Zaide for Jop

[PGsHeroes32]

And yet, our record is worse as he gets more time.

Because guys like Joplin continue to get too much time and get worse

[BM1090]

We could start ZL and RP but it would hurt defensively.

Yeah it's get a little and give a little for sure.

But we're constantly in big holes to start games. That's mostly because three of our starters have been bad for a month. Gotta do something new.

I think Kam/Chase/Zaide/Owens/Ben gives you four solid defenders to cover for Owens on that end. And Parham is improving.

Stevie and Jop coming off the bench in specialized roles might jump start them too.

[rocky_warrior]

No. But that's on the other guys. Zaide is playing well on both ends.

Zaide *has* to be one of our best players next year.  I like the kid.  But...

[PGsHeroes32]

We could start ZL and RP but it would hurt defensively.

????????

[MuggsyB]

Yeah it's get a little and give a little for sure.

But we're constantly in big holes to start games. That's mostly because three of our starters have been bad for a month. Gotta do something new.

I think Kam/Chase/Zaide/Owens/Ben gives you four solid defenders to cover for Owens on that end. And Parham is improving.

Stevie and Jop coming off the bench in specialized roles might jump start them too.

I'm gonna give Stevie the benefit of the doubt.  He's been key in all of our big wins.  But Lowery is a very capable rebounder and we can play small.  My leash and patience with Jop and Ben right now is fairly small.  The overall point you made is important because if teams do not respect Jop and Stevie, the spacing and geometry of our offense is a problem.

[MuggsyB]

????????

Jop and Ben have been for the most part okay defensively.  ZL is still undersized if he's gonna play F and RP isn't there yet.

[The Sultan]

Jop has been TERRIBLE off ball defensively. He's been bad most of his career here, but almost inexlicably has gotten worse.

[PGsHeroes32]

NOw the potential(as it looks) for legit injury would change things a bit.

But if Stevie is feeling fine I don't bench him. He's been a full time starter for 3 years now. We can win with Stevie as a starter if he's the complimentary glue guy.

The issue is, Jop and Ben and to an extent Chase/Kam are making it so Stevie is expected more.

Its Jop that needs to be first to bench. Guess where he's excelled before??? 6th man. Its not hard. Guy is launching bricks all year its not a slump. Its 27 games of data.

[PointWarrior]

Seems like a Shaka fault to not make starting lineup changes. 

[tower912]

3 new starters next season.

[ATL MU Warrior]

3 new starters next season.

Gonna be a loooong year next year too, but without the high of the non-con season.  yay?

[tower912]

I am positively giddy about next season.

[BM1090]

Yeah I'm pumped about next year. I think we'll be better than this year if we get solid PG play.

I think for the rest of this year, Zaide for Jop is where I'd start. Jop as sixth man. Leave Stevie and Ben in there for now but their roles shouldn't be safe.

[rocky_warrior]

I am positively giddy about next season.

Last year it was easy to look at the games kolek was out, and say "we'll be just fine". 

Hopefully others will step up, but I don't have that same feeling about Kam and Stevie being gone next year.

Will be watching intently regardless...

[Captain Quette]

I like subbing out Jop, might give us a boost off the bench. Don't think shaka has the guts to do it. I thought Jop was much improved on D this year but have not looked at the stats. This, if true, would not offset his brick laying. We need a big and a shooter next year from the portal. Great to see the young guys get clock.

[MuggsyB]

Jop's D gets worse when he's bricking. His off the ball D has been quite poor the last month. 

[The Sultan]

I like subbing out Jop, might give us a boost off the bench. Don't think shaka has the guts to do it. I thought Jop was much improved on D this year but have not looked at the stats. This, if true, would not offset his brick laying. We need a big and a shooter next year from the portal. Great to see the young guys get clock.

Jop has improved as an on-ball defender. But he is late on rotations and repeatedly loses track of guys when his guy doesn't have the ball. Really not very instinctive at all.

[MuggsyB]

Last year it was easy to look at the games kolek was out, and say "we'll be just fine". 

Hopefully others will step up, but I don't have that same feeling about Kam and Stevie being gone next year.

Will be watching intently regardless...

It's very difficult to be optimistic about our chances this year but nothing is over.

[rocky_warrior]

It's very difficult to be optimistic about our chances this year but nothing is over.

I'm still rooting for them to win it all this year!

[ATL MU Warrior]

I am positively giddy about next season.

Wish I could share your optimism but lately I'm seeing nothing that gives me much hope.  Hopefully the freshmen can bring shooting but can't rely on freshman.

[tower912]

I have watched 6-10 the last two games compared to where they were a month ago and I am salivating.

[BM1090]

I have watched 6-10 the last two games compared to where they were a month ago and I am salivating.

Yep. It's 1-5, and particularly 3-5 that needs to get it together.

[rocky_warrior]

I have watched 6-10 the last two games compared to where they were a month ago and I am salivating.

I'm pretty certain that's a medical condition.

[The Sultan]

Jop's D gets worse when he's bricking. His off the ball D has been quite poor the last month. 

No bueno for a senior to let poor performance on one end affect him on the other.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

Gonna be a loooong year next year too, but without the high of the non-con season.  yay?

Wrong.