Dajuan

[The General]

I know this is premature. Please skip the posts criticizing bringing this up. I'm just concerned about future post production. RJ, AO were such a luxury.

So, where does DC fit in next year? He is not a 4. He cannot play the 4 in a zone. No chance. He will have the most refined offensive game of our bigs before he sets foot on campus. No question. He has excellent post moves for a young player. Melo has none. Xmas has less than none. He has great footwork. Intensity. I've seen him play pissed off. He's not ur soft big. To me he's part Demarcus Cousins, part Dejaun Blair (again, not the he is those guys, please skip the he has a long way to go posts, just comparing...).

He played pissed as a frosh, soph. I think he's bored. Really wish he went to Oak Hill for a year. He garnered tons of respect for two years in elite all star games. Now back to playing ESM.

Hopefully he's okay with backing up Melo for a year. It's the most talent we will have in our front court since the late 80's. I just wonder how it will be managed. Melo, Xmas, DC have nasty potential.

So, Melo has to start and play a lot. How do we get DC on the court to maximize his post production? He is not a 4.

Again, premature. many factors might change. Just curious what people think.

 

[310Pigpen]

Could Melo play the 4 on defense and Dajuan play the 5 on defense and switch on offense?

 

[OrangeMuskyFish]

I don't think you are giving our current Bigs enough credit. I seriously could see Melo having a Seikaly-like epiphany by the time the tourneys roll around. Granted, I think it will have a bit more to do with physical ability than pure fundamentals.

Christmas is very fluid with his moves, and while he is very raw, I think he can follow the Warrick-type development path.

As far as DC, he is going to give us a lot of options. We could have two of the best low-post scorers at the college level if Fab doesn't go after the money before a chance to have a dominating season. They will spell each other, meaning we will always have an offensive center in the game, while also playing together at other times. I know this may not be ideal defensively, but I really think we will see it. Rak continues to start, and our three highly touted bigs essentially play equal minutes. I don't think Baye RS, as some has said, because the way we are recruiting bigs, no sense in really "saving" him. Especially if one of our guys gets injured in-season. We could have so much talent next year that it will be a Title-or-bust season. All hands on deck, except for Grant, just due to filling out his frame and all the guys in front him.

 

[OrangeMuskyFish]

Could Melo play the 4 on defense and Dajuan play the 5 on defense and switch on offense?

I'm thinking this is possible. Again, it will never be ideal. But with Triche, Dion, MCW, and Cooney upgrading the length at the guard spots, I think they could support such a decision. And Fab gets out to the foul line pretty well... Coming from the weak-side he may set every blocking record we have!

 

[The General]

Fab on the wing in the zone sounds absurd. That's asking a lot of a 7 footer. I picture hin either steamrolling guys or getting dribbled right past. He was Craig Forth -2.0 last year, dont forget. Do you want Gus Siock closing out on shooters?

Anyway... yes, Fab and Xmas have tons of potential. What I'm saying is obviously we clearly have no interest in developing that potential this year. We DO NOT feed the post. Melo scores on oops and put backs. Tht isnt changing come Big East play.

Xmas will get 5-8 minutes a game.

DC will step onto campus as the most polished offensive player we have. It's not close. Fab has made huge strides. Esp on defensive end. Why aren't we trying to develop his post game? We aren't. The guards don't feed him. Against Colgate would be the time to try. We didn't. We aren't.

I've watched DC for 4 years. He can board. He rips outlets like a QB. And he has a variety of post moves. He is far more polished than either of our current bigs. Fact.

 

[The General]

And yes, I could actually see Xmas having a Warrick type development. And I guess with raw bigs the back to basket game is hardest to develop. And Warrick was a freak. Xmas could be nasty, but he's not gonna be a 1st team AA. Or maybe he is, who knows?

But DC has it already. Offensively, he's years ahead of Melo and Xmas.

In a game like tonight, you could have dumped it to him in the post for an easy 15-20. And he's a good passer.

I think the only concern wit DC is how he fits in.

 

[OrangeMuskyFish]

And yes, I could actually see Xmas having a Warrick type development. And I guess with raw bigs the back to basket game is hardest to develop. And Warrick was a freak. Xmas could be nasty, but he's not gonna be a 1st team AA. Or maybe he is, who knows?

But DC has it already. Offensively, he's years ahead of Melo and Xmas.

Agree... but I think Fab can spend the second half of this year as a 12 ppg player. With another off-season of work, who knows? I don't see DC coming into his frosh year and scoring any more than 15 TOPS. Not because he can't, but because we will be heavily guard oriented, feature another double-digit scoring center, as well as other guys who need their touches (which is actually why I don't see JS beating out Fair for the 3, even if he outplays him, because someone has to be satisfied scoring on putbacks). So while Fab may be a couple points per game worse than DC, his defensive value will outweigh that. If the defense can figure it out, these two will be a devastating low-post combo that allows McD-calibre guards slice and dice defenses.

 

[zeekay]

Fab won't be here next year.

XMAS stays at 4 where he currently plays. That's his NBA position and I guess he wanted to play the 4 when coming to Syracuse. DC2 starts at center with BMK as backup.

 

[The General]

Makes sense that Fab will leave.

There is just no way I see DC not playing a ton. He may not fit our system, but honestly, the kid is very far along. His only issue is conditioning. Trust me, he is not lazy. He plays pissed when pushed. I saw it in NYC vs. Lincoln. He was a frosh and tore into his teammates, including Triche, during a time out. That JD squad embarrassed Lance Stephenson and Lincoln.

I have no doubt DC brings it. He has the skills. He is being vastly underestimated by some people. DC is skilled. And he's way tougher and motivated than people realize. We'll see...

Obviosly Im on the kids nuts, but Ill stand by it. He's legit. He is so far beyond Melo and Rak. He's polished. And seriously, he throws an outlet pass like a QB. Very pretty. Easy buckets.

I've watched him for 3 years. If I'm wrong, I'll eat my hat. And your hat. And your mom's hat. But DC is a pimp from day 1.

 

[The General]

Agree... but I think Fab can spend the second half of this year as a 12 ppg player. With another off-season of work, who knows? I don't see DC coming into his frosh year and scoring any more than 15 TOPS. Not because he can't, but because we will be heavily guard oriented, feature another double-digit scoring center, as well as other guys who need their touches (which is actually why I don't see JS beating out Fair for the 3, even if he outplays him, because someone has to be satisfied scoring on putbacks). So while Fab may be a couple points per game worse than DC, his defensive value will outweigh that. If the defense can figure it out, these two will be a devastating low-post combo that allows McD-calibre guards slice and dice defenses.

How is Fab gonna avg 12ppg? We do not feed the post. We do not run plays for him.

There is a better chance of CJ avg 12ppg.

This is my issue. We are not even trying to develop a post scorer. Which tells me, we are gonna live and die with what we got instead of developing post guys, which means that Melo, BK and Xmas are giving no signs of potential to be a post prescence in practice or in games.

Bottom line. You wanna make a deep run? It sure helps to be able to get some easy buckets inside. If not? You better be able to draw fouls, hit free throws or nail a lot of threes. Do we do any of that stuff?

Listen, I wanna go to New Orleans. Really fckn bad. But I wish we would use these early games to develop Melo in the post. Melo really is a lot like Rony. Except Rony was going against Ewing. And is probably a better DJ.

JB is smart. He plays the numbers. He knows the more high percentage hoops you get , the better off you are. We are going to have to score a lot of lower percentage baskets due to no inside game. Not good. Its why the zone works. Its numbers. Make teams shoot more lower percentage shots! Simple.

Anyway, that tells me, Melo cannot be an offensive threat this year. He's not ready or we would use these early games to develop his post game. We ain't.

Like I said. DC is without question our best offensive big as soon as he gets here. There is no doubt.

I remember watching the Elite 24 game in LA a couple years ago. DC was one of two rising sophs. invited. He could barely get a touch but scored 5 points in the last 2 minutes. Everyone went crazy over him. This kid is an absolute monster and once he gets in our program, sky is the limit.

 

[The General]

Fact- we are not trying to develop Melo offensively this year. Could be baby steps. Could be we are focused on his D. Xmas is clearly an offensive project. BK is further along.

To me DC is perfect. Maybe too short to be one and done. He's Demarcus Cousins sans 2 inches. From what I've seen he ain't soft or lazy.

Just don't know how we manage them. Melo as a Jr. is gonna be a defensive beast. I guess the NBA is so pathetic that he could leave early.

I mean Thabeet is in the D league. Melo has no business leaving early.

 

[Czar]

Fact- we are not trying to develop Melo offensively this year. Could be baby steps. Could be we are focused on his D. Xmas is clearly an offensive project. BK is further along.

To me DC is perfect. Maybe too short to be one and done. He's Demarcus Cousins sans 2 inches. From what I've seen he ain't soft or lazy.

Just don't know how we manage them. Melo as a Jr. is gonna be a defensive beast. I guess the NBA is so pathetic that he could leave early.

I mean Thabeet is in the D league. Melo has no business leaving early.

You really don't understand anything about the center position in basketball, do you? In what world is BK farther along offensively than Melo?

 

[Forza Azzurri]

You really don't understand anything about the center position in basketball, do you? In what world is BK farther along offensively than Melo?

I'm pretty sure he means that BK is further along offensively than XMAS, not Melo.

 

[sutomcat]

Could Melo play the 4 on defense and Dajuan play the 5 on defense and switch on offense?

IMHO, Melo is too good a shotblocker to waste out placing him on a wing. DaJuan is surprisingly agile for his size. I think he can do a fairly decent job at the forward position at the weight he is at now. If he can drop 20 pounds, he will be be more than passable there (at least at the level of RJ, probably better).

 

[mark79]

IMHO, Melo is too good a shotblocker to waste out placing him on a wing. DaJuan is surprisingly agile for his size. I think he can do a fairly decent job at the forward position at the weight he is at now. If he can drop 20 pounds, he will be be more than passable there (at least at the level of RJ, probably better).

Tomcat, I was checking out your signature - I did not realize these facts. It would seem to me that perhaps no one has more combined bball and football wins. That would be quite an achievement for our little town if true... I would think a school like UCLA would top us though.

 

[Nate44]

Tomcat, I was checking out your signature - I did not realize these facts. It would seem to me that perhaps no one has more combined bball and football wins. That would be quite an achievement for our little town if true... I would think a school like UCLA would top us though.

UCLA is way behind Cuse in both sports. Looking really quickly it looks like we are 3rd in combined wins. North Carolina looks to have the most, followed by Notre Dame and then Cuse.

 

[elkeed]

Fab won't be here next year.

XMAS stays at 4 where he currently plays. That's his NBA position and I guess he wanted to play the 4 when coming to Syracuse. DC2 starts at center with BMK as backup.

Where's Fab going? Is there a pro league in Brazil? Seriously, I love the inprovement in his game. But, he needs to play to get better. He won't play in the NBA. He'll sit and rot like good fruit. Don't be stupid like Dante Green and jump at the first $ign of some cash and end up riding buses in the D league.
One of the joys of college hoops is watching guys develop and unfold befor our eyes. Rony was probably the best example of that among our centers. He came in as a raw athlete and left as a guy starting as a rookie in the association with a very successful career to follow.

 

[Henny & Coke]

Makes sense that Fab will leave.

There is just no way I see DC not playing a ton. He may not fit our system, but honestly, the kid is very far along. His only issue is conditioning. Trust me, he is not lazy. He plays pissed when pushed. I saw it in NYC vs. Lincoln. He was a frosh and tore into his teammates, including Triche, during a time out. That JD squad embarrassed Lance Stephenson and Lincoln.

I have no doubt DC brings it. He has the skills. He is being vastly underestimated by some people. DC is skilled. And he's way tougher and motivated than people realize. We'll see...

Obviosly Im on the kids nuts, but Ill stand by it. He's legit. He is so far beyond Melo and Rak. He's polished. And seriously, he throws an outlet pass like a QB. Very pretty. Easy buckets.

I've watched him for 3 years. If I'm wrong, I'll eat my hat. And your hat. And your mom's hat. But DC is a pimp from day 1.

I agree with this. I have watched him play as well, and the fact that DC has been falling in the rankings the past few years is a joke & only because he was "discovered" so early and he seems almost "boring" now with his automatic double-doubles every game. This guy is a rebounding machine with legit low-post moves. That ability translates at any level. He doesn't just use his size...he uses good technique and positioning. He knows the game. Very excited to see him play at SU.

 

[CuseFanInFl]

I think DC will be pulled very often in his first year. His first year he will work to get into college ball shape.

 

[orange2win]

Fact- we are not trying to develop Melo offensively this year. Could be baby steps. Could be we are focused on his D. Xmas is clearly an offensive project.

And could be that we have no one on staff to properly develop him.

 

[realorange]

And could be that we have no one on staff to properly develop him.

So, Hop is not good enough?

 

[Rocco]

If he can drop 20 pounds, he will be be more than passable there (at least at the level of RJ, probably better).

This is the key. This would answer alot of questions. Hopefully, Cabiles is on him quickly.

 

[igor]

Fab on the wing in the zone sounds absurd. That's asking a lot of a 7 footer. I picture hin either steamrolling guys or getting dribbled right past. He was Craig Forth -2.0 last year, dont forget. Do you want Gus Siock closing out on shooters?

Anyway... yes, Fab and Xmas have tons of potential. What I'm saying is obviously we clearly have no interest in developing that potential this year. We DO NOT feed the post. Melo scores on oops and put backs. Tht isnt changing come Big East play.

Xmas will get 5-8 minutes a game.

DC will step onto campus as the most polished offensive player we have. It's not close. Fab has made huge strides. Esp on defensive end. Why aren't we trying to develop his post game? We aren't. The guards don't feed him. Against Colgate would be the time to try. We didn't. We aren't.

I've watched DC for 4 years. He can board. He rips outlets like a QB. And he has a variety of post moves. He is far more polished than either of our current bigs. Fact.

 

[igor]

melo is top 3 or 4 in draft

 

[KevMonstah]

Here's my issue with Syracuse's game. They *never* feed the post consistently. You had Arinze who left as a 67% FG shooter his last two years, yet you never saw a game where he had more than 7 FGA. When you have a guy who's doing this, keep feeding him, to the point of overuse. Currently, you have Fab who has shown a jumper, he's shown some passing skills, and he's shown some moves, but he goes 4-7 vs Marshall, 4-5 vs Fl, 1-3 vs EMU, 3-6 vs Stanford/VaTech. When is the last time any SU post player got ten shots? SU just doesn't use their post presence.

I wouldn't worry about Coleman on defense. SU worked Onuaku and Jackson on the zone, neither of whom were that mobile. They'll find a way to work Fab, DC, Rakeem, and Keita somehow.

And while I think he's not ready, if SU goes to the Final Four, I'm pretty certain that Fab, along with Dion, will be declaring for the NBA. Fab will be 22 at the end of the school year, and Nike has got to be salivating over the prospect of a guy named "Fab Melo", from a basketball popular country, playing in the NBA.

Kev