Lattin

[furge]

Lattin's a prototypical run/jump athlete, so the things that running and jumping lead to - offensive boards, finishing fast breaks, deflections, blocks, and so on - need to improve for him to be an impact rotation player. If he can hit a baseline jumper out to, say, 10 feet, or finish a touch with a hesitation move and a baby hook, that's house money for us. His game could be Johnnie Gilbert with Juan Pattillo ups and we'd love him for it.

When the seniors graduate and he slides in next to Manyang/Jamuni/whoever to anchor the front line in '16, THAT'S when I want to see him drop step, pull up jumpers, handle the ball, etc. Gradual improvement over the course of this season will tell us a lot about his ceiling and his skill set.

 

[KBaden145]

Lattin is more skilled than most of you guys are giving him credit for. I expect him to be an elite defender at the very least BUT I would not be surprised at all to see him develop into a very reliable jump shooter and post scorer.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[AdaSooner]

Lattin doesn't strike me as a back to the basket player.

Agreed. That's why I said Khadeem would be more effective as a stretch four if he gets better at putting the ball on the floor and improves his inside game. He also proved last year that he is good at making passes from the high post.

I see him more as a face-up post player than a back to the basket kinda guy. But, his value to the team would increase exponentially if he could add two or three solid back to the basket moves to his repertoire.

 

[WTSooner]

To me a stretch 4 is more of a guy that can extend out to the 3 point line and either make jumpers from out there, or drive to the rim from out there. I don't see Lattin doing that either.

If you mean stretch 4 kind of like Osby and Spangler were, I agree.

I actually think we'll play small a lot this year, with one big at the 5, and a guy like Buford or even Odomes at the 4.

 

[AdaSooner]

To me a stretch 4 is more of a guy that can extend out to the 3 point line and either make jumpers from out there, or drive to the rim from out there. I don't see Lattin doing that either.

If you mean stretch 4 kind of like Osby and Spangler were, I agree.

I actually think we'll play small a lot this year, with one big at the 5, and a guy like Buford or even Odomes at the 4.

Your definition of a stretch four is the same as my own.

It's true that Lattin doesn't fit that description at this point in his career. But, if what we have been told by those who attend practices, as well as a poster or two who are close to the program, Khadeem has (or at least had) the green light to take shots from three point range.

Assuming nothing has changed since last year, he will need to start making shots from behind the arc, learn to drive on defenders when he is closely guarded, and develop a couple of post moves to be effective as a "stretch four." That is essentially what I said earlier.

I agree 100%. He's definitely not that now. And, yes, Osby and Spangler are stretch fours in my book.

 

[SoonerinNC]

You have to remember that Lattin was the 5th option most of the time he was in the game. I don't think it had to do as much with his scoring ability as his inexperience. He seems to have a nice touch on the shots missing or making them. You could be very suprised at how some of our big men emerge offensively this year.

And I agree that Spangler needs reduced minutes so that he will not wear down like he has the last two years. Cousings also. Both faded down the stretch and both play with such intensity as to wear down over time.

 

[CoachTalk]

You know LK and staff. They will put those new guys in early and often. Some early games will be closer than some like but look at the score sheet and Odomes and James and Lattin will have a lot of mins!

 

[Darwin]

And I agree that Spangler needs reduced minutes so that he will not wear down like he has the last two years. Cousings also. Both faded down the stretch and both play with such intensity as to wear down over time.

I agree also. I see potentially the entire 2nd team playing meaningful minutes all season. CLK could even sit players for minor injury healing when most years they would have to gut it out. That helps everyone late in the season.

Lattin has next level athleticism but he will need away from the basket skills to get there. I don't expect a lot this season but we will see it and more next season.

 

[CoachTalk]

Since you mentioned "next year" Darwin... Im on the Jamuni wagon for next year. Just too many guys in front of him this year. This team is loaded for awhile...

 

[McJacknife]

Darwin, is that Dennis Chambers in your avatar?

 

[Darwin]

No it's Carter Beauford
http://zildjian.com/Artists/B/Carter-Beauford

but I just checked out Dennis Chambers and it led me to Tony Royster jr

thanks