Gotta say this about Dion

[rrlbees]

I thought he played very well today. I only saw 1 possession where he played ME ball, where he dribbled around for 15 seconds looking for his shot. But that's a nit. He played within the offense and his shots were all good shots not forcing anything and most importantly, when someone else had a better shot, he gave it up. Kudo's to him. Now back to the football board where we have problems.

 

[shermstheman]

Dion has the look of a player. I can see him in the NBA. He can create. He can shoot. He can score. And now he's showing the D. Not sure why but I think of David Johnson when I see Dion. I can also see him as the go-to guy this year.

 

[The General]

I think JR Rider

 

[BostonOrange]

Dion has the look of a player. I can see him in the NBA. He can create. He can shoot. He can score. And now he's showing the D. Not sure why but I think of David Johnson when I see Dion. I can also see him as the go-to guy this year.

yes..6'3 2 guards who are average athletes and can't shoot are ideal nba candidates

 

[billsin01]

I think a huge key for this team is going to be can players develop distinguishing skills. My point being, we're a better team if Waiters emerges as a true scorer. That doesn't mean he's better or worse than Triche, but different, which is important. If they are basically similar players -- which they were to a large degree last year -- then we're much easier to defend.

 

[OttoMets]

yes..6'3 2 guards who are average athletes and can't shoot are ideal nba candidates

Someone thought enough of David Johnson to spend a first-round draft pick on him. And no one who saw him play would call him an average athlete.

 

[OttoMets]

I think a huge key for this team is going to be can players develop distinguishing skills. My point being, we're a better team if Waiters emerges as a true scorer. That doesn't mean he's better or worse than Triche, but different, which is important. If they are basically similar players -- which they were to a large degree last year -- then we're much easier to defend.

Good point. The team needs Dion to provide instant offense, but not to the blind exclusion of the other four on the floor, and not if it means sacrificing defense. But it'll help immensely to have a player who can penetrate at will against 90% of our opponents, whether it results in a Dion shot or in a collapse and kick-out.

 

[longislandcuse]

If you start Dion, you have two wing players who can shoot the 3 ball or take their man off the dribble in KJo, and Waiters. That puts tremendous pressure on the other teams D.

I havent seen anyone break down a defense like Dion can since Flynn

 

[Dick_in_MI]

I thought he played very well today. I only saw 1 possession where he played ME ball, where he dribbled around for 15 seconds looking for his shot. But that's a nit. He played within the offense and his shots were all good shots not forcing anything and most importantly, when someone else had a better shot, he gave it up. Kudo's to him. Now back to the football board where we have problems.

I'm kicking myself because I ruminated for about 5 minutes before selecting KJ as our top scorer for the year in the prediction thread. I kept putting down Dion's name and then not hitting the "submit" button.

I really think he has taken his game to another level and could indeed be our best scorer this year. Time will tell.

 

[AZOrange]

I'm kicking myself because I ruminated for about 5 minutes before selecting KJ as our top scorer for the year in the prediction thread. I kept putting down Dion's name and then not hitting the "submit" button.

I really think he has taken his game to another level and could indeed be our best scorer this year. Time will tell.

It will be interesting to see if JB makes a change this year at any point. Yesterday was the first time I have heard JB talk about playing the guys that are just playing better (which was nice to hear) and was the first time I can remember seeing him demonstrably frustrated with Triche. Triche is becoming as much of an enigma to me as Southy.

 

[DomeStranger]

Dion definitely showed his potential ... if he can improve ball handling and change his form on his jump shot and get his jump shot honed in, he can be very Kemba-like by his senior year. Time will tell ...

 

[jordoo]

Dion definitely showed his potential ... if he can improve ball handling and change his form on his jump shot and get his jump shot honed in, he can be very Kemba-like by his senior year. Time will tell ...

Improve his ball handling? I think he has the best handle on the tam. His jumper could use some improvement but he can knock it down when open and it does look a bit better than last year. I can't wait for him to start making his pull up regularly then he will be unstoppable.

 

[DomeStranger]

He does handle the ball well and may have the best handle on the team. I am talking about improving it to the next level, like Kemba did.

 

[pearl31]

It will be interesting to see how the Dion-or-Triche situation plays out. Based on the 2 exhibitions and yesterday's game, it's looking like there's no way JB can keep Dion off the court (excluding, of course, attitude issues).
I did notice, though, that Dion and Triche were in there together yesterday, at least for a little bit - which could work as well, as I think Triche is actually better as the point than the 2.

 

[pearl31]

And - I, too, think Dion has the best handle on the team.

 

[mark79]

It does seem like Dion and BT are getting along better. Saw them talking on the bench together. Nice to see. I think Dion has matured.

 

[mark79]

I've been a cautious Dion fan all along but thought his selfishness hurt us. Always saw the potential though.

 

[pearl31]

Don't think anyone doubted his ability. Just seemed a bit of a head case last year - which seems to have been corrected SO FAR this year...

 

[MyMeloMyMan]

I knew someone on this board would post about him being an NBA player after tonight... this board never fails. Someone should kick up the JSouth to the NBA thread from the scout board last year.

 

[IthacaMatt]

funny how a lot of people jumped on the dion bandwagon where were you all last year? he had like 3 fans last season from this board.

I was one of them. But give Triche credit - he had an awful start to last season, but really was an important player for us in the first half of the Big East schedule. He is a useful player. I don't want to break what's left of his confidence. If JB wants to keep him as the starter (and he winds up getting 15-20 minutes and Dion gets the rest), then I think JB has to start Fair. Fair is going to get us points when he's out there. Christmas may, but Fair opens things up more for the inside guys.

 

[OttoMets]

funny how a lot of people jumped on the dion bandwagon where were you all last year? he had like 3 fans last season from this board.

Ugh. No one's jumping on any bandwagons. Dion wasn't very good last year. Yesterday he showed improvement and he's getting praised. That's all.

 

[mark79]

yup. he has improved thus far from last year and therefore he deserves the credit. Obviously he needs to keep up the intensity on defense. if he does he will get and deserve a lot of time.

 

[DomeStranger]

I don't know about keeping Brandon as a starter to protect his confidence, if he's really got those kind of confidence issues then this level of competition just isn't going to work out.

However, I don't have a problem with him starting though. Maybe it's a good idea for JB to see which Brandon showed up to play right off the bat. If he starts off like he has been, he'll probably get 10-15 that game. If he starts off making buckets and getting a rhythm going then he'll probably wind up in the 20-30 range.

Nice that JB can have the luxury of playing the hot hand this year.

 

[VaBeachOrFan]

Don't take this as Triche-bashing because every year I've been pulling for him to gain the confidence he needs to succeed, but the Fordham game made me wonder if Dion isn't becoming the player we hoped Triche would be. Waiters is playing defense, is becoming more of a team player, and is meshing within the offense -- plus he can and does score. Meanwhile, is Brandon playing himself out of a job?-VBOF

 

[SaintTristan]

Dion wasn't very good last year.

If you know the game,then last yr you knew Dion was for real. His talent was basically slapping you in the face if you know what talent is.

Dont be too hard on yourself, though. Talent evaluation, in any sport or corporate environment, is a rare gift. Few of us have it and it cant be taught - function of superior breeding.