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Returning players for 2021-22
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<blockquote data-quote="MtnWasp" data-source="post: 803946" data-attributes="member: 4110"><p>My thinking is that you fit your scheme to the best five players. I don't think you leave your third best player on the bench to play your 7th best player to make a position or scheme fit. Better talent creates the match-up difficulties regardless of size or position. A super-talented small player can be a match-up nightmare against a less talented bigger player. </p><p></p><p>This reminds me of a story I heard Bobby Knight tell one time. It was the year that Michael Jordan entered the draft. The Portland Trailblazers had the first pick. Knight got a call from a Portland front office guy that he knew, and he asked Knight who Portland should draft. Knight told him the it was an easy pick, that Micheal Jordan was the best player in the draft. The Portland front office guy said, "But, we need a Center." Knight said that he didn't hesitiate and said, "Then play Michael Jordan at Center." The Portland brass snorted and assumed Knight was joking, but Knight said, "Seriously, Michael Jordan is the best Center in the draft.</p><p></p><p>Portland drafted Sam Bowie and the rest is history. </p><p></p><p>Not that we have a Michael Jordan, but the roster has it's best, most talented players.</p><p></p><p>GT played small ball at times last year and they defended the post primarily via perimeter ball pressure and denying the entry pass. It worked more than it didn't. </p><p></p><p>While it is nice to have some bigs on the roster that could provide flexibility if we are getting destroyed by some unfavorable match-up, I look at the roster and how it is constructed and see that the staff is going to have some interesting decisions. </p><p></p><p>Last season, Gt played mostly 2 or three PGs at the same time and I don't anticipate that changing next season. </p><p></p><p>Smith, Sturdivant, Usher, K. Moore (from tape, J. Moore also), and maybe Meka (?) are geared to run up-tempo. The first three in particular could potentially create substantial match-up advantages playing up-tempo.</p><p></p><p>Devoe, Gigiberia, Howard are geared for half court action. </p><p></p><p>I foresee a lot of rotation experimentation next year. What I can't see is either Smith or Sturdivant sitting very much. Sturdivant plays like Jarrett Jack in an uncanny fashion and although he did not shoot much last season, his percentages were good. He is poised for an expanded role. And while Smith did not shoot well last season, he plays like an angry F-16 fighter with a ton of swag. I can't see that talent sitting either. If Pastner allows the team to play up-tempo, those two guys could really blossom. </p><p></p><p>If Devoe returns as expected, I see the 4 best players on the team as Devoe, Usher, Sturdivant and Smith. I think it benefits the team that those guys get minutes. I don't know about #5, but I suspect that Deebo will make a case. Having a reliable spot-up shooter really seems to me to compliment the other guys on the floor. </p><p></p><p>As for Khalid Moore, Pastner has shown a lot of trust in this player who has put in a ton of ACC minutes and I don't see that changing next season. He expanded his game substantially last year on the offensive end but his shooting numbers remained poor. But he is a difference maker on the defensive end and he can defend practically any position on the court. Moore's stats don't pop, but his +/- demonstrates clearly that he iis one of those glue guys that makes everything work. Finally, Pastner has shown a lot of loyalty to Seniors. I don't know if Khalid will start, but I think he gets his same minutes off the bench. </p><p></p><p>Just based on the strengths of the roster, I wonder if we make the transition to positionless ball this season?</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="MtnWasp, post: 803946, member: 4110"] My thinking is that you fit your scheme to the best five players. I don't think you leave your third best player on the bench to play your 7th best player to make a position or scheme fit. Better talent creates the match-up difficulties regardless of size or position. A super-talented small player can be a match-up nightmare against a less talented bigger player. This reminds me of a story I heard Bobby Knight tell one time. It was the year that Michael Jordan entered the draft. The Portland Trailblazers had the first pick. Knight got a call from a Portland front office guy that he knew, and he asked Knight who Portland should draft. Knight told him the it was an easy pick, that Micheal Jordan was the best player in the draft. The Portland front office guy said, "But, we need a Center." Knight said that he didn't hesitiate and said, "Then play Michael Jordan at Center." The Portland brass snorted and assumed Knight was joking, but Knight said, "Seriously, Michael Jordan is the best Center in the draft. Portland drafted Sam Bowie and the rest is history. Not that we have a Michael Jordan, but the roster has it's best, most talented players. GT played small ball at times last year and they defended the post primarily via perimeter ball pressure and denying the entry pass. It worked more than it didn't. While it is nice to have some bigs on the roster that could provide flexibility if we are getting destroyed by some unfavorable match-up, I look at the roster and how it is constructed and see that the staff is going to have some interesting decisions. Last season, Gt played mostly 2 or three PGs at the same time and I don't anticipate that changing next season. Smith, Sturdivant, Usher, K. Moore (from tape, J. Moore also), and maybe Meka (?) are geared to run up-tempo. The first three in particular could potentially create substantial match-up advantages playing up-tempo. Devoe, Gigiberia, Howard are geared for half court action. I foresee a lot of rotation experimentation next year. What I can't see is either Smith or Sturdivant sitting very much. Sturdivant plays like Jarrett Jack in an uncanny fashion and although he did not shoot much last season, his percentages were good. He is poised for an expanded role. And while Smith did not shoot well last season, he plays like an angry F-16 fighter with a ton of swag. I can't see that talent sitting either. If Pastner allows the team to play up-tempo, those two guys could really blossom. If Devoe returns as expected, I see the 4 best players on the team as Devoe, Usher, Sturdivant and Smith. I think it benefits the team that those guys get minutes. I don't know about #5, but I suspect that Deebo will make a case. Having a reliable spot-up shooter really seems to me to compliment the other guys on the floor. As for Khalid Moore, Pastner has shown a lot of trust in this player who has put in a ton of ACC minutes and I don't see that changing next season. He expanded his game substantially last year on the offensive end but his shooting numbers remained poor. But he is a difference maker on the defensive end and he can defend practically any position on the court. Moore's stats don't pop, but his +/- demonstrates clearly that he iis one of those glue guys that makes everything work. Finally, Pastner has shown a lot of loyalty to Seniors. I don't know if Khalid will start, but I think he gets his same minutes off the bench. Just based on the strengths of the roster, I wonder if we make the transition to positionless ball this season? [/QUOTE]
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