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[QUOTE="IthacaMatt, post: 4997284, member: 405"]
Well, the way players have improved in the last month or so, I feel a lot better about the existing forward and center rotation, if all these guys are back.

If Bell continues to apply himself defensively, continues to move without the ball, and keeps working on his midrange game, he has the potential to be a really outstanding small forward.  I wouldn't have believed it, but he has gotten SO much better this last 4-6 weeks.  It's remarkable.  I can see him as a starting level SF on a top team, now.

So, that gives you Maliq and Donnie Freeman.

Donnie Freeman, at the end of last summer, still had the body of a preying mantis kind of SF, not strong enough to play down low, skilled for a big man, but not a legit 3.  Now, watching the IMG / LaLumiere game, and how he completely dominated inside (granted LL missing a guy or two), wow, he's a new player than he was back in July/August. His body looks stronger.  His mobility is terrific.

I can see Donnie and Maliq both playing defense close to the rim.  I wouldn't have thought that about Donnie last summer.

OK, so if MacLeod can come back, and one of the other guys (Patterson or Carey) can play 5 minutes a game, we suddenly look pretty good.  MacLeod has to be healthy enough to play 10 minutes a game, and 5 minutes from the other guy, and suddenly this rotation fits together a lot better.

Red has noticeably improved a number of players and has gotten guys playing together.  This wasn't the case a month or two ago.  The culture looks so much healthier recently.  Guys are playing the way they're supposed to play, much more than we've seen before.
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