When Keita Returns

A

Anthony Mattia

Well-known member
Does he start? Who goes to the bench? I think he does start, and I would move Simon to the bench. I love Simon, but I can't see putting Figgy or Heron on the bench. Certainly not Ponds, and I would like to see Clark not having to play the 5 from the get go or coming off the bench to do it. Thoughts?
 
[quote="Anthony Mattia" post=305194]Does he start? Who goes to the bench? I think he does start, and I would move Simon to the bench. I love Simon, but I can't see putting Figgy or Heron on the bench. Certainly not Ponds, and I would like to see Clark not having to play the 5 from the get go or coming off the bench to do it. Thoughts?[/quote]

Keita
LJ
Simon
Heron
Ponds

Clark can totally embrace John Starks role since he already has his conscience from three.
 
Last time LJ was on the bench when Keita started. I don't think that's going to happen again. I think Chris sticks with the current lineup and brings Keita off the bench. Along with Dixon and Trimble he'll have an 8 man rotation.
 
I like LJ off the bench more than Clark. LJ is a player who can quickly change a game when he enters, but lighting it up, or with even one spectacular play.

There is a long history of using one of your best offensive weapons off the bench, and as a 6th man can do much more damage than Clark.
 
Fig needs to start. He plays harder and with more energy than anybody on the court. Need him in there to set the tone at beginning of games, especially when playing better competition
 
I do not think it really matters who starts between Clark and Kieta. The issue will be who finishes the game and that is dictated by time, score and situation at the 4 minute mark.
 
I'd bring Keita off the bench. Could also see Clark if they want to keep him out of early foul trouble. Would definitely start Ponds, Heron, Figgy and Simon.
 
[quote="Jack Williams" post=305202]Fig needs to start. He plays harder and with more energy than anybody on the court. Need him in there to set the tone at beginning of games, especially when playing better competition[/quote]

You and Beast make good points but I'm leaning towards Start as well. This team needs to be an aggressor not a counter-puncher. We've had too many games where we get behind early on a slow start. It is then a grind it out affair rather than putting in the dagger and if we continue with the short bench we need to minimize the grind it out games. This team will do better setting tempo rather than following what is dictated. Even MDES put us in our place for stretches by slowing things down and going on runs against us. This from a team trying to run down the clock on every possession. Hit them hard, play fast and get the chemistry going with the guys who really thrive full court.
 
In very limited minutes Keita has shown a tendency to pick up quick fouls. I don't think we can count on him playing substantial minutes whether he starts or comes off the bench.
 
From what I've seen, Fig needs to be in the starting five and on the floor as much as possible. With Keita coming of a knee injury, re-introducing him with limited minutes off the bench might be the best way to get him healthy/ready for February and March.
 
Until proven otherwise Keita is a 15 mpg player. I don't expect much from him and I don't think he gives us much other than making sure opposing bigs don't get too comfortable against our smaller lineup. If I'm wrong about this we are a sweet 16 team.

Unless he rebounds and defends like he's Rambo I think Clark gives us more overall when you consider spacing, his offense, and his ability to start secondary transition.
 
Minutes trump who starts. Would not worry about starting five too much.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
[quote="NCJohnnie" post=305204]I'd bring Keita off the bench. Could also see Clark if they want to keep him out of early foul trouble. Would definitely start Ponds, Heron, Figgy and Simon.[/quote]




It all depends on the size of the opposition whether Keita starts or not. Just look at the amount of fouls Clark picks up early.
 
[quote="Beast of the East" post=305198]I like LJ off the bench more than Clark. LJ is a player who can quickly change a game when he enters, but lighting it up, or with even one spectacular play.

There is a long history of using one of your best offensive weapons off the bench, and as a 6th man can do much more damage than Clark.[/quote]

Agreed Beast, it the way Dixon has been shooting and the way his game is developing, he can be that guy. If Dixon can fill that role, I would rather start Figgy and have a bench of Keita, Dixon and Trimble.
 
Being a Mets fan and after experiencing the LoVett fiasco, IMO we shouldn't expect him back at all. If he does come back this season, it's a bonus. This is his knee...these things linger frequently. I'll be happy if he comes back at all but thrilled if it's in time for conference play. Never take injury reports seriously and always assume the opposite when they seem to be minimized. May seem radical to some, but that's how I've been conditioned.
 
[quote="Mean Gene" post=305223][quote="Beast of the East" post=305198]I like LJ off the bench more than Clark. LJ is a player who can quickly change a game when he enters, but lighting it up, or with even one spectacular play.

There is a long history of using one of your best offensive weapons off the bench, and as a 6th man can do much more damage than Clark.[/quote]

Agreed Beast, it the way Dixon has been shooting and the way his game is developing, he can be that guy. If Dixon can fill that role, I would rather start Figgy and have a bench of Keita, Dixon and Trimble.[/quote]

Thanks. Basketball is an awful lot about rhythms. Dick Vitale would repeatedly say that teams get 2 runs per game, and the team that does the best with its runs usually wins. When we are sluggish, bringing in a figueroa can change the tempo of a game. Think Havlicek, or Cazzie Russell. The main reason Bradley started over Cazzie was that Russell brought more off the bench than Bradley would have.

Wins are wins, but I would enjoy teams thinking after we beat them that the guy we had on the bench torched them for 20 points. With Clark off the bench we'd be happy with half that.
 
[quote="Mike Zaun" post=305225]Being a Mets fan and after experiencing the LoVett fiasco, IMO we shouldn't expect him back at all. If he does come back this season, it's a bonus. This is his knee...these things linger frequently. I'll be happy if he comes back at all but thrilled if it's in time for conference play. Never take injury reports seriously and always assume the opposite when they seem to be minimized. May seem radical to some, but that's how I've been conditioned.[/quote]

See for once I agree with you. And being a Met fan myself they have beaten me down where my doom and gloom concerning the Mets is even greater than yours is for ST John's.
So with that in mind, I suggest the Mets trade Syndergaard for Keita. They are going to trade Noah for crap anyway, at least this way maybe it will help ST Johns. Noah is 6-6 after all. :)
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top