SFCityBear said:

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KoreAmBear said:

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SFCityBear said:

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HKBear97! said:

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SFCityBear said:

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Just asking.

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After watching the first game of the season I can say emphatically that there is no way Lars will play in the NBA.

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Lars is still very young and immature, basketball wise. Big men can take a long time to mature. He's improved his skills a lot, learned new skills, but still makes too many freshman mistakes. Right now I'm more concerned with whether he can play in the PAC12.

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I've seen a lot of guys like him at mid-major programs where they get minutes due to their size and are serviceable, but just not very skilled/coordinated. He can fill that role for us, but if he's featured on our team (like Don Coleman was featured in Wyking's first year) for more than a complementary role we are a 5 win team.

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I agree with your first sentence. As for the second, "complementary" to whom? On this roster, who else do you think could play center for us? Would any of those shorter players on the roster be any better? Or would you have us go small for say, 35 minutes? If he could give us 17 points and 8 boards every night, shoot 64% and 75% on FTs, I think I could live with 3 or 4 turnovers and 4 fouls.

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Complementary in that he could play C but he can't be one of the focal points of the offense. But unfortunately with how Fox has constructed this roster, he will be depended on to score. Even mid-majors don't depend on guys like Lars to get 10. We need it desperately and that's a big problem. Oh well, maybe all the injuries getting resolved will help us since Fox makes it sound like we are decimated. Can't wait for Hyder to come back and drop 30. *sigh*

SFCityBear said:

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KoreAmBear said:

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SFCityBear said:

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HKBear97! said:

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SFCityBear said:

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Just asking.

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After watching the first game of the season I can say emphatically that there is no way Lars will play in the NBA.

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Lars is still very young and immature, basketball wise. Big men can take a long time to mature. He's improved his skills a lot, learned new skills, but still makes too many freshman mistakes. Right now I'm more concerned with whether he can play in the PAC12.

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I've seen a lot of guys like him at mid-major programs where they get minutes due to their size and are serviceable, but just not very skilled/coordinated. He can fill that role for us, but if he's featured on our team (like Don Coleman was featured in Wyking's first year) for more than a complementary role we are a 5 win team.

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I agree with your first sentence. As for the second, "complementary" to whom? On this roster, who else do you think could play center for us? Would any of those shorter players on the roster be any better? Or would you have us go small for say, 35 minutes? If he could give us 17 points and 8 boards every night, shoot 64% and 75% on FTs, I think I could live with 3 or 4 turnovers and 4 fouls.

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Reportedly many of those turnovers were with Fox having Lars attempt to run a high post offense. That is clearly not putting Lars or the team in a position to succeed. I get the idea. We don't have shooters, we have a bunch of guys that are best driving to the basket, but Lars is just not the guy for that.

To your point, Lars had 16 points, 8 rebounds, 2 blocks and a steal, with only 2 turnovers in 28 minutes earlier this year against Utah when Kelly was out.

We are playing two PGs, Lars does not need to initiate plays. Let him focus on being the big presence down low like he did last year.

As to your question about who else can play center, clearly that is Okafor, who is Lars' backup now but should get more and more playing time as the season progresses. A front line of Okafor, Newell, and Alajiki is not greatly undersized and can make up for height with arm span and athleticism.

However, Lars, especially as a 7 foot low post, is one of our more valuable players as long as we don't ask him to play outside of his strengths. Hopefully that is what we will see going forward.

I'm probably Lars' biggest fan on this board since his freshmen year

since then he's improved:
- his lower body strength and jumping ability
- his base balance and ability to move his feet
- reduced his bad fouling - remember his freshmen and soph years he would constantly make bad fouls
- his overall defense
- his scoring - he's better able to score in the low post add has added some offensive moves
- his FT shooting
- his rebounding
- improved his shot-blocking without fouling
- He has always been good at setting screens

but he still has weaknesses:
- poor hands (although they have improved for rebounding)
- still too slow - the game still moves too fast for him
- still makes some fundamental mistakes such as bringing the ball down
- not explosive nor a plus athlete
- still doesn't feel comfortable facing the basket to score
- lack of lateral quickness for defense
- poor ball handler

In summary, Lars has made big progress since he arrived. He showed improvement again vs Davis, but also showed he has a lot of opportunity to improve further.

It was only the first game of a new season, so I think he deserves more games/times to fairly evaluate him, but I am very concerned his role is so large on this team, but who are our options?

Until Celestine comes back LT might be the #1 scoring option. On a more normal team he would be the #4 or #5 option, and I think he could thrive in such a role. Maybe next year if he stays.

I think Lars has progressed as well or better than I expected he would. He's added some moves and consistency and a bit of athleticism. He still makes some fundamental errors but fewer. I expect him to improve further during the season as a key contributor, but not our go to guy.

I never expected him to be an NBA prospect - and still don't

I've thought from last season that Thiemann would be one of our go-to scorers this season. But we're some distance from respectability in the Pac-12 so I don't see NBA.

stu said:

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I've thought from last season that Thiemann would be one of our go-to scorers this season. But we're some distance from respectability in the Pac-12 so I don't see NBA.

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With all due respect stu, our status in the Pac-12 has nothing to do with Lars going to the NBA.

Lars is not NBA material.

sluggo said:

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Until Celestine comes back LT might be the #1 scoring option. On a more normal team he would be the #4 or #5 option, and I think he could thrive in such a role. Maybe next year if he stays.

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NO!!!! I didn't want to watch a fifth year of Grant Anticevich and I don't want to watch a fifth year of incremental improvement from Lars or Kuany or Joel. They worked hard on and off the court, are getting Cal degrees, and they're better players than when they arrived, and I'm glad for this. But after this season it's, "Adios Muchachos!" Five Year Plans didn't work for Stalin or Mao and they aren't working for Cal basketball players.
Heck, after watching the UCD game, I'd sooner offer a fifth year to Christian Anigwe.

HearstMining said:

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sluggo said:

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Until Celestine comes back LT might be the #1 scoring option. On a more normal team he would be the #4 or #5 option, and I think he could thrive in such a role. Maybe next year if he stays.

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NO!!!! I didn't want to watch a fifth year of Grant Anticevich and I don't want to watch a fifth year of incremental improvement from Lars or Kuany or Joel. They worked hard on and off the court, are getting Cal degrees, and they're better players than when they arrived, and I'm glad for this. But after this season it's, "Adios Muchachos!" Five Year Plans didn't work for Stalin or Mao and they aren't working for Cal basketball players.
Heck, after watching the UCD game, I'd sooner offer a fifth year to Christian Anigwe.

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I disagree, as I disagreed about GA. LT could be very good in a lesser role, and he is not holding anyone back who I want to see more.

Several balanced and spot-on assessments of Lars, now that the stench from the Davis game isn't quite so pungent anymore!

BearGreg said:

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sluggo said:

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Until Celestine comes back LT might be the #1 scoring option. On a more normal team he would be the #4 or #5 option, and I think he could thrive in such a role. Maybe next year if he stays.

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I don't think you can give LT the minutes needed to be the leading scorer. His hands, his inability to keep the ball high when he catches or rebounds it, his poor defense, and his penchant for bad TOs more than outweigh his scoring potential IMO.

I concur with you that he's at his best playing 10-15 minutes a game. Fox is in a tough spot relative to his minutes - damned if he does and damned if he doesn't.

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We agree. Okafor is learning basketball. LT is a turnover machine but a decent rebounder and good inside scorer on a team with very little scoring. What do you do?

Cal needs a plug-and-play big man from the portal. Desperately. I think they Cal could be competitive next year, meaning not double digits, with such a player.

RedlessWardrobe said:

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stu said:

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I've thought from last season that Thiemann would be one of our go-to scorers this season. But we're some distance from respectability in the Pac-12 so I don't see NBA.

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With all due respect stu, our status in the Pac-12 has nothing to do with Lars going to the NBA.

Lars is not NBA material.

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I agree. I was trying to say I think he'll score for us because he's one of our better scoring options. Since we're not competitive in the Pac-12 even if he does score that won't make him a good Pac-12 player, let alone any kind of NBA prospect.

sluggo said:

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Cal needs a plug-and-play big man from the portal. Desperately. I think they Cal could be competitive next year, meaning not double digits, with such a player.

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I think we need more than that. Assuming we still have Askew, Celestine, Newell, Alajiki, and Okafor I'd say to be competitive we need:
* another PG
* Celestine to get healthy
* Celestine, Newell, and Alajiki to continue to improve
* another outside shooter (somebody develops a shot or we get another player)
* Okafor to reach his potential quickly
* another PF/C
* an offense

BearGreg said:

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sluggo said:

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Until Celestine comes back LT might be the #1 scoring option. On a more normal team he would be the #4 or #5 option, and I think he could thrive in such a role. Maybe next year if he stays.

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I don't think you can give LT the minutes needed to be the leading scorer. His hands, his inability to keep the ball high when he catches or rebounds it, his poor defense, and his penchant for bad TOs more than outweigh his scoring potential IMO.

I concur with you that he's at his best playing 10-15 minutes a game. Fox is in a tough spot relative to his minutes - damned if he does and damned if he doesn't.

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Agree, which is why I thought playing him as a freshman over sophomore Kelly was a mistake, though I know there are a few who will jump to a multi paragraph defense of Fox/attack on Kelly over that.

With the signing of a 3 star freshman 6'11 center, Lars could return to a more limited role next year, if he returns, but I'd just as soon give the freshman his minutes and open up a scholarship for a portal player, ideally all playing for a new coach.

stu said:

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sluggo said:

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Cal needs a plug-and-play big man from the portal. Desperately. I think they Cal could be competitive next year, meaning not double digits, with such a player.

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I think we need more than that. Assuming we still have Askew, Celestine, Newell, Alajiki, and Okafor I'd say to be competitive we need:
* another PG
* Celestine to get healthy
* Celestine, Newell, and Alajiki to continue to improve
* another outside shooter (somebody develops a shot or we get another player)
* Okafor to reach his potential quickly
* another PF/C
* an offense

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Certainly need a backup point and more shooting. Could be a combo guard transfer, for which there is a history. Okafor is who he is, and the offense (at least under Fox), will be what it is. But next year is already the first year under Fox that the talent will have improved rather than getting worse.

calumnus said:

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BearGreg said:

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sluggo said:

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Until Celestine comes back LT might be the #1 scoring option. On a more normal team he would be the #4 or #5 option, and I think he could thrive in such a role. Maybe next year if he stays.

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I don't think you can give LT the minutes needed to be the leading scorer. His hands, his inability to keep the ball high when he catches or rebounds it, his poor defense, and his penchant for bad TOs more than outweigh his scoring potential IMO.

I concur with you that he's at his best playing 10-15 minutes a game. Fox is in a tough spot relative to his minutes - damned if he does and damned if he doesn't.

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Agree, which is why I thought playing him as a freshman over sophomore Kelly was a mistake, though I know there are a few who will jump to a multi paragraph defense of Fox/attack on Kelly over that.

With the signing of a 3 star freshman 6'11 center, Lars could return to a more limited role next year, if he returns, but I'd just as soon give the freshman his minutes and open up a scholarship for a portal player, ideally all playing for a new coach.

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Who is a deep project. The future is now every year. I want LT back.

stu said:

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sluggo said:

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Cal needs a plug-and-play big man from the portal. Desperately. I think they Cal could be competitive next year, meaning not double digits, with such a player.

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I think we need more than that. Assuming we still have Askew, Celestine, Newell, Alajiki, and Okafor I'd say to be competitive we need:
* another PG
* Celestine to get healthy
* Celestine, Newell, and Alajiki to continue to improve
* another outside shooter (somebody develops a shot or we get another player)
* Okafor to reach his potential quickly
* another PF/C
* an offense

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In other words, we need a starting five.

calumnus said:

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BearGreg said:

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sluggo said:

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Until Celestine comes back LT might be the #1 scoring option. On a more normal team he would be the #4 or #5 option, and I think he could thrive in such a role. Maybe next year if he stays.

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I don't think you can give LT the minutes needed to be the leading scorer. His hands, his inability to keep the ball high when he catches or rebounds it, his poor defense, and his penchant for bad TOs more than outweigh his scoring potential IMO.

I concur with you that he's at his best playing 10-15 minutes a game. Fox is in a tough spot relative to his minutes - damned if he does and damned if he doesn't.

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Agree, which is why I thought playing him as a freshman over sophomore Kelly was a mistake, though I know there are a few who will jump to a multi paragraph defense of Fox/attack on Kelly over that.

With the signing of a 3 star freshman 6'11 center, Lars could return to a more limited role next year, if he returns, but I'd just as soon give the freshman his minutes and open up a scholarship for a portal player, ideally all playing for a new coach.

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While nothing set/decision made, its highly unlikely Lars and Kuany return next season. I would bet they leave. KK wants to support his family and by getting an overseas contract, He would be able to do that.

4thGenCal said:

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calumnus said:

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BearGreg said:

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sluggo said:

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Until Celestine comes back LT might be the #1 scoring option. On a more normal team he would be the #4 or #5 option, and I think he could thrive in such a role. Maybe next year if he stays.

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I don't think you can give LT the minutes needed to be the leading scorer. His hands, his inability to keep the ball high when he catches or rebounds it, his poor defense, and his penchant for bad TOs more than outweigh his scoring potential IMO.

I concur with you that he's at his best playing 10-15 minutes a game. Fox is in a tough spot relative to his minutes - damned if he does and damned if he doesn't.

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Agree, which is why I thought playing him as a freshman over sophomore Kelly was a mistake, though I know there are a few who will jump to a multi paragraph defense of Fox/attack on Kelly over that.

With the signing of a 3 star freshman 6'11 center, Lars could return to a more limited role next year, if he returns, but I'd just as soon give the freshman his minutes and open up a scholarship for a portal player, ideally all playing for a new coach.

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While nothing set/decision made, its highly unlikely Lars and Kuany return next season. I would bet they leave. KK wants to support his family and by getting an overseas contract, He would be able to do that.

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So do all five seniors leave? Anyanwu drops down a level? Celestine (traditionally the best player leaves)?

HearstMining said:

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sluggo said:

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BearGreg said:

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sluggo said:

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Until Celestine comes back LT might be the #1 scoring option. On a more normal team he would be the #4 or #5 option, and I think he could thrive in such a role. Maybe next year if he stays.

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I don't think you can give LT the minutes needed to be the leading scorer. His hands, his inability to keep the ball high when he catches or rebounds it, his poor defense, and his penchant for bad TOs more than outweigh his scoring potential IMO.

I concur with you that he's at his best playing 10-15 minutes a game. Fox is in a tough spot relative to his minutes - damned if he does and damned if he doesn't.

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We agree. Okafor is learning basketball. LT is a turnover machine but a decent rebounder and good inside scorer on a team with very little scoring. What do you do?

Cal needs a plug-and-play big man from the portal. Desperately. I think they Cal could be competitive next year, meaning not double digits, with such a player.

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One thing Cal could do to help LT out is get him out of the high post. His teammates never give him good options to pass either to cutters or for an open 3pt shot and they don't use him effectively as a screen if he hands off. All it does is take him out of rebounding position and give defenders a chance to slap the ball out of his hands which they've done repeatedly.

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Exactly. Lars can contribute now, but his role needs to be limited. The Davis game was a wakeup call there, hopefully.

Big C said:

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HearstMining said:

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sluggo said:

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BearGreg said:

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sluggo said:

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Until Celestine comes back LT might be the #1 scoring option. On a more normal team he would be the #4 or #5 option, and I think he could thrive in such a role. Maybe next year if he stays.

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I don't think you can give LT the minutes needed to be the leading scorer. His hands, his inability to keep the ball high when he catches or rebounds it, his poor defense, and his penchant for bad TOs more than outweigh his scoring potential IMO.

I concur with you that he's at his best playing 10-15 minutes a game. Fox is in a tough spot relative to his minutes - damned if he does and damned if he doesn't.

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We agree. Okafor is learning basketball. LT is a turnover machine but a decent rebounder and good inside scorer on a team with very little scoring. What do you do?

Cal needs a plug-and-play big man from the portal. Desperately. I think they Cal could be competitive next year, meaning not double digits, with such a player.

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One thing Cal could do to help LT out is get him out of the high post. His teammates never give him good options to pass either to cutters or for an open 3pt shot and they don't use him effectively as a screen if he hands off. All it does is take him out of rebounding position and give defenders a chance to slap the ball out of his hands which they've done repeatedly.

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Exactly. Lars can contribute now, but his role needs to be limited. The Davis game was a wakeup call there, hopefully.

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Exactly, let him focus on the low post skills he's been working on and where his 7' height is his advantage. Having him run the high post is asking far too much, it isn't fair to him or the team.

calumnus said:

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Big C said:

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HearstMining said:

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sluggo said:

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BearGreg said:

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sluggo said:

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Until Celestine comes back LT might be the #1 scoring option. On a more normal team he would be the #4 or #5 option, and I think he could thrive in such a role. Maybe next year if he stays.

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I don't think you can give LT the minutes needed to be the leading scorer. His hands, his inability to keep the ball high when he catches or rebounds it, his poor defense, and his penchant for bad TOs more than outweigh his scoring potential IMO.

I concur with you that he's at his best playing 10-15 minutes a game. Fox is in a tough spot relative to his minutes - damned if he does and damned if he doesn't.

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We agree. Okafor is learning basketball. LT is a turnover machine but a decent rebounder and good inside scorer on a team with very little scoring. What do you do?

Cal needs a plug-and-play big man from the portal. Desperately. I think they Cal could be competitive next year, meaning not double digits, with such a player.

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One thing Cal could do to help LT out is get him out of the high post. His teammates never give him good options to pass either to cutters or for an open 3pt shot and they don't use him effectively as a screen if he hands off. All it does is take him out of rebounding position and give defenders a chance to slap the ball out of his hands which they've done repeatedly.

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Exactly. Lars can contribute now, but his role needs to be limited. The Davis game was a wakeup call there, hopefully.

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Exactly, let him focus on the low post skills he's been working on and where his 7' height is his advantage. Having him run the high post is asking far too much, it isn't fair to him or the team.

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Maybe Lars isn't great at running the high post offense, but he's done it plenty in the past. He also sets good screens and rarely gets called for a moving screen.

This is Fox's base offense, and unless he completely changes the offense for Lars I think we will continue to see it.

Whether that is right or wrong and Fox should change his scheme for his personnel is another question

I don't think Lars is our biggest problem. The fact that Lars will play so many minutes is out of necessity, as we really don't have many options.

Our biggest problem is the lack of shooting and players who can create which is going to make scoring in general extremely tough. Second biggest problem may be rebounding.

HoopDreams said:

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calumnus said:

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Big C said:

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HearstMining said:

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sluggo said:

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BearGreg said:

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sluggo said:

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Until Celestine comes back LT might be the #1 scoring option. On a more normal team he would be the #4 or #5 option, and I think he could thrive in such a role. Maybe next year if he stays.

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I don't think you can give LT the minutes needed to be the leading scorer. His hands, his inability to keep the ball high when he catches or rebounds it, his poor defense, and his penchant for bad TOs more than outweigh his scoring potential IMO.

I concur with you that he's at his best playing 10-15 minutes a game. Fox is in a tough spot relative to his minutes - damned if he does and damned if he doesn't.

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We agree. Okafor is learning basketball. LT is a turnover machine but a decent rebounder and good inside scorer on a team with very little scoring. What do you do?

Cal needs a plug-and-play big man from the portal. Desperately. I think they Cal could be competitive next year, meaning not double digits, with such a player.

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One thing Cal could do to help LT out is get him out of the high post. His teammates never give him good options to pass either to cutters or for an open 3pt shot and they don't use him effectively as a screen if he hands off. All it does is take him out of rebounding position and give defenders a chance to slap the ball out of his hands which they've done repeatedly.

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Exactly. Lars can contribute now, but his role needs to be limited. The Davis game was a wakeup call there, hopefully.

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Exactly, let him focus on the low post skills he's been working on and where his 7' height is his advantage. Having him run the high post is asking far too much, it isn't fair to him or the team.

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Maybe Lars isn't great at running the high post offense, but he's done it plenty in the past. He also sets good screens and rarely gets called for a moving screen.

This is Fox's base offense, and unless he completely changes the offense for Lars I think we will continue to see it.

Whether that is right or wrong and Fox should change his scheme for his personnel is another question

I don't think Lars is our biggest problem. The fact that Lars will play so many minutes is out of necessity, as we really don't have many options.

Our biggest problem is the lack of shooting and players who can create which is going to make scoring in general extremely tough. Second biggest problem may be rebounding.

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Totally agree about lack of shooting. No brainer.

Lack of players who can create is amplified by our lack of an offense which can get players good shots.

Big C said:

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HoopDreams said:

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calumnus said:

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Big C said:

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HearstMining said:

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sluggo said:

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BearGreg said:

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sluggo said:

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Until Celestine comes back LT might be the #1 scoring option. On a more normal team he would be the #4 or #5 option, and I think he could thrive in such a role. Maybe next year if he stays.

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I don't think you can give LT the minutes needed to be the leading scorer. His hands, his inability to keep the ball high when he catches or rebounds it, his poor defense, and his penchant for bad TOs more than outweigh his scoring potential IMO.

I concur with you that he's at his best playing 10-15 minutes a game. Fox is in a tough spot relative to his minutes - damned if he does and damned if he doesn't.

---

We agree. Okafor is learning basketball. LT is a turnover machine but a decent rebounder and good inside scorer on a team with very little scoring. What do you do?

Cal needs a plug-and-play big man from the portal. Desperately. I think they Cal could be competitive next year, meaning not double digits, with such a player.

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One thing Cal could do to help LT out is get him out of the high post. His teammates never give him good options to pass either to cutters or for an open 3pt shot and they don't use him effectively as a screen if he hands off. All it does is take him out of rebounding position and give defenders a chance to slap the ball out of his hands which they've done repeatedly.

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Exactly. Lars can contribute now, but his role needs to be limited. The Davis game was a wakeup call there, hopefully.

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Exactly, let him focus on the low post skills he's been working on and where his 7' height is his advantage. Having him run the high post is asking far too much, it isn't fair to him or the team.

---

Maybe Lars isn't great at running the high post offense, but he's done it plenty in the past. He also sets good screens and rarely gets called for a moving screen.

This is Fox's base offense, and unless he completely changes the offense for Lars I think we will continue to see it.

Whether that is right or wrong and Fox should change his scheme for his personnel is another question

I don't think Lars is our biggest problem. The fact that Lars will play so many minutes is out of necessity, as we really don't have many options.

Our biggest problem is the lack of shooting and players who can create which is going to make scoring in general extremely tough. Second biggest problem may be rebounding.

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Totally agree about lack of shooting. No brainer.

Lack of players who can create is amplified by our lack of an offense which can get players good shots.

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agree. I expect a lot of forced shots at the end of the clock, with less success rate than last year when we had a legit threat in the post (Kelly), a stretch 4, and Sheppard who COULD create his own shot.

Big C said:

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HoopDreams said:

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Our biggest problem is the lack of shooting and players who can create which is going to make scoring in general extremely tough. Second biggest problem may be rebounding.

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Totally agree about lack of shooting. No brainer.

Lack of players who can create is amplified by our lack of an offense which can get players good shots.

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The bolded text sounds a lot like what Matt Bradley brings

HoopDreams said:

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calumnus said:

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Big C said:

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HearstMining said:

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sluggo said:

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BearGreg said:

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sluggo said:

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Until Celestine comes back LT might be the #1 scoring option. On a more normal team he would be the #4 or #5 option, and I think he could thrive in such a role. Maybe next year if he stays.

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I don't think you can give LT the minutes needed to be the leading scorer. His hands, his inability to keep the ball high when he catches or rebounds it, his poor defense, and his penchant for bad TOs more than outweigh his scoring potential IMO.

I concur with you that he's at his best playing 10-15 minutes a game. Fox is in a tough spot relative to his minutes - damned if he does and damned if he doesn't.

---

We agree. Okafor is learning basketball. LT is a turnover machine but a decent rebounder and good inside scorer on a team with very little scoring. What do you do?

Cal needs a plug-and-play big man from the portal. Desperately. I think they Cal could be competitive next year, meaning not double digits, with such a player.

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One thing Cal could do to help LT out is get him out of the high post. His teammates never give him good options to pass either to cutters or for an open 3pt shot and they don't use him effectively as a screen if he hands off. All it does is take him out of rebounding position and give defenders a chance to slap the ball out of his hands which they've done repeatedly.

---

Exactly. Lars can contribute now, but his role needs to be limited. The Davis game was a wakeup call there, hopefully.

---

Exactly, let him focus on the low post skills he's been working on and where his 7' height is his advantage. Having him run the high post is asking far too much, it isn't fair to him or the team.

---

Maybe Lars isn't great at running the high post offense, but he's done it plenty in the past. He also sets good screens and rarely gets called for a moving screen.

This is Fox's base offense, and unless he completely changes the offense for Lars I think we will continue to see it.

Whether that is right or wrong and Fox should change his scheme for his personnel is another question

I don't think Lars is our biggest problem. The fact that Lars will play so many minutes is out of necessity, as we really don't have many options.

Our biggest problem is the lack of shooting and players who can create which is going to make scoring in general extremely tough. Second biggest problem may be rebounding.

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Good observations! However, I think the bold item is our SECOND biggest problem. I would love to watch some of the early season practices, because I think our BIGGEST problem on both sides of the ball is fluidity. the players look they are thinking too much about what to do next. Too much pausing and hesitation under FOX.

Fluidity is the idea of executing (Xs or Os) while in the motion of your scheme - not pausing to think about what is next. This is a fundamental aspect of coaching and one that is DEADLY in todays' game if not handled well. At the youth level, a great example is passing drills that emphasize things like: consider your next pass, before you receive the ball so you aren't pausing - or - make your cut when the defense is vulnerable, don't wait for eye contact with the ball handler. Those are two very basic examples of fundamentals that are not natural and need to be learned and practiced as a team in pre-season. By the end of season two it was obvious that this is something that is not in FOX's repertoire. I'm not saying it is easy, but it is something that can be preached, practiced and coached. Coach K is a wizard. Monty emphasized it. Most successful coaches get it.

One can judge the coaching, by observing how a team develops during the season - if they start strong, the coach gets it. If they start slow and pick up some upsets late in the season - that is on the coach. Both Fox and Jones don't get it. Martin got it - at least on D. Monty got it. Braun was slow to teach it.

To answer the OP, there is ZERO chance Lars plays in the NBA. Zero

I didn't realize Lars and KK had the option to return. That is depressing. To be blunt / state the obvious, our seniors just aren't good enough. We need to cycle through that class.

The great thing about hoops is that with only 5 guys playing it shouldn't take too much to be competent,
- Assume Askew can handle the point
- Someone needs to be a shooter (Celestine?)
- someone needs to be a scoring threat (the frosh forward?)
- someone needs to protect the rim (?)

After that it's a matter of depth and team concepts (defense, rebounding, turnovers).

You can be competitive via a few guys that fill rolls + strong coaching

Well said!

The hesitancy on offense is a coaching issue. If guys are open within the rhythm of the offense they should shoot. That means Kuany and Sam and even Marsalis, Monty and Grant. They may not be good shooters but they aren't going to improve unless they get game reps. And also, passing up open shots usually results in resetting the offense and then we settle for a worse shot. BE DECISIVE. There's nothing wrong with a missed good shot. (Monty wisdom)

This is fundamentally problematic -- a coach who's deficiency is recruiting that is supposedly fine at Xs & Os and a fair developer should not be having fluidity issues