kwame Brown

Golden State Warriors

Starting SG: Stephen Curry vs. Kelenna Azubuike and Anthony Morrow

Stephen Curry faces a uphill battle to start as a rookie despite being a favorite of coach Don Nelson and having a tremendous shooting stroke. Kelenna Azubuike is also a system favorite who displayed solid defense and showed he could score as well last season. Anthony Morrow is a sharp shooter who is better suited for major offense off the bench and will look to lock up the sixth man role.

Winner: Kelenna Azubuike

Houston Rockets

Starting C: Chuck Hayes vs. David Andersen

David Andersen is newly signed out of Europe after his rights were traded from the Hawks, he is more of a spot up big man than a low post threat but will look to prove his worth in the league as the fill in for Yao Ming, but will be challenged by undersized veteran Chuck Hayes who is a tremendous rebounder for his size and supplies hustle and solid defense and may be better suited sliding over to natural PF spot than center but won’t give up without a fight.

Winner: David Andersen

Los Angeles Clippers

Starting C: Marcus Camby vs. Chris Kaman

Marcus Camby is in a contract year and is again healthy and will look to supply game changing blocks and again be a the top of the league in rebounding but will face stiff competition from Chris Kaman, who is also a good rebounder and one who provides solid low post skills as well. The question will be who fits better next to top pick Blake Griffin, as both players will play big minutes this season.

Winner: Marcus Camby

Memphis Grizzlies

Starting SG: O.J. Mayo vs. Allen Iverson

Allen Iverson will look to fight for the starting role occupied by last season’s starter at shooting guard, O.J. Mayo, who will look to develop after a very good rookie campaign. Iverson is better suited as a player who can come off the bench and mentor the young players while still playing a bunch and maintaining his role as a scorer in bunches.

Winner: O.J. Mayo

Miami Heat

Starting SF: James Jones vs. Quentin Richardson and Michael Beasley

James Jones had wrist surgery in the offseason but is one of the best three-point threats in the game and will use that to his advantage against newly acquired Quentin Richardson, who is another long-distance threat, and second-year player Michael Beasley, who is better suited for power forward.

Richardson has more experience but is more of a shooting guard; he will face competition there as well, though, since Dwyane Wade will own the bulk of minutes there. Jones is a natural shooter who can score but must learn to defend as well. Beasley will look to rebound from his offseason woes and pick up where he left off last season after a solid rookie year.

Winner: James Jones

Milwaukee Bucks

Starting SF: Joe Alexander vs. Carlos Delfino and Luc Mbah a Moute

Joe Alexander will look to prove he belongs in the league after a poor rookie season and a so-so summer league; he will battle newly signed Carlos Delfino and returning second-year standout Luc Mbah a Moute for the starting role.

Alexander is more of a small forward than the other two but must gain confidence and become more aggressive on offense and learn to play defense before he is handed the role. Delfino is coming back to the league and provides solid offense and playmaking, both areas which the bucks need help and is best suited as a role player. Mbah a Moute is all defense and limited offense which will hamper his chances at starting unless Coach Skiles employs a defense first lineup.

Winner: Carlos Delfino

Starting PF: Ersan Ilyasova vs. Hakim Warrick

Ersan Ilyasova is returning to the bucks after two seasons away overseas and will provide scoring as a spot-up shooter who can occasionally mix it up down low, plus he is an improving rebounder. Hakim Warrick brings freakish athleticism and solid rebounding and solid starting experience. Neither player provides much on the defensive side of the ball but will look to fight it out in camp as the starter, although both will receive plenty of minutes throughout the year.

Winner: Hakim Warrick

Starting PG: Brandon Jennings vs. Luke Ridnour

Brandon Jennings is the much hyped pass-first rookie who will look to supplant Luke Ridnour as the starter, he will face the challenge of changing coach Skiles mind about playing rookies and also gain the teams confidence by playing tough defense while involving the offense with his savvy passing skills. Ridnour is also a pass-first guard but is one who struggles on defense, but does have a year in the system as a starter.

Winner: Luke Ridnour

Stayed tuned tomorrow for Pt. 2 of the Starting Lineup Positions edition of Training Camp Battles...