re: BOOM! Four-Star Transfer Jordan Sears Has Committed to LSU and Matt McMahon!

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I agree with him being able to run the floor some but he had stone feet in the pick and roll defensively and was limited to 5 feet from the basket. That can't happen with the type of system we run, it limits the offense to just a roll option on PNR. Our C needs to be one of the best players on the floor that can score from any level. It's the reason Baker had so many flashes of greatness, our system made him look much much better than he actually is, same with Hannibal.

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It's also undeniable...and the numbers back it up...that outside of a few great scoring outburst by Baker, LSU performed better with Dean on the floor.

Average to bad coaches will have a "system" and try to force guys who can't be effective in it to play it. Great coaches figure our the strengths of their roster and play to it...even if that means their preferred "style" has to change somewhat from year to year.

If you can find a KJ Williams, great! Play through him. But if not, play differently.

I'm sure it will start a ridiculous fight (because it always does) but go compare the 18-19 LSU team with the 19-20 LSU team. The 18-19 team had Waters controlling the game at the PG spot with a lot of high ballscreen/pick and roll action with KBW and/or Reid. It was a good offense.

The next season LSU had Smart at PG and the "5" was either a 6'9 Freshman (Watford) who preferred to play more on the perimeter or a 6'7 player (Williams) who was a lengthy inside player. Smart was a much different PG than Waters. And Watford and Williams weren't the same type of player that KBW and Reid were. Yet LSU's offense got BETTER! They spread the floor more with the 19-20 group.

Different key players. Different styles. Both great results.

If McMahon MUST have his Center be a focal point of his offense, then he damn well better get one who can do it. If he can't find one, then he has to change his style to fit what he has. LSU's SEC Tournament game vs. Miss. St. was a maddening display of an unwillingness to adapt. The game completely changed almost immediately upon Dean coming on the floor. The fans watching and even the announcers recognized he was the single biggest difference maker on the court in the first half which ultimately ended with LSU, after struggling in the first 5 minutes of the game, with a 7 point lead at the half. One that probably would have been bigger but for a few dumb turnovers late.

So McMahon found the right lineup even though it wasn't the starting line up, right? Nope. He runs the starting 5 out there for the first 7:00 of the second half and LSU quickly gives up the lead by allowing MSU to outscore them 12-5 to start the half...all with Dean on the bench. Then, with LSU fighting to hang in late, McMahon puts Baker back into the game. LSU loses by 10. The final stat sheet shows that with Dean on the floor LSU was +4. With Baker on the floor LSU was -14!

Have a preferred style of play. Every coach does. But you damn well better be willing and able to quickly adapt if your players can't win playing your style.