I think he played down low quite a lot this year, and was utilized in the post a lot. The fundamental issue with Woody's program though, since day 1, is his insistence on playing 2 bigs, as bigs, in the post, for long stretches. We certainly ran stuff regularly with either Malik or Kelel away from the basket. Lots of ball screens, zoom action with only one of them starting in the post area. But inevitably, we'd go back to Malik and Kelel in the lane together. It worked at times, Malik threw a bunch of little lobs to Kelel for dunks. But overall, as we've seen since Woody Day 1, its not an efficient offense, and it doesn't produce the type of ball and player movement needed to be effective offensively on a consistent basis.He was also playing out of position the entire year. He's not a 4 no matter how much he or the staff want to think he is. He's a traditional big that just so happens to be 6'9. He's a bull that's almost impossible to guard one on one due to his strength and footwork. He gets in trouble when guards dig down on him or draws a double team by playing a 2nd big. He needs space to operate, that happens by playing a more perimeter oriented offense. He has a chance to put up huge numbers next year playing in a more friendly system. But he's always going to struggle if the staff is hell bent on playing two traditional bigs.
So, I don't think he played the "4" position for Woody. I think he was "Post 2"...Kelel was actually on the perimeter more than Malik was, my perception anyway. So I don't think the staff REALLY wants him to be a perimeter oriented big. Just like they didn't want TJD to be...despite Woody saying he wanted him to shoot more. Most of the stuff Woody runs pulls them in to the post.
I think Malik's best chance at making the NBA is as a versatile big man that can guard multiple positions, pass the ball well out of the post, use his size and physicality to rebound well, AND make outside shots.
TJD is being used as a success story for Woody. And I think in some ways he deserves that. But a reality that is overlooked is nearly all the NBA GMs didn't think enough of Trayce to draft him in either round. I think that's just as strong an indictment on Woody's system as TJD's play is an endorsement. It took an organization like GS, digging deeper than most, to see and realize what TJD was capable of. It should have been blatantly obvious from game tape. It wasn't because Woody didn't use him correctly. Malik isn't the same type of player as TJD, but I don't think Woody is doing Malik any favors either right now.