Red opens up about new Syracuse players:

[Niastri]

Big time devolve. Really though The difference between the tourney and no tourney this year is going to by the backcourt not the front court. If Nate George is as advertised we'll be on our way.

George is pretty consistent, we can probably expect incremental improvement, both from additional experience and having better offensive players around him.

In the other hand, I think Freeman determines if we are on the bubble or a 2 seed. I think his 90th percentile performance is essentially Cooper Flagg.

I could easily see Freeman evolving into a guy who gets 20 and 10, with the whole offense running through him.

Or he could be who he was last season, a good player with faults who can help you win, but not carry a top team.

Every other player on the team has projection and risks, but none with the top end potential of Freeman. But last we saw him, he was still in a boot from his broken foot… We have huge bars of projection for Freeman.

 

[McCuse]

We mostly agree. But not having a guy who can get a good shot from the low block is a missing piece on this roster, returning to the original point. Maybe Sadiq will be that guy. Maybe Kyle will be that guy. But somebody has to be able to get a shot up in the low post.

I think our new PG is going to be serving up some beautiful alley oops to some of the tall and athletic dudes down low. Like some on the board have said, we haven't had this type of pure PG since Ennis. He's going to be a huge piece of getting offensive flow going which can help everyone to shine.

 

[Orangezoo]

George is pretty consistent, we can probably expect incremental improvement, both from additional experience and having better offensive players around him.

In the other hand, I think Freeman determines if we are on the bubble or a 2 seed. I think his 90th percentile performance is essentially Cooper Flagg.

I could easily see Freeman evolving into a guy who gets 20 and 10, with the whole offense running through him.

Or he could be who he was last season, a good player with faults who can help you win, but not carry a top team.

Every other player on the team has projection and risks, but none with the top end potential of Freeman. But last we saw him, he was still in a boot from his broken foot… We have huge bars of projection for Freeman.

Freeman absolutely has that ability to be a true star to pair with George but the guy im really intrigued by as well is Kingz. I think he could had a really big year if he takes the next step in his game.

 

[Niastri]

Freeman absolutely has that ability to be a true star to pair with George but the guy im really intrigued by as well is Kingz. I think he could had a really big year if he takes the next step in his game.

I think Kingz just started to really realize what he could do last season. I’m actually not sure I want him doing too much more. He’s in that sweet spot, and scoring 12 ppg on 8 spg is a pretty nice place for him… Maybe take a few more threes every game, if they are in the rhythm of the offense? Sure.

But we don’t want Chris Bell redoux where Kingz starts taking bad shots and missing them because he has a mandate to get hot and carry the team. Ideally, he’s the fourth option, and comfortable in his role as a three point assassin who is selective in his shots.

Part of what screwed up Chris Bell was him trying to prove he could do more than shoot.

Narrator: He couldn’t.

 

[Cusefan0307]

I think Kingz just started to really realize what he could do last season. I’m actually not sure I want him doing too much more. He’s in that sweet spot, and scoring 12 ppg on 8 spg is a pretty nice place for him… Maybe take a few more threes every game, if they are in the rhythm of the offense? Sure.

But we don’t want Chris Bell redoux where Kingz starts talking bad shots and missing them because he has a mandate to get hot and carry the team. Ideally, he’s the fourth option, and comfortable in his role as a three point assassin who is selective in his shots.

Part of what screwed up Chris Bell was him trying to prove he could do more than shoot.

Narrator: He couldn’t.

I think he might be the 2nd or 3rd option. Would not be surprised if he’s better than JJ.

 

[Niastri]

I think he might be the 2nd or 3rd option. Would not be surprised if he’s better than JJ.

I would be mildly surprised if he’s better than Starling. Kingz is a good shooter, and a late bloomer, but mostly a three point shooter who does a little bit else.

I’d be completely flabbergasted if he is an option before Starling.

It constantly amazes me that some of you honestly believe the returning senior starter who scored 18 points per game is going to suddenly be sidelined.

Freeman probably should be our first option, getting him to his ceiling is getting the team to its ceiling. George is going to have the ball in his hands a lot, so I guess you could say he’ll be second option after Freeman…. But then it’s definitely Starling all day, and I’ll bet you Red wakes up some mornings thinking Starling is still our go to guy.

Kingz is a distant 4th.

 

[Cusefan0307]

I would be mildly surprised if he’s better than Starling. Kingz is a good shooter, and a late bloomer, but mostly a three point shooter who does a little bit else.

I’d be completely flabbergasted if he is an option before Starling.

It constantly amazes me that some of you honestly believe the returning senior starter who scored 18 points per game is going to suddenly be sidelined.

Freeman probably should be our first option, getting him to his ceiling is getting the team to its ceiling. George is going to have the ball in his hands a lot, so I guess you could say he’ll be second option after Freeman…. But then it’s definitely Starling all day, and I’ll bet you Red wakes up some mornings thinking Starling is still our go to guy.

Kingz is a distant 4th.

Kingz is not Bell. He shot 57% on 2s on 112 attempts. That’s not “just a guy” who’s a 3 point shooter that does little else.

 

[IthacaMatt]

Big time devolve. Really though The difference between the tourney and no tourney this year is going to by the backcourt not the front court. If Nate George is as advertised we'll be on our way.

I agree. We look pretty solid in the back court, and on the wing.

 

[IthacaMatt]

I think our new PG is going to be serving up some beautiful alley oops to some of the tall and athletic dudes down low. Like some on the board have said, we haven't had this type of pure PG since Ennis. He's going to be a huge piece of getting offensive flow going which can help everyone to shine.

Absolutely. And he's very good throwing the lob. Plus, he even has a former teammate joining him. All good signs.

 

[IthacaMatt]

I would be mildly surprised if he’s better than Starling. Kingz is a good shooter, and a late bloomer, but mostly a three point shooter who does a little bit else.

I’d be completely flabbergasted if he is an option before Starling.

It constantly amazes me that some of you honestly believe the returning senior starter who scored 18 points per game is going to suddenly be sidelined.

Freeman probably should be our first option, getting him to his ceiling is getting the team to its ceiling. George is going to have the ball in his hands a lot, so I guess you could say he’ll be second option after Freeman…. But then it’s definitely Starling all day, and I’ll bet you Red wakes up some mornings thinking Starling is still our go to guy.

Kingz is a distant 4th.

George might elevate Kingz game. I'm expecting / hoping the 3 of them really develop some chemistry, because it looks like the pieces really fit when the 3 of them are going to be on the floor. True PG, Slasher and pure 3 pt shooter.

 

[nocohalo]

Kingz is also very clearly a much wider body than Bell. I have no doubt he's much more capable on the dribble drive than Bell.

 

[Niastri]

Kingz is not Bell. He shot 57% on 2s on 112 attempts. That’s not “just a guy” who’s a 3 point shooter that does little else.

I never said Kingz is a JAG, I think he’s good. I just disapprove of the deprecation of Starling implied by the previous post. Two things to consider… Kingz took a shot every 3.53 minutes of playing time. That’s not a lot for a guy who shot .446 from three and .571 from twos in a season. For reference, Starling took a shot every 2.17 minutes of playing time. Kingz is a very good offensive player, in part because he’s so selective in his shooting. He took the fourth most shots on his team last season. It definitely helps his efficiency.

It wasn’t just him, Oregon State was 335 in shot attempts last season with only 54.3 shots per game. Syracuse, for reference, was 100, with 59.5, and didn’t seem to play particularly fast. I’m actually hoping the tempo gets up to the top 20, with at least 63 shot attempts. Some of those extra shots will be threes from Kingz.

Kingz is also very clearly a much wider body than Bell. I have no doubt he's much more capable on the dribble drive than Bell.

Yes, Kingz is exactly what we hoped Chris Bell would evolve into last season.

Kingz shoots better, rebounds better and can dribble, pass and get to the basket. He’s also a better defender (which isn’t saying much.)

 

[IthacaMatt]

I never said Kingz is a JAG, I think he’s good. I just disapprove of the deprecation of Starling implied by the previous post. Two things to consider… Kingz took a shot every 3.53 minutes of playing time. That’s not a lot for a guy who shot .446 from three and .571 from twos in a season. For reference, Starling took a shot every 2.17 minutes of playing time. Kingz is a very good offensive player, in part because he’s so selective in his shooting. He took the fourth most shots on his team last season. It definitely helps his efficiency.

It wasn’t just him, Oregon State was 335 in shot attempts last season with only 54.3 shots per game. Syracuse, for reference, was 100, with 59.5, and didn’t seem to play particularly fast. I’m actually hoping the tempo gets up to the top 20, with at least 63 shot attempts. Some of those extra shots will be threes from Kingz.

Yes, Kingz is exactly what we hoped Chris Bell would evolve into last season.

Kingz shoots better, rebounds better and can dribble, pass and get to the basket. He’s also a better defender (which isn’t saying much.)

Excellent post. I agree that Kingz seems like a major upgrade on Bell.

 

[OrangeinDC]

My beef with last year's offense was using Eddie as the pick man 25 feet from the basket. He isn't making that shot if you pass it to him. Donnie should have always been the high pick man, and not find himself hanging out on the wings looking for a jumper.

Normally I would agree, but I think Eddie's passing was the reason. He brought a big out with him which opened up the paint and he made some really good passes.

 

[RF2044]

Kingz is not Bell. He shot 57% on 2s on 112 attempts. That’s not “just a guy” who’s a 3 point shooter that does little else.

Agreed. He is also a good ball handler, very effective in transition, and can create shots for himself [and others] off of the bounce. Not a stationary jump shooter at all, like Bell -- closer to Elijah Hughes [not suggesting he'll prove to be as good, but in terms of "type"].

 

[Dick_in_MI]

Normally I would agree, but I think Eddie's passing was the reason. He brought a big out with him which opened up the paint and he made some really good passes.

Agree. He was a good passing big man. One of the best ones we have had, actually. In fact, only the two guards had more assists per game.

Eddie was a guy who was under-appreciated in a way. He wasn't the best defender, no argument, but he gave us 11.5 ppg and 9.6 rpg. On any previous SU team that had a decent supporting cast, we would have been more than happy with that. I mean, Fab gave us 7.8 ppg and 5.8 rpg his last year. DaJuan gave us 5.6 ppg and 4.8 rpg his last year. There are other examples as well.

Eddie would have been remembered fondly had he played for a winner. He didn't have a decent supporting cast, however. Especially when Donnie went down.

 

[Cusefan0307]

I never said Kingz is a JAG, I think he’s good. I just disapprove of the deprecation of Starling implied by the previous post. Two things to consider… Kingz took a shot every 3.53 minutes of playing time. That’s not a lot for a guy who shot .446 from three and .571 from twos in a season. For reference, Starling took a shot every 2.17 minutes of playing time. Kingz is a very good offensive player, in part because he’s so selective in his shooting. He took the fourth most shots on his team last season. It definitely helps his efficiency.

It wasn’t just him, Oregon State was 335 in shot attempts last season with only 54.3 shots per game. Syracuse, for reference, was 100, with 59.5, and didn’t seem to play particularly fast. I’m actually hoping the tempo gets up to the top 20, with at least 63 shot attempts. Some of those extra shots will be threes from Kingz.

Yes, Kingz is exactly what we hoped Chris Bell would evolve into last season.

Kingz shoots better, rebounds better and can dribble, pass and get to the basket. He’s also a better defender (which isn’t saying much.)

JJ needs to shoot less this year. 18 ppg on 16 shot attempts is not that all impressive. Ideally it should be 11 or 12 like his sophomore year here.

 

[RF2044]

Agree. He was a good passing big man. One of the best ones we have had, actually. In fact, only the two guards had more assists per game.

Eddie was a guy who was under-appreciated in a way. He wasn't the best defender, no argument, but he gave us 11.5 ppg and 9.6 rpg. On any previous SU team that had a decent supporting cast, we would have been more than happy with that. I mean, Fab gave us 7.8 ppg and 5.8 rpg his last year. DaJuan gave us 5.6 ppg and 4.8 rpg his last year. There are other examples as well.

Eddie would have been remembered fondly had he played for a winner. He didn't have a decent supporting cast, however. Especially when Donnie went down.

Agree. Eddie was also a kid with an engaging personality, and was "fun" with his demonstrative behavior on the court.

We are a team that perennially gets whipped on the glass, and we didn't last year [which was a welcome change]. It's too bad that the team / coaching stunk overall, because Eddie will not be viewed favorably by the fanbase, for playing on a losing squad. There were lots of things he did really, really well [like rebounding and passing, for a big man].

 

[Orangezoo]

Agree. Eddie was also a kid with an engaging personality, and was "fun" with his demonstrative behavior on the court.

We are a team that perennially gets whipped on the glass, and we didn't last year [which was a welcome change]. It's too bad that the team / coaching stunk overall, because Eddie will not be viewed favorably by the fanbase, for playing on a losing squad. There were lots of things he did really, really well [like rebounding and passing, for a big man].

Not to mention the swagger and attitude is something that we need more of too. There is a limit of course but still need that passion and emotion on the floor.

 

[Niastri]

Agree. He was a good passing big man. One of the best ones we have had, actually. In fact, only the two guards had more assists per game.

Eddie was a guy who was under-appreciated in a way. He wasn't the best defender, no argument, but he gave us 11.5 ppg and 9.6 rpg. On any previous SU team that had a decent supporting cast, we would have been more than happy with that. I mean, Fab gave us 7.8 ppg and 5.8 rpg his last year. DaJuan gave us 5.6 ppg and 4.8 rpg his last year. There are other examples as well.

Eddie would have been remembered fondly had he played for a winner. He didn't have a decent supporting cast, however. Especially when Donnie went down.

Lampkin was great. We can always play the “what if“ game, but imagine a healthy and productive Freeman, McLeod and Westry with Chris Bell from the year before.

That team could have won a lot of games.

 

[IthacaMatt]

Normally I would agree, but I think Eddie's passing was the reason. He brought a big out with him which opened up the paint and he made some really good passes.

I get that, and I agree to an extent. But to me, his best passes were from the low post - those over his head passes to the baseline, or the corner. I just don't think he created as many "basket opportunities" with those passes when he was out by the 3 point line.

 

[djcon57]

Lampkin was great. We can always play the “what if“ game, but imagine a healthy and productive Freeman, McLeod and Westry with Chris Bell from the year before.

That team could have won a lot of games.

A healthy and productive Westry only lives in make believe land. He's never done it for even a year in college basketball. Kamari Lands has a more storied college career than Westry.

 

[Niastri]

A healthy and productive Westry only lives in make believe land. He's never done it for even a year in college basketball. Kamari Lands has a more storied college career than Westry.

Well, that’s the crazy part of the “what if” game; everybody is healthy and effective there!

 

[23Zone]

Don't sleep on Kiyan, Sadiq and Fennell. We legit loaded. So many options

 

[IthacaMatt]

Don't sleep on Kiyan, Sadiq and Fennell. We legit loaded. So many options

He has to play them for them to improve. Don't forget that.