I think that just by the nature of the fact that the veterans will get far less minutes this year, the pace will get faster. It's hard to play at a quicker pace with Randolph on the floor, or for a period of time last season, Hill on the floor. Hill was a ball pounder who ate up the clock. Plus, last season was all about the young guys trying to find chemistry with each other, sometimes to the point of hurting the team by trying to be too unselfish. I remember plays where Bog's drove into the lane, had an apparent layup, but instead kicked the ball into the right corner to Jackson, who had an open shot, but instead put the ball on the floor, drove two dribbles closer to the basket, and into a more contested shot which he missed.
That's the kind of stuff that gives a coach grey hair, and also makes for a slower pace. So I contribute some of the slower pace to youth and inexperience, and some to the mix of veterans into the lineup. I doubt that Randolph will see many minutes this year. The Kings had told Temple that if he opted in, he wouldn't be playing. If they told Temple that, one can assume that they also mentioned it to 38 year old Randolph. As you pointed out, we have a very athletic team that wants to get out and run. The trick is to run, and get something quickly out of it. Stop passing up open shots!
I hate to pick on Skal, but he was culprit number one when it came to passing up an open shot and dribbling into a more contested one. Jackson was culprit number 2. Willie simply didn't take the 16 footer when it was there, and he has to, whether he makes it or not. He has to make the other team respect him from there. So your right, move the ball until you get an open shot, and then take the open shot. It won't always be easy to get an open shot, so for god's sake, don't pass them up when you have them. I think Buddy figured it out last season and I'm expecting a big year from him.
That's the kind of stuff that gives a coach grey hair, and also makes for a slower pace. So I contribute some of the slower pace to youth and inexperience, and some to the mix of veterans into the lineup. I doubt that Randolph will see many minutes this year. The Kings had told Temple that if he opted in, he wouldn't be playing. If they told Temple that, one can assume that they also mentioned it to 38 year old Randolph. As you pointed out, we have a very athletic team that wants to get out and run. The trick is to run, and get something quickly out of it. Stop passing up open shots!
I hate to pick on Skal, but he was culprit number one when it came to passing up an open shot and dribbling into a more contested one. Jackson was culprit number 2. Willie simply didn't take the 16 footer when it was there, and he has to, whether he makes it or not. He has to make the other team respect him from there. So your right, move the ball until you get an open shot, and then take the open shot. It won't always be easy to get an open shot, so for god's sake, don't pass them up when you have them. I think Buddy figured it out last season and I'm expecting a big year from him.