I've played around with having my hand on top of the ball. You can add resistance and increase your range, but he doesn't need it, particularly from the college line. I don't remember him doing that in high school or even last year. He definitely should bring his release down a bit and put his off hand to the side of the ball. His form is mostly good.
I have no inside information but it looks to me that what Red is trying to install is the Villanova style 4 out, 1 in offense. While there are various wrinkles to this offense, the most basic concept requires players to go screen away from the ball when they reverse it to open up double gaps in the defense to make penetration easier. This is such a simple concept, and when Cuse executes it, space is created for guys like Judah or JJ to get downhill towards the basket. The problem I’ve seen is two-fold. One, too many times the players reverse the ball and just stand in place, creating no space or gaps for the defense to have to defend. Judah is a huge offender of this. It takes a level of selflessness to go away from the hall because it means you aren’t as likely to get it back, but it is a requirement for this offense to work. Second, this offense is predicated on having versatile players who can attack off the dribble AND shoot. Right now we have guys that can either only attack off the dribble which allows defenders to play off them and in the gaps, or guys who can only shoot (which they haven’t done consistently) which allows defenders to fly at them without the concern of being blown by. The old JJ would have been perfect in this offense…crazy what has happened to his jump shot since HS. Some have said ND screwed it up, and I know his shoulder injuries played a part, but to me his shot looks worse since he got to Syracuse. On a side note, has anyone else noticed how so many of our guys shoot differently from rep to rep? Starling (sometimes brings the ball way out in front of him before bringing it up), Judah (sometimes turns sideways and his wrist does as well), Justin (sometimes brings the ball too far back behind his head which gives the defender extra time to challenge the shot), cuffe (sometimes starts his shot to the left side of his face like Lonzo Ball), and Benny (sometimes his shot has no arc at all) all seem to lack consistency in their releases. Alarming for such talented and high level players.
Too much discussion about Taylor and Bell. Not enough about our shooting guard shooting .067% from 3.
Well, there is no question, that has to change and change for the better. He shot about 30% last year. Also not quite good enough. Hopefully he can get back to at least that number.
Geez, whatever the least generous interpretation we can make of Bell, let's do that as the starting assumption, I guess.
I agree but that cross court pass could really open things up.
And when he's open, they freeze him out. Selfish ball being played
I agree that Bell has lots of room to improve his overall game, and we need him to develop into a more well-rounded player.
It’s not going to happen, but my eye tells me JJ should be the point and Judah the 2. If this lack of shooting continues I think Cuffe could eat into some of JJ’s minutes.
My complaints about Bell have nothing to do with attitude. Don' t watch press conferences, so could care less what was said.
Then you're not one of the people I was talking about.
Well, if he doesn't start hitting some 3's, something will have to be done. Still time.
I watched the pressers as well and came away thinking Bell was fine too. The big difference between comments he made versus Judah was that Bell was talking more about the team. I actually liked what he said - it showed me he's more confident than what I thought and belief in the team is high.
He's not bulky and there are guys way bulkier than him that shoot just fine. Adding bulk does not make you a bad shooter unless you stop shooting while adding the bulk. I don't understand why the false notion that adding muscle suddenly keeps you from being able to move keeps making the rounds on this board.
That's good to know. I didn't watch them when he was speaking, I was simply going off of the discussions on here.
