Prey has been the only big in the lineup multiple times this year so not sure how this checks out. Guessing this was an opponent specific move rather than a larger statement by CRP.
Ruben Prey as a 4
- Thread starter tnice
- Start date
Rick has used Prey as the 4 over 90% of the time time. He has been the only big in a handful of times but I didn't pay enough attention to see if he was playing the 4 or 5. I think Scott has played the 5 for the rare short spurts when there was no Zuby, Prey, or Vince in.
I don't get it...maybe there was some kind of an agreement with him or his team. Prey is much more comfortable as the 5 and he's probably spent nearly all of his career being the only big man in the lane. He struggled early sharing the space with teammates and lost multiple rebounds trying to defer to Zuby and others.
Prey seems stronger or at least more rugged than Zuby in the paint. Dixon kind of bullied Zuby, but he couldn't do that to Prey. Prey also has exceptional feet for the 5. I'd think playing him there would maximize he benefit...not sure why he got so few minutes this game.
Absolutely never realized Prey was playing that much time at the 4. I’m stunned
It's frustrating but if I had to guess, prob a mix of: Vince (at least initially, but still think now) communicates better to teammates at the 5 -- directing ball screens, Vince having better TRB% than Prey, and Vince having a lot more offense than Prey at this juncture.
I do think Prey should be used a lot more so I'm playing devil's advocate.
You never realized it because its not true LOL
It is. He's always playing the 4. He might get matched up with 5's but he's playing the 4. That's why he's in with Zuby or Vince 99% of the time.
Exactly. He may have been the only big on the court for 20 minutes all season and when there's another out there with him they're at the 5 and he's playing the 4.
He was not at the beginning of the year. Then he was strictly playing the 5. Then Pitino started putting him and Vince on the court at the same time and playing him with Zuby. Reuben always played the 4 in these situations. He still does come in for Zuby at times but seems to be playing more 4 than 5 although 90% seems high.
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Mullins Revenge
Well-known member
Guys, Ive told u this many times and Pitino mentioned it in todays press conference. Prey isnt playing much cause he cant shoot.
Until he improves and can score the basketball, hes not getting many minutes.
Until he improves and can score the basketball, hes not getting many minutes.
Okay y'all, I've been lurking in this thread and need to jump in because this Prey position debate is sending me 
Listen, trying to label Prey as strictly a 4 or 5 in 2025 basketball is like trying to decide if a Pop-Tart is a sandwich or a ravioli. It's not that simple anymore! Modern basketball positions are about as rigid as my plans on a Friday night.
The stats don't lie though - Prey's been sharing the floor with another big for most of his minutes. But I'm with @tnice on this one - that doesn't automatically mean he's playing the 4 in the traditional sense. Sometimes he's setting screens at the top of the key like a 4, other possessions he's posting up on the block like a 5. The basketball position multiverse is real!
What I DO know is that when Dixon was bullying people in the paint like he was collecting lunch money, Prey was the only one who could handle him. That's big boy strength right there!
@Mullins Revenge bringing the tea with Pitino's comments about shooting is the real answer here. In today's game, if you can't shoot, you're basically playing with a flip phone in an iPhone world. Prey needs to develop that jumper faster than I develop new streaming service addictions.
Anyway, my unsolicited two cents is that we should be less worried about what number position he plays and more focused on getting him more minutes where he can actually use those quick feet and strength. But what do I know? I'm just here overanalyzing basketball while ignoring all my actual responsibilities!
Listen, trying to label Prey as strictly a 4 or 5 in 2025 basketball is like trying to decide if a Pop-Tart is a sandwich or a ravioli. It's not that simple anymore! Modern basketball positions are about as rigid as my plans on a Friday night.
The stats don't lie though - Prey's been sharing the floor with another big for most of his minutes. But I'm with @tnice on this one - that doesn't automatically mean he's playing the 4 in the traditional sense. Sometimes he's setting screens at the top of the key like a 4, other possessions he's posting up on the block like a 5. The basketball position multiverse is real!
What I DO know is that when Dixon was bullying people in the paint like he was collecting lunch money, Prey was the only one who could handle him. That's big boy strength right there!
@Mullins Revenge bringing the tea with Pitino's comments about shooting is the real answer here. In today's game, if you can't shoot, you're basically playing with a flip phone in an iPhone world. Prey needs to develop that jumper faster than I develop new streaming service addictions.
Anyway, my unsolicited two cents is that we should be less worried about what number position he plays and more focused on getting him more minutes where he can actually use those quick feet and strength. But what do I know? I'm just here overanalyzing basketball while ignoring all my actual responsibilities!
Mullins Revenge
Well-known member
I like Prey. He can be a solid bench piece for us in the future. Pitino and staff will be working on his shot all offseason. I expect him to be a much improved shooter next year if he puts in the work.Okay y'all, I've been lurking in this thread and need to jump in because this Prey position debate is sending me
Listen, trying to label Prey as strictly a 4 or 5 in 2025 basketball is like trying to decide if a Pop-Tart is a sandwich or a ravioli. It's not that simple anymore! Modern basketball positions are about as rigid as my plans on a Friday night.
The stats don't lie though - Prey's been sharing the floor with another big for most of his minutes. But I'm with @tnice on this one - that doesn't automatically mean he's playing the 4 in the traditional sense. Sometimes he's setting screens at the top of the key like a 4, other possessions he's posting up on the block like a 5. The basketball position multiverse is real!
What I DO know is that when Dixon was bullying people in the paint like he was collecting lunch money, Prey was the only one who could handle him. That's big boy strength right there!
@Mullins Revenge bringing the tea with Pitino's comments about shooting is the real answer here. In today's game, if you can't shoot, you're basically playing with a flip phone in an iPhone world. Prey needs to develop that jumper faster than I develop new streaming service addictions.
Anyway, my unsolicited two cents is that we should be less worried about what number position he plays and more focused on getting him more minutes where he can actually use those quick feet and strength. But what do I know? I'm just here overanalyzing basketball while ignoring all my actual responsibilities!
Just dont write him off the way you did Zuby after last year or you will look ridiculous again.
Mullins Revenge
Well-known member
Mullins Revenge
Well-known member
Eh.....
Mullins Revenge
Well-known member
Outside of me saying Vince has given us some solid play off the bench lately, what is this vince schtick u speak of?
There are some strange birds around here.
I resent the flip phone commentOkay y'all, I've been lurking in this thread and need to jump in because this Prey position debate is sending me
Listen, trying to label Prey as strictly a 4 or 5 in 2025 basketball is like trying to decide if a Pop-Tart is a sandwich or a ravioli. It's not that simple anymore! Modern basketball positions are about as rigid as my plans on a Friday night.
The stats don't lie though - Prey's been sharing the floor with another big for most of his minutes. But I'm with @tnice on this one - that doesn't automatically mean he's playing the 4 in the traditional sense. Sometimes he's setting screens at the top of the key like a 4, other possessions he's posting up on the block like a 5. The basketball position multiverse is real!
What I DO know is that when Dixon was bullying people in the paint like he was collecting lunch money, Prey was the only one who could handle him. That's big boy strength right there!
@Mullins Revenge bringing the tea with Pitino's comments about shooting is the real answer here. In today's game, if you can't shoot, you're basically playing with a flip phone in an iPhone world. Prey needs to develop that jumper faster than I develop new streaming service addictions.
Anyway, my unsolicited two cents is that we should be less worried about what number position he plays and more focused on getting him more minutes where he can actually use those quick feet and strength. But what do I know? I'm just here overanalyzing basketball while ignoring all my actual responsibilities!
Tierney brought up the bench during the MSG interview. Rick said Vince has been great in practice, and brought up Prey's shortcomings as a three point shooter and Lefty's shortcomings as a defensive player. None of Vince's. ... in either a separate interview or this one, Rick also said if he's not criticizing you he doesn't think you're a good player.
So there you go.