Hurley was starting him at the 4 at the end of the year after Akok got hurt. Hurley brought in Springs to play the 4 and he can't shoot from outside. A four who can shoot and stretch the floor is a nice to have match-up based option, not a requirement. Since Whaley flashed a little short range jumper, I think he's perfectly well equipped to be a 4 for us and has a traditional PF game, not a 5's game.
Meanwhile, it sounds like Polley will be ready to go, so we can use him as our stretch 4 off the bench when needed. All assuming we don't land somebody else who is eligible.
I think we're just not on the same page with what a "4" skillset is in 2020. I really think of the 4 as what a 3 would've been during Calhoun's heyday. I haven't seen Whaley demonstrate any perimeter skill other than passing the ball and pivoting comfortably. He can't dribble or shoot consistently. And Whaley is going to need to hit a heck of a lot moer mid-range Js to be a shooter. What'd he go--5/25 this year? It's a nice wrinkle he could add, but I'll believe it when I see it.
Whaley's strength are rebounding, blocking shots, hedging hard and recovering on screens, and dunking the bejeezus out of the ball. He's also pretty solid at switching onto perimeter guys in a pinch defensively to be fair. That screams "undersized mobile 5" to me.
There's a reason Whaley didn't sniff the 4 until Sid went off the map, and Akok/Polley were injured. He isn't playing to his strengths when he plays there. And STILL played mostly the 5 instead of Carlton at that point. He needs to be near the hoop getting putback dunks and drive and dish lay-ins.
And one of the most exciting things about Springs is his ability to play inside and out. His skillset is developing, but at 6'10 he has a pretty solid stroke and driving ability. See here:
Richard Springs - MacDuffie School - 2019 NPI Highlights
www.cbssports.com
Edit:
Bunch of good highlights on Hoophustle as always too.
