Continue to push Stephens for part of a solution...

[depthcharge623]

My criticism of Stephens last year was that he was too one dimensional. If his deep shot was off, he seemed pretty useless. I started a thread after the first game or two (which I hadn't seen) of this season asking if it looked like he had added any new skills to his set. Most responses were pretty non-committal, but a couple said that they thought he had added some elements to his game.

After seeing play more this season, I think my question has been answered. In the Iowa game alone, he had a great driving layup from the corner, and also a pull up shot that looked really good. He's had more success this year in both perimeter defense, and feeding the post with good passes (as noted by many on this board).

I don't want to play Stephens any more or less than we have been playing him. But I would love for Painter et al to encourage him to go to those other options more often. His first thought shouldn't always be "how can I get a three off," but he should think instead of the pump and drive (which is obviously dependent on his ability to make threes), or just a drive in general, especially if Haas/Hammons can do a good job sealing off their defender.** People say we have no slashers, and I agree that isn't really what Stephens is. But he's good enough (and it's a weak enough spot for us now), that I'd love to see him go to that more.

**As a side note, do you think these guys are doing a good job of this? With our Center-centric offense, those guys will be under or near the hoop most of the time. So it's going to be really hard for anyone to drive and score because the paint is always clogged.

 

[Mcluck]

I hope driving the paint can happen more. With our BIG 3 it seems ideal to drive in and let them clean up.

 

[BBG]

I hope driving the paint can happen more. With our BIG 3 it seems ideal to drive in and let them clean up.

I agree. You would think that driving the lane would be open to him quite a bit since he is known for outside shooting.

 

[Dryfly88]

I would love to see more slashing to the hoop also. But with the offense we run the lane is always clogged with the #5. Just watch tomorrow how often one of the #1-4 could actually drive if they wanted to, it won't be often. Need to bring the 5 out occasionally to allow for dribble drives.

 

[depthcharge623]

I would love to see more slashing to the hoop also. But with the offense we run the lane is always clogged with the #5. Just watch tomorrow how often one of the #1-4 could actually drive if they wanted to, it won't be often. Need to bring the 5 out occasionally to allow for dribble drives.

Well, yeah, that's why I mentioned that Hammons/Haas have to do a good job of sealing their defender to the other side and leaving Stephens (or whoever else) room. It shouldn't be hard to do if we intentionally work it into the game plan. The guards and bigs just have to coordinate such that each knows cues for when it is OK to drive, or when a guard is about to drive.

 

[Bigohh]

Well, yeah, that's why I mentioned that Hammons/Haas have to do a good job of sealing their defender to the other side and leaving Stephens (or whoever else) room. It shouldn't be hard to do if we intentionally work it into the game plan. The guards and bigs just have to coordinate such that each knows cues for when it is OK to drive, or when a guard is about to drive.

Same could be said about Vince. I think they both tend to look for an open 3 more than they should. The 3 should be the last option not the first. As for the lanes being clogged, I disagree as I believe the problem is that we are so slow feeding the post, we allow double teams to come to swarm the big when he gets the ball. If Kendall or Vince or anyone else made themselves available on the opposite side they would have an open lane to the basket. Likewise, if they made themselves available on the ball side being fed, they would likely have an open look for a 3.