| From the Doc: Preseason Outlook Authored by “Doc” Lincoln - October 5, 2005 - 4:57 pm
October 5, 2005
By “Doc” Lincoln
In his first press conference of the season, Coach Eddie Jordan said that Caron Butler (not Jeffries, though it was easy to miss who they were discussing) has had success at both the three and four, creating mismatch problems for the opposition. And that they're going to try Butler at two-guard to see what he can do.
Caron at PF? Ordinarily, no. He's no Barkley, nor even a Maxiel (6'6" but 240lbs, with arms that can pick up a penny without bending down, nor can Butler reach orbit with his hops). He's damn strong and can out-quick/out work the big guys — but can't guard 'em.
But CB has an arsenal of low-post skills, and in the non-traditional hybrid Princeton system, the forward positions (like the guards) are often interchangeable and fluid. When AJ plays the wing, CB is free to bang with a SF down low.
The EJ presser was illuminating. It was revealing that early in the questioning Jordan spoke of the strength and mobility of the forwards and guards we've got, giving a thumbnail sketch of how he'll be able to draw up plays for them. Whereas the centers “will do whatever they do out there.”
Okay yeah, so EJ ain't no John Thompson when it comes to coaching the Big Man.
Nevertheless, reflect on the fact that in one year we went from cellar-dwelling 25-win team to second-round caliber playoff team (albeit against a wounded first round opponent, in a weak Eastern conference). I have faith that Coach Eddie will maximize the strengths of the squad he has. His style has been to defer to the talent he has available.
On the question of whether he likes the roster better this year over last — okay he ain't gonna say 'no' — it sounded like EJ surprised himself by saying he did. Here's what he listed in the 'plus' column:
Health: (Bulletproof Andray Blatche notwithstanding). Coming into the season everyone seems to be at full strength (as of yet and cross your fingers). Remember how a fully healed Etan came on strong at the end of year and did positive damage against the Bulls in the first round. Jamison says his knee feels better that it has in more than a year. Well, one can hope anyway...
Depth: Last year they hoped for bench scoring from Etan, Hayes, Dixon and Blake. Only Dixon was available. This year our scoring options reach deep into the bench. Eddie named our 'Core Scorers' in this order: Gilbert, Antawn, Caron, Hayes, Brendan, Etan, Daniels. Four or five of the scorers are possible starters, which hints that JJeffs is a likely starter. And if we need an undersized shooter off the bench we've got Chucky Atkins, a clutch three-point shooter with reliable scoring ability, (as opposed to streakiness).
Size in the back court: The short and spindly JDix and Blake were an exploitable weakness for the enemy. Now though we lose the athletic (but semi-scrawny) L-Boogie, we've got a back court of GA (with uncanny strength and unmatched quix), Daniels (6'4" and tough as rubber), JHaze, Caron perhaps.
Veterans: Better yet, veterans with playoff experience in Chucky, Daniels, Caron, and Calvin Booth. Booth offers the luxury of "an experienced third center, if you want to call him a center..." Put simply, anything's an upgrade over Samaki, but CBooth can block a shot or two, board a little, and hit a shot from outside six feet.
Players coming off Career years: Antonio (and his best success was in the playoffs — even better); Caron, hungry to prove himself, which makes DC a great situation for him. I'd add: Gilbert. Antawn. Ruffin. Brendan. Jared.
[And key players in contract years: Caron, Jared, Chucky...]
Plus continuity in a core group of young players who played well together last year. And played well despite injury troubles, no excuses needed. When players went down they filled in and kept winning. This more than anything is a credit to the coaching staff.
Be as frustrated as you want with EJ's substitutions or game plans (I personally believe he made do nicely with the roster and chemistry he had) — at the very least his players play hard every game. I don't see any reason for that to drop off now. Yeah we lost Larry's all-out gung-ho die-hard recklessness, but ain't like we added any chemistry killers. I like our chances to improve in execution and game plan, now that we're stocking the roster with players that a) take instruction well, and b) play a style that fits the coach’s strengths and preferences.
I think we have a chance to surprise people once again. Tough to keep doing that — at some point teams will stop underestimating ya. But though we need better depth at the four, for now I think we have a chance at a better _Team_ than last year (in ball movement, execution on offense, locker room issues. Maybe even defense). IF all remain healthy... this might even translate into at a few more wins.
One key issue (and clearly a mission of Eddie's) is the maturation of GA on the defensive end. EJ has challenged Boy Wonder, saying he needs him to be a defensive captain (as all players in the final four have one). He needs Gil to 'get pissed off' when an opponent scores.
I think the addition of Daniels helps us dually here. He can push GA in practice, and show him how defending is done. (Not by preying on passing lanes and living on flashy steals, but by getting inside your opponents' game and breaking all his toys). AD gives GA a defensive running buddy; defensive competition in the game of 'anything you can do I can do better'; a veteran role model to live up to and exceed. And an example that you can be a nice guy and still play D.
After the playoffs Gil intimated he now understood the need for D. And few can stand in the way of Gil when he has a point to prove. Kid doesn't back down from a challenge. If he commits his energy and talent to this effort, there's no telling how far the team can go.
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