5 first-years starting? Interesting. I think Polee will develop during the year and offseason. With the obvious talents he has and a year of strength training, I don't see how he can't be projected to start over either the slim Sampson or the slim Harkless.
Also, here's why Harrison could start on the bench - he sounds like a gunner. He comes with a defensively indifferent rep. A guy who can stroke from anywhere can also get hot in a hurry, so he could be firepower off the bench. Assuming he's defensively less effective than Pointer, Garrett, Stith, others, giving him 15 minutes to play Vinnie "Microwave" Johnson gets him his points and doesn't hurt the team defensively. If this is the defense Lavin wants to play, I think the best defensive players have to get a lot of minutes.
I heard Sampson can put the ball on the floor and get to the basket, as well as being a defensive presence. Harkless can shoot the ball, as well as being able to put it on the floor.
Polee probably will improve, as the season goes, but he's still raw as uncooked beef. Heck! I hope he improves, as it better our chances of winning this season and for the forseeable future. Maybe, he'll be a sparkplug off the bench.
Hey! If, he starts then that means he's shown the staff he can start. I have no qualms about Polee, Jr. starting and Sampson coming off the bench. To be honest, that could possibly be the scenario. But, I believe Harkless will start as he'll probably be more ready to start.
The best defensive players will get their share of minutes, but we'll be able to do some things with the group next season (offensively and defensively) that we're not gonna be able to do so with this current group of players.
I bet Harrison starts next season, and if he doesn't start then he'll see a great deal of minutes. You can't allow someone who can shoot
and score like him to not see the floor a great deal.