Big man minutes...

[BostonOrange]

Assuming Grant is coming back soon, we are probably going to be playing with only one of the three bigs on the court the vast majority of the time. So say a total of 50 minutes available for the threesome of Rak\DC\and Baye. I have been, and continue to be, a big believer in DC's talent, and I've also always been a Rak skeptic. With that said, if Rak continues to play like he did last night, I don't see DC playing more than 10 min a game. Granted, it was Cornell, but I loved the way Rak aggressively sealed his guy and finished inside, and overall his body language just seemed better. It's sort of a catch 22 because DC needs game reps to really improve, and I think he has the most offensive potential of any of our bigs and we are going to need inside scoring, but it's hard to give him those minutes when Rak is playing well. As for Baye he is what he is and JB trusts him. My point: I see a lot of bench time for DC again this year.

 

[two3zone]

Assuming Grant is coming back soon, we are probably going to be playing with only one of the three bigs on the court the vast majority of the time. So say a total of 50 minutes available for the threesome of Rak\DC\and Baye. I have been, and continue to be, a big believer in DC's talent, and I've also always been a Rak skeptic. With that said, if Rak continues to play like he did last night, I don't see DC playing more than 10 min a game. Granted, it was Cornell, but I loved the way Rak aggressively sealed his guy and finished inside, and overall his body language just seemed better. It's sort of a catch 22 because DC needs game reps to really improve, and I think he has the most offensive potential of any of our bigs and we are going to need inside scoring, but it's hard to give him those minutes when Rak is playing well. As for Baye he is what he is and JB trusts him. My point: I see a lot of bench time for DC again this year.

Just curious as to why a DC believer and a Rak skeptic? I'm the total opposite and just would like to know the other end of the spectrum.


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[BostonOrange]

Just curious as to why a DC believer and a Rak skeptic? I'm the total opposite and just would like to know the other end of the spectrum.

Well...part of it might just be wishful thinking with DC, but in flashes I see: 1. A potentially great rebounder. His rb's per minute were far higher than Rak or Baye last year (and even last night). With that said most of his minutes last year were garbage minutes against lesser competition so maybe that # wouldn't hold up if he played 25 minutes per game. 2. On offense he flashes agility, touch, and aggression that is pretty rare in a 280 lb man. Granted...he also does that double-clutch, bring the ball down, stuff that he needs to stop. But I think it's in there. I could be wrong but it's hard to tell in 10 min a game (not criticizing JB here).

Re Rak...I completely lost confidence in him at the end of last year. He basically got beat out by Baye, which with all due respect to Baye shouldn't happen. He scored a total of 8 pts and had 8 rbs in the entire BE tourney. He did play ok in the Mich game but until then I felt like he gave us nothing in the tourney. And he had plenty of minutes\opportunity. Now, with that said I think he does have talent, and big guys often take awhile, so maybe the light goes on this year. Hope so.

 

[two3zone]

Well...part of it might just be wishful thinking with DC, but in flashes I see: 1. A potentially great rebounder. His rb's per minute were far higher than Rak or Baye last year (and even last night). With that said most of his minutes last year were garbage minutes against lesser competition so maybe that # wouldn't hold up if he played 25 minutes per game. 2. On offense he flashes agility, touch, and aggression that is pretty rare in a 280 lb man. Granted...he also does that double-clutch, bring the ball down, stuff that he needs to stop. But I think it's in there. I could be wrong but it's hard to tell in 10 min a game (not criticizing JB here).

Re Rak...I completely lost confidence in him at the end of last year. He basically got beat out by Baye, which with all due respect to Baye shouldn't happen. He scored a total of 8 pts and had 8 rbs in the entire BE tourney. He did play ok in the Mich game but until then I felt like he gave us nothing in the tourney. And he had plenty of minutes\opportunity. Now, with that said I think he does have talent, and big guys often take awhile, so maybe the light goes on this year. Hope so.

Great post, I do appreciate the insight and I can defiantly see the negatives on Rak. I don't disagree with you even that much with DC, I just don't see the future as bright.




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[SUintheVille]

Consistent PT eventually leads to more confidence and better habits on the court, with less tendency for self-doubt and mistakes, or at least mistakes that result in immediate yank. I too hope DC gets more PT because I believe in his abilities, and he seems like a guy who will perform better with more confidence with more PT. But it will be tough with a loaded front court. DC getting just 10 min last night I hope isn't a prelude of this season again. Of course, it likely will be a game to game thing where best performance = best minutes.