I started a new thread, so the transfer thread didn't become a Northwest thread like so many do.
Hawkins moving on is obviously a big deal, but I'm trying to look at it as if he had come back, it would have been an unexpected gift because he wasn't supposed to be here next year anyway. He was tremendous and will definitely be missed. I do think we can find ways to replace his offensive production, but it's those intangibles that he brought every night... the all out hustle, getting his hands in the passing lanes, poking the ball away from would be drivers, diving for balls, scrapping for rebounds... that'll be missed the most. I think that stuff is infectious, especially when it's coming from your best players, but I'm excited to see where we turn for that. An expanded roll for Alexander is obviously coming, hopefully Dreamer and Waters become more consistent 3 point shooters and I believe they will as their roles change, Jackson proved his worth and I would expect to see more scoring opportunities for him, perhaps Mascari, Schomers, or Abreu will make a big leap.... early last year, it looked like Abreu was going to be the impact freshman. I'm also really excited to see what we have with the two incoming freshman... on tape, they look like they will fit in to everything we do... they have length and they can shoot. Looking forward to cheers of "Mooooooooooose" whenever Moustaskas does something good. It'll bring back some of the feel-good of the 2014 and 2015 Royals for me. :)
I feel like the cupboard is still pretty loaded as long as this news doesn't impact anyone else's decision to stay. If we do bring in a transfer, I think it'll be someone that can defend on the interior... that's the biggest concern for me.
Hawkins moving on is obviously a big deal, but I'm trying to look at it as if he had come back, it would have been an unexpected gift because he wasn't supposed to be here next year anyway. He was tremendous and will definitely be missed. I do think we can find ways to replace his offensive production, but it's those intangibles that he brought every night... the all out hustle, getting his hands in the passing lanes, poking the ball away from would be drivers, diving for balls, scrapping for rebounds... that'll be missed the most. I think that stuff is infectious, especially when it's coming from your best players, but I'm excited to see where we turn for that. An expanded roll for Alexander is obviously coming, hopefully Dreamer and Waters become more consistent 3 point shooters and I believe they will as their roles change, Jackson proved his worth and I would expect to see more scoring opportunities for him, perhaps Mascari, Schomers, or Abreu will make a big leap.... early last year, it looked like Abreu was going to be the impact freshman. I'm also really excited to see what we have with the two incoming freshman... on tape, they look like they will fit in to everything we do... they have length and they can shoot. Looking forward to cheers of "Mooooooooooose" whenever Moustaskas does something good. It'll bring back some of the feel-good of the 2014 and 2015 Royals for me. :)
I feel like the cupboard is still pretty loaded as long as this news doesn't impact anyone else's decision to stay. If we do bring in a transfer, I think it'll be someone that can defend on the interior... that's the biggest concern for me.
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