Is it possible to never let Naz get further than 10’ away from the basket?

He played great last night. I think the 3 he shot was a good shot because they were playing way off on him and hacking him when he tried to drive. The 3 made them respect him.

I dont understand this thread. He played great and lsu seems to be using him in an almost perfect way

I think the fact that he can step out and hit those longer shots helps his inside game. We just need to do a better job feeding the low post no matter who is down there. We get our pass stolen or knocked away often it seems.

That said, the biggest thing for our bigs is hitting the glass. We get murdered at times against smaller teams. St Mary, Furman, then ULM most of last night.

Did you watch the game? He didnt dribble drive much at all last night. He is being forced down low and it is working

One observation was he was aggressively blocking out for rebounds.

I never saw him do that before.

The value of a “stretch” 4 or 5 is that they add some versatility—like the ability to shoot the three—to their play down low.

Reid wasn’t effective because he wasn’t playing down low at all like a 4 or 5. He was a 6-10 guard and not that good of one.

Now that he is improving his post play, let’s hope he becomes more effective all-around.

I am one of those from day one wanting coach Wade to force the inside issue with Naz. THAT is where his biggest contributions will come from and also THAT is where his NBA skills should be polished. He is getting there slowly but surely. I also see a marked improvement in the Tiger offensive approach with their inside-out game and working for better shots. There is more hustle to the ball as well on defense. It seems as though everyone is meshing into their roles and getting better at it. It is a thing of basketball beauty to behold!

Naz was a force last night, but he won't see many teams if any the remainder of the season with the type of size matchup that will allow him to have as easy a time in the paint as he saw last night.

I think Naz is making progress and getting better with his inside offensive game, but he still looks a bit uncomfortable and not yet as fluid or crisp at it just yet.

But I do think progress is being made and if the incremental process continues we will see the Naz we all expected by the end of the year.

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He played ok. He just seems so uncoordinated and unathletic at times. He’s falling on the floor a lot for no reason.

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I see some of that as well Buga. The narrative to this point is everyone saying, "he's supposed to be a one and done?" My brother and sister-in-law both asked me the same last night at the game, even with him going 19 and 12 with 4 blocks.

The reality is if you check the mock draft boards he is still projected in all of them as a first round draft choice. I see as high as 18. If he is still projected there at the end of the year, and as I think he will continue to progress he almost certainly will....he will definitely be a one and done.

Only time will tell if that is foolish or not.