Chris Bell..

[Nicknack]

Well, in Joe's defense, this year he's well rested and not playing out of position.

Yeah, but last year he played the 2 and only shot 38.1%. As for minutes, he really isn't playing that many less. At Syracuse, he played 33.0, 27.7, 34.1, and 34.7 per game. At Clemson he's averaging 32.8 right now.

 

[jordoo]

Clemson also seems well coached on how to get Joe clean looks. They move the ball well and set good screens off the ball.

Same shooting ability, higher percentage of good quality looks.

 

[SUFaninNJ]

Yeah, but last year he played the 2 and only shot 38.1%. As for minutes, he really isn't playing that many less. At Syracuse, he played 33.0, 27.7, 34.1, and 34.7 per game. At Clemson he's averaging 32.8 right now.

Eh, I gave it a shot

 

[721Comstock]

And against Louisville he had a shocking 9 rebounds (to go along with those 30 points). He definitely seems to be mixing it up a little more on the glass.

Uh, that's not what ESPN says - they credit him w 6 boards vs LLvll.

His season (and I'd assume career - checked, it's a tie w 6 vs FSU last year) high.
Prior best this season was 5 vs. Chaminade.

Maliq had 9. Because that's what he does.

The last 3 games Chris had 3, 3, and 6 boards.
But also in 36, 37, 33 minutes.

Prior 3 games were: 0, 0, 2.
In 25, 15, 21 minutes.

A Forward getting 30+ minutes really needs to be pulling down 4-5+ boards every game.
Let's hope he builds on his efforts of late.

 

[orangefog]

Same shooting ability, higher percentage of good quality looks.

Recipe for success. Good looks have been hard to come by at Syracuse for a number of years.

 

[JKinPhilly]

It’s almost as if he’s just a sophomore, still learning to compete at this level. It takes some guys longer than others.

 

[Newhouser]

Recipe for success. Good looks have been hard to come by at Syracuse for a number of years.

Exactly - Joe is getting better looks off design, and he looks in a ton better shape than he was when he was here.

As for Bell he has stacked 3 good games on top of each other - he needs to be good for us to have a chance.

 

[shu 49]

Competed last night. Only 3 boards but he battled, played aggressive D and mixed it up in the paint.

I don’t know who lit a fire under him but that was a glimpse into the more well-rounded player he could be in the future.

He has been doing that last 3-4 games. Now if he can keep up the effort when he isnt making shots, then we aremaking big strides. Next year i can see JJ, Cope, Chris, Brown, snd a new center with Mccloud , Freeman, and Moore off bench with Taylor spot time. I would really enjoy that team. Bell will need to improve his handle a bit because next year i can see teams over defend him outside and he can drive and pullup at 10 ft or so.

 

[SP_Gilbs]

Since the horrible Gonzaga game, Bell is shooting just over 43% from 3 on nearly 6 attempts per game over a 20 game period. He still has a ways to go in becoming a complete player but you’ve gotta give a kid with that kind of shooting ability a shot to straighten things out. I was firmly in the camp that I wouldn’t have minded if he transferred earlier in the year. Now, I’d be pretty bummed with what he’s shown the last few weeks.

 

[shu 49]

He has been doing that last 3-4 games. Now if he can keep up the effort when he isnt making shots, then we aremaking big strides. Next year i can see JJ, Cope, Chris, Brown, snd a new center with Mccloud , Freeman, and Moore off bench with Taylor spot time. I would really enjoy that team. Bell will need to improve his handle a bit because next year i can see teams over defend him outside and he can drive and pullup at 10 ft or so.

Wow i forgot about Chance. we will be stacked if we get a decent center. Damn. all Jr.s.

 

[PhatOrange]

I'm glad everyone is starting to recognize that Bell can be (and will be) a very good player.

 

[Orangezoo]

I'm glad everyone is starting to recognize that Bell can be (and will be) a very good player.

If he keeps working hard in other areas and gets even better as a scorer is really enticing for next year.

 

[orangecuse]

It's fun riding this wave of optimism, but let's watch a few more games before we pronounce the old Chris Bell a thing of the past. It was, what, last week when he was mentioned as not having a place on this team going forward? The impact of Benny's departure, or the big win against UNC, or a change in Red's approach could have an impact individually or collectively on Chris...or it's coincidence. We need more data, but I hope that the sentiments expressed in this thread are realized. He clearly has potential, if he can just get out of his own way.

What!? Now, you can't expect the Orange faithful here to be anymore level headed than Wes Hightower was to being faithful to Sissy in 'Urban Cowboy.'

You can't expect a man like me to be faithful to any woman.

Urban Cowboy (1980) clip with quote You can't expect a man like me to be faithful to any woman. Yarn is the best search for video clips by quote. Find the exact moment in a TV show, movie, or music video you want to share. Easily move forward or backward to get to the perfect clip.

getyarn.io

 

[HyattsCuse]

It’s almost as if he’s just a sophomore, still learning to compete at this level. It takes some guys longer than others.

Was going to post similar. Bell's development could be "old school" where a kid stays for 3-4 years and turns into a very good to great player as an upper classman. Hopefully, he stays and continues his upward trajectory we've seen the last few games.

 

[SUFaninNJ]

Where'd the "he's only starting because his dad works with Jay-Z" crowd go?

 

[djcon57]

Where'd the "he's only starting because his dad works with Jay-Z" crowd go?

*Raises hand*

Was 100% true last year. Not sure this is the gotcha you think.

He's improved his defense and rebounding as the season as gone on. YET It's still below average. Still would like to see him progress here.

Also the rumors were not unfounded at all:

BC postgame thoughts

You should go back and watch some video of Pearl bringing the ball upcourt in a 1 man fast break. He was like a shark swimming through water. Judah's low hanging underhanded layups reminds me of Pearl the way he would hang sideways in the air and use the rim to keep the ball from getting...

syracusefan.com

 

[grepal]

Competed last night. Only 3 boards but he battled, played aggressive D and mixed it up in the paint.

I don’t know who lit a fire under him but that was a glimpse into the more well-rounded player he could be in the future.

That is all we can ask for. He may never be Karl Malone on the boards but he is improving. What a gorgeous jump shot. He always seems to get a block or two also. Some good hustle and improving D. Kudos to Chris for working hard.

 

[SUFaninNJ]

*Raises hand*

Was 100% true last year. Not sure this is the gotcha you think.

He's improved his defense and rebounding as the season as gone on. YET It's still below average. Still would like to see him progress here.

Well, IMO it was a ridiculous take to begin with that has certainly not aged well. I'll give you props for owning up to it. As a sophomore, I hope that he, as well as the others continue to work to improve their games.

 

[djcon57]

Well, IMO it was a ridiculous take to begin with that has certainly not aged well. I'll give you props for owning up to it. As a sophomore, I hope that he, as well as the others continue to work to improve their games.

I hope you say the same to Jake who basically confirmed it. It wasn't a take.

 

[SUFaninNJ]

I hope you say the same to Jake who basically confirmed it. It wasn't a take.

Who's Jake? The poster?

 

[djcon57]

Who's Jake? The poster?

Click the link in my post.

 

[Orangefizz]

He reminds me of James Southerland. When you’re 6’8” you’re always open out there.

He reminds me of Preston Shumpert the way he glides around the court

 

[SUFaninNJ]

Click the link in my post.

If he feels like chiming in here, I have no problem repeating what I posted.

 

[DoctahLexus]

I hope you say the same to Jake who basically confirmed it. It wasn't a take.

Bell earned his minutes as a freshman regardless of whether or not something on the side got him the starting spot. He fully deserves the starting spot this year. Even if it is 100% true that he secured the official starting spot because of some off the court stuff, he still earned the minutes he played as a freshman. There is a reason he played more than his small-forward competition last season and wasn't taken out immediately like a Dajuan Coleman type starter. He was the better player. While I am overall a bigger fan of Q if we are ranking forwards this season, Bell has continued to fully earn the minutes and starting role he has received. I am sure we can agree there.

 

[djcon57]

Bell earned his minutes as a freshman regardless of whether or not something on the side got him the starting spot. He fully deserves the starting spot this year. Even if it is 100% true that he secured the official starting spot because of some off the court stuff, he still earned the minutes he played as a freshman. There is a reason he played more than his small-forward competition last season and wasn't taken out immediately like a Dajuan Coleman type starter. He was the better player. While I am overall a bigger fan of Q if we are ranking forwards this season, Bell has continued to fully earn the minutes and starting role he has received. I am sure we can agree there.

Well, if it's 100% true, that would be the opposite of earning your mins.

He wasn't the better player last year. The numbers show that clearly. He was the worst defensive starting forward in the last 2-3 decades. That includes Jimmy Boeheim

This year he's been somewhat better, especially the last couple of games, but for the year he's still a negative on defense. And, still, he definitely should be the starter this year.

Again, I'm only responding to this because of the call out above. I'm not ragging on Chris, I'm been super positive on him throughout the year despite the continued lack of rebounds on the score sheet. But the rumor about Roc Nation was not unfounded. That's the point.