Originally posted by Relentless
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Looking back and moving forward (2015 Fiba Asia), I think that with the kind of team that we have and the type of game we play, we would benefit from a center who LIKES to run. Imagine if a center like Haddadi was playing against a Philippine center who LIKES TO run in the break after we get a rebound? Haddadi wouldn't be able to score as much because he would get tired trying to chase his man. He'll be forced to play defense. And I'm talking about a NATURAL center. Not someone like Japeth who was just forced to play center in the finals because of the injury to Douhtit. If you think about it, if Japeth at the 4 had a frontcourt partner who is legit center that LIKES to run, Iran's frontcourt of Haddadi and whoever would get exhausted faster and would have lesser energy on offense.
I'm not saying anything negative about Douhtit and Fajardo, I'm just saying that this is something we might have to look into as we move forward. Douhtit's already 33 and won't be around that long. Maybe he can promoted to one of the assistant coaches and personal low-post trainer of our 4's and 5's.
Let's face it, it's highly unlikely that we can match the size and strength of the frontcourts of Iran and China even if we have the option to naturalize a player. But since we have that option to draft a naturalized player for our national team, we might as well look for someone that can counter the edge in strength and size of our opponent's slow centers with speed and mobility.
Maybe we can naturalize someone who is 6'10" or 6'11", is a natural center, but LIKES to run the break and is seldom stationary in a half-court set. Japeth's only 26 so he'll have maybe 6 or 7 more productive years with the national team. It would be great if we can pair him with a legit center who can run with him in the break to make our opponent's 4 and 5 work harder and get tired faster. Then Fajardo and/or Slaughter and/or Sangalang could be the big men off the bench that play differently and gives our team a different look and option.
I'm not saying anything negative about Douhtit and Fajardo, I'm just saying that this is something we might have to look into as we move forward. Douhtit's already 33 and won't be around that long. Maybe he can promoted to one of the assistant coaches and personal low-post trainer of our 4's and 5's.
Let's face it, it's highly unlikely that we can match the size and strength of the frontcourts of Iran and China even if we have the option to naturalize a player. But since we have that option to draft a naturalized player for our national team, we might as well look for someone that can counter the edge in strength and size of our opponent's slow centers with speed and mobility.
Maybe we can naturalize someone who is 6'10" or 6'11", is a natural center, but LIKES to run the break and is seldom stationary in a half-court set. Japeth's only 26 so he'll have maybe 6 or 7 more productive years with the national team. It would be great if we can pair him with a legit center who can run with him in the break to make our opponent's 4 and 5 work harder and get tired faster. Then Fajardo and/or Slaughter and/or Sangalang could be the big men off the bench that play differently and gives our team a different look and option.
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