Maliq on defense & his help

[tbonezone]

maliq is spending too much time out top thus the rim is getting rocked more than front row sonic center at a def leppard concert .
both justin and chris are subpar defenders (we all agree there ?)
so once you've cleared maliq it's basically shark week underneath.

 

[44Wallace]

My first post ... I think an important situation to look at is how Maliq has been faring when he's backed down in the paint. A good big man w a decent back-to-the-basket game can pretty much score at will on him, especially if he's quick to spin around him. We've had a 2nd defender in the vicinity try to assist him by catching Liq's guy on the weak side or by swatting at the dribble, but now opposing teams are pulling their players away, leaving Liq 1 on 1. In order to be more successful he must be better on defense, especially in 1 on 1 situations. Brown is not a deterrent or rim protector like Jesse was, and that's where we're getting hurt the most on defense. #15 Kidd on Va Tech was eating him up Tue night.

PJ Hall said to bump this.

 

[MikeSU02]

PJ Hall said to bump this.

Did you see Qs doubling attempt? Are you really giving a power forward guff after a year of having to bang against centers for getting burned with no help against PJ Hall? Really?

Red tried to double, our guys couldn't do it. Our guards couldn't stop a pick and roll. Maliq started fronting towards the end of the game when it was clear no one could functionally help and rotate. He got Hall off his spot and he released to go set a high ball screen.

Bump this all you want, if you're hammering Maliq after this game in this context, you got to start seeing what the other options are.

 

[44Wallace]

Did you see Qs doubling attempt? Are you really giving a power forward guff after a year of having to bang against centers for getting burned with no help against PJ Hall? Really?

Red tried to double, our guys couldn't do it. Our guards couldn't stop a pick and roll. Maliq started fronting towards the end of the game when it was clear no one could functionally help and rotate. He got Hall off his spot and he released to go set a high ball screen.

Bump this all you want, if you're hammering Maliq after this game in this context, you got to start seeing what the other options are.

I'm not hammering Maliq, just saying that PJ Hall on him was the biggest factor in this game, and that was outrageously the case. Don't take it out on me.

 

[jordoo]

IMO Maliq, overall, is a good defender. He is excellent in many area's and he is subpar in a couple. (rim protection and 1v1 post defense) I wouldn't say PJ Hall just "big boyed" him, I'd say he "big brothered" him. And this is coming from a guy with an older brother. Yes Hall is bigger and stronger but he's also infinitely more experienced in post play. He's reading Maliq based on the feel of the contact when he bumps him and instinctively pursuing the path of least resistance. In the situations where Maliq played excellent defense Hall turned into him, got his elbows at face level and simply dropped it in over the top. Give Maliq another 15 lbs and another couple seasons and he won't get completely owned by guys like Hall. That said it would still be a PF guarding a C and if that C is a post player they should be able to convert at a high rate in 1v1 situations against a non shot blocking PF. Some times late in the season Maliq has been making great effort not to commit fouls which makes it impossible to do your work early and fight for the spot. Sometimes he's been tired from too many minutes and a long season. Almost all the time he's defending a bigger/stonger/post specialist.

 

[phil77]

I like Maliq I think he is a solid player and an ultimate glue guy but I think the two things Maliq is weak at are the reasons why getting a portal center is near the top of the Reds must have this offseason with a veteran PG. We have no rim protection and no low post-scoring. If we want to make it back to where we all want to be Maliq can't be our starting center next year just like nobody on the roster including Mintz can be our starting PG next year.

 

[stlorange]

Guys, remember that Maliq has most likely been under strict orders not to foul. It's hard to play effective D when you're worried about fouling, especially in the first half. I agree he's not a rim protector but he has been effectively playing with one hand tied since nobody can really replace him.

 

[tbonezone]

but if Maliq is so tired that they are basically doing a layup line, Red has to adjust the help.

as many here already know i do track MPG rather closely. this week maliq enters conference top 20 at #16.
he joins judah at #2 and JJ at # 8 . ACC is a 15 team conference. gives you a glimpse into rotation patterns.