In Reply to: Whatever the case, I think Cronin needs to find a way to posted by ej on August 24, 2026 at 10:41:31
We need to avoid the Mara outcome at all costs. He needs to be on the floor, but I think that’s easier said than done, especially for Cronin. His job is on the line either way. If he doesn’t play him, he’s going to get crushed for it. But if the kid can’t at least be a speed bump defensively, Cronin is going to get crushed for that too. Without much backline help, Kusta is going to be on an island, and teams are surely going to try to isolate him. It’ll be really interesting to see how Cronin gets him his minutes.
On the bright side, I really like what we’re seeing from some of the other guys. Dailey seems to be on a mission. He reminds me a little of what we saw from Jaime when he first started coming into his own. Not that I’m saying he’s going to be Jaime, but there’s definitely something there. You also have to like the upside with Philon. The length and quickness are there. He’s a great canvas for Cronin to work with.
Let’s face it, Booker is probably never going to be what we ultimately hoped he’d be, but he looks much more willing to mix it up. I saw a hint of that toward the end of last year, and I think he can play a meaningful role for this team.
Petty wasn’t in this video, but as I’ve said before, I think he’s going to be the best player on the floor in a lot of games. We also haven’t seen Stink or Jovic yet, and those are two really important pieces.
So, despite some of the concerns, I really like this group. There’s a lot to work with here.