(10-15-2019 02:49 PM)Gary Miller Wrote: (10-15-2019 11:38 AM)CG_Hawk06 Wrote: (10-15-2019 10:37 AM)HAWKING Wrote: (10-15-2019 10:17 AM)Seahawkhoops Wrote: (10-11-2019 10:33 PM)billthebighawksfan Wrote: A freaking 2/3? I don't like that one bit. Hopefully that will change because that's inviting a 3 point fest. Hope it's more of man to man with some switching or a 3/2 trapping D. That's what I always went with when man wasn't working or to change things up. You have to freaking change things up and save stuff for the 2nd stanza. The way I always went (because I'm retired for at least 1 year to give my youngest son a different look than his old man) was to always be aggressive, always. You can get beat, but not passively. You can be a truly great defender in a 2/3 and not get to somebody. They better communicate like crazy and move with the ball in the air or they're screwed.
I'm willing to wait and see so let's think man right now...my guess is that they will play man mostly. Hopefully they have a good plan and Okuaru can cover some space. You'd ideally like to see him check a great 2 man one on one and let the chips fall. Hopefully Kai will hold his own on D because he can do his thing on O. My man Sims can guard a 3 or 4 and takes his craft seriously the way it seems to me on both end-underrated player to me that is a team guy. Hopefully Estime can guard his man and I feel pretty decent about Marty holding his own. We will see with the bench. They have some good tools. Phillips should be able to guard the opposing PG but isn't where Kai is offensively at this point. Ty will guard once he's available. Boggs has the tools but will be learning as will Dodd at the 5/4. Tolafree looks like somebody that can guard somebody and can guard a 2/3. Skaggs will give his all and is smart, but not a good one on one guy. His role is to shoot and that may be HUGE at times. Can we get Bowden available and willing to play some 5? Interesting situation.
Do they zone press 3/4 court? It may be a possibility given the makeup of the team. It could eat some clock and make life a little more difficult in the half court. They may even force some turnovers heaven for bid. That's huge given that we haven't had that lately and we aren't going to own the glass most nights.
You can play primarily a 2-3 and have it work if you teach it right. That's what i use with my boys and it works very well. But i do mix in some press and half court traps as well
I was wrong. They are not playing any zone. Only zone press occasionally. Baby steps. M-M Defense looks much better around the ball screens.
I'm okay with this. Agree that it is baby steps, but also feasible. If the M-M defense is improving, I'm fine with staying with it as our primary defense. Add in some zone press when we score (which should be often with this group) and we should be okay. I like the athleticism having a big like Bowen will bring to that zone press as well. His ability to run the court and use his length in that capacity could be real nice.
Now that Bowen is available, do you think we stay with the 4 guard lineups or do we combo Bowen with another big and use 3 guards regularly?
I think 4 guard is the way to go in today's game. Especially, considering we have some big guards on our roster. Bowen is a huge addition to the depth of our frontcourt, but I don't see him as a starter this season.
I'm with Gary. Expectations are too high for Bowden. He has been weak in practice despite his athleticism. Potential is there though. I'll offer up 3 starting lineups here until Gadsen returns to FULL health:
5. Linssen 4.Skaggs 3.Sims 2.Okauru 1.Toews (Best lineup for spacing)
5. Linssen 4.Sims 3.Estime 2.Okauru 1.Toews
5. Linssen 4.Boggs 3.Sims 2.Okauru 1.Toews
We will be 10 deep this season if we need to be (Backups in parentheses):
5. Linssen (Dodd) 4.Skaggs (Boggs) 3.Sims (Tolefree)2.Okauru (Estime) 1.Toews (Philips)
All of these guys will play if we are going to be up tempo and aggressive defensively to take advantage of a 4 guard lineup and lack of size. There are a few players with some very noticeable strengths and areas to improve. I will list strengths and then weaknesses in parentheses for each player:
Linssen: Passing/Finishing Inside (Conditioning and Speed)
Dodd: Athleticism & Rebounding (Basic Fundamentals (No shot)/Defense)
Skaggs:3pt Shooting (On ball defense poor/conditioning)
Boggs: Athleticism, Size, IQ (Consistent Shooting/Assertiveness)
Sims: Defends all positions, Shooting, Athleticism (Basketball IQ, Drive/Finish)
Tolefree: Driving, ability to get fouled, Athleticism (Shot selection, 3pt consistency, Basketball IQ)
Okauru: On ball defense, rebounding, scoring. Overall best player. (Consistency as a shooter and decision making in general)
Estime: Shooting, Experience with CB (Driving, Handling in traffic, Consistent Defense)
Toews:PointG Size, Penetration, Passing (Create), FT (On ball defense, 3pt Shoot %)
Philips:PointG Size, Defense, Low Risk ball control (Drive/Finish, 3pt Shot)