I was very vocal about issues early last season and they turned out plaguing the team for the whole season. I’m starting to see a few things that could be a cause for concern, but since we’re still only five games in and the team isn’t at 100%, I’m going to keep them in the “things to monitor” category rather than labeling them major concerns for now.
Here are some things I’ve noticed:
1) Conditioning, conditioning, conditioning
I understand they’re playing a short rotation, but this team has looked gassed in almost every performance so far. And it’s not just fatigue, either. I think it bleeds into decision-making (19 turnovers last night) and effort, which would explain the inability to really dominate for a full 40 minutes or completely pull away from an opponent.
How does that get fixed? Will getting TB and Aidoo back help? Remains to be seen, but something to monitor.
2) Shot selection
Before I get into this, I’ll preface it by stating I’m not even talking about Davis and Knox shooting *some* of their wide open threes. The team needs them to shoot and make those to get going. Should they be shooting as much as they did last night while they’re in this slump? Not at all.
But more of what I’m talking about here is outside of that. Playing with a lead late, taking a contested, off the dribble three early in the shot clock. Driving to the rim with no plan and with head down and just throwing something up at the rim. Shots with minimum movement in the set.
Pretty easily fixable, honestly, and I think a massive need to help fix it is getting offense from Davis. If/when his shot starts falling, you won’t have guys taking as many rushed shots or feeling they have to force something to the rim.
Davis is still shaking rust off. I’ve been told he’s spending hours in the gym trying to get his shot back, and to be patient with his return to form. Hopefully by mid-December.
If he’s not scoring/shooting better by January 1, could be a major issue for this team.
3) Playing with a lead
Seems like the team lacks a killer instinct. They can jump out hot and take a big early lead, but then coast. That’s how teams stay in it and threaten things late.
Have to, absolutely have to fix that and develop some sort of killer instinct. Better teams won’t be as forgiving as Little Rock and Lipscomb.
I’ll also add, there are a lot of things this team is actually doing very well, so I’d be remiss not to mention those:
1) defense as a whole is very good, particularly perimeter defense. Forcing a lot of steals and protecting the rim
2) I said going into the season that I felt shooting was an overstated issue, though there was a lack of experienced shooters on the roster, but there are multiple guys shooting well right now. Fland, Z, Thiero, Wagner are competent-to-very good shooters right now at pretty decent volume so far. Much needed.
3) play great in transition. Muss teams never seemed to run breaks well, but hasn’t been an issue this year.
We’ll see how things develop moving forward, but these are just some notable things I’ve been noticing so far. Would love to hear your thoughts.
Here are some things I’ve noticed:
1) Conditioning, conditioning, conditioning
I understand they’re playing a short rotation, but this team has looked gassed in almost every performance so far. And it’s not just fatigue, either. I think it bleeds into decision-making (19 turnovers last night) and effort, which would explain the inability to really dominate for a full 40 minutes or completely pull away from an opponent.
How does that get fixed? Will getting TB and Aidoo back help? Remains to be seen, but something to monitor.
2) Shot selection
Before I get into this, I’ll preface it by stating I’m not even talking about Davis and Knox shooting *some* of their wide open threes. The team needs them to shoot and make those to get going. Should they be shooting as much as they did last night while they’re in this slump? Not at all.
But more of what I’m talking about here is outside of that. Playing with a lead late, taking a contested, off the dribble three early in the shot clock. Driving to the rim with no plan and with head down and just throwing something up at the rim. Shots with minimum movement in the set.
Pretty easily fixable, honestly, and I think a massive need to help fix it is getting offense from Davis. If/when his shot starts falling, you won’t have guys taking as many rushed shots or feeling they have to force something to the rim.
Davis is still shaking rust off. I’ve been told he’s spending hours in the gym trying to get his shot back, and to be patient with his return to form. Hopefully by mid-December.
If he’s not scoring/shooting better by January 1, could be a major issue for this team.
3) Playing with a lead
Seems like the team lacks a killer instinct. They can jump out hot and take a big early lead, but then coast. That’s how teams stay in it and threaten things late.
Have to, absolutely have to fix that and develop some sort of killer instinct. Better teams won’t be as forgiving as Little Rock and Lipscomb.
I’ll also add, there are a lot of things this team is actually doing very well, so I’d be remiss not to mention those:
1) defense as a whole is very good, particularly perimeter defense. Forcing a lot of steals and protecting the rim
2) I said going into the season that I felt shooting was an overstated issue, though there was a lack of experienced shooters on the roster, but there are multiple guys shooting well right now. Fland, Z, Thiero, Wagner are competent-to-very good shooters right now at pretty decent volume so far. Much needed.
3) play great in transition. Muss teams never seemed to run breaks well, but hasn’t been an issue this year.
We’ll see how things develop moving forward, but these are just some notable things I’ve been noticing so far. Would love to hear your thoughts.
