In Reply to: Let's assume Cronin decides to insert a big man into posted by ej on November 07, 2024 at 21:12:48
I think your post underestimates Johnson's impact on the offensive end, ej. His passing is a major plus on offense and his quickness and team focus helps a lot also.
I think Kyle is the first choice at center, be it starting or off the bench, then Mara second. Kyle needs to adapt to a higher level of opposition but Mara, while improved, still needs to get stronger and gain more experience.
Clark has real potential at the 2 spot and he's the lead sub at PG. But so far anyway he also seems the most mercurial of our kay players - when his shot is on he's tremendous and very effective, but there are nights his shot is off. And Sebastian Mack is getting significant play there and Trent Perry is also getting minutes, minutes that might otherwise go to Skyy Clark.
The other interesting conundrum facing Mick Cronin comes if he reverts to a bigger lineup. Put either Kyle or Mara in the post, you have Dylan Andrews at PG and that leaves three spots. We have two "power forwards" - Bilodeau and Dailey. We have two wings - 3s - Johnson and Stefanovic. The small lineup has us playing BOTH Bilodeau and Dailey together. But that;'s really hard to do if we are playing two guards together.
We could play Johnson at the "2" spot with Dailey at the 3 and Bilodeau at the 4 (or visa versa). Or we have to choose.
I would think for Mick Cronin he would be hardest put to sit Johnson or Bilodeau too early or for too long. Dailey is proving a huge factor on this team. But I feel it would be more difficult for Mick to pull Johnson or Bilodeau, And, if he wants to play two guards together AND a true center - that's the key three man rotation he must play with.
Just thoughts. But that process - watching it play out as Mick experiments with combinations and the players grow during this season - that makes watching this team develop such a terrific process!