[1hawkeye1]

Good move by FM to bring Melsahn off the bench. He is much more ready to contribute when he sits and watches a few minutes.
At some point he may be ready to move back into the starting lineup, but I think this is the best for the team right now.
Discuss......

[tm3308]

This is definitely for the best right now. But I do think the eventual plan is to bring him back to the starting 5. This could just be a good way to break him out of his funk and give him some confidence again.

[sioux34]

I think he will find a way to play with energy again and will find his way back into the starting line up. It was good to see the old Mel again yesterday.

[aaronzuriel]

It's now working a whole lot better than before. Just hoping he can continue to get it going over the next few weeks.. and average the 7 to 8 rebounds, 9 or 10 points, and some really good defensive play on the interior that is reflected in blocks, tips, steals.

Now if only Bryce gets his s%#^t together and the Hawks with "the gator" will go out as winners and play in some post season tournament.

[eveningnewsteam]

Hes doing things hes capable of doing. He isnt trying to put the ball on the floor 10 feet from the basket. Hes grabbing boards, running the floor, getting put backs and getting to the line.

[aaronzuriel]

Originally Posted by eveningnewsteam

Hes doing things hes capable of doing. He isnt trying to put the ball on the floor 10 feet from the basket. Hes grabbing boards, running the floor, getting put backs and getting to the line.

You got it.

And he lost 15 of those 25 pounds he gained over the off-season. Why under Fran? who got Gatens and May lose pounds from the lost lick's years of bulking up and being stronger... how was his weight gain a good idea?

Or was he planning to play tight end for Kirk this fall and a future NFL career?

[TritonHawkeye]

Originally Posted by aaronzuriel

And he lost 15 of those 25 pounds he gained over the off-season. Why under Fran? who got Gatens and May lose pounds from the lost lick's years of bulking up and being stronger... how was his weight gain a good idea?Or was he planning to play tight end for Kirk this fall and a future NFL career?

Why wouldn't you want your undersized PF to bulk up? Can't fault Fran and staff for going this direction with Basabe.

[tm3308]

Originally Posted by TritonHawkeye

Why wouldn't you want your undersized PF to bulk up? Can't fault Fran and staff for going this direction with Basabe.

This. It's one thing to ask your guards to lose some weight to prepare for a faster tempo. But Basabe is undersized, so it wasn't a bad idea to have him bulk up a little. It didn't work, it it wasn't a bad idea.

[jacknicholson]

Very good to see Mel having fun on the court again. He was beaming all night laughing and smiling on the bench.....

Right now, he should probably continue to come off the bench. Certainlly seemed to work well last night. When he gets even more comfortable with the game, he will, more than likely, start again. Seems that on his good days, he would score early in the game.....

[atomicblue224]

at one point he wasnt showing emotions when marble dunks. wasnt he happy at that point?

[sioux34]

I still say the weight gain and loss had nothing to do with Mels play. It is entirely a problem between his ears, not around his middle.

[CGHawk]

Originally Posted by jacknicholson

Very good to see Mel having fun on the court again. He was beaming all night laughing and smiling on the bench.....

Right now, he should probably continue to come off the bench. Certainlly seemed to work well last night. When he gets even more comfortable with the game, he will, more than likely, start again. Seems that on his good days, he would score early in the game.....

I agree with this. I would like to see him start again soon. I think anyone who is even the slightest bit observant knows that he has talent. It is a matter of getting him in game mentally.

I don't think we should just have him come off the bench solely because he played well last game coming off the bench. Maybe losing his starting spot was a wake up call for him and he has learned that he needs to give it his all every night.

However, if he truly is more comfortable and plays better when coming off the bench at this point... I have no problems with it. I was one of those people at one point that felt more comfortable going into the game after watching from the bench for a minute.

Who knows? I'm just glad that he played well and had fun and that the Hawks won!

[RocknRollface]

The weight gain was just an excuse. Unless you think he regained the weight again over the previous 5 or 6 games and then lost it again before Minnesota.

Adding muscle weight is never a bad thing for post players. It should not make you slower or less active, it should make you faster and more explosive, especially if it is in the lower body.

McCabe bulked up for this year and it is clearly helping him.

[CPHAWK82]

Originally Posted by RocknRollface

The weight gain was just an excuse. Unless you think he regained the weight again over the previous 5 or 6 games and then lost it again before Minnesota.

Adding muscle weight is never a bad thing for post players. It should not make you slower or less active, it should make you faster and more explosive, especially if it is in the lower body.

McCabe bulked up for this year and it is clearly helping him.

I agree. I think Mel's weight gain was slightly over blown. He probably did have to get used to playing heavier, but it doesn't explain some of his effortless performances and bad attitude. Hopefully the game last night can propel his confidence and attitude in a positive direction rest of the season.

[hawkIhoops]

Lots of guys competing for PT at the 4 & 5 spots next season. I would rather see Basabe for 8 minutes per half at 100% than 15 minutes per half at 75%. When Basabe plays with energy and focus, he really impacts the game at both ends. Having a guy like this come off the bench could pay dividends, as we have seen with White for most of the season.