3:00pm Update from SFN
BJD’s entry here is fantastic, and has generated some of the best comments we’ve had on the blog in a while (as has the other basketball entries over the last 24 hours). With this said, we wanted to pass along this link from the N&O as emphasis/support for BJD’s entry. Check out the comments at the bottom of the N&O’s entry:
It’s only Game 2 but Ben McCauley is already pressing. With Hickson playing spectacularly in front of him, he’s coming off the bench and trying to do too much — make an extra cute assist or take the ball through traffic to the basket. McCauley played only 14 minutes on Sunday. He scored two points and had one rebound.
Sidney Lowe needs to figure out how to use McCauley and Hickson together, otherwise there will be more home losses to Sun Belt teams.
Here’s one suggestion: Use McCauley in the high post, where Costner is currently situated, move Costner to the wing and keep Hickson low. That allows your best talent to be on the floor at the same time. Fatigue may not allow the three to play together in the first half, but all three should be on the floor in the final 8 to 10 minutes of the game.
I start this exercise by acknowledging that Sidney Lowe and staff know more about basketball than me. I also don’t get to watch the team practice. That said, I think it is a valuable and fun exercise to discuss what we have seen so far, and brainstorm on how to right the ship. If you don’t like it, just don’t read or comment. Simple as that.
1) Start Gavin at the 2. First, Gavin’s ball-handling, decisionmaking, and shot all look much improved this year (he’s always been a solid passer when not playing the point, IMHO). He is also willing to drive the lane, and can do so successfully. Last, but not least, I don’t see any f-ing alternative (see item 2 below). We can either go with 3 bigs (see item 3 below) or start Horner.
2) Give Ferguson’s role to Fells, and return Ferguson to his 2006-07 role. From what I’ve seen, the existing 2 guard rotation has been a complete sinkhole, both offensively and defensively (the fact that our PG rotation is a half-sinkhole (offense) makes this even more untenable). Ferguson’s defensive limitations are particularly acute, but I am more disappointed in Fells’ play, given his superior talent level. Rather than having Trevor as a placeholder until MJ is eligible, let it be Fells. He can either step up his game or risk being banished to the bench until garbage time. To me, the main benefit of depth is having flexibility to bench guys that are half-assing it, or playing really stupid/out of control. Grant seems to have gotten the memo, but not Fells. It’s time to be more direct with that message.
3) Try the “Three Bigs” lineup. This doesn’t have to be a starting lineup, or even more than 5-10 minutes a game. But it gives us more flexibility in not being hostage to the inconsistent Fells or the unknown Johnson. It also gives McCauley a window to more playing time (if he earns it), which hopefully shakes him from his mental funk. Big Ben knows he isn’t going to displace Hickson or Costner sans fouls or injury, so he needs some hope here. What’s the worst that could happen? Poor defense and/or offensive spacing? We’re getting that already. At least maybe we could out-rebound a team of midgets for a few minutes.
4) Recognize that all reserves are not created equal. Of the current reserves, McCauley and Horner are clearly a cut above the rest of the bench – in talent, game readiness, or both. They have demonstrated a clear ability to contribute in the past, and to give them minutes that are more or less equivalent to Ferguson is kind of insulting. They should also have a chance to play more with the starting lineup, to improve our offensive flow and avoid creating a de facto caste system. The “wave” substitution pattern needs to go away – this isn’t the NBA, and our opponents aren’t going to do it (for good reason – unless you are pressing hard and often, it doesn’t make much sense).
5) Tell some brooding players to grow the hell up. J.J. Hickson should not be asked or expected to apoligize for being really damned good. It’s not like he acts like a prima donna or shoots 25 times a game. He gives the most consistent defensive effort. He picks up his teammates with putback baskets. He is often the first player down the court, offensively and defensively. Maybe some of the “hurt feelings” contingent should try giving that kind of effort. And maybe they should realize that one good ACCT weekend shouldn’t give them a sense of entitlement. News flash – we were a freaking NIT team last year, and needed a late surge to even be that. Increasing the talent level can only be a good thing, assuming you want to challenge for the conference title and make some noise in March this year.
What say you, SFN commenters?
