The softness of this team has been evident for quite a while, despite the addition of the veterans. In one of the postgames Christie was saying that he would like to see both WCS and Skal swing at the ball when they are in position to do so. No swinging has occurred. No hard fouls have occurred.
Who should lead the charge? The least likely most surprising person on the team. The guy that would provide the greatest irony of all for leading the charge of toughness - Skal Labissiere. Here is what needs to happen. When Joerger puts Skal out on the court knowing he's going to be facing a tough inside player, like Griffin for example, Joerger needs to have a little conversation with Skal. He needs to say to Skal that he's going to be matched up against Griffin and undoubtedly Griffin is going to try to abuse him down low. Griffin will get position on him down low because after all Griffin is a ton stronger than Skal. But once Griffin gets that position down low and puts up the shot Skal should swing, and swing as hard as he can at the ball. Let it fly. If he gets a foul, so be it. Skal should start the game thinking about swing at the ball with everything he's got. Then after he does it the first time, he should do it a second time. Then maybe it just might get in a scouting report that this guy could really unload on you.
For the life of me, I don't understand why this hasn't happened already. The reputation of being cupcake pushovers is obviously out there. If they want to change the rep they better change the action.
Who should lead the charge? The least likely most surprising person on the team. The guy that would provide the greatest irony of all for leading the charge of toughness - Skal Labissiere. Here is what needs to happen. When Joerger puts Skal out on the court knowing he's going to be facing a tough inside player, like Griffin for example, Joerger needs to have a little conversation with Skal. He needs to say to Skal that he's going to be matched up against Griffin and undoubtedly Griffin is going to try to abuse him down low. Griffin will get position on him down low because after all Griffin is a ton stronger than Skal. But once Griffin gets that position down low and puts up the shot Skal should swing, and swing as hard as he can at the ball. Let it fly. If he gets a foul, so be it. Skal should start the game thinking about swing at the ball with everything he's got. Then after he does it the first time, he should do it a second time. Then maybe it just might get in a scouting report that this guy could really unload on you.
For the life of me, I don't understand why this hasn't happened already. The reputation of being cupcake pushovers is obviously out there. If they want to change the rep they better change the action.
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