NBA Training Camp Position Battles To Watch

Time for the three-man weave, three-on-two-on-one, and a few sets of sweet-16's—that's right, the NBA season is finally here, and judging from the tweets of the 2009 rookie class, it's going to be a good year.

It's rare when you get a real position battle in a NBA training camp. Usually, the coaches and team officials have already mapped out the road, even if an "undeserving" player gets the nod. That being said, there are still a few situations I am keeping my eye on because they could have a major impact over this season.

The Malice at the Palace, Part Deux

The Detroit Pistons went big this summer, acquiring Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva to bring some excitement to their awfully staggering lineup. Depth is never a bad thing, but after Gordon spent the first five years of his career proving he's not a backup, he now finds himself back in that role—for now.

The Pistons are committed to Rodney Stuckey as their PG, so I wouldn't expect him to come off the bench unless he's injured. Detroit can still run lineups that include both Gordon and Hamilton, but that brings up another question of how much their styles mesh or collide.

Although Joe Dumars looked into moving Hamilton (and Tayshaun Prince) this summer, he is also trying to get "Big D" back into the second round of the playoffs, if not farther, and he will need the leadership and clutch play of the two elder Pistons. 

We saw a once feared franchise fall to shambles last season. They are a much improved team on paper, but only time will tell how that translates to the court.

Who Will Back up Mr. Big Shot?

In a slightly surprising move, the Denver Nuggets traded back into the first round of the 2009 NBA Draft to acquire former UNC PG Ty Lawson. After not landing a first-round pick since 2005, it looks like the Nuggets got their man.

But when will Lawson be their man?

Surely, not as long as Chauncey Billups is rostered in his home town. Currently, Lawson is listed as the third point guard behind Anthony Carter.

The 34-year-old Carter is a scrappy guard who is deceptively athletic, averaging 7.3 assists and 1.9 steals per 36 minutes last year. However, if the Nuggets value shooting, they are not too keen on Carter's career 23.8 three-point and 69.8 free throw percentages.

Lawson is faster than Carter by a few steps and he is a much better shooter, especially from the perimeter, I expect the young-but-experienced guard to earn a bulk of the minutes behind Billups, even early in the season.

Houston, "Problem" Does Not Describe the Mess You Have

Since 2004, the future of the Houston Rockets has been wrapped up in Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming. Out of 10 combined seasons, the duo has managed to play 70-plus games four times.

In the 2009-'10 season, Houston will not be doubling down on their inside-outside combo. This year will be a fresh start, and deep down, coach Rick Adelman is smiling a little bit.

Houston's surprise attack will be led by Aaron Brooks—that's right, Brooks—not first-year Rocket Trevor Ariza. Unlike Ariza, Brooks has been a 30 point scorer in the NBA and he can create points for himself and his teammates.

It is still uncertain what Ariza can do in a one-on-one scoring role or if he can consistently knock down threes with a hand in his face.

Houston does have two talented rookies on its roster in Jermaine Taylor and Chase Budinger and both should see time on the wing, but will either start over Shane Battier? 

Offensively, Houston will need points wherever it can get them, but if the rookies cannot stop their opponent like Battier can, then what’s the point of giving them serious minutes?