Cookie monster can block shots, defend and rebound. But I don't ever remember him in a motion offense and he has never had great passing skills. We have a thread saying "Cut Jakie Butler" but I don't think Deke is going to fit well in Adleman's system. What do you guys think?
Deke is insurance, as well as Butler. Don't expect either of them to get any minutes as long as our team is healthy. Scola will be our backup center. As for Deke in a motion offense. I can't imagine him running it too well. Maybe he'd surprise me.
Deke was blessed with to giant paddles as hands. But his greatest blessing is also his greatest curse. While great for blocking shots and enveloping rebounds, his hands do not exactly have what most would call "touch". I can't see him with the ball in his hands at the high post. Hell, I can't see him with the ball in his hands ever, unless its to immediately pass to a guard after a rebound. I love Deke, but I bet this season is going to make him wish he retired after last year.
Deke is extremely smart. I'm sure he can find a way to contribute. If nothing else, he can set pick after pick and do some damage that way. He's also capable of getting in position to score if the defense totally neglects him. Plus, he's a great offensive rebounder. Actually, as far as playing in a "motion" offense, you'll recall that when Deke was starting last year, the offense often seemed to have more flow and motion than when Yao was in the low post. True, part of that was that Deke doesn't score a lot, and it was under a different coach, but I think that those games last year showed that Deke has a lot of the skills needed to work in that kind of offense. Of course, his offense isn't really the reason we have him anyway. He's the best option we have outside of Yao for defending big centers.
I disagree with the first sentence and agree with the second. Deke used to drive Van Gundy crazy because of the fact that he never knew what he was suppossed to do on offense or defense. He was never in the right spot. I don't think he is necessarily the smartest player. With that said, he does know how to contribute, by just pure will to get those rebounds and shut down big men. This year I believe that he won't get a chance to really contribute because him and Stevie Franchise will be too busy warming the end of the bench.
Remember that Deke was stuck at the end of the bench when he was in New Jersey, a team that also played an uptempo style. Despite that, I think he'll find some way to contribute to this team...if not, he's still a good cheerleader from the sidelines. In his last season, what he wants now is a championship. Win it for Deke!
I think Deke is a very smart guy too. If Deke is going to contribute on O by setting screens you want them to be interior screens because Deke becomes exponitialy less effective the further he gets from the basket.
It's not a motion offense...it's an Adelman offense...it borrows anything it can...including triangle principles...to place an offensive player in good position to score. Mutombo will be weakside in good position to rebound or in good low post postion for when the ball returns back to his side of the floor. He'll seldom be in the high post and with the available passers from the high-post...minimally Scola, Hayes, Battier, McGrady, & Wells...there's no need for him to be there. It'll be fine.
does he have to ? i dont think so... see, there is a reason rick is called players' coach, i think he wont force someone to play certain styles that he cant, that the difference between rick and jeff.
The reason I brought this up is I kept seeing Butler at the free throw line last night wih the ball and looking lost. I really don't wanna see deke there too. Maybe Rick was just trying to see if Butler can handle the high post.
If Scola is the backup for Yao, that has Chuck Hayes playing for a lot of minutes, right? When Yao goes out, Scola will move to center, and Hayes will take PF. Then when Scola needs a rest Yao has to come back in with Hayes still at PF. That seems like a lot of minutes for Chuck, unless Bonzi or Shane slide over to PF. I really like Chuck and wish the best for him but I'm not so sure he should be getting that many minutes. What do you guys think?
Duckworth and Buck Williams did it. Though Duck could hit the 10-15 footer. But I think he'll be fine.
Moto will probably not play any defense when he is on the court. He will definitely pair with scola to balance the front-court. like Yao and Hayes combo
OK...now I see what you're asking. You could be right about Butler. With the Mavs playing their 3rd stringers and the ALCS on, I was distracted but will go back and watch more closely. What I have seen (and you really have to look because Yao has had his way with the competition thus far) is that any capable passer can be in the high post. And if it was not Yao in this 2 man set, then Yao was weakside low box which is where I suggested Deke would be used. As for looking lost, IMHO Yao and Wells are the only players not looking lost. And I mean "lost" in the larger sense which includes the TO's. Knowing your teammates is right behing knowing where you're supposed to be.
Deke... Deke... Deke... hmm... don't know but we have lots of other "smaller" guys that we relate our offense on... deke isn't a primary man for offense,he just makes team more mature and better defensively in post so...
Adelman made some surprising comments acknowledging the importance of Mutombo. Particularly when playing against taller opposition. Take into account Yao's annual leave of absence and his value grows. Basically it sounded like Adelman will make an effort to create a role for Mutombo. Adelman will find a way for him to have an impact because his talent warrants it. So him fitting into the offense might not necessarily matter.
