Who else could it be though. X and Matthews have not proven to be skilled enough to do it. DJ and Mo are bigs and it is tough to have the ball in a bigs hands majority of the game. Duncan has proven to struggle creating for himself although he did diversify his game.
We are going to need X to step up and be what Walton was his first and beginning of his second year and get the offense going. I am hoping he is better at attacking the basket showing a good floater as I think teams will make him prove he can score.
We donāt have anybody now who can reliably shoot long range shots off the bounce as they curl around a screen for exampleā¦Yet our offense is functioningā¦
I think we will have to freshman who will have that ability (Poole and Brooks) but you know freshman. This is why I feel the first option is to try for a grad transfer if no Bamba who has those skills but also the ability to attack the rim. Zak is that person for the team right now but to me its more or only efficient inside the arc.
I think I had similar worries earlier in the year. I was thinking it was crucial that either X, MAAR, Poole or Brooks take over the dynamic playmaker role that Levert, Morris, Stauskas and Burke played so well. My thought is shifting a bit because we are winning without that type of playerā¦In other words, I donāt see a big difference between MAARās playmaking skillset and Irvinās or Waltonās. None of them are great playmakers but MAAR, in my mind,is probably able to be just as adequate as Walton and probably more adequate than what Irvin has provided this yearā¦
Maybe Brooks or Pool would be better I donāt know.
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I think the bigger question on all this is who will be the end of game go-to guy? Whoās the guy who can get his own shot or create at the end of the shot clock? Who takes the big shot? Who quiets a teamās opposing run?
I think itās critical the team has that one person to go to in these situations. The team knows thatās Walton now. It could be Irvin too, but when he was struggling and Walton wasnāt the lead guy, thatās when the team couldnāt hold their leads.
I have no concerns at all about Beilein having a successful offense without an alpha dog. In my opinion, this team will be good enough to spread the wealth. Theyāll have tons of options like everyone has said.
You donāt see any difference between MAAR and the two seniors? I donāt think MAAR has shown much when it comes to seeing the floor or finding a teammate. Iām not really that worried about it though, I think Simpson has a take charge personality that will continue to emerge as his confidence grows.
I really donāt see a big difference. I think Irvin sees the floor better than DW and MAAR but often lacks the technical skill and athleticism to complete the plays. Walton does not see the floor well at allā¦
Walton has been directing the team pretty well that last month and in a way the MAAR could never accomplish as I see it.
Itās amazing what can happen to your percentages when you take good shots! Loving it.
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Spoke too early. Zak sitting at 4 of 13 (.308) from the field and 1 of 6 (.167) from three.
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Last game was more aberration to me then anything. Itās clear to me his best role is role player. Love his defense, love his vision. I like his driving ability. A shooter he is not. His decision making is still very poor.
6-8 shots a game is the best situation. Open threes, slashing to the rim. Best situation for us.
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Lol, even when he takes good shots he misses them wildly. Itās almost like heās just not a good shooter!
Walton, MAAR, Irvin, DJ, Wagner= Zak is the fifth option.
Walton, Robinson, Irvin, DJ, Wagner= Zak is the fifth option.
Walton, Robinson, Irvin, DJ, Donnal= Zak is the fifth option.
Walton, x, Irvin, DJ, Wagner= Zak is the fourth option. (Barely.)
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I guess we all have our favorites. To me itās always been clear his decision making was very iffy and his freshman year shooting was an aberration. I just hope coach b can sit him down or Derrick ( you see derricks reaction on his 3 in ot? Not the first time heās reacted this way too) and get him to see where his value is. If he can embrace that defender energy role it will do wonders for our offense/ team.
Agreed. I donāt want to beat him up. He has a lot of value. In his head I think he thinks heās a go to weapon. Iām glad his confident but it be fool hardy to an extent. Just hope everyone adjusts.
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I donāt know if his freshman year shooting was an aberration. I think he had a unique shot that involved started to the side and spinning it sideways rather than straight back and I think it worked for him. Beilein said after that season that they were going to work on his form and since then heās had a still odd push type shot and heās gone 32.6% from three over 3 seasons and more than 450 attempts. Sometimes itās better to go the āif it aināt broke, donāt fix itā route.
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I guess I missed a lot of games that year. Iād have to watch the release. Man he was knock down.
Good point. His shot form actually changed a lot after his Freshman year. oops.
His shot was weird as hell.