Honest question about Coleman

[cuseincincy]

Why hasn't he played at least a little more. Far be from me with 917 fewer victories than HOFJB but I really think there were times he could have helped recently. The announcers last night said JB told them that DC was "far and away our best offensive center." I understand he struggles some on defense, maybe even alot. But as much problem as this team had scoring in several games isn't a little bit more offense an option to try? I also understand the competition was less than stellar but 6'9" 288 is still 6'9" 288 and should be able to get you a few minutes change of pace if your struggling. Oh well, glad to see him get some time last night. His future is limitless once he figures out the post rotations on defense.

 

[HarrisonJBounel]

Saying that he is our best offensive center isn't saying much. JB probably said that to keep him built up and not to dis him. Even last night against essentially D2 competition, he looked very nervous with the ball. Sure he got a couple easy ones, but they were not of his doing. He should not be taking fallaways over any competition, much less smaller, weaker competition who are already in foul trouble.

That being said, I thought Rak played a very good game on both ends of the floor. But take it with a grain of salt - Montana is essentially a D2 team.

 

[CorduroyG]

assuming cal is a much more competetive game i dont think we'll see DC2

 

[Orangemen]

DC had a nice offensive showing, but let's not go overboard.

Montana has a small front line, yet there was still 4 or 5 times where he went up and got stuffed, or went up and got stripped.

Against a good front line, he probably has no more than 6 pts last night.

The guys got a ton of potential, but right now his offensive game has a lot of Paul Harris in it (the getting stuffed part, not the rim shaking dunks part).

 

[Shermthegeneral]

He struggles with guys shorter than he is at times and isn't very good in the zone yet

 

[OrangeJEM]

I think Boeheim is hiding him honestly. He might be a defensive liability, but some of those post moves were NBA caliber moves, like the spin move and the step through. If he learned to finish this year, he would have been gone after this tournament.

 

[sandman525]

I also see a lot of offensive potential in DC2, but as others have mentioned, for a guy his size he gets stuffed way too often. And I think some people are underestimating just how bad his defense is at times. He is frequently out of position in the zone and picks up too many fouls as a result. He will be a force, just not this season.

 

[realorange]

DC had a nice offensive showing, but let's not go overboard.

Montana has a small front line, yet there was still 4 or 5 times where he went up and got stuffed, or went up and got stripped.

Against a good front line, he probably has no more than 6 pts last night.

The guys got a ton of potential, but right now his offensive game has a lot of Paul Harris in it (the getting stuffed part, not the rim shaking dunks part).

And he would give up more than 6 pts on the defensive end. Plus, as the announcers pointed out, Syracuse zone depends a lot on the center understanding the zone and talking to the other players.

 

[anomander]

I thought this was easily the best he looked all year . Even in the non conference he was automatically dropping his shoulder to the right with a low dribble, last night it was like a new man. He caught the ball, got composed, and went to both directions showing a variety of moves . DC is going to be more then fine next year. I am predicting a Fab improvement right now. He plays with an intensity nobody on this current team has. It is also said he has the best work ethic on the team so I expect further improvements from now jntil then.
However as everyone knows his offense isn't the problem. He was absolutely putrid in the zone. I can see him in the 6 man roll coming in for Rak as an energy/scoring guy. I guess he could start , but then either he or rak would be out of position. This is assuming rak returns , which is no give in. Anyways I really hope DC puts as much work in learning the ins and outs of the zone so he can actually stay on the floor. JB has shown over the years he wants a center who is a defensive presence first and foremost

 

[Fly Rodder]

If nothing else, I'm just glad he was able to get into the game for a half+. That's valuable experience and helps to shake off some of the rust from his recovery ... especially if Baye and Rak get into serious foul trouble in the next few games. 3-4 minutes from Coleman can keep those guys in the game longer.

 

[Sgt Cuse]

It's great to see DC2 get time. The future looks bright with him. No hesitation with the knee and the kid is still a beast.

I, too, would have liked to see him get minutes. I have thought 4-5 minutes in the first half. DC2 brings a different skill set and could present problems to opponents. Also, 4-5 first half minutes should take away any late game foul problems with the bigs. Then at crunch time JB would have his choice of big he wanted. The knee injury and losing the token start hurt.

But at least we got to see him! There is an earlier pregame thread stating we saw the last of DC2 - that was premature. Hope we get to see him again in a non-emergency situation, but that is a long shot.

 

[shermstheman]

I have no arguments with Coleman's use...or lack thereof. He has not been great offensively- getting shots blocked, making mistakes and on defense he has not helped. Lots of potential, yes and I liked last night (though that was not a fair test) but JB isn't going to play him much or at all. I do love that enthusiasm though and know he'll be a favorite next year.

 

[Timonen]

i'm sure i'm overthinking, but i like that it gives Cal something completely different that they need to prep for. i'd like to think that went into the strategy of extended minutes.

 

[44cuse]

I think Boeheim is hiding him honestly. He might be a defensive liability, but some of those post moves were NBA caliber moves, like the spin move and the step through. If he learned to finish this year, he would have been gone after this tournament.

I don't know if he's hiding him, but you're dead on right. There are signs if NBA caliber post moves in there. No doubt. He needs to learn how to finish.

44cuse

 

[OttoMets]

DC had a nice offensive showing, but let's not go overboard.

Montana has a small front line, yet there was still 4 or 5 times where he went up and got stuffed, or went up and got stripped.

Against a good front line, he probably has no more than 6 pts last night.

The guys got a ton of potential, but right now his offensive game has a lot of Paul Harris in it (the getting stuffed part, not the rim shaking dunks part).

Good post.

Thrilled that he got time, thrilled that he produced. Coleman deserves to see some tangible good coming from his hard work.

But he did get stuffed by short guys a couple times and nearly missed the first dunk.

It's a step in the right direction, no doubt, but probably not an indication that we can rely on him against peer teams.

 

[br801]

Why hasn't he played at least a little more.

For the same reasons MCW didn't see time in the NCAAT last season. He's seen little time in high leverage situations and JB has more experienced options available. DC2's time will come.

 

[VaBeachOrFan]

Rak looked energized, DC grabbed his opportunity with both hands, and Baye got a lot of rest for the Cal game...what's not to like about last night?-VBOF

 

[HoustonCuse]

I don't think we need to start flinging turds around about how DC is now a beast and should have been playing all along. He looked really good last night because he was playing the same exact type of players he was dominating in HS. It is encouraging that he looked more patient and composed last night but he was a Mack truck compared to those guys and they had less than zero interest in getting points in the paint. He should do well next year but I doubt we see him the rest of the way this year.

 

[OrangeAl]

I guess he could start , but then either he or rak would be out of position. This is assuming rak returns , which is no give in.

I'm puzzled. Where do you think Rak is going? Back to high school?

 

[anomander]

I'm puzzled. Where do you think Rak is going? Back to high school?

plenty of places in the world you can get paid to play basketball if you are an athletic 6'9 man with a trace of skill

 

[TinyManInside]

I thought last night was the first game all year where he showed the requisite quickness and footspeed to be an effective offensive player. His judgment is still iffy at best, but you really have to like how aggressive he was. He's still not a great leaper but he was getting off the floor a lot faster last night than he did at any other point during the season. Maybe his knee issue was a lot more serious than anyone let on...

 

[Sgt Cuse]

As mentioned above DC2's role this year is similar to MCWs last year. But DC2 was lucky enough to be part of the blowout tourney win. DC2 has no role at crunch time this year. Odds are we won't be seeing that again. At least the fans got a taste of what lies ahead.

Hard to imagine DC2 being anything but a fan favorite for a couple more years. This year he is paying his dues. And he is doing it quite admirably. He is relishing his opportunities and is showing to be a consumate team player.

Because of his unique circumstances - local kid exposed to all the SU hype- I envision him staying four years. If that happens his era (not just games he played in) could rival the best of any.