Lots of good stuff today. Thanks for making a bad loss better and entertaining me on a sick day.
It's too easy to say, "It just wasn't our night. Shots weren't falling." When good teams aren't making shots, they get to the line for some easy points, they pick the intensity on defense, they get into passing lanes and create fast break opportunities ... Good teams find a way to win despite Plan A/B/C not working.
This is the one I've wanted to scream for a while, ESPECIALLY regarding Lindsey. It was better written by BDP.
Waaaaaaaaay too often, the Cats and especially Lindsey put faith in their second-division 3-pt shot. The lower third of the conference in 3-pt percentage and FT attempts is not a good recipe for winning and a competitive offense.
... One other quick tangential comment - does anyone else think that our bigs aren't very good at setting screens? They seem to set up too early and give too much space, and then still try to move late too often
Maybe this is part of the issue. I agree too often the bigs set up too early. OTOH, it's pretty obvious timing of the screens is not a high priority.
But more wing players just don't use them at all to drive to the basket.
... I think in some cases the ceiling wasn't as high as a lot of us thought. In some, players don't seem to be improving what they can contribute in games year over year. And so there's a plateau in contribution and regression in areas, perhaps triggered by the lack of connectedness.
... This year's team is playing at times consistent with their ability, and at times half a notch below.
I don't think I had a ceiling nearly as high as some people out here, and player after player is not even reaching my relatively low bar.
Forget the ceiling, think about the performance of some of these guys last year. Is BMac where he was? His shooting? Lindsey is a mystery from half to half. I really like what Pardon has done, but he, Law and Skelly have spent too much of this year in foul trouble.
2. We are not getting enough from the 4. Meaning Skelly is a role player off the bench and should not be getting starter minutes ... Falzon is still regaining his confidence on offense and is also a foul machine. I am not sure why Pardon is not getting some minutes at the 4 and that would allow Benson to get some minutes at the 5 whose game appears to have developed.
a) I don't disagree with you about Skelly, but I think I've said my peace about the alternative to Skelly. That's why Skelly gets those minutes. You at least get a little something from Skelly on both sides of the ball. With Falzon, 16 games of waiting for one side of the ball is a lot.
b) I'm not in love with Benson, but he's shown a little something this year. I also don't get why his minutes are severely limited.