Kiyan deserves to be the starter

[Capt. Tuttle]

Wouldn’t we rather have Kiyan locked in before teams like Houston? We’re going to need him. We’re going to struggle to score in the half court.

I don’t think anyone has to worry about Kiyan being locked in. He will never want for confidence.

 

[Capt. Tuttle]

Coupling this with the apparent glaring hole at pg2, JJ running the second unit could be a good mesh. His play style against opposing second units defenses may be a really good matchup for us on a lot of nights well.

Red is not going to bench the guy who stuck by him after last year and helped recruit the portal guys. Dion Waiters did okay. John Havelichek did okay. Plus, Kiyan understood his role this year

 

[OrlandoCuse]

Kiyan will push JJ all year, and that’s a good thing for our overall outcome.

 

[Cuse_NYC]

I don’t think anyone has to worry about Kiyan being locked in. He will never want for confidence.

Locked in as a starter

 

[CardiacCuse]

Even when JJ is back. He’s the better player. He’s longer and puts the ball on the floor better than Kingz. And is getting better every time he steps on the floor (even defensively). Nothing against Kingz, but we don’t owe him the starting spot. And no, I’m not just saying this because Kingz isn’t really shooting well.

first 2 games have been awesome

im excited too

but pump the breaks until we see it vs quad 1 teams...

I do agree that kiyan's style of play is what the team needs and the best of the bunch...the team needs a guy like that who can shoot and play all around etc...

but we have to see how it works vs top 25 squads first

IF Kiyan can play like this vs the top tier squads, then yeah, I agree

there's usually a huge difference between 18 and 22 year olds though...esp in strength and durablity etc...

we have to wait and see

 

[23Zone]

Will Red sit Starling when Starling needs to sit? May be the biggest factor determining our ceiling this year.

 

[JustPherU]

Was Melo at the game?

 

[Capt. Tuttle]

Locked in as a starter

Don’t worry. He won’t be. It’s JJ’s spot

 

[Cuse_NYC]

Don’t worry. He won’t be. It’s JJ’s spot

that i know, but I’d like to see kiyan over kingz. Especially the way Autry has been subbing. Rather have Kiyan out there with George as much as possible, when JJ is back.

 

[Jake]

Kiyan looks like a kid that played a lot of pickup games against bigger guys (nba?) during his developmental years.

Let’s see what happens in Vegas…

 

[jdubs30]

Kiyan seems to be more in control and efficient than JJ - I know it’s insane to judge off 2 games vs sub 300 teams …..

Kiyan made some nice passes, but he’s a ball stopper similar to JJ where he looks shot first.

But Kiyan is clearly going to be a very elite scorer very soon.

This will be an interesting situation for Red … JJ is his guy . But Kiyan seems legit and you can’t ignore the blood line. I love Kingz and he has to start … so does George

 

[bballbeadle]

Was Melo at the game?

No.

 

[OHIORANGES]

I’m one of JJ’s biggest defenders, but Kiyan is just so smooth. Moten-esque. I just didn’t think he’d be this good this soon. I thought he’d need more time to adjust. If he can play like this in Vegas, I don’t disagree with what you say about JJ, but I still think he will be key. Kingz is gonna be fine once he gets used to shooting in the Dome. He’s going to be a vital role player and one of our best shooters. I like his grit and ability to do more than shoot. He’s so much more versatile than Chris Bell.

Well who isn’t?

 

[richmondcuse03]

Kiyan looks like a kid that played a lot of pickup games against bigger guys (nba?) during his developmental years.

Let’s see what happens in Vegas…

And worked out against them all too. I don’t see him being scared of bigger competition. He’s way more crafty than a typical freshman is. He’s not going to be the most athletic kid but he’s really sound fundamentally. Does a lot of little things.

I worry a little about his defense when competition steps up. But we will find out soon enough.

 

[Cusefan0307]

I don’t think superior athleticism will bother Kiyan. He scored over 20 against Darryn Petersen in the spring. I always thought he was underrated coming in. He’s very methodical getting to his spots.

 

[atlanticuse]

I worry a little about his defense when competition steps up. But we will find out soon enough.

His control in the first two games - body and general mental/IQ - gives me high hopes.
This is a tune up for college "game speed".
Will he be perfect? No. But look at Boozer - yeah it took him a half, and maybe will take Kiyan 2-3 games.

 

[Irt4su]

I don’t care if he starts or not, just excited for him to contribute and get the run he earns. Pushing players to get better is what we need. JJ didn’t have to look over his shoulders last year.

 

[Jake]

As a coach, you don’t replace a guy due to injury. JJ will start, but he’s not going to be an iron man. This is a hugely positive development for the team. We have an easy decision for Red if JJ doesn’t play well.

At the end of last year, Red was clearly frustrated with JJs decisions when the ball was in his hands in late game situations. You could see it in their interactions.

I was absolutely floored a couple games ago when Matt Park suggested that Red’s plan was to go to JJ in game winning situations. I don’t think that’s the plan. I think
Red will play the hot hand.

 

[JOC44]

Kiyan looks like a kid that played a lot of pickup games against bigger guys (nba?) during his developmental years.

Let’s see what happens in Vegas…

I was saying the same thing to my daughter — Kiyan looks like a guy who’s played against really high competition, like pickup against NBA guys. He’s a different type of player, but he does remind me of Moten as a guy who just looks like he’s ready to go from the very start.

 

[shizzah]

The guy just keeps getting better. Even his highlights didn’t make anyone, or at least me, think he’d be this good. Got better every year and did the same this year. Pretty awesome. EDIT - I watched 30 seconds of one of his HS highlight videos and he did exactly what he’s done the past 2 games.

 

[CuseMan4]

The BEST Cuse teams we’ve had have a strong punch off the bench. The last several years we’d be happy if we got even 10-15 points off the bench. JJ comes back. We’ll have Kiyan, Betsy and Sadiq off the bench. We’d be averaging 20-30 pints off the bench with that. Just because you don’t start doesn’t mean you don’t get starter minutes. If Kiyan doesn’t start he’ll still get plenty of minutes. It makes the opposing team gameplay for our started and then 2-3 guys off the bench. It’s a big advantage.

Think of Waiters when he was here. Or Kris Joseph early in his career, Jerami Grant Freshman year, or CJ Fair early in his career, etc. those were some of our better players and they were coming off the bench. It’s good to have and takes your team to the next level.

 

[Ottoman]

Kiyan has been terrific so far. But let's not get ahead of ourselves - JJ has averaged over 10 pts a game every year since starting for Notre Dame as a freshman.

 

[Surfan06001]

pump the breaks

No