- Joined
- Aug 24, 2011
- Messages
- 3,089
- Reaction Score
- 6,316
The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde best describes this Team. One moment this team looks like the one we expected to see then the next they're playing like they lost their minds.
I'm sure Hurley and his staff are scratching their heads as to what it will take to fix this sans the addiction of McNeeley which is unforseen.
The one persistent problem is the inability to keep players from driving the paint. The team D breaks down way too often resulting in drives to the hoop and a ton of fouling. The fouls come either from poor on the ball D or a result of players scrambling when the team D gets blown up. But there are stretches where they force tough shots or turnovers.
As for their motion offense, it often lacks the precision we saw last season and simply doesn't generate the good looks it is designed to produce. Then they have some stretches where it all clicks.
We can see they are capable, for the most part, but are simply not consistent, including the little things, rebounding, taking care of the ball, knowing where their feet are and the sideline, etc.
On a side note, pertaining to the "for the most part" Mahaney had a very productive game, especially on offense running the point. I must confess, that I felt he was a mis-recruitment for the point guard position, but today he made some quicker decisions and knocked down some impressive shots. He even made some nice plays on the defensive end of the floor. With that said, he simply needs about 10 to 15 more pounds of muscle, be a step quicker and improve his lateral movement, things that can't be addressed this season. And I'm just not sure Ball, Reed, Ross, Stewart or Nowell can be coached to keep themselves between their man and the basket and to stop fouling, though the latter seems contagious with just about all the players. Aren't they taught to anticipate where their man is going, move their feet, know when to help and not to help and not bring their arms down?
This team certainly makes some exciting plays that gives us all hope, but the persistent negative things they do are simply offsetting those things. I'm hoping McNeeley's return will have a positive domino effect, which I think can vanquish Mr Hyde and get the team back on the incremental improvement road. Just don't feel that this team can overcome some of their shortcomings to win the last 6 games of the post season. I hope I'm wrong. If they play their A game they can beat anyone. We need to see them start the improve each game trend to believe that the 2023 and 2024 magic carpet ride can be ridden again in 2025.
I'm sure Hurley and his staff are scratching their heads as to what it will take to fix this sans the addiction of McNeeley which is unforseen.
The one persistent problem is the inability to keep players from driving the paint. The team D breaks down way too often resulting in drives to the hoop and a ton of fouling. The fouls come either from poor on the ball D or a result of players scrambling when the team D gets blown up. But there are stretches where they force tough shots or turnovers.
As for their motion offense, it often lacks the precision we saw last season and simply doesn't generate the good looks it is designed to produce. Then they have some stretches where it all clicks.
We can see they are capable, for the most part, but are simply not consistent, including the little things, rebounding, taking care of the ball, knowing where their feet are and the sideline, etc.
On a side note, pertaining to the "for the most part" Mahaney had a very productive game, especially on offense running the point. I must confess, that I felt he was a mis-recruitment for the point guard position, but today he made some quicker decisions and knocked down some impressive shots. He even made some nice plays on the defensive end of the floor. With that said, he simply needs about 10 to 15 more pounds of muscle, be a step quicker and improve his lateral movement, things that can't be addressed this season. And I'm just not sure Ball, Reed, Ross, Stewart or Nowell can be coached to keep themselves between their man and the basket and to stop fouling, though the latter seems contagious with just about all the players. Aren't they taught to anticipate where their man is going, move their feet, know when to help and not to help and not bring their arms down?
This team certainly makes some exciting plays that gives us all hope, but the persistent negative things they do are simply offsetting those things. I'm hoping McNeeley's return will have a positive domino effect, which I think can vanquish Mr Hyde and get the team back on the incremental improvement road. Just don't feel that this team can overcome some of their shortcomings to win the last 6 games of the post season. I hope I'm wrong. If they play their A game they can beat anyone. We need to see them start the improve each game trend to believe that the 2023 and 2024 magic carpet ride can be ridden again in 2025.
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