AlOerter wrote: ↑Fri Oct 21, 2022 3:04 pm
CrimsonNBlue wrote: ↑Fri Oct 21, 2022 2:55 pm
twocoach wrote: ↑Fri Oct 21, 2022 2:31 pmYoung bigs always seem to take longer to be ready to play major rotation minutes under Self. It's just his system and what he asks of them, I suppose. It must just take longer for them to be able to get the reps needed to be trusted by Self and staff.
This keeps getting said, but I don't agree with it. I think it's much harder for guards/wings to grasp, especially now that we switch all screens out on the perimeter and we and other teams play 4+ perimeter players. We watch so many new guards get burned on defense. Selby instantly comes to mind. Remy and Yesefu last season. Grimes, etc.
I think what might be happening is that our bigs just tend to stay 3-4 seasons and our guards/wings are early NBA entrants. Plus so many of the guards/wings are just higher ranked recruits. So, while you have to play Quentin Grimes through his growing pains, you don't have to do that with Cliff Alexander or Cheick Diallo because we have veterans on the roster that are assignment sound. Mitch Lightfoot and Jamari getting minutes have this to thank.
Good points CNB. I think all young players have to work on the mental/basketball knowledge part. I also think athleticism plays a big role in early impact. Young bigs are often a little behind on the physical development, strength, and how to use their bodies aspect required for their position.
Yes, great point about strength, that's also a big part of it. IIRC, the last frosh big to play key minutes for us was Silvio, and he was built like a brick shithouse. Bill Self has always, always wanted to be the tougher team in the paint. We learned that the hard way in 2001.
twocoach is also not necessarily wrong here, either, as Bill Self is a tough learning curve for ALL players. Cal runs and does simpler stuff because he always has freshmen.
