bigappleram wrote: ↑3 years ago
Our coach lacks confidence. Our team follows that lead.
We have no identity and so roles are unclear. Throw 9-10 guys with varying levels of talent together without role definition and you get what we have. I’m not a blame the coach for everything guy, but the above is all the foundation of being an effective Cbb coach. At this point we have played more games and logged more practices than 75-80% of the programs out there yet have nothing tangible to show for it beyond the development of Makhel and a little from Ish (would be even further along with more PT which he deserves).
It’s not more complicated than this...
Starters: Mitchell, Walker, Shepp, Ish, Fatts
Bench:
DJ - if we get zoned give him PT...if Twan picks up 2 quick fouls or even if Makhel does and slide Twan to the small ball 5 spot. In our league you can get away with that in emergency situations. His job is to hit 3s on catch and shoot and play D (rebound, block shots). That’s it. Don’t put the ball on the floor. Don’t try to do too much offensively. Look for space and shoot it when open.
Harris - break glass in case of emergency. If Makhel gets early fouls and opponent is big at the 5. For 1-2 minutes here or there to spell Makhel or Twan. No extended time. Set picks, rebound and when he establishes good position on the block go to him.
Malik - for defensive matchups only, cannot pair him Betrand or Carey bc you are playing 3 on 5 offensively when you do. Rebound, cover their best wing/SF, be a garbage man on offense but nothing run to him and he should never dribble more than once.
Betrand and Carey - unplayable at this point. No confidence, don’t have 1 discernible skill that is helping you to win games right now. TO prone, not especially effective on D, hurt spacing bc not outside threats in the guard spot.
Net net all of our bench is “situational” at best, with clearly defined roles and guardrails of what you would accept and what you won’t. None of them have earned, or deserve consistent extended minutes. Betrand starting is loco. Walker coming out 4 minutes in for Malik is egregious. Game to game it differs and if they earn time in practice and perform in games you can start to give them more run. Until then it’s a 6 man rotation with 4 guys getting spot minutes (none of them more than 10).
Last night those 4 guys (Martin, Harris, Betrand, Carey) played 44 minutes. Shouldn’t be more than 30-32 minutes a night. Those extra 10-12 minutes can be given right to Walker and Ish and I will bet my life our chances of winning increase.