I am a little worried about the center position right now. I keep hearing about the improvement from Mooj but I haven't seen it yet. I appreciate that he really worked his butt off in the off season...but so far the only thing I have seen is more athletecism. Through 2 games there is one stat that just jumps off the page at me. Not the points...the rebounds.
Through 2 exhibition games Mooj has 6 rebounds in 43 minutes. Nyarcuk has 7 rebounds in 26, Rubles (from the 4) has 14 in 49, and Gaines has 7 rebounds in 10 minutes. Now I know what you are going to say...yah it's just two games and it's exhibition. But...I would add that his numbers should be better in exhibition and I looked into some stats from last year.
Last year when Gaines was in the game he was twice as effective on the boards per minute played (literally I checked), twice as many blocks per minute, and scored about the same amount of points per minute. They fouled at a similar rate, Gaines stole the ball at a rate 3 times higher, although Gaines did turn the ball over about twice as often.
Now, I assume Gaines just doesn't know where he is going on D? But I am wondering just what it is that Mooj is giving us. it certainly isn't points. Is it so important that we would sacrifice all those extra rebounds, blocks, and steals? That is exactly what we need at the 5 this year if there isn't going to be scoring...we need the rebounds and D. So I assume Mooj is MUCH better at knowing where to be and when (on offense and D)...because thats the only thing I can think of.
At this point since we now have Rubles (and becuase I want both he and JJ on the court)...I would actually think about experimenting with JJ at the 5. He is better at scoring, he likes to block shots, he can't be much worse at rebounding. I like the fire that JJ brings and I would like to see Rubles on the court too. Nyarcuk looked a bit slow in footwork...players were dribbling around him...but he makes up for that with wingspan I guess.
There are 4 options...what should we do? I think we should give it a little time...but if there isn't some noticeable improvement I think we need to mix it up. This team (if it remains healthy knock on wood) will go as far as the 5 position will allow. If we can get great D and 8 rebounds per game from the starter I will be content.
Through 2 exhibition games Mooj has 6 rebounds in 43 minutes. Nyarcuk has 7 rebounds in 26, Rubles (from the 4) has 14 in 49, and Gaines has 7 rebounds in 10 minutes. Now I know what you are going to say...yah it's just two games and it's exhibition. But...I would add that his numbers should be better in exhibition and I looked into some stats from last year.
Last year when Gaines was in the game he was twice as effective on the boards per minute played (literally I checked), twice as many blocks per minute, and scored about the same amount of points per minute. They fouled at a similar rate, Gaines stole the ball at a rate 3 times higher, although Gaines did turn the ball over about twice as often.
Now, I assume Gaines just doesn't know where he is going on D? But I am wondering just what it is that Mooj is giving us. it certainly isn't points. Is it so important that we would sacrifice all those extra rebounds, blocks, and steals? That is exactly what we need at the 5 this year if there isn't going to be scoring...we need the rebounds and D. So I assume Mooj is MUCH better at knowing where to be and when (on offense and D)...because thats the only thing I can think of.
At this point since we now have Rubles (and becuase I want both he and JJ on the court)...I would actually think about experimenting with JJ at the 5. He is better at scoring, he likes to block shots, he can't be much worse at rebounding. I like the fire that JJ brings and I would like to see Rubles on the court too. Nyarcuk looked a bit slow in footwork...players were dribbling around him...but he makes up for that with wingspan I guess.
There are 4 options...what should we do? I think we should give it a little time...but if there isn't some noticeable improvement I think we need to mix it up. This team (if it remains healthy knock on wood) will go as far as the 5 position will allow. If we can get great D and 8 rebounds per game from the starter I will be content.
