Kiyan

[PeteCalvin]

Kiyan needs to perfect his "old man" game. He's never going to have a step on someone. I think he knows that. Continue to learn the space.

I think Kiyan should watch old film of Lawrence Moten. Moten was much stronger at Kiyan’s age, and I think that was because of his football background. They are very similar builds, have the same court savvy, and the same skill sets. Moten had more strength to absorb the old BE beatings and the innate body control to finish even after contact. Also, Moten was an old school, more mature player when he stepped on campus. He let the game come to him and used his savvy to exploit matchups. Kiyan has all the tools to play that same game. He just needs more time in the weight room and to mature as a player. He’ll be fine as long as he keeps working and stays focused, and we all know Melo will make sure that happens.

 

[sufan59]

I think Kiyan should watch old film of Lawrence Moten. Moten was much stronger at Kiyan’s age, and I think that was because of his football background. They are very similar builds, have the same court savvy, and the same skill sets. Moten had more strength to absorb the old BE beatings and the innate body control to finish even after contact. Also, Moten was an old school, more mature player when he stepped on campus. He let the game come to him and used his savvy to exploit matchups. Kiyan has all the tools to play that same game. He just needs more time in the weight room and to mature as a player. He’ll be fine as long as he keeps working and stays focused, and we all know Melo will make sure that happens.

Kiyan has a rhythm to his game that reminds me of Kadary Richmond if he was a shooting guard. Hopefully with a better 3 point shooting percentage long term and Kiyan can be close to the defender Kadary was.

 

[Cuse12]

He’s 18 years old. He has great instincts, he just needs time like most every player does. This off season is HUGE for his physical development, that’s when everything will change IMO. When he can be even more physical to the attack when driving or bumping into his defender.

 

[Capt. Tuttle]

Just like football, it’s very difficult to become quicker or faster. But lateral quickness can be improved more than straight line quickness by various drills, how you center your weight, footwork, etc. JJ was always quick, but had poor technique on defense. I would say he approved his lateral quickness, or at least his ability to defend in the last few years. Hopefully Kiyan can become a serviceable defender.

There is a whole industry that gets athletes quicker and faster

 

[Lame-0]

I disagree with those who are saying Kiyan needs to get quicker, He is probably our second best player (after Starling) at being able to dribble and get around his man. He gets to the rim with regularity. He is quick enough. Definitely needs to get stronger and more consistent.

I think people see him on D and think he isnt quick enough, but I think that is more an issue of strength to fight around screens and experience to know whether to go high or low around screens.

I also think there's an effort issue when it comes to defense.

 

[Owens guy]

I could care less if Kiyan’s jersey is untucked.

Our script jerseys look great untucked. It brings me back to the days of Stevie Thompson, DC, Billy Owens, McNasty, and David Johnson. Those guys had their jerseys untucked a lot and they were pretty damn good.

 

[Irt4su]

I could care less if Kiyan’s jersey is untucked.

Our script jerseys look great untucked. It brings me back to the days of Stevie Thompson, DC, Billy Owens, McNasty, and David Johnson. Those guys had their jerseys untucked a lot and they were pretty damn good.

And their shorts were so short they looked like mini skirts on stevie

 

[im4cuse]

Kiyan needs to perfect his "old man" game. He's never going to have a step on someone. I think he knows that. Continue to learn the space.

Tyler Ennis wasn’t quick like Flynn but he was crafty at getting into the paint and making things happen. Kiyan needs strength and a tighter lower handle.

 

[grepal]

I also think there's an effort issue when it comes to defense.

I see it as moreover an experience and strength issue. He will learn from this year and he will embrace the grind

 

[bballbeadle]

Let’s just hope he comes back next year.

 

[Fat tire 13]

I believe he should be involved. Just like other donors are currently involved in picking the coach and the chancellor. Carmelo is incredibly intelligent, and I see him with a seat on the BOD in the future. We need all of our Melo's in this new money world. But he is Syracuse royalty also.

Agree here

Some posters argue that we should move completely towards a clean slate. However, I’ve seen zero evidence that Melo has interfered in any way that’s negative for the program. Sure, he’s come to the same conclusion as everyone else (Red needs to go). The story about making Kiyan earning back his playing time tells me he can be objective.

The best outcome here is Kiyan stays for 3-4 years, and Melo remains involved (financially and brand awareness.)

 

[OttoinGrotto]

I believe he should be involved. Just like other donors are currently involved in picking the coach and the chancellor. Carmelo is incredibly intelligent, and I see him with a seat on the BOD in the future. We need all of our Melo's in this new money world. But he is Syracuse royalty also.

Perfectly said.

 

[Capt. Tuttle]

I could care less if Kiyan’s jersey is untucked.

Why do you care at all if the jersey is untucked?

 

[Goin' Deep]

Having watched his Dad play for several years and now having his Dad work with him, Kiyan knows the game. I remember reading of Kiyan's ability as a junior and his abilities were thought to be so/so. Then as a senior he more than held his own in the AAU tourneys...going from outside the top 100 to top 60 recruit.
As a college freshman and playing in the ACC, he still KNOWS the game but the level of play shows Kiyan needs to get both stronger and quicker. He and Sadiq both need to improve. Looking at Donnie Greene, I'm not convinced this staff can markedly improve players with considerable talent.

 

[NJCuse97]

I think Kiyan should watch old film of Lawrence Moten. Moten was much stronger at Kiyan’s age, and I think that was because of his football background. They are very similar builds, have the same court savvy, and the same skill sets. Moten had more strength to absorb the old BE beatings and the innate body control to finish even after contact. Also, Moten was an old school, more mature player when he stepped on campus. He let the game come to him and used his savvy to exploit matchups. Kiyan has all the tools to play that same game. He just needs more time in the weight room and to mature as a player. He’ll be fine as long as he keeps working and stays focused, and we all know Melo will make sure that happens.

This. I came to say the same thing. I see a lot of Mo's game in Kiyan. Mo was not considered fast, quick, or a good defender, but he was a leader, the clutch shot taker, and an all-time great scorer. He was smooth, and new where to be on the floor. Kiyan can learn a bunch watching Mo's game (or nothing because in all honesty, I would lose track of him and think he had a bad game and then look at the stat sheet and see he had a 25 pt double double).

 

[Owens guy]

Why do you care at all if the jersey is untucked?

Because several posters have pointed out that Kiyan often untucks his jersey and is told by the referees repeatedly to tuck it back in.

I don’t care if his jersey is untucked. I’m more concerned about his play.

 

[Cuse_NYC]

Hear me out. The “Anthony” name alone garners so much attention from everyone. His freshman year honestly kind of went how I expected. Very few freshman can come in and really have an impact. He did have some good moments. Problem is, his foot speed just isn’t there, and I’m not sure you can improve it much. The worry I have is him not deserving much more time his sophomore year, and a new coach having to worry about playing him because of the name. I assume both Melo and Kiyan thought Kiyan would be a starter come year 2. IMO, with a tournament roster/coach next yr, I’m not sure how much more involved Kiyan should be. I hate to say it, but he may need another year of limited minutes, and then hopefully being ready year 3. However, no one is really willing to trust the process anymore… You can go look back, I have always been a big Kiyan fan, so this absolutely is no hate towards him. I just worry that a new coach will be put in a tough spot, that’s all. And at the end of the day, Melo is a dad, and we saw him sort of get involved once already with the instagram comment. Maybe finding a new home at a slightly lesser program would be best for everyone. Heck, he could always come back!

 

[Newhouser]

Hear me out. The “Anthony” name alone garners so much attention from everyone. His freshman year honestly kind of went how I expected. Very few freshman can come in and really have an impact. He did have some good moments. Problem is, his foot speed just isn’t there, and I’m not sure you can improve it much. The worry I have is him not deserving much more time his sophomore year, and a new coach having to worry about playing him because of the name. I assume both Melo and Kiyan thought Kiyan would be a starter come year 2. IMO, with a tournament roster/coach next yr, I’m not sure how much more involved Kiyan should be. I hate to say it, but he may need another year of limited minutes, and then hopefully being ready year 3. However, no one is really willing to trust the process anymore… You can go look back, I have always been a big Kiyan fan, so this absolutely is no hate towards him. I just worry that a new coach will be put in a tough spot, that’s all. And at the end of the day, Melo is a dad, and we saw him sort of get involved once already with the instagram comment. Maybe finding a new home at a slightly lesser program would be best for everyone. Heck, he could always come back!

Yeah I guess I am not looking forward to a team next year that has Kiyan assuming the JJ role. Hopefully that is not the plan.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

Yeah I guess I am not looking forward to a team next year that has Kiyan assuming the JJ role. Hopefully that is not the plan.

Granted it wasn't against tougher teams, but Kiyan looked great as an early season starter.

Kiyan is going to improve. He's gotten as good as he is because he's used the resources available to him. He's going to continue to do that. And he'll likely make a conditioning leap. He's never going to be confused for some of our defensive impact guards like Triche or Richmond or Hart, but he will get better.

 

[dollarbill44]

Let’s just hope he comes back next year.

It would be nice. I wouldnt be surprised if the only guy back next year is Lobdell.

 

[MikeSU02]

Hear me out. The “Anthony” name alone garners so much attention from everyone. His freshman year honestly kind of went how I expected. Very few freshman can come in and really have an impact. He did have some good moments. Problem is, his foot speed just isn’t there, and I’m not sure you can improve it much. The worry I have is him not deserving much more time his sophomore year, and a new coach having to worry about playing him because of the name. I assume both Melo and Kiyan thought Kiyan would be a starter come year 2. IMO, with a tournament roster/coach next yr, I’m not sure how much more involved Kiyan should be. I hate to say it, but he may need another year of limited minutes, and then hopefully being ready year 3. However, no one is really willing to trust the process anymore… You can go look back, I have always been a big Kiyan fan, so this absolutely is no hate towards him. I just worry that a new coach will be put in a tough spot, that’s all. And at the end of the day, Melo is a dad, and we saw him sort of get involved once already with the instagram comment. Maybe finding a new home at a slightly lesser program would be best for everyone. Heck, he could always come back!

I think Kiyan can mitigate his natural lack of athleticism (for a D1 athlete that is) and foot speed, etc, and become a very good player with a few changes:

1) He needs to play within a legitimate offensive system and take coaching
2) He needs to work on his body big time. He is not in good enough shape for his size right now. He needs to live in the gym in the off season.
3) He needs to at least become serviceable on defense

He has a pretty diverse bag on offense for a freshman. He can get buckets. But right now he doesn't even try on defense and he has tunnel vision on offense. He is disastrously inefficient as well.

 

[IthacaMatt]

I disagree with those who are saying Kiyan needs to get quicker, He is probably our second best player (after Starling) at being able to dribble and get around his man. He gets to the rim with regularity. He is quick enough. Definitely needs to get stronger and more consistent.

I think people see him on D and think he isnt quick enough, but I think that is more an issue of strength to fight around screens and experience to know whether to go high or low around screens.

Not sure what you’ve been watching, but once we hit the ACC portion of the schedule, Kiyan would get the ball stripped or get the foul call nearly every time he drove the lane.

 

[IthacaMatt]

I think Kiyan should watch old film of Lawrence Moten. Moten was much stronger at Kiyan’s age, and I think that was because of his football background. They are very similar builds, have the same court savvy, and the same skill sets. Moten had more strength to absorb the old BE beatings and the innate body control to finish even after contact. Also, Moten was an old school, more mature player when he stepped on campus. He let the game come to him and used his savvy to exploit matchups. Kiyan has all the tools to play that same game. He just needs more time in the weight room and to mature as a player. He’ll be fine as long as he keeps working and stays focused, and we all know Melo will make sure that happens.

Great post.

 

[Cuse_NYC]

Granted it wasn't against tougher teams, but Kiyan looked great as an early season starter.

Kiyan is going to improve. He's gotten as good as he is because he's used the resources available to him. He's going to continue to do that. And he'll likely make a conditioning leap. He's never going to be confused for some of our defensive impact guards like Triche or Richmond or Hart, but he will get better.

But will it happen over this summer/early portion of next season?

 

[Cuse_NYC]

I think Kiyan can mitigate his natural lack of athleticism (for a D1 athlete that is) and foot speed, etc, and become a very good player with a few changes:

1) He needs to play within a legitimate offensive system and take coaching
2) He needs to work on his body big time. He is not in good enough shape for his size right now. He needs to live in the gym in the off season.
3) He needs to at least become serviceable on defense

He has a pretty diverse bag on offense for a freshman. He can get buckets. But right now he doesn't even try on defense and he has tunnel vision on offense. He is disastrously inefficient as well.

Agree, he needs to put on a ton of weight. Even on offense, the weird like low gather dribbling and sloppy turnovers need to be fixed.