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I'm just going to post my notes on the depth pieces that I took over the past few games since we're talking about depth concerns. I think it's pretty clear we don't have the same depth we did last year. There is no Clingan off the bench (which was a luxury), and at this point basically on one we can rely on to score the rock. I think we'll be fine though--last year was kind of an enigma in terms of bench performance.
Johnson: Hot and cold. Makes an eye-popping athletic play on both ends and follows it up with 2 plays of disaster. He's not worth much at this point on offense outside of lobs, but that's all we really need and much more would be taking the ball out of our scorers hands. Where he MUST improve is on defense. He's a half step too slow all the time on his rotations, or misses them entirely, which is saying something considering how slow our opponents have been, and how fast he is naturally. I don't need the big block or the SC Top-10 dunk if he can just be in the right position on defense. Get in the film room. Right now, he's playing like a freshman (no surprise), so I think he'll be servicable with game reps soon.
Solo: Needs to chill the hell out. Reminds me of early Hawkins and Andre in that way. Looks much better when he is playing in the flow of things. When his feet are set his shot looks much better--way improved during his year at Brewster. Obviously a freak athlete. I suspect he'll settle in and defend better--just making some freshman mistakes now. Good for some baseline dunks, but his handle and finishing are super limited. A lot like early Hawkins in that regard. We need him to be passable as a secondary ballhandler to take minutes from Diarra, but I'm not sure he's there yet.
Diarra: I am confused why folks are surprised with his play. He is what he is. Great in the locker room and in practice, but limited as a player. We'll need him for ballhandling in case of foul trouble, but I'd expect him around 5-10 MPG at most in games that matter. If Solo can have a steep learning curve, we may see even less.
Ross: Can't say he's shown much except not making too many mistakes. Which for a 9th-man is actually pretty solid, but we really need scoring. Occasional nice pass, 3, or hustle play but otherwise pretty much just there. Needs to SHOOT when he is open.
Stewart: Similar to Ross--I'm not sure either has really established themselves as the obvious choice for 9th (and probably last) in the normal rotation. Same as Ross, not looking to score enough, especially on the perimeter.
Johnson: Hot and cold. Makes an eye-popping athletic play on both ends and follows it up with 2 plays of disaster. He's not worth much at this point on offense outside of lobs, but that's all we really need and much more would be taking the ball out of our scorers hands. Where he MUST improve is on defense. He's a half step too slow all the time on his rotations, or misses them entirely, which is saying something considering how slow our opponents have been, and how fast he is naturally. I don't need the big block or the SC Top-10 dunk if he can just be in the right position on defense. Get in the film room. Right now, he's playing like a freshman (no surprise), so I think he'll be servicable with game reps soon.
Solo: Needs to chill the hell out. Reminds me of early Hawkins and Andre in that way. Looks much better when he is playing in the flow of things. When his feet are set his shot looks much better--way improved during his year at Brewster. Obviously a freak athlete. I suspect he'll settle in and defend better--just making some freshman mistakes now. Good for some baseline dunks, but his handle and finishing are super limited. A lot like early Hawkins in that regard. We need him to be passable as a secondary ballhandler to take minutes from Diarra, but I'm not sure he's there yet.
Diarra: I am confused why folks are surprised with his play. He is what he is. Great in the locker room and in practice, but limited as a player. We'll need him for ballhandling in case of foul trouble, but I'd expect him around 5-10 MPG at most in games that matter. If Solo can have a steep learning curve, we may see even less.
Ross: Can't say he's shown much except not making too many mistakes. Which for a 9th-man is actually pretty solid, but we really need scoring. Occasional nice pass, 3, or hustle play but otherwise pretty much just there. Needs to SHOOT when he is open.
Stewart: Similar to Ross--I'm not sure either has really established themselves as the obvious choice for 9th (and probably last) in the normal rotation. Same as Ross, not looking to score enough, especially on the perimeter.
