IthacaMatt
Old Timer / Unofficial Contributor for 25+ years
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When we watch how they all develop in the next month, this is how it looks to me:
I think Melo, Kris and Scoop are the 3 cornerstone guys who will play the most at their positions, or at least be sure starters.
I think Brandon and Dion are going to split most of the time at the 2, while Christmas and Fair do the same at the other forward spot. Obvious, right.
Well, here's what I think we need to do, to have a good balance of offense and defense on the floor:
It is a given that Christmas is going to be in the rotation, just to take the rebounding and interior defensive pressure off our 2 young centers. So when Christmas is out there, who would you prefer be the 2 guard - Dion or Brandon? I think Dion is more confident of having to take over and run the offense, or create something.
Brandon can still be effective, but I think Dion is going to pass him offensively, but Brandon can still excel in defense, rebounding, protecting and distributing the ball and being a "glue" guy, like his uncle and like other greats like Josh Pace, and even Craig Forth. You need those guys, too, to win championships.
I think you pair C.J. Fair, the more offensively explosive player at forward, with Brandon, who is a bigger guard, who can get you some rebounds around the defensive boards to help offset the rebounding shortcomings that you might get with only Kris and Fair to support the center on the boards.
So, think back to the #1 team two years ago - Scoop and Kris were the 2 super subs who came in together at the 8 minute mark or so. Two of our guys need to fill that role.
I think if you are going to continue to give Brandon the start because J.B. thinks he's more steady and plays better defense, then you probably ought to be starting C. J. Fair at the other forward spot, and bring Dion and Christmas in together as the first subs. It gives you better balance of offensive and defensive talent.
To me, having Brandon and Christmas on the floor, especially when Keita is at center, is going to have a hard time scoring. That's why i think J.B. will eventually (hopefully) settle on Fair with Triche, and Christmas with Waiters. I think it avoids having a really bad offensive group on the floor while do your best to balance out the defense.
I think Melo, Kris and Scoop are the 3 cornerstone guys who will play the most at their positions, or at least be sure starters.
I think Brandon and Dion are going to split most of the time at the 2, while Christmas and Fair do the same at the other forward spot. Obvious, right.
Well, here's what I think we need to do, to have a good balance of offense and defense on the floor:
It is a given that Christmas is going to be in the rotation, just to take the rebounding and interior defensive pressure off our 2 young centers. So when Christmas is out there, who would you prefer be the 2 guard - Dion or Brandon? I think Dion is more confident of having to take over and run the offense, or create something.
Brandon can still be effective, but I think Dion is going to pass him offensively, but Brandon can still excel in defense, rebounding, protecting and distributing the ball and being a "glue" guy, like his uncle and like other greats like Josh Pace, and even Craig Forth. You need those guys, too, to win championships.
I think you pair C.J. Fair, the more offensively explosive player at forward, with Brandon, who is a bigger guard, who can get you some rebounds around the defensive boards to help offset the rebounding shortcomings that you might get with only Kris and Fair to support the center on the boards.
So, think back to the #1 team two years ago - Scoop and Kris were the 2 super subs who came in together at the 8 minute mark or so. Two of our guys need to fill that role.
I think if you are going to continue to give Brandon the start because J.B. thinks he's more steady and plays better defense, then you probably ought to be starting C. J. Fair at the other forward spot, and bring Dion and Christmas in together as the first subs. It gives you better balance of offensive and defensive talent.
To me, having Brandon and Christmas on the floor, especially when Keita is at center, is going to have a hard time scoring. That's why i think J.B. will eventually (hopefully) settle on Fair with Triche, and Christmas with Waiters. I think it avoids having a really bad offensive group on the floor while do your best to balance out the defense.