Starting line-Up looked eerily similar to...

[Simsonic]

last year:
Jamaal, Rahon, Tapley, Stephens, Shelton

against NM:
Jamaal, Rahon, Tapley, Stephens, O'Brien

I noticed this at the beginning of the game yesterday and told my dad that this looked exactly like last year's team. I wasn't sure how it would go at first, but after 10 minutes I knew this was a win.

And what did that get us? A huge win and a blow-out. This line-up tells us a few things.

1) Basketball is about chemistry, and even though this line-up is undersized, chemistry is the #1 contributor to winning.

2) JJ O'Brien filling the role of Shelton works wonders for this team. He NEEDS to hit his baskets and score 10 points and grab 6-8 rebounds a game and we will win (easily).

3) This line-up plays defense really, really well together and knows how to support each other. That is the best part of these guys playing together. Even Rahon looked like a different guy.

4) Skylar Spenser is a stud and will do whatever it takes to win and can fill the "Shelton" role as well. 3 steals? Yeah, that's a guy who will do anything. And he cuts to the basket. And he alters shots on the defensive end. I love him attitude and play. I think the reason Stephens is regressing a little is because Skylar is mentally intimidating him in practice and in games (unfortunately, but hopefully this changes).

5) When W Shep came in to the game, and I love his upside talent, the team changed. Shep needs to get the "I" out of himself and realize that the NBA is calling if he learns to play as a team player. His upside is huge, but when he has the ball he holds it too long. His defense is fantastic, but he has lapses and offensively he has to stop pouting and looking at the stands.

Those are my observations...

[War-Ztec]

Spot on. +1

[aztectruth]

Last season it was actually even smaller. It was X, Chase, Rahon, Jamaal and Shelton. No Stephens even in the starting lineup. But your points still stand. We are a better team with Rahon on the floor. As much as credit as JJ gets for doing the little things, watch Rahon on the defensive end of the floor. Guy is so good.

[myk13]

Thames was a starter last year and Stephens was not

[aztecbb]

It will only last until X is healthy, he is better on both ends of the court than JJ or Rahon.

[bnastyaztecs]

X is not only way better than Rahon, but he's tremendously way better than Rahon. So, I don't know where you get the team chemistry is better without Thames...

[Deleted]

Rahon's on the team mainly for his outside shooting. However, the announcers said yesterday Rahon's percentage behind the arc has gotten lower every year.

I thought we might have a better team this year than next because of our senior losses. However, Rahon's leaving really won't hurt. Tapley's definitely will and so will Stephens' if we can't find another big man. Because we seriously lack height already.

[Simsonic]

Jan 27, 2013 10:42:59 GMT -8 bnastyaztecs said:

X is not only way better than Rahon, but he's tremendously way better than Rahon. So, I don't know where you get the team chemistry is better without Thames...

I didn't say this team was better without X. X is the defensive glue of this team at times. But as far as pure chemistry, you could take Rahon out and put in X and it would work the same. There are certain players that know how each other plays. O"Brien works well in the "Shelton" role of the team. So does Skylar.

[aztecsfuturefinal4]

Jan 27, 2013 10:48:29 GMT -8 @sleepinggiantsfan said:

Rahon's on the team mainly for his outside shooting. However, the announcers said yesterday Rahon's percentage behind the arc has gotten lower every year.

I thought we might have a better team this year than next because of our senior losses. However, Rahon's leaving really won't hurt. Tapley's definitely will and so will Stephens' if we can't find another big man. Because we seriously lack height already.

he's not an outside shooter, he's a better drive and pull up guy, you say yourself his percentages are getting worse so why not look at the facts, he's a defender and pure scorer inside the arc

[pnoyaztec]

Jan 27, 2013 11:56:59 GMT -8 aztecsfuturefinal4 said:

Jan 27, 2013 10:48:29 GMT -8 @sleepinggiantsfan said:

Rahon's on the team mainly for his outside shooting. However, the announcers said yesterday Rahon's percentage behind the arc has gotten lower every year.

I thought we might have a better team this year than next because of our senior losses. However, Rahon's leaving really won't hurt. Tapley's definitely will and so will Stephens' if we can't find another big man. Because we seriously lack height already.

he's not an outside shooter, he's a better drive and pull up guy, you say yourself his percentages are getting worse so why not look at the facts, he's a defender and pure scorer inside the arc

Actually, Rahon is a perimeter guy. He shot better than 40% from 3 point land his frosh year. Great defender, but an enigma from the perimeter.

[NTU]

Jan 27, 2013 10:48:29 GMT -8 @sleepinggiantsfan said:

Rahon's on the team mainly for his outside shooting. However, the announcers said yesterday Rahon's percentage behind the arc has gotten lower every year.

I thought we might have a better team this year than next because of our senior losses. However, Rahon's leaving really won't hurt. Tapley's definitely will and so will Stephens' if we can't find another big man. Because we seriously lack height already.

Wrong. Fisher has repeatedly said that Rahon is this team's best on the ball defender. That showed yesterday. He was really good on the defensive end.

[Simsonic]

Jan 27, 2013 13:40:23 GMT -8 NTU said:

Jan 27, 2013 10:48:29 GMT -8 @sleepinggiantsfan said:

Rahon's on the team mainly for his outside shooting. However, the announcers said yesterday Rahon's percentage behind the arc has gotten lower every year.

I thought we might have a better team this year than next because of our senior losses. However, Rahon's leaving really won't hurt. Tapley's definitely will and so will Stephens' if we can't find another big man. Because we seriously lack height already.

Wrong. Fisher has repeatedly said that Rahon is this team's best on the ball defender. That showed yesterday. He was really good on the defensive end.

The thing about Rahon is that his body is not meant to play 40 minutes. He is great as a 20-25 minute all effort player. He is also good for a few good drives to the basket and when he gets hot he can win a game on his own.