For an SMB fan like me, it was painful to watch their debut last night in the 2018 Commissioner's Cup. Experimentation led to their downfall.
As if it wasn't enough that an import changes the dynamics of their rotation, they had to give a lot of playing time to their rookie Christian Standhardinger. Unfamiliarity resulted in a lot of turnovers. And having some players in your core play out of their natural positions could also have contributed to their loss. Even the veterans seemed like they were out of place. Their spacing was really affected by having two slow bigs in Standhardinger and Gillenwater.
Standhardinger doesn't seem to have a post up game like Fajardo. And he can't finish on a fast break with a dunk like Matt Ganuelas-Rosser. Why, then, should you be given so much playing time when you are not yet a potential offensive threat?
I personally wouldn't mind experimentation if SMB wasn't chasing after a grand slam. As a fan, the grand slam chase is more important than a top-pick rookie getting playing minutes. Hopefully, SMB's coaching staff will set their priorities straight. Sharing the ball and fluidity on both offense and defense should prioritized. But their import and their rookie were ball hogs in critical moments. Instead of looking for the open man, they were looking to score and prove their worth.
When Matt Ganuelas-Rosser was acquired by SMB in a trade, they did not immediately integrate him into the rotation in that conference. He had to sit it out for a bunch of games. I think he only started getting some minutes in the succeeding conference and he has successfully been integrated into the core. Perhaps the same process can be applied to Standhardinger.
As for their import Gillenwater, he is no Charles Rhoades. SMB should either acquire a defensive import to stop the likes of Onuaku. Or if they are confident Standhardinger can do that (which clearly last night he showed he could not), they can imitate Tim Cone and go after a guard/forward who can finish the fast break with dunks, shoot the three, and is reliable at the free-throw line just like Justin Brownlee. Too bad this guy is already a staple import for Ginebra.
But Rhoades, if you are reading this, the fans need you so that opponents "Get out of the way!"
With too much tinkering, you break things that aren't broke. Having 4 guys that can penetrate or shoot the three and a reliable center is still SMB's strength. Deviate from that formula, and you might end up in the bottom of the cellar and not even defend your crown. Just look at TNT, they are copying SMB's formula for success and are currently at the top of the conference standings.
The time will come when SMB might want to play a three or four-headed monster (think point-guard with Fajardo, Standhardinger, Santos and Import). It might even be a five-headed monster if MGR's point guard skills improve. But this combination's effectiveness is probably very limited. It might only work against Ginebra if they play their four-headed monster. But having more point guards in your rotation means that the ball get's passed to the open man as soon as possible or that the open three is made.
As if it wasn't enough that an import changes the dynamics of their rotation, they had to give a lot of playing time to their rookie Christian Standhardinger. Unfamiliarity resulted in a lot of turnovers. And having some players in your core play out of their natural positions could also have contributed to their loss. Even the veterans seemed like they were out of place. Their spacing was really affected by having two slow bigs in Standhardinger and Gillenwater.
Standhardinger doesn't seem to have a post up game like Fajardo. And he can't finish on a fast break with a dunk like Matt Ganuelas-Rosser. Why, then, should you be given so much playing time when you are not yet a potential offensive threat?
I personally wouldn't mind experimentation if SMB wasn't chasing after a grand slam. As a fan, the grand slam chase is more important than a top-pick rookie getting playing minutes. Hopefully, SMB's coaching staff will set their priorities straight. Sharing the ball and fluidity on both offense and defense should prioritized. But their import and their rookie were ball hogs in critical moments. Instead of looking for the open man, they were looking to score and prove their worth.
When Matt Ganuelas-Rosser was acquired by SMB in a trade, they did not immediately integrate him into the rotation in that conference. He had to sit it out for a bunch of games. I think he only started getting some minutes in the succeeding conference and he has successfully been integrated into the core. Perhaps the same process can be applied to Standhardinger.
As for their import Gillenwater, he is no Charles Rhoades. SMB should either acquire a defensive import to stop the likes of Onuaku. Or if they are confident Standhardinger can do that (which clearly last night he showed he could not), they can imitate Tim Cone and go after a guard/forward who can finish the fast break with dunks, shoot the three, and is reliable at the free-throw line just like Justin Brownlee. Too bad this guy is already a staple import for Ginebra.
But Rhoades, if you are reading this, the fans need you so that opponents "Get out of the way!"
With too much tinkering, you break things that aren't broke. Having 4 guys that can penetrate or shoot the three and a reliable center is still SMB's strength. Deviate from that formula, and you might end up in the bottom of the cellar and not even defend your crown. Just look at TNT, they are copying SMB's formula for success and are currently at the top of the conference standings.
The time will come when SMB might want to play a three or four-headed monster (think point-guard with Fajardo, Standhardinger, Santos and Import). It might even be a five-headed monster if MGR's point guard skills improve. But this combination's effectiveness is probably very limited. It might only work against Ginebra if they play their four-headed monster. But having more point guards in your rotation means that the ball get's passed to the open man as soon as possible or that the open three is made.
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