Mourning and playing time

[michaelgrahamfan]

I was at the Wisconsin and Duke games at MSG. The time that Mourning was on the floor his hustle and court presence was off the charts. I would like someone to fill me in on why his minutes are so limited. Are we just an all forward team that has no minutes available? This reminds of the Mourning Mutumbo teams that had great players but not great balance. All comments are welcome.

[richfame]

I think his minutes are low because it is usually counter productive to run a 9-10 man rotation. Doing that in theory hurts the flow of the team. You have the starting five and usually first guard, first forward and first center off the bench.

I do think he's deserving of minutes and is a serious player. I think he will get his time next year. I think JT3 is committed to giving bench minutes to Govan and using a 2 headed center with Hayes. We already have Johnson, LJ coming off the bench taking minutes. I almost think Mourning deserves some of Derricksons minutes. Derrickson has not shown me much the past 6 games. Mourning seems very smart and capable on the court.

[professorhoya]

Feb 9, 2016 19:16:22 GMT -5 michaelgrahamfan said:

I was at the Wisconsin and Duke games at MSG. The time that Mourning was on the floor his hustle and court presence was off the charts. I would like someone to fill me in on why his minutes are so limited. Are we just an all forward team that has no minutes available? This reminds of the Mourning Mutumbo teams that had great players but not great balance. All comments are welcome.

Cameron takes up a lot of his minutes because when you split the forwards between him, copeland, derrickson and sometime Kaleb there is nothing left for Mourning at forward. That leaves mourning as the third string center and he's a little. undersized there.

If it were me I'd just play mourning more at power forward and take away Cameron's minutes by shifting copeland to the 3 but I don't see that happening this season.

[justsaying]

I agree (use some of Dickerson minutes) mourning some at power forward, I would like to see mourning and govan some on the floor at the same time. he provides that extra energy that can be so useful for us.

[hoyasaxa2003]

Feb 9, 2016 20:08:27 GMT -5 professorhoya said:

Feb 9, 2016 19:16:22 GMT -5 michaelgrahamfan said:

I was at the Wisconsin and Duke games at MSG. The time that Mourning was on the floor his hustle and court presence was off the charts. I would like someone to fill me in on why his minutes are so limited. Are we just an all forward team that has no minutes available? This reminds of the Mourning Mutumbo teams that had great players but not great balance. All comments are welcome.

Cameron takes up a lot of his minutes because when you split the forwards between him, copeland, derrickson and sometime Kaleb there is nothing left for Mourning at forward. That leaves mourning as the third string center and he's a little. undersized there.

If it were me I'd just play mourning more at power forward and take away Cameron's minutes by shifting copeland to the 3 but I don't see that happening this season.

I would be in favor of trying this, especially when Cameron isn't shooting well. It'll get even more crowded next year, as you figure Agau will be ahead of Mourning on the depth chart, at least at the 5. Losing Hayes will open up a little time, but I imagine Govan will likely play more minutes than this year, as long as he doesn't foul out constantly.

[bostonfan]

The team has struggled all year playing against aggressive rebounding teams and playing Mourning at the 4 for some minutes would certainly help that situation. While I think he still struggles a little defensively against big strong centers in the league, he would match up well against any power forward in the league. He seems to understand the offense well and plays with great energy. If he is going to be a part of team next year they really need to find a way to get him some more minutes this year.

I don't think he should regularly play in front of Derrickson, but if Derrickson is having an off game and we are getting killed on the boards I would give Trey a chance at the 4 and see how he does. I have to believe his aggressiveness would lead to some offensive rebounds and some easy points if we had him and either one of our centers on the floor together.

[EtomicB]

Feb 10, 2016 8:30:43 GMT -5 bostonfan said:

The team has struggled all year playing against aggressive rebounding teams and playing Mourning at the 4 for some minutes would certainly help that situation. While I think he still struggles a little defensively against big strong centers in the league, he would match up well against any power forward in the league. He seems to understand the offense well and plays with great energy. If he is going to be a part of team next year they really need to find a way to get him some more minutes this year.

I don't think he should regularly play in front of Derrickson, but if Derrickson is having an off game and we are getting killed on the boards I would give Trey a chance at the 4 and see how he does. I have to believe his aggressiveness would lead to some offensive rebounds and some easy points if we had him and either one of our centers on the floor together.

Barring injuries I don't see much time for Mourning next season unless he beats out Akoy for time at the 5..

Time at the 4 will go to PW, Derrickson & Cameron imo..

Trey is on track to be another Hayes in his senior year..

[hoyaboya]

Feb 10, 2016 18:37:23 GMT -5 EtomicB said:

Feb 10, 2016 8:30:43 GMT -5 bostonfan said:

The team has struggled all year playing against aggressive rebounding teams and playing Mourning at the 4 for some minutes would certainly help that situation. While I think he still struggles a little defensively against big strong centers in the league, he would match up well against any power forward in the league. He seems to understand the offense well and plays with great energy. If he is going to be a part of team next year they really need to find a way to get him some more minutes this year.

I don't think he should regularly play in front of Derrickson, but if Derrickson is having an off game and we are getting killed on the boards I would give Trey a chance at the 4 and see how he does. I have to believe his aggressiveness would lead to some offensive rebounds and some easy points if we had him and either one of our centers on the floor together.

Barring injuries I don't see much time for Mourning next season unless he beats out Akoy for time at the 5..

Time at the 4 will go to PW, Derrickson & Cameron imo..

Trey is on track to be another Hayes in his senior year..

I would be very surprised if Mourning doesn't play more 5 than Agau next year.

[HoyaFanNY]

mourning is our best defender at the 5. he works the pick and roll pretty well. both hayes and govan are lost when it comes to defending it and both foul at a high rate.

[SaxaCD]

Feb 11, 2016 6:30:10 GMT -5 HoyaFanNY said:

mourning is our best defender at the 5. he works the pick and roll pretty well. both hayes and govan are lost when it comes to defending it and both foul at a high rate.

I think it really depends on matchups -- Mourning's been outmuscled by some opponents for easy baskets in situations where Govan has been much better staying between his man and the basket. I do think Zo should get a little more time to give a different defensive look so we can change things up more often during the course of a game, so teams don't get too comfortable running the same things over and over.

[HoyaFanNY]

Feb 11, 2016 6:34:57 GMT -5 SaxaCD said:

Feb 11, 2016 6:30:10 GMT -5 HoyaFanNY said:

mourning is our best defender at the 5. he works the pick and roll pretty well. both hayes and govan are lost when it comes to defending it and both foul at a high rate.

I think it really depends on matchups -- Mourning's been outmuscled by some opponents for easy baskets in situations where Govan has been much better staying between his man and the basket. I do think Zo should get a little more time to give a different defensive look so we can change things up more often during the course of a game, so teams don't get too comfortable running the same things over and over.

I agree little zo gets out muscled at times in the post but he is much more active on the perimeter and a much better defender on screens and switches than hayes and govan. it's a pick your poison situation.

[FrazierFanatic]

Exactly, that is why we should consider matching him up when quicker bugs are hurting us on the perimeter.

As for next year - internal competition is usually a good thing. He who works hardest plays earns more minutes.

[MCIGuy]

Feb 10, 2016 18:37:23 GMT -5 EtomicB said:

Feb 10, 2016 8:30:43 GMT -5 bostonfan said:

The team has struggled all year playing against aggressive rebounding teams and playing Mourning at the 4 for some minutes would certainly help that situation. While I think he still struggles a little defensively against big strong centers in the league, he would match up well against any power forward in the league. He seems to understand the offense well and plays with great energy. If he is going to be a part of team next year they really need to find a way to get him some more minutes this year.

I don't think he should regularly play in front of Derrickson, but if Derrickson is having an off game and we are getting killed on the boards I would give Trey a chance at the 4 and see how he does. I have to believe his aggressiveness would lead to some offensive rebounds and some easy points if we had him and either one of our centers on the floor together.

Barring injuries I don't see much time for Mourning next season unless he beats out Akoy for time at the 5..

Time at the 4 will go to PW, Derrickson & Cameron imo..

Trey is on track to be another Hayes in his senior year..

If that was indeed the case I would transfer if I was Mourning. His faceup game is too good, his defense is too tenacious, his effort on the boards is too determined for him to hang around with the hope of getting extended minutes on the court. Why should he do that? Here’s a guy who is going to keep making major leaps forward every month if he was starting or in a regular rotation. In retrospect it may have been better if III had started him all season long at the four than Derrickson because I don’t think Mourning would have hit a wall. And with his height, touch and pedigree he may have a realistic shot at the next level because he fits with the new brand of NBA ball for big men. He is a true stretch four/. But he needs not only to get stronger he needs to get better in a way that only comes with playing time. Why stick around for the “possibility” of getting that opportunity his senior season?

[justsaying]

I agree with your assessment of mourning and what he brings. he is more of the newer type of player model that we are starting to see through out the league. he needs minutes to continue his upward curve. being more the stretch four with passion and mobility and I feel a good weak side rim protecto playing him (4) with govan (5) would be a duo to look forward to w/Copeland at the 3. I think together they could become a problem for the opposing team.

[prhoya]

Feb 11, 2016 12:29:15 GMT -5 MCIGuy said:

Feb 10, 2016 18:37:23 GMT -5 EtomicB said:

Barring injuries I don't see much time for Mourning next season unless he beats out Akoy for time at the 5..

Time at the 4 will go to PW, Derrickson & Cameron imo..

Trey is on track to be another Hayes in his senior year..

If that was indeed the case I would transfer if I was Mourning. His faceup game is too good, his defense is too tenacious, his effort on the boards is too determined for him to hang around with the hope of getting extended minutes on the court. Why should he do that? Here’s a guy who is going to keep making major leaps forward every month if he was starting or in a regular rotation. In retrospect it may have been better if III had started him all season long at the four than Derrickson because I don’t think Mourning would have hit a wall. And with his height, touch and pedigree he may have a realistic shot at the next level because he fits with the new brand of NBA ball for big men. He is a true stretch four/. But he needs not only to get stronger he needs to get better in a way that only comes with playing time. Why stick around for the “possibility” of getting that opportunity his senior season?

Until Akoy proves himself on the court during a game, he will be behind Govan and Trey. With another summer of private training, I expect Trey to make the jump to play plenty of minutes. Plus, I like the idea of playing Trey some minutes at the 4 to clean up the weak side and to have him flash his beautiful mid-range jumper. For that, and based on Govan's foul rate, Akoy has to be a useful backup 5; if not, Trey has to be available as the backup 5. White and Marcus are available as the emergency/situational 5s. But, until we see him play for GU, Akoy = Moses or soph Hayes. After what we've seen from some of our past Cs, no video or highlight reel should convince us otherwise. The rest is wishful thinking.

[NCHoya]

Minutes are going to be real tough to find for Mourning with White and Akoy replacing Hayes along with the likely increase of playing time for Govan. I do agree Mourning should get an opportunity before Akoy, and I also think some of Cameron's minutes could go to Mourning. The frontcourt is very crowded and it would not be a surprise to see some offseason movement.

Another example of poor recruiting strategy by III. Every other team is moving toward small ball and we are flooded with big guys and have few natural guards to get them the ball.

[guru]

Feb 11, 2016 14:23:28 GMT -5 NCHoya said:

Minutes are going to be real tough to find for Mourning with White and Akoy replacing Hayes along with the likely increase of playing time for Govan. I do agree Mourning should get an opportunity before Akoy, and I also think some of Cameron's minutes could go to Mourning. The frontcourt is very crowded and it would not be a surprise to see some offseason movement.

Another example of poor recruiting strategy by III. Every other team is moving toward small ball and we are flooded with big guys and have few natural guards to get them the ball.

Our recruiting and team-buidling philosophy has been exposed as ridiculous - up to our staff to adjust.

[MCIGuy]

To alleviate some of that frontcourt overcrowding I would consider playing White at the pg.

[justsaying]

as we have experienced and we notice many other teams and leagues that these small ball athletic and aggressive lineups exposes a non mobile big man.

[wnyhoya]

What is Akoy's eligibility situation? He would have been eligible after the first semester this year with 2.5 years left so would he still have 2.5 (I don't know how that would work) or does he just have 2?