NC State Basketball
Wolfpack Have Option To Play Small Ball in 2014
With the onslaught of the NBA Playoffs and as I watch trends in the NBA I have become fascinated by the potential lineup NC State could deploy next season. The best team in the NBA is the Golden State Warriors, they are tops in both offense and defense and play an unconventional brand of basketball. Many skeptics have voiced their opinions and statistics about how you cannot win by relying on outside shooting and playing small. They are quick to point out the need for conventional post scoring and being able to toil in the half-court…don’t look now but the Warriors are just 5 wins away from blowing this perception up.
Now before people throw my theory in my face, yes I am aware we do not have Stephen Curry or Klay Thompson caliber players to stretch the floor. What the Pack has is a solid group who are multi-skilled, long, and athletic. The similarities between State and the Warriors can be paralleled in the same way the Warriors use many 6-7 guys who use their length and quickness to frustrate opposing teams. State could use this exact philosophy by using a line up that consists of Cat, Terry, Cody, Caleb, and Abu. Then spelling Abu, Gottfried could use Anya to protect the rim and Freeman to matchup on stretch fours.
As I think about the potential this lineup has I cannot help but believe that State could be an elite defensive team that creates tons of turnovers and produces lots of easy opportunities in the open court. Many may think that this lineup would be limited offensively but I argue that this could be our best offensive unit as well. I love the idea of having a Martin twin at the high post. This would be a great spot for them to capitalize on the isolation face up attack that we have rarely seen since the departure of CJ Leslie. Both Caleb and Cody have the physical ability to thrive in this area and would be a matchup nightmare for opposing power forwards.
Up and down this lineup one can see the opportunities it would create for Coach Gottfried. He would have four even five guys who can handle the ball and attack the rim. Cat and Terry should be able to keep teams honest from behind the arc and provide enough spacing to counter teams from packing the paint. Abu showed he has the potential to be a dangerous presence down low and should be much more comfortable scoring the basketball. I am sure there will be more plays drawn up to utilize his talent. Both Caleb and Cody are adequate playmakers and should benefit from last seasons experience. Look for Cody to make the most of an increased role.
It will be critical that Gottfried and his staff be willing to think outside the box in order to be relevant this coming season. I was as disappointed as the next person with news that Lacey was forgoing his senior season, but sometimes the greatest inventions are born in times of necessity. The Warriors may never have reached the heights they have this season if they choose to keep a traditional starting lineup; however, Steve Kerr challenged the status quo and went with Draymon Green at the four spot who is 6-7 on a good day. It has been widely recognized that this move took a roster comprised of many of the same pieces from a season ago that won 51 games to a team that won 67 games this season.
What’s your opinion? Is small ball the answer?
WolfpackBack I will promise you this, if this 2015 team go to the sweet sixteen then I will never comment on this site again. That’s a promise to you WolfpackButt.
Wolfer96 AdamWiggins Finally, a voice of reason. We still need another big just in case foul trouble or injuries happen. Also, where is that backup pg?
AdamWiggins I think we should just play wait and see. Losing Lacey is almost like losing Warren. Both players were keys on offense. Luckily Lacey was able to fill some of the void when TJ left but we’d have to be pretty damned lucky for that to happen again with Henderson. Not saying Henderson can’t be a stud but I’ve yet to see him on the floor so at this point he’s more mystery than anything else. Cat will score 15ppg and 4-5 apg. That means the other 4 on the court have to put up at least 60 ppg… Read more »
papajallen What is 30/30? 30 points and 30 rebounds? If we get 30/30 out of those guys, we’ll be in the final four.
blow000 Please enlighten me. Why does anyone think next year team will be worth a damn?
Negative Nancy wolfpack74 says next year will be bad. Didn’t see that coming. Yawn.
Please, no one wants to hear your pessimistic dribble anymore. Do everyone a favor and be a lurker.
AdamWiggins What have you been smoking? Good is not the word I would use.
Go small, get zoned, and get beat. Wake up people. Next year will be bad. Our only hope is to get Bam Bam and Jr. in 2016.
Small ball? The difference for us will be whether a big or a wing is playing the four. My guess is that by necessity (rather than coaching genius), we’ll see “small ball” every game due to foul trouble or, heaven forbid, injury.
I think our strength next year will have to be balanced scoring. Cat and Terry will do their part, the three bigs need to give us 30/30 minimally every game. And then the wing(s) is (are) the icing.
Can’t wait to see how version 5 of the Gott era plays out.
ncsu_kappa I can see you hesitation. Lacey was a stud but Henderson could be a welcome addition who can step right in and contribute. He is more athletic than Lacey and a little taller. He doesn’t have t he same build but should be able to average double figures.
Its hard to say we will be better without the best isolation scorer in the country, and if not the best the most depended on which is more of a reflection of us than it is him. One of my buddies has always said that whenever we have an unexpected departure somebody always steps up. More than likely I see that coming from Cat or Terry than anyone but I’m not sold that Abu, Freeman, or Anya as much as like what they bring defensively, can help us bridge the scoring gap much. Thus if we see any kind of… Read more »
Good Article. I like the idea of small ball. We should be really good next year.