Definitely feel like the guards/wings can at least compete at this level in an average P12 (Celestine, Askew, Clayton, Joel, KK, Roberson bring a solid mix of athleticism, handle and D to the court). The bigs, however, are a major, major question. Anyone else concerned that Fox stockpiled low % shooting combo guards rather than a PF? On paper, we don’t really have a single P5 caliber big…Lars Thiemann, while improved, just isn’t an impact player…here’s hoping his FT stroke continues to improve - if he can pump in 4-5 FTs/game, plus a couple of putbacks, etc., 9-10 ppg would be a huge help.
Maybe talented- but-raw ND Okafor is ready to contribute right out of the chute…gonna need him. Would also like to see Fox try Kuany in the post - a long, athletic 6’9” body… seems like he could do damage on the block.
Wouldn’t be surprised if our dude Sam Alajiki explodes in the stretch-4 role tho - serious X-factor and dark horse All P12 candidate with the NBA body and stroke from deep.
I'm getting mildly intrigued. An Askew/Celestine backcourt, with Okafor/KK/Alajaki frontcourt, will at least be entertaining to watch. Bring Joel and Lars off the bench or situationally as needed. I need to see Roberson a bit more in action to figure out where he fits.
Please please please don't play purely a halfcourt game - play a bit more uptempo. Can Fox adapt?
IMHO, no. Fox stresses the fundamental, half-court D. He doesn’t press and historically his teams doesn’t force a lot of turnovers. Easy fast break buckets and points in transition are rare…hence, the boring a$$, inefficient half-court sets and nightly struggle to 60.
His teams are boring…just one of the many reasons why he’s a bad fit.
So he was the #1 guard recruit in the country….. that’s amazing he ended up at Cal. And please don’t toss Jaylen Brown comparisons my way….. I hope he re-realizes that magic!!!
Definitely feel like the guards/wings can at least compete at this level in an average P12 (Celestine, Askew, Clayton, Joel, KK, Roberson bring a solid mix of athleticism, handle and D to the court). The bigs, however, are a major, major question. Anyone else concerned that Fox stockpiled low % shooting combo guards rather than a PF? On paper, we don’t really have a single P5 caliber big…Lars Thiemann, while improved, just isn’t an impact player…here’s hoping his FT stroke continues to improve - if he can pump in 4-5 FTs/game, plus a couple of putbacks, etc., 9-10 ppg would be a huge help.
Maybe talented- but-raw ND Okafor is ready to contribute right out of the chute…gonna need him. Would also like to see Fox try Kuany in the post - a long, athletic 6’9” body… seems like he could do damage on the block.
Wouldn’t be surprised if our dude Sam Alajiki explodes in the stretch-4 role tho - serious X-factor and dark horse All P12 candidate with the NBA body and stroke from deep.
I'm getting mildly intrigued. An Askew/Celestine backcourt, with Okafor/KK/Alajaki frontcourt, will at least be entertaining to watch. Bring Joel and Lars off the bench or situationally as needed. I need to see Roberson a bit more in action to figure out where he fits.
Please please please don't play purely a halfcourt game - play a bit more uptempo. Can Fox adapt?
IMHO, no. Fox stresses the fundamental, half-court D. He doesn’t press and historically his teams doesn’t force a lot of turnovers. Easy fast break buckets and points in transition are rare…hence, the boring a$$, inefficient half-court sets and nightly struggle to 60.
His teams are boring…just one of the many reasons why he’s a bad fit.
Maybe there is some hope after all.
So he was the #1 guard recruit in the country….. that’s amazing he ended up at Cal. And please don’t toss Jaylen Brown comparisons my way….. I hope he re-realizes that magic!!!
Happy for him and the team. Don't know that this will do much to salvage Fox, but the team may be less painful to watch.
Rare good news!