What will make or break this 2025-26 team?

[RF2044]

Coaching, Defense and 3 point shooting

I think this is right.

Those were the three systemic flaws last year, and it remains to be seen whether things will change even with the new personnel.

Going to be interesting.

 

[Cusefan0307]

Defending is at the top of the list. Red holding JJ accountable and JJ becoming a role player that takes 4-5 less shots a game.

 

[Orangezoo]

Defending is at the top of the list. Red holding JJ accountable and JJ becoming a role player that takes 4-5 less shots a game.

Red holding everyone accountable for that matter too and taking advantage of having a bench full of guys who should be utilized to add what is missing if a starter is struggling or the matchup isn’t ideal.

Naturally the rotation will shrink some as the season progresses but smart sub patterns have to be part of his evolution as a coach. There was a bare cupboard to work with last year but even then games were lost or non competitive due to major issues with the decision making around who to put on the court and who to keep on the court.

 

[FrancoPizza]

Coaching, Defense and 3 point shooting

But did you enjoy the play, Mary Todd?

 

[Eric15]

Also, re: Kiyan, we obviously can't in any way expect him to be Melo. That would be completely unfair to him. But he also can't be a freshman year Fab Melo or Rak or Benny Williams or Paul Harris where they're just totally unprepared to play as a frosh. If we're going to make the tourney, he has to be reasonably ready out of the gate similar to Flynn/Donte Greene.

 

[M2MPrinciples]

How they respond to adversity. Every team gives up 7-0 runs, the key is not letting them turn into 13-2 runs.

 

[RedtheGOB]

I hate the accountability to Autry comments but I can understand them after what the fanbase is used to.

Here’s where I am. I want the players and team accountable to themselves and each other not to Autry. This is a paid professional basketball league now and we have talented athletes on this years team. Even the freshman are not nearly as green as usual.

What stops losing streaks and getting blown out of games is dudes looking at each other in the huddle during Timeouts and on the bench saying enough of this garbage this stops now. It’s not getting yelled at by a coach.

 

[Cusefan0307]

Also, re: Kiyan, we obviously can't in any way expect him to be Melo. That would be completely unfair to him. But he also can't be a freshman year Fab Melo or Rak or Benny Williams or Paul Harris where they're just totally unprepared to play as a frosh. If we're going to make the tourney, he has to be reasonably ready out of the gate similar to Flynn/Donte Greene.

He won’t start. Kingz will. Kiyan will at best be the 6th man.

 

[orangefog]

I hate the accountability to Autry comments but I can understand them after what the fanbase is used to.

Here’s where I am. I want the players and team accountable to themselves and each other not to Autry. This is a paid professional basketball league now and we have talented athletes on this years team. Even the freshman are not nearly as green as usual.

What stops losing streaks and getting blown out of games is dudes looking at each other in the huddle during Timeouts and on the bench and saying enough of this garbage not getting yelled at by a coach.

Getting coached by the coach often helps. He gets paid, too. To...coach...