Jon Rothstein Reaction

[Lukeyloo]

You are SO right.

I'd much rather have him say "mediocre" or "will struggle to compete".

Maybe we're interpreting "pretty good" differently. To me it comes off as him him politely saying they're just alright. His team assessments are supposed to get fans excited a la Kaleb Joseph “shooting the blood out of the ball” . It just doesn't come off as a ringing endorsement to me, but thanks for your sarcasm!

 

[OttoinGrotto]

Rothstein's hilarious, but he's correct here. Solid balance and deep team, but missing a go-to guy. I've been pretty certain Donnie's not going to be the alpha bucket-getter. I think it HAS to be JJ. If he steps up and plays like a McD's Junior guard who won't be denied in crunch time, we're all set. Now, I'm not expecting that transformation, but I don't think there's anyone else who's even in the conversation to step up and take over, unless Donnie suddenly put it all together. And if JJ doesn't step up, our last possessions are going inside to Lampkin, which is probably a solid option. We'll win and lose as a team, although there will be a few games where Bell is en fuego and shoots the other team out of it.

If we don't have a clear go to guy, but have an abundance of good players, means our path to winning games is having our second unit beat up the other team's second unit aka the Waiters method. Really make them pay when a starter is off the floor or in foul trouble.

That's where having these experienced guys like Taylor/Carlos/Davis and young upside guys like Moore/Petar on the second unit can make things really interesting.

 

[Niastri]

JJ is gonna be The Man in crunch time.
His drive and pull-up game is lethal.

But that said, tossing it inside to Dry Rub, who can then turn and score, OR pass it out to Bell or another shooter, is a very good option to have also.

The difference this season from last is when we go isolation at the end of a possession, I think we have a chance at the rebound if the isolation player misses. Last year it was Mintz scoring, getting fouled, or a rebound going the other way.

The size difference between last year and this is going to be a lot of fun.

If you are correct and Starling does wind up the guy doing iso at the end of possessions, I hope they have practiced the drive and lob play ad nauseam. We have three guys who can finish that play this year, where last year we had (maybe) one.

 

[Sbucketball]

If we don't have a clear go to guy, but have an abundance of good players, means our path to winning games is having our second unit beat up the other team's second unit aka the Waiters method. Really make them pay when a starter is off the floor or in foul trouble.

That's where having these experienced guys like Taylor/Carlos/Davis and young upside guys like Moore/Petar on the second unit can make things really interesting.

That's a good point. And it's probably what Red meant when he said we have to play a lot of guys to win (paraphrasing). Wear down the other team, the way a team like Florida State wore us down last year. Then down the stretch put the 5 guys on the court who are playing the best that night, and they'll have legs under them.

 

[Bulldog04]

For what it’s worth, I know it was just 1 practice but JJ shot the lights out when I attended. He struggled at the free throw line but I truly think having Q and Judah gone has freed him up to be “the guy” and more comfortable. However I don’t think there’s going to be “the guy” this year. They are so deep and have so many guys that the team element is going to outweigh the go to guy. I also expect a lot of post play when we need a bucket. Either from Eddie or Jyare. They both have incredible down low ability

 

[two3zone]

If we don't have a clear go to guy, but have an abundance of good players, means our path to winning games is having our second unit beat up the other team's second unit aka the Waiters method. Really make them pay when a starter is off the floor or in foul trouble.

That's where having these experienced guys like Taylor/Carlos/Davis and young upside guys like Moore/Petar on the second unit can make things really interesting.

Waiters was the the third pick in the draft and McDonald's AA was planted on the bench.

The guy on the bench would easily be our best guard this year.

 

[Sbucketball]

For what it’s worth, I know it was just 1 practice but JJ shot the lights out when I attended. He struggled at the free throw line but I truly think having Q and Judah gone has freed him up to be “the guy” and more comfortable. However I don’t think there’s going to be “the guy” this year. They are so deep and have so many guys that the team element is going to outweigh the go to guy. I also expect a lot of post play when we need a bucket. Either from Eddie or Jyare. They both have incredible down low ability

Thanks for all the updates. The question that's been on my mind since early Summer: Is Jyare Davis more effective than Donnie at PF at this point in time?

I feel like he is. And to be clear, the staff should start Donnie no matter what for the sake of recruiting, getting NBA caliber players, and because if Donnie doesn't start after losing Maliq that would just be too much to stomach.

 

[jdubs30]

This team is set up well for JJ to be successful. He’s with a pass first PG. The SF is a lights out shooter who you can’t help off of. 2 versatile bigs who can play on the perimeter.

Assuming everyone is healthy, if JJ takes the biggest leap, that’s when our ceiling will be the highest. How good he is will determine what we do this year. If he’s at his best you’re talking a 3 level scorer who’s scoring 20ppg and a 1st team All ACC type of player.

 

[DoctahLexus]

Thanks for all the updates. The question that's been on my mind since early Summer: Is Jyare Davis more effective than Donnie at PF at this point in time?

I feel like he is. And to be clear, the staff should start Donnie no matter what for the sake of recruiting, getting NBA caliber players, and because if Donnie doesn't start after losing Maliq that would just be too much to stomach.

No way in hell he doesn't start. He will be totally fine. Think you are scared from the Benny experience. This guy is a top 10 recruit.

 

[jordoo]

JJ needs to watch tape of guys like Triche and Dion. He’s got great speed on the ball but also has good size where he could play more physically.
Speed up and attack when you need to, be more physical using your size when it’s warranted and look to make a play for others as often as yourself deferring when needed. He doesn’t need 14 shots and high usage to lead the team in scoring or put up good numbers. He just needs to play smart and find his spots when he needs to step up. Also I hope he finds that if he commits and improves defensively he will be doing much more for the team with that and 14-15 ppg than putting up 19 and being too aggressive on just one end.

Add Billy E to that. A master at using his body and change of pace to get where he wanted within his comfort zone.

 

[Niastri]

No way in hell he doesn't start. He will be totally fine. Think you are scared from the Benny experience. This guy is a top 10 recruit.

Williams did have some obvious flaws even from his time in high school. We kind of handwaved those flaws away while dreaming about his measurables, and his ability to hit a three point shot.

Freeman has none of those red flags we have to ignore. Like all freshman, will have to hope his adjustments to the college game are painless and quick, but almost nobody who has seen him play are voicing doubts about whether he belongs.

Williams didn't have that, in spite of all the fan wishcasting.

And that's coming from the biggest Williams fanboy around.

My posts about Williams about this time last year are downright embarrassing in hindsight.

 

[Orangezoo]

Waiters was the the third pick in the draft and McDonald's AA was planted on the bench.

The guy on the bench would easily be our best guard this year.

To be fair he was the best guard on that team too. It was about role and fit too. Triche and Jardine were nice college guards but other than playing hard and doing their jobs they wouldn’t stand out nationally in retrospect outside of our fanbase and maybe other diehard fans of the BE opponents back in the day. Similar with MCW.

JJ has a lot of work to do just to get a G league contract at this point but we are also talking about a team aiming for making the tournament at this point vs a team aiming to win it back then.

 

[General20]

Our go to may be matchup driven. Getting a shooter open, Bell catch, shot fake and pull up or the other options you mentioned. Donnie maybe develop into that role as the year progresses as well and he is no longer really a “freshman”.

This teams ceiling will be constrained by the development of a star or stars and how much they can improve defensively. So even with things to look forward to there are limitations on paper until proven otherwise.

This is it. Rothstein came so close to getting it. I thought overall his report was pretty good. He put 2 and 2 together but then didnt finish with a conclusion of 4.

He mentioned how Lampkin and Freeman are going to cause a lot of match up issues. He didn't mention that Bell will too, and was so much better against smaller defenders last year that every team started guarding him with their PF, something they won't be able to do this year.

He also mentioned that Carlos is going to be super important running the offense and getting people the ball where they need to have it.

What he missed is that this team will have a mismatch in our favor against just about every team they play this year. They don't need a Carmelo Anthony type go-to guy who is going to score even against double teams. Whoever has the mismatch in the moment is going to be the guy who gets the ball, and that will change from game to game and even sometimes within games depending on how the other team guards us.

 

[Orangezoo]

This is it. Rothstein came so close to getting it. I thought overall his report was pretty good. He put 2 and 2 together but then didnt finish with a conclusion of 4.

He mentioned how Lampkin and Freeman are going to cause a lot of match up issues. He didn't mention that Bell will too, and was so much better against smaller defenders last year that every team started guarding him with their PF, something they won't be able to do this year.

He also mentioned that Carlos is going to be super important running the offense and getting people the ball where they need to have it.

What he missed is that this team will have a mismatch in our favor against just about every team they play this year. They don't need a Carmelo Anthony type go-to guy who is going to score even against double teams. Whoever has the mismatch in the moment is going to be the guy who gets the ball, and that will change from game to game and even sometimes within games depending on how the other team guards us.

Right. Davis off the bench will be a mismatch in many cases. He was a small ball 5 now going up mostly against wings/pfs. If Donnie can make the 3 at a good clip as a freshman, he’s not going to be having many guys his size in his face to contest and early on keeping the game simple for him should help. If this group can execute, defend and rebound there is a lot of potential.

 

[two3zone]

This team is set up well for JJ to be successful. He’s with a pass first PG. The SF is a lights out shooter who you can’t help off of. 2 versatile bigs who can play on the perimeter.

Assuming everyone is healthy, if JJ takes the biggest leap, that’s when our ceiling will be the highest. How good he is will determine what we do this year. If he’s at his best you’re talking a 3 level scorer who’s scoring 20ppg and a 1st team All ACC type of player.

The way you're explaining the team it sounds any sg would be successful.

I'm more concerned with JJ's defense to be clear.

 

[two3zone]

Williams did have some obvious flaws even from his time in high school. We kind of handwaved those flaws away while dreaming about his measurables, and his ability to hit a three point shot.

Freeman has none of those red flags we have to ignore. Like all freshman, will have to hope his adjustments to the college game are painless and quick, but almost nobody who has seen him play are voicing doubts about whether he belongs.

Williams didn't have that, in spite of all the fan wishcasting.

And that's coming from the biggest Williams fanboy around.

My posts about Williams about this time last year are downright embarrassing in hindsight.

I'm not included with the "we" nonsense.

 

[General20]

Thanks for all the updates. The question that's been on my mind since early Summer: Is Jyare Davis more effective than Donnie at PF at this point in time?

I feel like he is. And to be clear, the staff should start Donnie no matter what for the sake of recruiting, getting NBA caliber players, and because if Donnie doesn't start after losing Maliq that would just be too much to stomach.

I haven't seen a practice but I'd be pretty shocked if Freeman was better than Davis this early on. Guys with a lot of talent tend to improve quickly but being better than a good 5th year player in October is a tall task for even the best Freshman.

Ill never forget Jonny Flynn struggling like hell against LMoyne then a week or so later scoring 28 points in his first ever D1 game and pretty much never looking back. You never know when that switch will flip. As long as it happens for Freeman by about New Year's I'll be happy.

 

[Niastri]

I'm not included with the "we" nonsense.

 

[DoctahLexus]

I haven't seen a practice but I'd be pretty shocked if Freeman was better than Davis this early on. Guys with a lot of talent tend to improve quickly but being better than a good 5th year player in October is a tall task for even the best Freshman.

Ill never forget Jonny Flynn struggling like hell against LMoyne then a week or so later scoring 28 points in his first ever D1 game and pretty much never looking back. You never know when that switch will flip. As long as it happens for Freeman by about New Year's I'll be happy.

Then you have guys like Tyus Battle and Mintz who look quite good from the jump as freshman. Still think that is more likely with Freeman. Certain aspects of his game should be elite from day 1 and it will only get better from there.

 

[Capt. Tuttle]

My posts about Williams about this time last year are downright embarrassing in hindsight.

We all noticed, but didn’t say anything out of respect

 

[Niastri]

We all noticed, but didn’t say anything out of respect

We'll all be sorry after he's first team all American at Central Florida.

 

[two3zone]

To be fair he was the best guard on that team too. It was about role and fit too. Triche and Jardine were nice college guards but other than playing hard and doing their jobs they wouldn’t stand out nationally in retrospect outside of our fanbase and maybe other diehard fans of the BE opponents back in the day. Similar with MCW.

JJ has a lot of work to do just to get a G league contract at this point but we are also talking about a team aiming for making the tournament at this point vs a team aiming to win it back then.

My point was more of the depth of that teams talent compared to the depth of this team. If your 8th guy isn't much better than your 2nd it's not always a good thing. 2012 good, this year TBD.

The guy everyone seemingly banking on being our best player and leader wouldn't sniff the court for some of our above average teams let alone good teams. If we're going to be good I doubt it's Starling that's even the difference maker, I could see it being easily being any of the 4 starters being better than him.

You guys see Russel Westbrook, I see a Deshaun Williams with a smile and better attitude but even worse defense.

 

[two3zone]

Then you have guys like Tyus Battle and Mintz who look quite good from the jump as freshman. Still think that is more likely with Freeman. Certain aspects of his game should be elite from day 1 and it will only get better from there.

I tend to agree with you but on the other hand, guys his size just seem so unpredictable.

He reminds me of McDaniels a bit that Hop had in Washington, you can see the talent just drip off of them, but sometimes it can take them a bit to get it. I have faith Red will have him ready, but I hope people aren't expecting 20/10, it just isn't the same game it used to be, it would be an amazing task to get there.

 

[Niastri]

Then you have guys like Tyus Battle and Mintz who look quite good from the jump as freshman. Still think that is more likely with Freeman. Certain aspects of his game should be elite from day 1 and it will only get better from there.

What do you think is Freeman's elite skill?

I think of Freeman as one of those players who is good at everything, but not great at anything.

Being"good" at everything sometimes adds up to being a "great" player.

I think he'll be a great scorer by the end of the year, just because he already can do everything. Dribble penetration, posting up, finishing in transition or off the dish, catch and shoot, pick and pop... Freeman's got it all. It will be so hard to stop him, even if they aren't featuring him in the offense.

 

[Orangezoo]

My point was more of the depth of that teams talent compared to the depth of this team. If your 8th guy isn't much better than your 2nd it's not always a good thing. 2012 good, this year TBD.

The guy everyone seemingly banking on being our best player and leader wouldn't sniff the court for some of our above average teams let alone good teams. If we're going to be good I doubt it's Starling that's even the difference maker, I could see it being easily being any of the 4 starters being better than him.

You guys see Russel Westbrook, I see a Deshaun Williams with a smile and better attitude but even worse defense.

Haha I can promise you I don’t see a comparable NBA star in JJ. To me he’s got talent but he’s a ways to go to play up to that and more me he has to improve to even be a G League guy at this point. Which he very well may do. He has real competition talent wise on paper with the current roster until he formally stands out.