Agreed all around, Nick...they’re watchable, but until the talent level is upgraded, 8-10, or at best 9-9, is the absolute ceiling for this team under Fox. Betley just killed them this weekend, going 3-20 combined, 2-11 from 3. Yet they still hung...but once the opposing talent level ratcheted up, the shots missed the mark.
Agreed all around, Nick...they’re watchable, but until the talent level is upgraded, 8-10, or at best 9-9, is the absolute ceiling for this team under Fox. Betley just killed them this weekend, going 3-20 combined, 2-11 from 3. Yet they still hung...but once the opposing talent level ratcheted up, the shots missed the mark.
This team really needs a low post anchor...Kelly is solid, but his offensive repertoire is somewhat limited. Thorpe is a Kelly clone, just younger. KK is simply too raw and unfortunately probably won’t reach his potential until his mid-to-late 20’s...Thiemann just brings so little to the table it’s not even worth mentioning. Grab a rebound for chrissakes....
But they’re definitely on track, and a full season of a healthy Bradley next year will be a big help...but they sure could use an impact big to take the next step. Also pleased with Joel’s development, tho shooting <50% from the line is simply unacceptable for a PG.
I think Kelly is plenty good offensively, as mentioned above my favorite lineups feature him at the 5 surrounded by shooters. I do think there are defensive questions, but that goes for pretty much every post player on the roster right now.
I don't think a low post player is the way forward in 2020+ - nor do I think there are a lot of post players in high school anyways. Kids play face up, dive, or in the dunker's spot. And everyone wants to be a stretch 4/5 - which frankly I'm fine with. 4 out or even 5 out offense is the way forward. Everyone bomb 3s and gang rebound.
I hear you. But this Cal team does not gang rebound...they give up way too many offensive boards, and don’t grab many themselves. I’d love a stretch big....doesn’t have to be a strictly back-to-the basket guy...but a rim protector would help. Hate to say it, but this squad could probably use Conor Vanover....
As for Kelly, there’s definitely room for improvement, and I do like him as the lone big, even if we struggle to defend...a bankable 10 & 6 a night certainly helps the ball club. His struggles from the line are hurting his ppg- after averaging about 69% from the stripe his FR/SO years, he’s down around 50, which hurts the bottom line.
Vanover would've been really nice (as would Justice Sueing!)
I think we're aligned on the future of the big in college. 70% would be fantastic for Kelly, and he's got really great hands. He's just a little small, like a thin MSF.
I guess we're all hoping for some sort of tall player who can do two things on the basketball court - pick from rebound, block shots, set screens, shoot face up shots.
Agreed all around, Nick...they’re watchable, but until the talent level is upgraded, 8-10, or at best 9-9, is the absolute ceiling for this team under Fox. Betley just killed them this weekend, going 3-20 combined, 2-11 from 3. Yet they still hung...but once the opposing talent level ratcheted up, the shots missed the mark.
This team really needs a low post anchor...Kelly is solid, but his offensive repertoire is somewhat limited. Thorpe is a Kelly clone, just younger. KK is simply too raw and unfortunately probably won’t reach his potential until his mid-to-late 20’s...Thiemann just brings so little to the table it’s not even worth mentioning. Grab a rebound for chrissakes....
But they’re definitely on track, and a full season of a healthy Bradley next year will be a big help...but they sure could use an impact big to take the next step. Also pleased with Joel’s development, tho shooting <50% from the line is simply unacceptable for a PG.
I think Kelly is plenty good offensively, as mentioned above my favorite lineups feature him at the 5 surrounded by shooters. I do think there are defensive questions, but that goes for pretty much every post player on the roster right now.
I don't think a low post player is the way forward in 2020+ - nor do I think there are a lot of post players in high school anyways. Kids play face up, dive, or in the dunker's spot. And everyone wants to be a stretch 4/5 - which frankly I'm fine with. 4 out or even 5 out offense is the way forward. Everyone bomb 3s and gang rebound.
I hear you. But this Cal team does not gang rebound...they give up way too many offensive boards, and don’t grab many themselves. I’d love a stretch big....doesn’t have to be a strictly back-to-the basket guy...but a rim protector would help. Hate to say it, but this squad could probably use Conor Vanover....
As for Kelly, there’s definitely room for improvement, and I do like him as the lone big, even if we struggle to defend...a bankable 10 & 6 a night certainly helps the ball club. His struggles from the line are hurting his ppg- after averaging about 69% from the stripe his FR/SO years, he’s down around 50, which hurts the bottom line.
But at least we’re on the road to contention...
Vanover would've been really nice (as would Justice Sueing!)
I think we're aligned on the future of the big in college. 70% would be fantastic for Kelly, and he's got really great hands. He's just a little small, like a thin MSF.
I guess we're all hoping for some sort of tall player who can do two things on the basketball court - pick from rebound, block shots, set screens, shoot face up shots.