My crisis of faith in Bill
-
@Kcmatt7 Newbie here. Thanks for lifting up Sunday spirit here. After watching the game again, I really like the combo tower HD & FB - hoping coach can make the best use of them from hereon. This could be the best combo centers in the nation. Imagine HD can use his soft touch plus another option to throw high pass just like what we saw yesterday, or seal for FB to finish strong off of a feed from any guards. We will be unstoppable if Harris can keep making 3s, helping others to score. I don’t think Storr is as good as advertised/was in Wisc. Been watching this site for a while and love what y’all have here. Appreciate the info, learning, useful insights for other Hawks fans here.
-
We have a lot to take away from the Houston game.
First, and foremost, we figured out where our offense needs to come from… mostly these 4 players:
Hunter, Flory, Zeke, and Rylan. If AJ gets it together, he can be added to this list.
Knowing what we know now… it’s time to put a lot more focus on getting these players points. Juan already knows this… he only had 12 assists in this game!
I’m coming away from this game with optimism. The loss should help toughen up this bunch, and believe me, besides just gelling as a team, they need toughening! I’m starting to see a path for a nice March run! First time this year I see a path!
Once again… the spotlight is on KJ. When he returns. We will either sink or prosper. If he instantly gets his 30+ minutes back and then craps out on the stat sheet, it will be an early March exit. If he comes back realizing his role will be to bring even more energy to the current mix… we could go far!
-
@jay4ever thanks for speaking up! Glad to have you with us.
@drgnslayr I think you’re right on all counts.The combo of Hunter and Bidunga blends so well on both ends of the court.
There is a path!
-
We all know KJ plays great d, boxes out religiously. and helps move the ball around on O… he is an energizer bunny, but we all know he not a real natural scorer and we all know he will get plenty of minutes… so what does he need to do better? Rebounding?
-
@Bosthawk as @drgnslayr alluded KJ being a voice of support for Bidunga would help the team, though i dont know if anything like that will happen. KJ isnt going to magically get longer and he is not an inside presence against long teams. He just isn’t and wont be.
That said, as for rebounding, on the offensive side he needs to fight for inside position and not try to run in for the board when there is open space.
He needs to see his 5 fouls as an asset and be ultra aggressive. Dial it up a notch. We have depth now at the 4, use it.
-
I feel like we’re all more or less saying the same thing regarding the rotation when KJ comes back. One of the most frustrating things about the way we lost yesterday is that we got some big answers with Griffen and Bidunga, and honestly Storr too…but in a bad way. If you could guarantee me that KJ will not average more than 15 minutes from here on out, I would take it in a heart beat. If Storr is averaging 17 minutes, give 10 of those to Griffen. Obviously adjust situationally–no problem with riding the hot hand. But we saw where our offensive bread is buttered yesterday. Of course, the question is whether or not Self has seen what the rest of us had.
I honestly think Self got too much blame for how things transpired yesterday. He had a game plan yesterday, and it worked! KU led for 90 percent of the game. We were the better the team. Regarding free throws, it’s not like they don’t practice them. Your veteran leaders have to make those. They know that. Same thing with inbounding the ball. These are guys who have been playing at this level for 5-6 years. That stuff cannot happen.
HOWEVER, in the press conference after the debacle when Self said we were hurt by KJ not being out there I almost threw my computer. I’m worried that is a sign of what he plans on doing: bring KJ back and pretend his absence has been the problem.
-
@Bosthawk I like KJ’s energy, especially on defense. But I also see potent in him scoring as well especially last several games, end of season. He’s sort of disappearing again this season in offense. I kind of comparing him with Jwan Roberts - the guy started with 1 ppg but he’s found his signature through drills, drills and drills. I’m pretty sure KJ can provide extra offense with his 7’-8’ short jumpers or floaters effectively. I see him as a strong player who can help team score, regardless whether they need points or not. It’s a win-win. Scouts will value his offensive skill and of course, we’ll be more dangerous comes conference.
-
I’d prefer KJ off the bench, but just getting Flory consistent minutes should pay dividends.
-
I went back and looked at Embiids minutes. He ramped up very quickly.
I would argue that Flory may be even more important to this roster than Embiid was to that one (also critical).
Every kid is different, obviously, and every team different. I just wonder why Bill ramped up Flory seemingly much slower than Embiid other than devotion to KJ. I mean, maybe he was caught up in thinking Hunter and Flory couldnt play together. Maybe he underestimated Flory. But thats curious because Embiid was much more under the radar than Flory. Signs still point to KJ bias.
-
@approxinfinity I’d like to hear from journalists (Newell?) asking coach, too (…maybe he was caught up in thinking Hunter and Flory couldnt play together) - lol… KJ’s on sideline has brought some light to the darkness in KUMBB, IMHO. Let’s hope coach will find the right formula going forward, we’re pretty darned close. Hopefully, FB’s 19pts against top dog Cougars gave enough testament to coach that he’s grown up, he’s ready to bring this team to the next level.
-
@jay4ever maybe you mean Matt Tait. Jesse Newell is w/the Star.
-
I think there was quotes from Self about the Flory/Hunter combo being not good in pre-season. Obviously, that’s evolved into a situation that is good. Not sure they knew Flory could impact the game at the 4 like he is but he’s feeding off Hunter’s attention and making a huge impact as of late. Houston was a good matchup for Flory as they play athletic guys that don’t shoot from the perimeter. Having KJ for teams that have 4 men that can shoot is probably the best way to tackle those kind of matchups for 40 minutes. As long as Flory’s minutes stay around 25 we are good.
-
I think Flory could defend a stretch 4 as well but might get more fatigued and foul prone.
@BeddieKU23 i agree with everything but want closer to 28 for Flory
-
@BeddieKU23 also, KJ guarding a stretch 4 only works well if the opposing 5 isnt a glass eating beast that takes advantage of Hunter’s feinting goat defense.
That might be an appropriate matchup for KJ and Bidunga provided we dont get anemic on offense without Hunter.
Hence, ideally Flory’s minutes might be higher than KJ and Hunter.
-
@approxinfinity Sounds like coach should consider playing HD, FB, KJ plus Harris & Zeke/Shak. At anytime 2 or all of those 3 must stay throughout the game. Yep, FB should play 75% out of the 3’s PT (I doubt though, knowing coach Self). I believe we’ll be able to compete in FF comes March.
-
Feel like with a Jaun/Shak/KJ/FB/HD lineup no one scores on either end
-
Yeah. I would swap Rylan for Shak if you want to run all three of KJ / FB / HD. But i dont think KJ should play the three.
(Juan or Shak) / Mayo / (Rylan or Storr) / (Flory or KJ) / (HD or Flory) makes sense to me
-
@MR11 Hot dog!
-
@approxinfinity Fainting goat defense. That’s funny.
-
@Crimsonorblue22 I think Newell even gets column space in the Wichita paper.
-
@Zabudda he’s a funny guy!
-
I think KJ eases back in, hopefully for his own sake.
-
@Crimsonorblue22 along those lines, I think the mindset of KJ running back from the locker room with a jacked up shoulder in Ames and Self rewarding that act, which was in the best interest of no one save the Cyclones, needs to be adjusted.
We dont always need KJ on the court healthy to win, we almost certainly did not need him on the floor injured that game, and sometimes we need healthy KJ on the bench to win.
I am concerned that by “rewarding” him in that circumstance for something detrimental to the team but could be construed as “toughness” or “sacrifice” is sending a lot of wrong messages.
Lets get real, keep KJ healthy and ready for those moments when we do need him.
-
Since we’re kind of wishcasting potential lineups when KJ returns, I would start Juan, Zeke, Griffen, Flory, and HD. Shak is my first guard off the bench, Coit plays in emergencies. KJ only plays situationally. If he’s doing his thing, stick with him. If he is who he’s always been, 10 mpg.
-
@MoonwalkMafia yep, exactly. I cant get a read on what is out of date and what isnt in Evan Ms site, but he has Flory and Dajuan as our most effective duo.
-
@approxinfinity I’m glad you bring this up because it’s something I was thinking about this morning.
On this page we were having a debate about Cliff and Jamari in the 2014-15 season. People said Cliff was a defensive liability and that’s why Jamari played over him. When you look at the stats that’s not true, and the offensive stats tell you that Cliff was a much more effective offensive player, even if Jamari was marginally better on defense.
Looking at this year’s team, we’re watching this happen all over again (i.e., we need KJ because he’s so good on defense). Flory has the best defensive rating on the team (86.0), KJ is middle of the pack (97.7). On offense it’s even more stark, though KJ isn’t as bad as you’d think. Flory’s offensive rating is 135.2, KJ’s is 121.1. AJ Storr’s is 95.3 for reference (yikes).
There really is no justification to play KJ over Flory other than the explanation you suggested, which I think is right, to reward KJ’s toughness. But that’s abstract BS. KJ cares a lot, sure. But he’s having to play the 3-4 and he’s undersized. Watching him guard guys in the post is like watching a little brother try to guard their big brother. It just doesn’t work.
-
@approxinfinity said in My crisis of faith in Bill:
@Crimsonorblue22 along those lines, I think the mindset of KJ running back from the locker room with a jacked up shoulder in Ames and Self rewarding that act, which was in the best interest of no one save the Cyclones, needs to be adjusted.
We dont always need KJ on the court healthy to win, we almost certainly did not need him on the floor injured that game, and sometimes we need healthy KJ on the bench to win.
I am concerned that by “rewarding” him in that circumstance for something detrimental to the team but could be construed as “toughness” or “sacrifice” is sending a lot of wrong messages.
Let’s get real, keep KJ healthy and ready for those moments when we do need him.
Quit preaching - Bill doesn’t have blind spots or play favorites he always plays the best players that give us the best chance to win!!!
-
@MoonwalkMafia He’s the height of a 2/3 guard
He has the skills of a bad 5 man (can’t even shoot, doesn’t have a post move)
All he is - is strong and can jump yet
His reach and just awful rebounding iq/hustle hurts his defensive rebounding
But let me tell you - don’t let all that go by the wayside because he effects a game like Ochai - Kj is uh uh that good guys
-
@kuballin10 I remain a fan of Bill Self, and hope he can be the hero we need this year. The tarot cards have been revealed to him and to all. There is little mystery at this present juncture, but even the wise cannot foresee all ends.
Let it breathe and lets be fans.
-
He literally just needs to play Dajuan/Zeke/Rylan/Flory and Hunter.
Stop with the preferential treatment to the core 3
-
@TYOHawk said in My crisis of faith in Bill:
He literally just needs to play Dajuan/Zeke/Rylan/Flory and Hunter.
Stop with the preferential treatment to the core 3
Kj and Shak together in pnr with both attacking mentalities and energy off the bench would be great.
We have a clear 7 and AJ isn’t in it because he doesn’t play like the tcu game very often.
The continual play of diggy is befuddling
-
@approxinfinity When fans with years of watching can structure minutes better than the $10m man……I’m not sure I can just sit back and “be a fan and enjoy it” lol
-
@kuballin10 love it. AJ should continue to get opportunities. Heroes are made in March as you know
-
@approxinfinity said in My crisis of faith in Bill:
@kuballin10 love it. AJ should continue to get opportunities. Heroes are made in March as you know
Oh man, I completely disagree. I think AJ is largely why we lost to Houston. I’d love for him to just get DNPs when KJ returns…
Core 7 for me is Juan/Zeke/Shak/Rylan/KJ/Flory/Hunt
-
Dajuan has took a fair amount of blame. But AJ was truly terrible that game against TCU.
Kadarius Toney vs Lions level of bad.
-
@BShark Podcast I was listening to agrees with you 100 %. - Said all these guys have been given a chance YES even AJ. -They all said it’s time to move on from AJ. - Talking about AJ’s shot volume like the amount of shots it took him to get his 16 points- -shot volume is high- -real high.-- They talked about when he was at Wisconsin his shot volume-- 3rd highest in the Nation avg 16 shots per game
Majority of people all agree time to move on from the AJ experiment - -Sure he scored 16 against who TCU ?- - then he followed that up with O-fer the following game 0-6 from the field- — 0-4 from the line- - be good if there was any consistency, they said the only consistency AJ has is bad consistency- needs to guard the water cooler
-
Lol alright guys. Well. Theres every reason to move on from AJ. But…remember this conversation.
Right now, we have cause for optimism because it seems like we have a few guys who can create their shot (notably Zeke and Rylan) and a nice offensive tandem when Flory and Hunt are together.
Is that promising? Yes. Could it regress? Absolutely.
We are one injury away from needing AJs scoring. One Hunt or Zeke is crapping the bed game where we will need his shot creation.
-
I’m giving him next year but he’s lost this group imo. The bizarre rotations…weird personnel decisions…
