Not to beat a dead horse but..

[NineOneSeven]

James Southerland is the most athletically gifted player on this team.

Man, every syracuse fan out there wishes he gets the confidence to put it all together.

When he does, he has the ability, no question. ND home game last year? Did it all.

 

[DomeStranger]

He's a very unique athlete for sure. He can jump out of the gym and has a smooth shooting stroke but he runs like he's running backward. He seems to lack some coordination that makes him a bit "stiff". I like his potential and think he's a great kid and would love to see him dominate but I think it's a stretch to say he's the most athletic player on the team.

 

[EastCoast2]

I wonder what NBA scouts think of him. 6'8, jumps out of the gym and if he catches fire then it's game over. But can he make his own shot?

 

[RF2044]

I wonder what NBA scouts think of him. 6'8, jumps out of the gym and if he catches fire then it's game over. But can he make his own shot?

Is he a 3 or a 4? Can he rebound? Does he possess any back to the basket game? Can he put the ball on the floor? He'll need to answer all of those questions to have a legitimate shot at the NBA.

Love Southerland's potential--hope he actualizes it.

 

[jekelish]

Is he a 3 or a 4? Can he rebound? Does he possess any back to the basket game? Can he put the ball on the floor? He'll need to answer all of those questions to have a legitimate shot at the NBA.

Love Southerland's potential--hope he actualizes it.

My hope for him has always to be a more athletic Demetris Nichols, and D-Nic faced all of these exact same questions. Let's hope Dirty can put it together the same way Demetris did his senior year.

 

[Syracuse1957]

He's a very unique athlete for sure. He can jump out of the gym and has a smooth shooting stroke but he runs like he's running backward. He seems to lack some coordination that makes him a bit "stiff". I like his potential and think he's a great kid and would love to see him dominate but I think it's a stretch to say he's the most athletic player on the team.

"...like he's running backward"... That's a terrific description of Southerland's movement--- there definitely is something awkward about the way he runs... Hard to make sense of why this is so, given his other talents...

 

[jordoo]

NBA scouts don't think of him!

He is very athletic but as some one mentioned there is something a tad off in his coordination. Nothing serious but just a bit.

Look at Carmelo and ask yourself how many forwards we have had that could jump higher, run fast and generally look much more athletic. Sheet Hak was more athletic than Melo from a straight athletic standpoint. But then ask yourself what SU forward ever looked more coordinated than Melo? Not many if any. Coordination and understanding how to use the athletic talent you have is huge in bball. Melo is not in the top half of NBA forwards on a purely course athletic ability level. But his fine athletic ability is off the charts and his skill level is tops in the world for his position. Fine athletic ability is under rated and much more important than genral athletic measurables.