HO: Let’s go to the frontcourt. We mentioned Juan Onrubia, who is off to a great start, and Prudence Masuecos, who is doing yeoman’s work in the middle. Talk about the other guys up front for a bit.
JB: Arout Hairigyan just needs to play. That’s all. Just let him play. He’s not off to the best start shooting the ball, but there’s no question he’s too good to bring off the bench. Let him cook. Hugo Gareca isn’t at that point yet, but he will be soon. GM Roberto Gurgone was raving about the kid when they got him last season, and he showed flashes. This season they want to bring him along much like they did last season, but they expect more from him. The goal when they got him was they wanted to be able to start him next season. They’re on track for that, and you can clearly see Byron Helm’s handiwork developing him. A Gareca/Hairigyan pairing would be fun to watch.
HO: Where does Ladislav Furka fit in?
JB: He’s going to be a longer term version of Hugo Gareca, developmentally wise. I’m not saying they’re similar players; I want to be clear about that. He was brought here with an eye on developing him into a starter by his age 24 season. Defensively, he can play right now. No doubt about that. He can rebound, he’s solid with the ball in his hands, and he’s a better shot blocker than Masuecos without question.
HO: That’s one heck of a statement, Jimmy.
JB: I think even Masuecos would concede that. Offensively, there’s a path they want Furka on, and they’re determined to get him there.
HO: What have you seen defensively from the team?
JB: Strangely enough, their lone win was the worst defensive performance of the season. Dallas shot 44% from the field in that game. Great Lakes shot 38% in their win, and High Point shot 40% if you round up. I asked Pio after the Dallas game why the change in that game; he usually disdains the 2-3 zone. He was trying to protect Gareca defensively by pairing him with Furka up front. His thinking was Furka could backstop him with his shot blocking, and Hairigyan and Masuecos would provide additional support off the bench. What happened was it did help Gareca stay in the game despite foul trouble, but Furka having to leave the game deprived the defense of that backstop they planned for. Hairigyan is a solid shot blocker in his own right, but he’s not on the level of Masuecos or Furka in that regard.
HO: So ball security is the issue?
JB: That’s a fair statement. Against High Point, 17 turnovers and High Point had 11 steals. That’s 28 possessions lost. They lost that game by 13, and you can see how that would be a huge reason. Great Lakes, 16 turnovers and 11 steals. They lost that one by 5. Even in the win, it was 12 turnovers and 6 steals. They won by 7, but this team has to do a better job with ball security. The rebounding and defense will be fine; there are 3 teams with a better points allowed in the league, and two of them reside in this conference. Take care of the basketball, and for goodness sake will someone on this team make a free throw? There is no reason this team should be as horrible at free throw shooting as they are.
HO: I know that has to be infuriating to Pio.
JB: It is. He wants his teams to defend, rebound, take care of the basketball, and control what they can control. The first two are simply effort. Don’t try for the great play when the safe play gets the same result. Make your free throws. Those are things this team can control.
HO: We’re out of time. Jimmy, thanks for being here, and thank you all for tuning in to the Pio Reina Show on the Linndale Basketball Network.