Post by Brazil on Nov 6, 2016 22:42:27 GMT
Well, it's about the time of year when good teams are getting ready to compete...and Franca is in no way one of those. That said, there is actually some optimism centered around Brazil. Most of that excitement is based on the 4th pick in the ABCA Draft, guard Ron Harper. He is easily the most skilled player on the roster, and he hasn't played a game for anyone yet.
Position Breakdown
Point Guard-Rory Sparrow backed up by Kyle Macy
Sparrow comes into the year as the incumbent starting point guard, but that's not exactly a ringing endorsement. Sparrow was a disaster offensively (41% from the floor, 26% from 3 point territory, and 3.5 turnovers a game), but he plays OK position defense and handed out 7 assists a night. Macy was even worse offensively than Sparrow, but did add a few more steals and still has some upside as a combo guard. Sam Cassell will be the backup combo guard, and he's more or less the same guy as the other two. All are inefficient offensive players on a really bad offensive team last year. It remains to be seen if the influx of new talent will change any of that.
Shooting Guard-Ron Harper backed up by Kyle Macy
Harper was the high pick and the franchise savior in waiting. Macy...well, he still is the same guy as above. Harper has crazy athleticism, and is probably the best all-around scorer on the roster right now (yes, that's bad when he's never played a game here). He will be "the guy" on this team for quite awhile. Macy still sucks but he sucks in multiple positions.
Small Forward-Chuck Person backed up by Josh Richardson
The Rifleman adds some long-distance shooting and a decent offensive game at the cost of being completely worthless on the defensive end. Richardson, on the other hand, has some defensive skill and is a lost cause on offense. Person is also a new draftee, so there isn't a whole lot of pressure on him to produce right away. If Richardson plays a lot, this team will be incredibly and unbelievably bad (like 12 wins wasn't bad enough?). He is literally in this position because there isn't anyone else that has any business playing there...ever.
Power Forward-Antonio McDyess backed up by Chris Gatling
Two similar players whose calling cards are both on the offensive end...and Dyess is better at it than Gatling. McDyess is a career 19/8 guy, but his percentages have slipped playing with the crap show in Brazil the last couple seasons. Last season was his worst ever...which is fitting because a lot of guys on this roster can say that. He's still a good player and can help other teams if he's not starting here. Gatling is Dyess Lite. In a couple ways, Gatling outplayed McDyess (from a percentage standpoint), but some of that came in the ill-fated 3 Towers offense that had zero help on the perimeter.
Center--Michael Olowokandi backed up by Chris Gatling
The Kandi Man doesn't do much offensively, but he's a better defender than Gatling. Again, Gatling will come off the bench here too..and in some lineups McDyess will be at the 5 with Gatling at the 4. Olowokandi gives some rebounding, shot-blocking, and defensive presence to a team that really doesn't have much of anything. He may end up coming off the bench at some point depending on how the rest of the offense comes together...but he can be a useful "stay out of the offense's way" pieces this year.
This team will not be good by any means, but at least it will be somewhat watchable with Harper and Person.
Lucius Allen, Zaza Pachulia, and Michael Redd will be sent to the D-League when that season kicks off.
Position Breakdown
Point Guard-Rory Sparrow backed up by Kyle Macy
Sparrow comes into the year as the incumbent starting point guard, but that's not exactly a ringing endorsement. Sparrow was a disaster offensively (41% from the floor, 26% from 3 point territory, and 3.5 turnovers a game), but he plays OK position defense and handed out 7 assists a night. Macy was even worse offensively than Sparrow, but did add a few more steals and still has some upside as a combo guard. Sam Cassell will be the backup combo guard, and he's more or less the same guy as the other two. All are inefficient offensive players on a really bad offensive team last year. It remains to be seen if the influx of new talent will change any of that.
Shooting Guard-Ron Harper backed up by Kyle Macy
Harper was the high pick and the franchise savior in waiting. Macy...well, he still is the same guy as above. Harper has crazy athleticism, and is probably the best all-around scorer on the roster right now (yes, that's bad when he's never played a game here). He will be "the guy" on this team for quite awhile. Macy still sucks but he sucks in multiple positions.
Small Forward-Chuck Person backed up by Josh Richardson
The Rifleman adds some long-distance shooting and a decent offensive game at the cost of being completely worthless on the defensive end. Richardson, on the other hand, has some defensive skill and is a lost cause on offense. Person is also a new draftee, so there isn't a whole lot of pressure on him to produce right away. If Richardson plays a lot, this team will be incredibly and unbelievably bad (like 12 wins wasn't bad enough?). He is literally in this position because there isn't anyone else that has any business playing there...ever.
Power Forward-Antonio McDyess backed up by Chris Gatling
Two similar players whose calling cards are both on the offensive end...and Dyess is better at it than Gatling. McDyess is a career 19/8 guy, but his percentages have slipped playing with the crap show in Brazil the last couple seasons. Last season was his worst ever...which is fitting because a lot of guys on this roster can say that. He's still a good player and can help other teams if he's not starting here. Gatling is Dyess Lite. In a couple ways, Gatling outplayed McDyess (from a percentage standpoint), but some of that came in the ill-fated 3 Towers offense that had zero help on the perimeter.
Center--Michael Olowokandi backed up by Chris Gatling
The Kandi Man doesn't do much offensively, but he's a better defender than Gatling. Again, Gatling will come off the bench here too..and in some lineups McDyess will be at the 5 with Gatling at the 4. Olowokandi gives some rebounding, shot-blocking, and defensive presence to a team that really doesn't have much of anything. He may end up coming off the bench at some point depending on how the rest of the offense comes together...but he can be a useful "stay out of the offense's way" pieces this year.
This team will not be good by any means, but at least it will be somewhat watchable with Harper and Person.
Lucius Allen, Zaza Pachulia, and Michael Redd will be sent to the D-League when that season kicks off.
