Western / Akron prediction thread

[Zip Watcher]

Also .. we've scored more points than our opponents the past 6 games, so that's a big reason for the winning streak!! B)

[Dr Z]

I think reducing Conyers/Bardo's minutes while increasing the McKnight's and Cventinovic's minutes.

I would like to present Captain Kangaroo with today's 'Dr Z Bullseye Award'

[Dave in Green]

Dave, I'm not sure exactly what your point is about playing under control and within your comfort zone at times, and trying to make a special play at other times. First of all, I don't think a player like Humpty is ever really in his comfort zone when he's playing under control. Without the coaches pulling in the reigns on him, I'm sure he'd be pushing the issue much more often, if it was up to him. And secondly, this team is scoring more points because they are turning the ball over less often, maximizing their possessions, and improving their shot selection. This is Keith's team....and not mine....but personally, I don't want to see anymore "I am going to try to make a spectacular play myself" mentality. Not at the beginning of the game, or the end of the game. It hasn't worked for this team.

I'll try to state it a little more clearly. I don't think Humpty is in his comfort zone when he's playing out of control. I think, as KD said, that he was trying too hard to do too much. That's not a comfort zone. That's a bad habit of playing over your head because you think you are expected to make spectacular plays all the time. I think that KD has gotten Humpty to back off a notch, which will make it easier and more comfortable for him to execute with fewer mistakes. Humpty may still feel a little discomfort that he's not doing enough. But as he sees the results improving, he will be more comfortable playing in that comfort zone most of the time.Then there will come certain times when he's going to need to push it a little harder, especially again tougher opponents. But by not trying to do that all of the time, he will be less predictable to the defense and harder to stop. You see that in the NBA all the time. A player will play conservatively for long stretches, taking few risks. When the defense is lulled by the predictability, that's the time to blow past and get the easy bucket. Even the great players have long stretches of conservative play punctuated by a few spectacular moves that make the highlight reels.You don't want to make a player so paranoid about making a single turnover that they are conservative and predictable all the time. You want them to feel comfortable about taking calculated risks at the appropriate times when conservative, predictable play alone is not getting the job done.

[skip-zip]

Good thoughts guys...Captain...I'm sure the more offensive-minded players getting more playing time as of late has helped also, but the ball rotation and decision making has been a night-and-day improvement. Yes, I know it's the West, but it's good to see. Could it be that B Mc is playing better defense as of late? I'm sure his playing time wouldn't have increased without it. But I honestly have not been focused in on his play at the defensive end. I remember a KD comment in a post game interview about 10 games ago where he said something about how the guys who can score can't play defense, and vice versa. I'd be willing to bet that Mr. McKnight was in that category at the time. Zip Watcher...He certainly looked solid and made good decisions "yesterday". I'll gladly insert "lately" into that line of thought, but I think I'll wait a few more games in hopes that it continues.

[skip-zip]

Thanks Dave. I like the last paragraph. If I can clarify as well, I particularly like that the "I have to do something myself...now" mentality...regardless of the situation....or the way the opponent is defending, appears to be dissappearing. I too would also certainly separate that mentality from that of taking a calculated risk to try to make a play. And by stating that "under control" doesn't appear to be his comfort zone, I certainly wasn't implying that out-of-control IS his comfort zone. I just know that his natural style of play is to try to make plays off the dribble...and sometimes rather carelessly. And he'd probably be apt to do it more often if, as you say, the coach isn't working to get him to "back off a notch". I was just very impressed with what I saw from him yesterday, and hope it carries over into future games.

[Dave in Green]

Skip, I figured you and I would be mostly in agreement on this. Another thing to remember is that Humpty has been sick with a cold or something that slowed him down the last few games. From his performance yesterday, I'm guessing he's just about back to full health and ready for the stretch run. It's a similar situation to the steady rise in performance by C. McKnight as he has recovered from his bruised rib. And now Linhart is playing a little gingerly with a sore back. Fingers crossed that everyone is in good health at the end of the season when it really counts.