UCLA Basketball: A New Starting Line-Up Is Needed

Jan 23, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal forward Josh Huestis (24) dunks past UCLA Bruins forward David Wear (12) in the first half of the game at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

We are at that point in the season where you can basically predict what the UCLA Bruins are going to do during their games. For some reason, despite statistics or actually looking at the team, head coach Steve Alford has gone with this head-scracthing starting line-up for a while:

Starters:

Kyle Anderson, Jordan Adams, Norman Powell, David Wear, Travis Wear

Substitutes:

Zach LaVine, Bryce Alford, Tony Parker

Around six minutes into the game is when the first substitution is made with three fresh guys getting time on the court. But looking at all of the player’s recent production, it has to be asked, is this the best starting line-up for this has to offer?

Clearly not. Even though LaVine, Alford and Parker bring a devastating offensive presence off the bench, it might be in Steve Alford’s favor to start the five best players on your team, or some variation of it.

First off, something needs to be done about the Wears. They are great shooters for their height and occasionally have a great three-point shot, but they do not rebound and it is a weakness for UCLA. The solution: sub the Wears in and out for each other. You still need the Wears to play, just maybe not start them together. Now here is why…

Tony Parker, who has been inconsistent in his games, needs more time on the court. He needs to learn how not to foul out and he needs to learn to have more games like the one he had against Stanford. He ended his night against the Cardinal with 22 points and 7 rebounds. He was great in the paint and was the most active he has been all year. He even managed to stay on the court for a long time.

Parker played 28 minutes in that game. The Wears, who started, played 12 and 15 minutes. From this, it seems as though the senior Alford notices that the Wears are just not producing and Parker is, so I have this small suggestion for a new line-up:

Starters:

Kyle Anderson, Jordan Adams, Norman Powell, Travis Wear, Tony Parker

Bench:

Zach LaVine, Bryce Alford, David Wear, Wanaah Bail

Now obviously there should not be wholesale changes to the line-up. Putting in four to get four out is just dumb. So going with Steve Alford’s strategy of making a sub six minutes in is fine, but this time, it will be subbing in Wear for Wear and swapping Powell for LaVine.

Bryce Alford should only come into the game to give Anderson a rest and that is it. Seriously.

Bail needs to start getting more time. There is still a learning process with Bail, but more time on the court will be beneficial to him and in a short time, he should be able to produce more than the Wears have. Bail coming in for a tired Parker or an unproductive Wear will do wonders for the front court.

Now some of you may be asking why not have LaVine start. Think about this, he would most likely start instead of Travis Wear, but that leaves two Wears and Bail on the bench with Alford as the only guard. LaVine coming off the bench not only spreads around the talent but it is ideal for him to come off the bench and continue the offensive attack. It is really important to not have a lull in your offense when your starters sit and that is what LaVine does. He gives the Bruins one of the most dangerous benches in the Pac-12.

Heck, I would do it. Steve Alford, you should too.

Mike W.R.

Twitter: @TheBigDisco