To The Optimist and Uncle Wes, I'm not necessarily talking about what type of players bigs have to be. I'm just declaring they have to be legitimate bigs, whether they play inside or stretch the floor. The issue isn't on offense, but on defense. Someone has to guard the post and if that person can't do it singularly, then you'll have to consistently give him help and that opens up good-look treys and slashes to the basket. It also leads to foul trouble as we're seeing now. Right now we have 15 fouls to give legitimately at the 4 and 5 positions. That's why you need five guys at those spots, particularly if you're trying to keep a rising star on the court, which is what I believe Jason Carter is.
Agreed - the issue is on defense. While I'm a fan of Saul's approach that everyone needs to be able to shoot, handle, pass, and score, on defense they need another big body that can be effective. That guy might be on the way, or already here, but the need on the defensive end is evident. Either that, or the approach on defense needs to evolve to fit the personnel. I'm not qualified to say how that is best done with this group. But, it sure seems to me that having the ability to offer a different look to shuffle things up, be it a zone of some sort, or some kind of trapping defense wouldn't hurt. Maybe come out of a media TO in a zone for the first few possessions?