Not original but has WMU ties to the San Antone Spurs of Paul Griffin's tenure.
It will be an interesting campaign coming up. Hawk likes to play inside out. Establish the post using it both to directly score but also as a spoke of a wheel to re-distribute when defenses inevitably double.
Looking at the make up of the front line it will play slow but heavy handed. Most are below the rim players who are slow afoot. Most will be challenged by opposing teams to effectively defend the ball screen in space and defend the pick n pop/Euro 5.
Nothing is a given other than nothing is a given.
Unless Hawk has a change of mind I don't see the sense in playing the two true 5's together. If one was Paul Griffin like in athleticism who could go out to 25' and lock up Adrian Dantley types and run the floor to head off Dan Roundfield types but both Bronco 5's run and elevate like Steve Green.
As I have mentioned, unless Deing, who reportedly who runs like a deer, has a little range on his J can be stretched and limbered up and have his BB IQ elevated where he would defend in space there will be a significant drop off in length across the front line at the 4. Talented P5 programs don't have that issue putting pressure on the WMU types going vastly undersized at the 4.
The backcourt could be the key. A combination of quickness, speed and length could help offset the sloth like but bruising make up of the front court. I like Wilder, Haymond and Perry 1-3. Some ball handling, some long range shooting, lots of driving and some quick length to defend in space and pressure the ball. It will be interesting to see where Jared Klein falls into this mix if at all. Moore and the late signee from Muskegon should be able to defend. If they don't get lost like Haydon Hoerdemann on O they might see that spot duty with some longer stretches based on production. Davis will likely be groomed to play the wing. But with two physical specimens and experienced types in Haymond and Perry who can both play the 2 and 3 I would not be surprised to see Josh red shirted with only two 'ships to give next year.
#HaymondAtThe4 when Tava sits? Small forward playing the 4 worked quite well for the Warriors.
I'd prefer to see Perry play the 4 if Hawk decides to go small. He's more physical than Tucker and rebounds better.
(06-20-2015 12:12 PM)HaymondAtThe4 Wrote: [ -> ]#HaymondAtThe4 when Tava sits? Small forward playing the 4 worked quite well for the Warriors.
Small forward in the pros is a P5 power forward. Apples and Oranges.
Remember the goal isn't to win the MAC West or the MAC. It is to get to the NCAA tournament and win games. Wherever you set your sight you fall short. No point in making the mistake of intentionally setting your sight even shorter.
It doesn't matter that the small forwards in question are big enough to play the 4 at P5 colleges. It matters that they're undersized in the NBA. The Warriors ran away with the NBA title when they went to a lineup that had a 6 6 PF and often a 6 7 center. They played lineups that were vastly undersized, but featured players who were quicker, more skilled, and more capable shooters. The important things isn't really the height, but the fact that the NBA's best teams are prioritizing skill, shooting, and spacing at the 4. I think Western would be wise to monitor trends at the highest level and see if they also work in the MAC.
Also, I think it's much more likely that a MAC team would be able to make the Sweet 16 by being smaller but more skilled. Everyone is looking for big guys who can bang inside. If a MAC school has the same priorities, it will just get the leftovers. If it looks at how the game is played at the highest level and starts constructing lineups more efficiently than the big schools, then it might have a chance.
I think Dayton is as good an example of any of a mid-major making an impact in the tournament. This year their starting lineup in their Sweet 16 game went 6', 6'2", 6'4", 6'6", 6' 6". Last year, they started a more traditional 6'10" center alongside 6'7" Devin Oliver, who I would argue falls closer to Tucker Haymond than Khadim Dieng on a skill-to-size spectrum.
The trend I mention along with the lack of viable traditional options at the 4 lead me to hope for Hawkins to at least experiment with some lineups he might not normally use, especially after Tava graduates.
"But run the floor like Steve Green"
(06-20-2015 09:08 PM)HaymondAtThe4 Wrote: [ -> ]It doesn't matter that the small forwards in question are big enough to play the 4 at P5 colleges. It matters that they're undersized in the NBA. The Warriors ran away with the NBA title when they went to a lineup that had a 6 6 PF and often a 6 7 center. They played lineups that were vastly undersized, but featured players who were quicker, more skilled, and more capable shooters. The important things isn't really the height, but the fact that the NBA's best teams are prioritizing skill, shooting, and spacing at the 4. I think Western would be wise to monitor trends at the highest level and see if they also work in the MAC.
Also, I think it's much more likely that a MAC team would be able to make the Sweet 16 by being smaller but more skilled. Everyone is looking for big guys who can bang inside. If a MAC school has the same priorities, it will just get the leftovers. If it looks at how the game is played at the highest level and starts constructing lineups more efficiently than the big schools, then it might have a chance.
I think Dayton is as good an example of any of a mid-major making an impact in the tournament. This year their starting lineup in their Sweet 16 game went 6', 6'2", 6'4", 6'6", 6' 6". Last year, they started a more traditional 6'10" center alongside 6'7" Devin Oliver, who I would argue falls closer to Tucker Haymond than Khadim Dieng on a skill-to-size spectrum.
The trend I mention along with the lack of viable traditional options at the 4 lead me to hope for Hawkins to at least experiment with some lineups he might not normally use, especially after Tava graduates.
Sounds like CMU?
I thought that, too. And they did win a share of the MAC title with a bunch of guys it seems no one wanted all that much out of high school. Though maybe that's narrative and isn't actually true. I'm not sure.
(06-20-2015 09:08 PM)HaymondAtThe4 Wrote: [ -> ]It doesn't matter that the small forwards in question are big enough to play the 4 at P5 colleges. It matters that they're undersized in the NBA. The Warriors ran away with the NBA title when they went to a lineup that had a 6 6 PF and often a 6 7 center. They played lineups that were vastly undersized, but featured players who were quicker, more skilled, and more capable shooters. The important things isn't really the height, but the fact that the NBA's best teams are prioritizing skill, shooting, and spacing at the 4. I think Western would be wise to monitor trends at the highest level and see if they also work in the MAC.
Also, I think it's much more likely that a MAC team would be able to make the Sweet 16 by being smaller but more skilled. Everyone is looking for big guys who can bang inside. If a MAC school has the same priorities, it will just get the leftovers. If it looks at how the game is played at the highest level and starts constructing lineups more efficiently than the big schools, then it might have a chance.
I think Dayton is as good an example of any of a mid-major making an impact in the tournament. This year their starting lineup in their Sweet 16 game went 6', 6'2", 6'4", 6'6", 6' 6". Last year, they started a more traditional 6'10" center alongside 6'7" Devin Oliver, who I would argue falls closer to Tucker Haymond than Khadim Dieng on a skill-to-size spectrum.
The trend I mention along with the lack of viable traditional options at the 4 lead me to hope for Hawkins to at least experiment with some lineups he might not normally use, especially after Tava graduates.
To your point that skill trumps height. I agree. Height for height sake is worthless over the long haul.
My comments are rooted in skilled height trumps both just height and just skill. I don't think anyone would logically disagree. Are there exceptions? Yes and with one caveat, those exceptions are just that.
I was rooting for GS. A big fan of Steve Kerr. But a decimated Cav squad was their victim, not the originally constructed roster. Injuries are a part of the game and the Cavs nor the fans can in the end use it as an excuse, but ... IMO it puts an asterisk by GS. If you want to put GS up against previous winners go ahead. An anamoly in my mind.
CMU too. Won the mighty MAC regular season but summarily dismissed in Cleveland and then again in the first round of the NIT. True to form.
But back to my original point. WMU front court as conventional wisdom holds will be bruising but slow. The one wild card is if someone at the 4 can play longer without losing quickness and with some added skill. AJ could if he could consistently his the 15-17' and not just have a turnaround in the post. A running or jump hook with either hand would augment nicely. He'll also have to stay out of foul trouble. But at 6'11 Dieng to me is intriguing. Maybe another year a way but worth the time and effort to try and develop. Either Drake or Seth will hold the 5 spot. Both below the rim but eat up space. Now put along side them an above the rim 6'11 kid who can leak out to 15' to hit a J on the elbow, wing or short corner not to mention do what needs to be done inside. Someone who can run with stretch 4's and with length can work on foot work to at least both challenge the Simon's of the world but also keep them in front if they try to fake and duck. Who can argue against a 6'9/6'11 wide body at the 5 and a 6'11 kid who can run the floor as well as any stretch 4 and can both guard the rim and pressure that stretch better than a 6'5 below the rim defender?
Well, that seems to be the plan and if it works out we will be in good shape to meet your vision, GBL.