In Reply to: I think, with this team, Cronin ended up with a very posted by ej on November 11, 2025 at 15:42:08
this seems to key point to me, ej.
Mick decided he needed more and better shooters but his strength as a coach is coaching defense. He also clearly needed a true rim protector and rebounder but perhaps those needs caused Mara to feel his offensive production was being undervalued and he transferred away.
Already having spent the bulk of available money landing Dent and retaining Bilodeau, Dailey , Cklarjk and Perry, he opted for a talented project and a couple other journeyman backups in the post.
Brown seems to be a good Cronin type team player, a piece, but it may be that Mick & Co. underestimated the effects (at the defensive end especially) of having Tyler and Eric each moving down a position. In each case that elevates the quickness of the opposing players at their new spots, added quickness that requires of each of them more quickness and athletic flexibility than they actually possess.
Perhaps the lack of cohesion on offense will diminish in time but so far at least it looks like what we may have to revert to is slowing the game into a half court more and making Dent making things happen, first of all for himself, a much higher priority. Dent hold onto the ball and look to make something happen - if he's open, driver to the basket; if they cut him off look to pull up and shoot; if that isn't good then hit to Clark trailing him or working screens to get one of the shooters - Dailey, Bilodeau, Brown - open for a midrange (preferably) jumper.
But on defense, it just feels to me like Dent is at a disadvantage defending the perimeter, Bilodeau is a big minus, Dailey is still half a step slow - unsure how much of that is rust. I posted before that, to my eyes (and based largely on watching the defense) I think we might be better off starting Dent, Clark Brown, Dailey and Booker and bringing Bilodeau off the bench to provide an offensive punch.
Any Cronin team thrives first and foremost on defense. I know we want more bang for the buck on offense but for Mick Cronin to lose sight of the priority of having a core of players who can thrive first and foremost in his preferred defense is to minimize his own strengths as a coach. Trying to cram the most offense he can find onto the court at the same time is just fools gold
Hope I'm pessimistic to a fault but that's how I'm feeling about the team and reading what you and Mantis write (and conversations I've had with others whose experience and thinking I also value) doesn't ease my concern one whit.