Well, you’re not wrong. He did get his butt handed to him in the post quite a bit. He has deficiencies. I think indeed, for the more traditional way we tried to play last year…he definitely did not have the strength or footwork to defend conventional BIGs (solo) in the paint for extended periods of time…that’s why BBV and Omar undoubtedly played ahead. Also, offensively he does notDon't you think that if Hawk was able to match up defensively at the 5 last year that he would have been ahead of BBV and Omar in the rotation at the 5. In the limited time he did try to play the 5 on defense he was decided over matched and gave up easy buckets getting backed down. I feel people are drinking Kool Aid thinking that's changed. I listen to WDWS and Tate and Kelly agree as well. I don't see Hawkins as a string defender at the 5 like he can be at the 4. Hopefully he is much bigger and stronger just a few. Months later otherwise we need some beef vs some of the elite teams with guys like NC, Purdue, ScuM, and others.
have the greatest offensive vocabulary with his back to the basket. All true.
But there are going to be drawbacks to however you decide to play. And your personnel dictates how you play.
I feel like the trade- off is more than likely worth it. The scheme is everything. It’s a different philosophy to wrap your head around for sure…but you gotta play to your strengths.
I dunno what the defensive scheme is gonna be next year. I have no idea. But it sure seems like the staff has assembled the personnel to play an aggressive switching man-man Defense. Hell, we’ve acquired 3 dudes that came from schools that play that way. I’d be shocked if we didn’t incorporate elements of that with this group. I’m thinking it’s gonna be more of a turn people over type- thing on each possession…rather than play straight up and directly behind more like last year.
I feel like in switching type D…a 6’11 a wild man like Coleman would excel. It’d be likecontinuous, aggressive half-court press. Each hard switch is a turn over opportunity.
Last year we were sending guys in to be Kofi 2.O…BBV and even Omar were better at that…BBV had better footwork and was better at the game of angles…Omar couldn’t stay on his feet; but he might block ya…those were not Coleman’s strong suits admittedly
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