Jimmy V Classic

[L-T]

If Dixon was not a good shooter
If Ge is not a good shooter
Shaq, Sanders etc....

They are all at least 2X the shooter KJ is currently

KJ is a freshman. Let him grow. He's already improving. He's hit a couple 3s in the last 2-3 games. We let Rubles shoot 3s for a whole season. We can give KJ some slack for awhile.

 

[L-T]

If Dixon was not a good shooter
If Ge is not a good shooter
Shaq, Sanders etc....

They are all at least 2X the shooter KJ is currently

Mick has said multiple times over the last 2 years that Ge is one of his best shooters. I haven't heard him say it this year, but in the past I have.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

Yeah, most, including myself, are focusing on shooting. But, you make a good point. The inside game is an issue, and has been for awhile. We definitely need good balance on the roster. This year the roster is as much out of balance as its ever been. If we had the inside-out game, it might give our shooters a little more room to get a better shot off. I agree

L-T it also would provide more room for the guys on the interior. It would also make it much easier for penetration. Don't know how much ball you've played but if I can get a defender running at me it creates many more options for me as a offensive player.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

KJ is a freshman. Let him grow. He's already improving. He's hit a couple 3s in the last 2-3 games. We let Rubles shoot 3s for a whole season. We can give KJ some slack for awhile.

the shame of it is for a guy who handles as well as Rubles and has a great head fake if he could develop any kind of mid range game he would be a handful for any defender.

 

[TheLongHaul]

If Dixon was not a good shooter
If Ge is not a good shooter
Shaq, Sanders etc....

They are all at least 2X the shooter KJ is currently

You're fighting the wrong fight. I've never said anything about KJ. Truth be told I think it's too early to judge how good of shooter he is. Guyn is in his 3rd year, the evidence is out on him and others. Not enough evidence on KJ and Caupain yet.

 

[TheLongHaul]

Mick has said multiple times over the last 2 years that Ge is one of his best shooters. I haven't heard him say it this year, but in the past I have.

I've never heard him say that.

 

[L-T]

I've never heard him say that.

OK.

 

[L-T]

L-T it also would provide more room for the guys on the interior. It would also make it much easier for penetration. Don't know how much ball you've played but if I can get a defender running at me it creates many more options for me as a offensive player.

I've played a lot, and coached even more, so I understand and agree with everything you're saying.

 

[L-T]

the shame of it is for a guy who handles as well as Rubles and has a great head fake if he could develop any kind of mid range game he would be a handful for any defender.

Yep, Rubles is a head-scratcher. All appearances are good, but very little good comes out of it....except on the defensive end.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

Yep, Rubles is a head-scratcher. All appearances are good, but very little good comes out of it....except on the defensive end.

yea the guy can board,defend,handle and pass if he could shoot a little he would be a difference maker. I'm not talking 3's either, I'm talking 10-12 ft.

 

[L-T]

yea the guy can board,defend,handle and pass if he could shoot a little he would be a difference maker. I'm not talking 3's either, I'm talking 10-12 ft.

lol...even layups!

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

I think the youngsters will be fine. JL,KJ and TC are all making progress. The biggest adjustment for young players is coming to a situation where they have to learn to play without the ball in there hands. Learning to play without the ball is a huge adjustment. JL particularity looks uncomfortable at times. He seems so undecided about what to do. I'm sure being you played and coach you'll understand what I'm talking about when I say they are all still thinking quite a bit instead of just playing. The best things I ever need on a athletic field I couldn't even begin to tell how or why I did it. It just happened.

 

[Bearcat22]

I think the youngsters will be fine. JL,KJ and TC are all making progress. The biggest adjustment for young players is coming to a situation where they have to learn to play without the ball in there hands. Learning to play without the ball is a huge adjustment. JL particularity looks uncomfortable at times. He seems so undecided about what to do. I'm sure being you played and coach you'll understand what I'm talking about when I say they are all still thinking quite a bit instead of just playing. The best things I ever need on a athletic field I couldn't even begin to tell how or why I did it. It just happened.

Jay Bilas mentioned that as well during the Pitt game. He blamed, and I agree, the lack of good coaching and AAU environment.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

Jay Bilas mentioned that as well during the Pitt game. He blamed, and I agree, the lack of good coaching and AAU environment.

kids want to make the highlight play now instead of the fundamental correct move. That is why I enjoyed the Bird/Magic era so much. Both just fundamentally solid players. I'm a old guy so I'll even include Oscar. Spent many a night with my Dad watching the Royals

 

[L-T]

I think the youngsters will be fine. JL,KJ and TC are all making progress. The biggest adjustment for young players is coming to a situation where they have to learn to play without the ball in there hands. Learning to play without the ball is a huge adjustment. JL particularity looks uncomfortable at times. He seems so undecided about what to do. I'm sure being you played and coach you'll understand what I'm talking about when I say they are all still thinking quite a bit instead of just playing. The best things I ever need on a athletic field I couldn't even begin to tell how or why I did it. It just happened.

JL still looks like a deer in the headlights at times. The others seem to be finding a comfort zone.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

One of the reasons I'm not concerned about KJ is he looks comfortable out on the court playing the off guard. He makes nice cuts to the basket and doesn't hesitate to attack. His shot is not ugly either it just hasn't fallen yet. His form looks good not like Rubles with that ugly shot put motion.KJ will be a player before he leaves.

 

[Patrick Bateman]

KJ is a freshman. Let him grow. He's already improving. He's hit a couple 3s in the last 2-3 games. We let Rubles shoot 3s for a whole season. We can give KJ some slack for awhile.

I agree with you completely and I am not worried about KJ next season. I would like him to step up this year since Shaq has off. Cronin must see something he really likes about KJ or he wouldn't play him completely over a third year sophomore who was presumably our second best shooter, earlier in the year I have been hard on KJ, I know. I was just making the point I think he needs to play to his strengths and drive, not shoot 3's.


He would be much more effective if he:

Drove more and drew contact or dished for assists, FT's and assist numbers both low

Quit fouling at a rapid pace, would keep him on the court more.

His D is tenacious, we need him not to be in foul trouble.

Again, I like the makeup of his game. He is a tenacious defender, confident and plays with a streak/swagger whatever you want to call it.

We definitely need someone to step up. We need a third scorer and if Shaq can't step up I would really really like to see KJ start to be more aggressive and be a little smarter when gambling on defense to stay on the court for longer periods of time. I think that KJ would be a great 6th man this season. He comes in and brings defensive energy, knows how to cut and move without the ball.

Just like we are going through growing pains with the guards, next year it is going to be the opposite, we are going to have growing pains inside.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

JL still looks like a deer in the headlights at times. The others seem to be finding a comfort zone.

He looked a little better against Pitt. He has a big adjustment. In High School he was just two long and athletic for other kids to guard. He got injured and missed almost all his senior year. He Is playing catch up along with all the other adjustments. You can tell though he will be good. Has good handles and a sweet shot. He will give others fits once he gets adjusted to the college game.He'll be a huge mismatch.

 

[Bearcat_NTS]

I've never heard him say that.

He said, last year, that Guyn was the best free throw shooter on the team. However we all know Mick likes to run his mouth at times...

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

I agree with you completely. I have been hard on KJ, I know. I was just making the point I think he needs to play to his strengths and drive, not shoot 3's.

Rubles and Ibrahima for two straight years jacked up threes that rarely went in, and they are big men that aren't supposed to be 3 point shooters. Every time they shot it, the crowd moaned. KJ is supposed to be a shooter, or at least people on here think he is supposed to be one, and Mick may also b/c he subs him in for SK. He jacks up threes that weren't even close early in the season, is currently 3-19, and the result is people think he is going to be a good shooter. To boot he averaged 23% his sr year, and 35% his jr year of HS. That may be his watermark which would be ok, Ge and Sanders both shoot 30%. He would be much more effective being aggressive with the ball, which will come with time.

He would be much more effective if he:

Drove more and drew contact or dished for assists, FT's and assist numbers both low

Quit fouling at a rapid pace, would keep him on the court more.

His D is tenacious, we need him not to be in foul trouble.

Again, I like the makeup of his game. He is a tenacious defender, confident and plays with a streak/swagger whatever you want to call it.

We definitely need someone to step up. We need a third scorer and if Shaq can't step up I would really really like to see KJ start to be more aggressive and be a little smarter when gambling on defense to stay on the court for longer periods of time.

Just like we are going through growing pains with the guards, next year it is going to be the opposite, we are going to have growing pains inside.

some guys are just not comfortable as stationary jump shooters. My own experience was I was much better mid range off the dribble then I was catching a pass and going up for shot. It's also easy to say drive to the hoop but the opposition knows your game. If you can't hit a jumper driving will be much tougher because they will play so far of you. See Rubles.