Freeman

[grepal]

I think he will be everything we thought we were getting with Benny, and more.

 

[bballbeadle]

That is damning him with faint praise!

 

[CuseTroop]

I thought this was gonna be about Freddie and I was gonna throw my phone at the wall

 

[OttoinGrotto]

I thought this was gonna be about Freddie and I was gonna throw my phone at the wall

Same.

 

[721Comstock]

I think he will be everything we thought we were getting with Benny, and more.

Oh, sorry - wrong Freeman.

 

[FrancoPizza]

I thought this was gonna be about Freddie and I was gonna throw my phone at the wall

Freddie?

 

[Sbucketball]

Freddie?

Dodgers

 

[asj410]

Freddie?

Krueger

 

[Capt. Tuttle]

I thought this was gonna be about Freddie and I was gonna throw my phone at the wall

Yankees fans or not, Freeman seems like a good guy and it’s nice to see his success.
Kind of like Jeter and Mariano. I can’t stand the Yankees, but if guys deserved success, those two did. They just always seemed to do the right thing.

 

[GoSU96]

I think he will be everything we thought we were getting with Benny, and more.

yep

 

[kingtidge]

I think he will be everything we thought we were getting with Benny, and more.

I think it was clear early last year he was likely way better than Benny at the same stage of development (and let's be honest, Benny was waaay overhyped.)

...but you never know for sure until the real competitive games start.

 

[pearl31]

As two3zone pointed out in another thread, the Clarion game did cause me to wonder a little about Donnie's motor - waiting to see more before I judge, hoping it's not an issue

 

[Dinkyspond]

Freddie?

Mercury

an all-time great

 

[Orangezoo]

As two3zone pointed out in another thread, the Clarion game did cause me to wonder a little about Donnie's motor - waiting to see more before I judge, hoping it's not an issue

It looked like his issue was awareness and knowing the switches and help defense requirements more than motor.

 

[tptcuse]

It looked like his issue was awareness and knowing the switches and help defense requirements more than motor.

I agree. It actually looked like he had more energy as the last game went along. Hopefully Red's focus on defense will pay off rapidly.

 

[Cuse_NYC]

Having watched him in high school, his shooting ability stuck out the most for someone his size. For a dude that was hailed to be a shotblocker, I never saw him block a shot that wasn’t almost put in his hand. His effort on defense isn’t there. Nor is he active on the boards. He can change this, as his talent level is insane. Almost seems as if he only cares about O.

 

[pearl31]

I agree. It actually looked like he had more energy as the last game went along. Hopefully Red's focus on defense will pay off rapidly.

yep hope so too!

 

[tptcuse]

Having watched him in high school, his shooting ability stuck out the most for someone his size. For a dude that was hailed to be a shotblocker, I never saw him block a shot that wasn’t almost put in his hand. His effort on defense isn’t there. Nor is he active on the boards. He can change this, as his talent level is insane. Almost seems as if he only cares about O.

Isn't that fairly common in the high school circuit?

 

[MikeSU02]

Having watched him in high school, his shooting ability stuck out the most for someone his size. For a dude that was hailed to be a shotblocker, I never saw him block a shot that wasn’t almost put in his hand. His effort on defense isn’t there. Nor is he active on the boards. He can change this, as his talent level is insane. Almost seems as if he only cares about O.

Listen, I’m as bearish on this team as anyone.

But the goal on D for him is to be in the right place at the right time, give effort, understand when/where to switch and rotate and understand on/off ball assignments overall.

High school shot blocking might be the most overrated stat of all time.

Lets see his buy-in and hustle when we hit the real games along with the full team.

We had guys last year that didn’t want to defend a pick and roll.

He has to learn how to use his body at this level and trust his teammates on the defensive end.

 

[pearl31]

Talk in other threads of possible leg issues, and it did look like he was moving a bit gingerly towards end of the game last night... any insight/intel here?

 

[OttoinGrotto]

Talk in other threads of possible leg issues, and it did look like he was moving a bit gingerly towards end of the game last night... any insight/intel here?

Appears to be our next player destined to get a peg leg.

 

[Orangezoo]

Listen, I’m as bearish on this team as anyone.

But the goal on D for him is to be in the right place at the right time, give effort, understand when/where to switch and rotate and understand on/off ball assignments overall.

High school shot blocking might be the most overrated stat of all time.

Lets see his buy-in and hustle when we hit the real games along with the full team.

We had guys last year that didn’t want to defend a pick and roll.

He has to learn how to use his body at this level and trust his teammates on the defensive end.

This is why I like the hard hedge we saw last night. It slows down the offense and actually helps the rotations on defense so they don’t have to chase as much. Donnie has the athleticism to slide back into good defensive position with this.

It’s a good counter to the pick and roll action teams will try to run us through all year.

He’s going to take a while to be much of a help defender around the rim but on the perimeter in screening action there is some promise. Plenty of work to do as well.

I’ve noticed guards doing a better job funneling ball handlers to a shot blocker as well, especially Carlos and Taylor with JJ doing a solid job when manning up.


All of this said I think there is a case to be made for this team to run some zone given the size they have when Carlos is off the floor. I’m curious if they do give it a whirl for some stretches.

 

[Capt. Tuttle]

I think he will be everything we thought we were getting with Benny, and more.

I would have never compared the two, in anyway. The HS video clips showed Freeman to be a superior talent and basketball player. I have been bullish on him from the jump. By far our best recruit since Melo, and it’s not close.
He is so smooth, some people question his “motor”. Crazy. His fluidity makes it appear almost effortless.
My only concern for him is he won’t be assertive/selfish enough. A dominant Donnie, not a cog in the machine Donnie, is best for Syracuse. If he is making AA noise, it will be a great year for Syracuse. A great year.

 

[Sbucketball]

Maybe I'm crazy, but Freeman looks almost as big as Jesse Edwards out there. He's listed at 6'9" but I think he might be pulling the Anthony Davis -- he doesn't want to play center so he lists himself as shorter than he is.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

Maybe I'm crazy, but Freeman looks almost as big as Jesse Edwards out there. He's listed at 6'9" but I think he might be pulling the Anthony Davis -- he doesn't want to play center so he lists himself as shorter than he is.

Yeah, what I'm about to say sounds stupid, but he looks really tall.