Lazar=Novak?

[cheebs09]

Watching the game last night with how well Lazar played, and thinking about next year, we've all heard the comparisons of next years class being the equivalent to this year's seniors, but we also have to look how Lazar could be this groups Novak. He took a lot of pressure off the triplets with 3 point shooting and the person that the defenses keyed in on. Hopefully Lazar is up to the challenge of being able to do that for the new guys. I also think he will be helpful for Maymon because even though Lazar will probably be more out around the perimeter, Maymon can look to him as a guy who was an undersized 4 that scored in creative ways, altho Maymon isn't the shooter that Lazar is.

[MUWarrior06]

No

[🏀]

No

+ 1,000,000,000

[bilsu]

Novak had no inside game. Lazar does.

[MUWarrior06]

I'll elaborate

There are vast differences offensively between Hayward and Novak... (defensively too, but this thread addresses only offensive comparisons)

Hayward does not only shoot 3 pointers
Hayward is an undersized 4, Novak was an oversized 3
Hayward is a more dynamic player, who can create his own shots
Novak did not "score in creative ways"... he could shoot lights out, so that's what he did
Hayward is not as good as Steve. Steve may have been just a shooter, but he was the best at it. Hayward is not the best at anything he does, nor is he the worst
One could make the statement that Steve was a one-trick pony and be somewhat accurate. You cannot say that about Hayward

Bottom line- you're comparing an overall gifted athlete to a gifted shooter

These two are very different players. I think I get the point you're trying to make- Novak created space for others to work... but I don't see Hayward doing that. He will always be a 3 playing a 4, while Novak was always a 4 playing a 3. Novak drew the defense out, Hayward will not.

I wouldn't jump to conclusions on Hayward for the season or for next year based on how he's looked thus far. Sure, he's had a great start so far, but that's against cupcakes. Against the Big East he'll be matched up against taller, more athletic players who will provide a bigger challenge. Unfortunately there's no way Hayward will shine like he has so far against those players.

Does he give us another offensive weapon in case our guards are blanketed or having a bad day? Sure, but he's not going to carry our team to wins in the Big East. Novak could have and did, but only because he could hit a shot from any place on the court... and you just can't defend that.

To be honest, I don't believe you can compare Lazar to any recent-past players at Marquette, because I don't think MU's had an athletic 3/4 like him in a long time. Nor will the impact he has on the offense be anything we've seen recently. This offense will still revolve around the 3 guards (it just wouldn't be MU basketball if it didn't)

[bilsu]

I'll elaborate

There are vast differences offensively between Hayward and Novak...
Novak did not "score in creative ways"... he could shoot lights out, so that's what he did
He will always be a 3 playing a 4.

I think Hayward plays Matthew's three spot next year.

[SqueallyDRyan]

If the poster was speculating that Hayward might be able to lead the team next year as a senior in a way similar to Novak did I would agree that it is possible.  Lazar appears to be a man amongst boys at times.  Hopefully Lazar continues to play well.

[Rollout-the-Barrel]

Lazar reminds me more of Alando Tucker.  Great ability to score around the basket with touch even though he's undersized and he can hit the three.

[MUWarrior06]

If the poster was speculating that Hayward might be able to lead the team next year as a senior in a way similar to Novak did I would agree that it is possible.  Lazar appears to be a man amongst boys at times.  Hopefully Lazar continues to play well.

The poster stated:

"[Novak] took a lot of pressure off the triplets with 3 point shooting and the person that the defenses keyed in on. Hopefully Lazar is up to the challenge of being able to do that for the new guys."


I disagree 100%

In fact, next year's team won't be anything close to what the last 5 years of MU basketball (post-Wade) have been: guard-centered basketball relying on the 3 pointer to win games.

I think the last thing we need is a player that will free up our guards to shoot. In fact, what guards will we have next season that we'd be confident carrying our team on 3s?

Next year will be fun to watch because it'll be something we haven't seen in a very long time.

The assessment of Hayward as a Tucker-type player is dead on. That's exactly what he is. He creates scoring, is a very good athlete, and is someone you really don't want to forget about.

I think Hayward plays Matthew's three spot next year.

It would be nice to see moving him to 3, where I think he would have more of a Tucker-type impact, being able to just be an athlete on the floor and make some plays.

However, I don't see it. I think Williams or Maymon may see immediate starting at the 3 unless Otule and McMorrow develop so well to earn starting spots, moving Hayward to the 3, but I'm not going to be so quick to believe that will happen. It would be very nice though.

It all depends on how good this recruit class is... I've seen it ranked as high as #2 and as low as #18... regardless I wouldn't be surprised to see at a freshman starting for this team next year. Quite frankly I think it should happen.

[AZWarrior]

I hope Maymon can play the 4 immediately as I've always felt Hayward was more of a natural 3 forced to play the 4 out of necessity.  If Hayward makes it to the next level, its as a 3.

[🏀]

Out of the incoming freshman, I think Maymon and Junior have the best chances at getting starting positions off the break. I think Junior will out play Acker easily at the 1. O'Tule, Roseboro, and McMorrow will be patrolling the 5 depending on their personal developments. Hayward will be able to move over the the 3 with Maymon at the 4 as AZWarrior noted. However, I'm struggling to find next year's two guard. Cubillian seems to be on his way out. Acker might find some minutes there. Buycks might be the two guard, but I have little information on him. It seems like we might be playing with guys that are 3s are the 2. Going to be a big, young team next year.

[jmayer1]

Out of the incoming freshman, I think Maymon and Junior have the best chances at getting starting positions off the break. I think Junior will out play Acker easily at the 1. O'Tule, Roseboro, and McMorrow will be patrolling the 5 depending on their personal developments. Hayward will be able to move over the the 3 with Maymon at the 4 as AZWarrior noted. However, I'm struggling to find next year's two guard. Cubillian seems to be on his way out. Acker might find some minutes there. Buycks might be the two guard, but I have little information on him. It seems like we might be playing with guys that are 3s are the 2. Going to be a big, young team next year.

It sounds like E Williams should be able to play some 2 guard next year.

I think the rotation next year will be:

1. Cadougan/Acker/Cubes
2. Buycks/Butler/E Willaims/Cubes
3. Lazar/FulceE Williams
4. Maymon/Fulce/Hazel/Roseboro
5. McMorrow/Otule

[Badgerhater920]

how nice does that kind of depth sound?

[cheebs09]

If the poster was speculating that Hayward might be able to lead the team next year as a senior in a way similar to Novak did I would agree that it is possible.  Lazar appears to be a man amongst boys at times.  Hopefully Lazar continues to play well.

Yea I was trying to say that Lazar will kind of be the leader like Novak was for the triplets. I realize they are two completely different players, just that they will be in similar roles in each of their senior years.

[SqueallyDRyan]

yahtzee!

[77fan88warrior]

Novak was terrible his junior year after Diener went down. I was frankly shocked how good Novak was offensively his senior year. DJ's ability to drive and Novak's shooting made it very tough on our competitors. Can you imagine how good Hayward could be if we had a shooter and a post up player?