As far as how good this team is gonna be, as I see it the key things are:
1. How well the starters gel and improve. At least we have a starting lineup now... didn't get that until the Dukes game... so now we get to see how they come together and improve (especially on D).
2. If Dixon can find a way to integrate Jeter into the rotation. This is tough because Jeter plays SF and PF and, you got Young and Artis. Right now Dixon's plan is to play Young some at C (including down the stretch) to get Jeter the time at PF, but I think he should be playing Jeter some at SF. In any case, Jeter is a second half player that makes plays down the stretch that win games, and that is critical.
3. Whether or not Jones gets 'over the hump' as far as being an impact player off the bench at SG and SF. Right now, he is playing good EXCEPT he is leaving a lot of his shots short. Not sure if this has anything to do with him playing SG when he played most of last year at SF. To me, right now this is the most critical thing on the team. Our starting lineup looks good so if we can get an impact player off the bench at SG/SF then we are really in business. Slim... IMO can make an impact but not as much because he is still pretty raw.
4, Whether Wilson can get the job done spelling Robinson in big games. He looked good last game but lets talk real competition and, he just has not done that yet. Should be able to but this is another one to keep an eye on.
5. Whether or not we get significant play from Nelson-Ododa and/or Luther. IMO ANO is the better bet. If Luther cut out the minus plays well, he would still be undersized for C, and we got no time at PF. So, another one to keep an eye on.
So, this are the things that I am watching. Sometimes the 'cupcakes' rise up and are competitive, even at the Pete, and Davidson should be a challenge at MSG. But, IMO the Cuse game at the end of the month is the one where we are really gonna see what we got as a team.
Comments?
1. How well the starters gel and improve. At least we have a starting lineup now... didn't get that until the Dukes game... so now we get to see how they come together and improve (especially on D).
2. If Dixon can find a way to integrate Jeter into the rotation. This is tough because Jeter plays SF and PF and, you got Young and Artis. Right now Dixon's plan is to play Young some at C (including down the stretch) to get Jeter the time at PF, but I think he should be playing Jeter some at SF. In any case, Jeter is a second half player that makes plays down the stretch that win games, and that is critical.
3. Whether or not Jones gets 'over the hump' as far as being an impact player off the bench at SG and SF. Right now, he is playing good EXCEPT he is leaving a lot of his shots short. Not sure if this has anything to do with him playing SG when he played most of last year at SF. To me, right now this is the most critical thing on the team. Our starting lineup looks good so if we can get an impact player off the bench at SG/SF then we are really in business. Slim... IMO can make an impact but not as much because he is still pretty raw.
4, Whether Wilson can get the job done spelling Robinson in big games. He looked good last game but lets talk real competition and, he just has not done that yet. Should be able to but this is another one to keep an eye on.
5. Whether or not we get significant play from Nelson-Ododa and/or Luther. IMO ANO is the better bet. If Luther cut out the minus plays well, he would still be undersized for C, and we got no time at PF. So, another one to keep an eye on.
So, this are the things that I am watching. Sometimes the 'cupcakes' rise up and are competitive, even at the Pete, and Davidson should be a challenge at MSG. But, IMO the Cuse game at the end of the month is the one where we are really gonna see what we got as a team.
Comments?
