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https://thedailydragon.com/2017/02/10/kn...-monarchs/

Great point on Cokely's minutes and Lee's shots. I really don't understand why Cokely isn't playing 30+ minutes. At the beginning of the year it was foul trouble, but that hasn't been the case recently.

Cokley had, or might still have, some nagging injuries. Among our bigs, Cokley is the worst defender, so I think that limits his minutes as well.

About the shot discrepancy between Cokley and Lee despite the minutes played, Cokley has more offensive rebounds, so he likely has more putbacks. Also, Lee just isn't a huge part of the offense. Even during Lee's hot start at the beginning of conference play, he wasn't that much more involved in the half-court.

(02-10-2017 02:00 PM)jthrashr Wrote:  Cokley had, or might still have, some nagging injuries. Among our bigs, Cokley is the worst defender, so I think that limits his minutes as well.

About the shot discrepancy between Cokley and Lee despite the minutes played, Cokley has more offensive rebounds, so he likely has more putbacks. Also, Lee just isn't a huge part of the offense. Even during Lee's hot start at the beginning of conference play, he wasn't that much more involved in the half-court.

Spot on observations.

I suppose what I'm implying is the need to get Lee to take around 10-12 shots per game. Of those I'd say no more than 1 or 2 threes unless he's hot like he was against Marshall. I'd take a contested/forced shot from Lee over an entry pass to Mehinti all dang day. All this is obviously easier said than done given teams are starting to double him.

(02-10-2017 02:00 PM)jthrashr Wrote:  Cokley had, or might still have, some nagging injuries. Among our bigs, Cokley is the worst defender, so I think that limits his minutes as well.

About the shot discrepancy between Cokley and Lee despite the minutes played, Cokley has more offensive rebounds, so he likely has more putbacks. Also, Lee just isn't a huge part of the offense. Even during Lee's hot start at the beginning of conference play, he wasn't that much more involved in the half-court.

I second that. Good observations. Cokley is also simply a more aggressive player. He's also more polished on offense. He's not an exceptional athelete, but he can finish with both hands on an array of shots, he's quick to get his shot up (thus mitgating the risk of blocks), and he's developed a nice short-range jumper. Lee's game is basically jumpers and any sort of athletic shot attempts he can get. Thus the increased shot attempts. I agree though - both need to play more minutes and take more shots. If the fouling issue has mostly been curbed, we need to ride our best players. They both need to be more aggressive. They absolutely can't have these games where one or both of them disappear.

In Mehinti's defense, I will say I think he's made a pretty solid improvement this year.

Put Lee in the high post; Mehenti in the low post; and surround them with Watts, Dirk and Nate on the wings.

Then pray the double team comes and that Lee can find the open man.

(02-10-2017 03:08 PM)BlazerPhil Wrote:  Put Lee in the high post; Mehenti in the low post; and surround them with Watts, Dirk and Nate on the wings.

Then pray the double team comes and that Lee can find the open man.

This is basically what we do now.

(02-10-2017 03:19 PM)jthrashr Wrote:  

(02-10-2017 03:08 PM)BlazerPhil Wrote:  Put Lee in the high post; Mehenti in the low post; and surround them with Watts, Dirk and Nate on the wings.

Then pray the double team comes and that Lee can find the open man.

This is basically what we do now.

Yep. All those Dirk 3's came of this. Charlotte doubled Lee every time he got it in the half court.

(02-10-2017 02:47 PM)The Answer UAB Wrote:  

(02-10-2017 02:00 PM)jthrashr Wrote:  Cokley had, or might still have, some nagging injuries. Among our bigs, Cokley is the worst defender, so I think that limits his minutes as well.

About the shot discrepancy between Cokley and Lee despite the minutes played, Cokley has more offensive rebounds, so he likely has more putbacks. Also, Lee just isn't a huge part of the offense. Even during Lee's hot start at the beginning of conference play, he wasn't that much more involved in the half-court.

I second that. Good observations. Cokley is also simply a more aggressive player. He's also more polished on offense. He's not an exceptional athelete, but he can finish with both hands on an array of shots, he's quick to get his shot up (thus mitgating the risk of blocks), and he's developed a nice short-range jumper. Lee's game is basically jumpers and any sort of athletic shot attempts he can get. Thus the increased shot attempts. I agree though - both need to play more minutes and take more shots. If the fouling issue has mostly been curbed, we need to ride our best players. They both need to be more aggressive. They absolutely can't have these games where one or both of them disappear.

In Mehinti's defense, I will say I think he's made a pretty solid improvement this year.

Good points. Tosin drives me crazy with how often he fumbles the ball, but once he has possession he's much improved. I've been most impressed with his improved free throw shooting.

(02-11-2017 01:44 PM)hooverblazer Wrote:  

(02-10-2017 02:47 PM)The Answer UAB Wrote:  

(02-10-2017 02:00 PM)jthrashr Wrote:  Cokley had, or might still have, some nagging injuries. Among our bigs, Cokley is the worst defender, so I think that limits his minutes as well.

About the shot discrepancy between Cokley and Lee despite the minutes played, Cokley has more offensive rebounds, so he likely has more putbacks. Also, Lee just isn't a huge part of the offense. Even during Lee's hot start at the beginning of conference play, he wasn't that much more involved in the half-court.

I second that. Good observations. Cokley is also simply a more aggressive player. He's also more polished on offense. He's not an exceptional athelete, but he can finish with both hands on an array of shots, he's quick to get his shot up (thus mitgating the risk of blocks), and he's developed a nice short-range jumper. Lee's game is basically jumpers and any sort of athletic shot attempts he can get. Thus the increased shot attempts. I agree though - both need to play more minutes and take more shots. If the fouling issue has mostly been curbed, we need to ride our best players. They both need to be more aggressive. They absolutely can't have these games where one or both of them disappear.

In Mehinti's defense, I will say I think he's made a pretty solid improvement this year.

Good points. Tosin drives me crazy with how often he fumbles the ball, but once he has possession he's much improved. I've been most impressed with his improved free throw shooting.

I'll remember Tosin's time fondly but I truly do hope we finally get a legit offensive post player in the 6-9/10 range. So hard to come by at this level.

(02-10-2017 01:06 PM)hooverblazer Wrote:  Great point on Cokely's minutes and Lee's shots. I really don't understand why Cokely isn't playing 30+ minutes. At the beginning of the year it was foul trouble, but that hasn't been the case recently.

I was watching ESPN Buzzer Beater today (I normally don't watch much basketball outside of UAB until tourney time) and I kept seeing these teams with star players well over 30 minutes of playing time. I kept wondering why we aren't doing that more with some players. I feel like we have the talent to keep on the floor...but maybe not.