Red opens up about new Syracuse players:

[orangefog]

You're right -- what do I know about basketball?

I'm hopeless!

It's the one with the orange ball, remember?

 

[Orangezoo]

A fluff piece? I hate when people say this. Reporters aren’t critics or opinion columnists. Mike Waters did an interview with Autry where Red said he wants to play faster, improve our defense and our block and steal numbers and get out in transition like the best Cuse teams of old. And Mike went through the numbers in KenPom and elsewhere and showed how bad the team was last season at generating steals and blocks and transition points, compared to our history, showed the numbers for last year and some of the better years, and then compared that to how Red says he wants to play. Everyone is a gd media critic. I agree that Red is a poor communicator and fails to clearly articulate his vision (though at least here he kind of did that), but Mike isn’t writing a fluff piece.

Easy now I wasn’t criticizing Donna at all. It was purely to point out what Red spoke to and thought that was more than clear. The fluff piece is referring to the fact she didn’t have much to work with and that’s not on her.

 

[Orangezoo]

Oh no... I'm hopelessly vague!

It doesn't matter what I, you, or anybody else thinks the identity should be. Misdirection, that is completely irrelevant. I am at a complete loss as to why you think that would have any applicability whatsoever to what Red will do, or should implement. Or why it is necessary for me to articulate what style of play I would prefer to see the program employ.

What I DO know is that throwing shiz at the wall and hoping something sticks isn't a structured way to build a program. And that is why we've had difficulty building toward anything under this new head coach. HE is the one being vague. Perhaps Kline will help them hone-in on what they are looking for. And perhaps this new batch of players will align with whatever strategy Red [not me] is struggling to articulate.

What I also know is that consistent, top programs [and I'm not just talking about the elite handful of top programs] have a core concept -- i.e., an identity -- and they systematically structure their team around that concept. Here are a couple of examples, and not just of the obvious teams atop the top 10.

Purdue likes really tall pivots and values experienced players. Hence, they don't go out and chase top 20 caliber recruits -- they go after system fits that won't leave early, that they develop in their system, and in recent years many of those players have been all-american caliber guys, despite not being elite recruits.

Marquette plays fast, and uses pressure defense to get out in transition. Smart recruits guys who are very athletic, get after it defensively, and have versatility to push the ball upcourt when they generate turnovers.

Michigan State utilizes relentless rebounding and hitch up your shorts defense to slow games down and wear teams down over the course of the game.

Notre Dame under Brey valued shooters, and redshirted a LOT of young players. Net result over much of the last 1/3 of his time there was that ND was a top 20 program, with experienced 4th / 5th year guys who offset playing against more athletic, higher rated recruits from other programs by being more experienced.

Leonard Hamilton used to recruit guys who fit the relentless pressing defensive style he employed. That was more important to him than offensive skill.

Boeheim recruited length for the zone, and loved structuring the offense around versatile forwards.

You know what kind of teams AREN'T successful? The ones who don't try to build around an identity, and don't structure their personnel around the style of play they wish to employ.

That's not to imply that even for the coaches who DO have a strong core identity, every season is going to be outstanding. Sometimes, the personnel just isn't optimized. Most teams also have cyclical ups and downs. And some coaches don't have the chops to sustain success at the P4 level, despite not being "bad" coaches.

But the notion that having an identity around which the team is built around is just some talking point is unadulterated bunk.

What I want in terms of style of play is irrelevant. What I really want is for Red to pick a lane, and build something sustainable.

We’ve heard Red over the first two years refer to UConn, Baylor and Houston as examples of programs to model certain facets of the team after. Then again references to teams like NC state and others as it pertains to the decision going after Eddie.

That’s way too much bouncing around when pointing to examples of success when trying to then speak to his program creating an identity. Now we see the efforts this off season in looking at NBA film with all the new guys being brought in in terms of the type of athletes they want to get up and down and defend. I hope that whatever it is that they are envisioning with the most recent efforts and comments around NBA body and role types becomes the plan and they run with it. Otherwise it’s just more confusion meshing all this together and all that over just a couple of years.

 

[RedtheGOB]

After reading alot of the comments most of which I agree with. The overarching theme is that history is always written by the victors. If Autry wins big with the Orange Standard then we’ll be talking about it in a positive light. If Autry flounders this year and gets canned then it’s safe to assume that the Orange Standard will be used as a lesson in what not to do.

The same could be said of DART. Before we even get to a very important hoops season we gotta get through a sophomore Fran Brown season and he’s made a lot of enemies out there that can’t wait to tell him and us all that DART and his rookie year were a fluke. The schedule is hellish.

 

[Orangezoo]

After reading alot of the comments most of which I agree with. The overarching theme is that history is always written by the victors. If Autry wins big with the Orange Standard then we’ll be talking about it in a positive light. If Autry flounders this year and gets canned then it’s safe to assume that the Orange Standard will be used as a lesson in what not to do.

The same could be said of DART. Before we even get to a very important hoops season we gotta get through a sophomore Fran Brown season and he’s made a lot of enemies out there that can’t wait to tell him and us all that DART and his rookie year were a fluke. The schedule is hellish.

On more of a tangent …while we certainly have bias on this forum, there is an important reality in that it’s important for SU basketball to matter in the cbb landscape for the benefit the ACC and hoops overall.

While it may be closer to the end of cbb being about playing for the school vs the contract money, what carries the true meaning of cbb in terms of schools, communities and fans is the branding. When too many the brands that built and defined the sport struggle, you see what happens. The SEC money machine takes over and the game as a national sport takes a step backwards.

The ACC brands need to re emerge to balance things out and bring back some of that school pride. The portal has eternally changed the game and that element of it ,yet, there is some opportunity to reduce the impact even if it never can be what it once was.

What Red is able to accomplish is thus bigger than just SU given the state of the sport right now. I still think it’s all slowly circling the drain as a sport but hopefully there is some life left to be captured before that point or even enough to pause it for a bit.

 

[tptcuse]

After reading alot of the comments most of which I agree with. The overarching theme is that history is always written by the victors. If Autry wins big with the Orange Standard then we’ll be talking about it in a positive light. If Autry flounders this year and gets canned then it’s safe to assume that the Orange Standard will be used as a lesson in what not to do.

The same could be said of DART. Before we even get to a very important hoops season we gotta get through a sophomore Fran Brown season and he’s made a lot of enemies out there that can’t wait to tell him and us all that DART and his rookie year were a fluke. The schedule is hellish.

Fran Brown has made a lot of enemies?

 

[RedtheGOB]

Fran Brown has made a lot of enemies?

He is taking 4 star recruits that literally go to HS school a block away from Miami. Not to mention that guys he took out of Texas and the rest of the NorthEast. Yea trust me when I say there are some powerful people at programs that were quite happy with Syracuse skunking it up for 20 years.

Think about how stupid a coach looks when a recruit in their backyard down South is like well I’m gonna go take a recruiting visit to CNY to meet with Fran instead of walk down the straight for a visit.

 

[RedtheGOB]

On more of a tangent …while we certainly have bias on this forum, there is an important reality in that it’s important for SU basketball to matter in the cbb landscape for the benefit the ACC and hoops overall.

While it may be closer to the end of cbb being about playing for the school vs the contract money, what carries the true meaning of cbb in terms of schools, communities and fans is the branding. When too many the brands that built and defined the sport struggle, you see what happens. The SEC money machine takes over and the game as a national sport takes a step backwards.

The ACC brands need to re emerge to balance things out and bring back some of that school pride. The portal has eternally changed the game and that element of it ,yet, there is some opportunity to reduce the impact even if it never can be what it once was.

What Red is able to accomplish is thus bigger than just SU given the state of the sport right now. I still think it’s all slowly circling the drain as a sport but hopefully there is some life left to be captured before that point or even enough to pause it for a bit.

Well said. Agree with everything you said. It’s like Louisville right now. Do I like them or their new swagger. Hell no but it’s good for the ACC and will be awesome if Cuse can do the same.

 

[Sherman20]

Easy now I wasn’t criticizing Donna at all. It was purely to point out what Red spoke to and thought that was more than clear. The fluff piece is referring to the fact she didn’t have much to work with and that’s not on her.

Ok, I mistook your point. I just hate it when folks on here criticize Mike Waters and Donna Ditota and the PS reporters, who do a great job despite diminishing resources. And my fault, it was Donna that wrote that article, not Mike. Omg, I’m a hot mess today.

 

[OrangeXtreme]

 

[Orangezoo]

Ok, I mistook your point. I just hate it when folks on here criticize Mike Waters and Donna Ditota and the PS reporters, who do a great job despite diminishing resources. And my fault, it was Donna that wrote that article, not Mike. Omg, I’m a hot mess today.

All good sir - Donna and Mike are a blessing to have for our hoops coverage and it’s going to suck when each of them decide to retire.

 

[Orangezoo]

Lock in on defense JJ. Obviously if that shooting is at 40 pct from deep that would be great but we need you to defend your arse off this year.

 

[orangefog]

Lock in on defense JJ. Obviously if that shooting is at 40 pct from deep that would be great but we need you to defend your arse off this year.

Defense is imperative for every single player. We have enough guys on the roster that if someone screws up or even worse, shows little effort, on defense, pull him and get someone else in. Sit his ass down, tell him what he did wrong, coach him up and get him back in when appropriate.

 

[MikeSU02]

Lock in on defense JJ. Obviously if that shooting is at 40 pct from deep that would be great but we need you to defend your arse off this year.

“In high school, I shot above 40 percent from 3,’’ Starling said. “I’m making sure it goes back up to that.’’
** It's high school.

Starling’s shooting workouts are designed to refine his shooting form. Instead of tallying the number of shots taken, he’s focused on taking only quality shots, each one replicating the motion and stroke needed to be a reliable 3-point shooter.
** Career 3PT%: 29.6%

I won't paste any more of the article in since it's paywalled, but JJ has to focus on what he can do (attack lanes and make buckets from like 6' and in; use his ability to work angles when he gets lift attacking the rim), what he should do (be way more choosy in his jump shooting and getting his jump shot FGA numbers down; getting to the FT line and getting that % up) and then, as you note, be effective on D (that is a universal for all players/coaches).

Obviously glad he is working on his jump shot for when he does take it, but I would be shocked if he got to 40% or anywhere near it.

 

[cusefan88]

“In high school, I shot above 40 percent from 3,’’ Starling said. “I’m making sure it goes back up to that.’’
** It's high school.

Starling’s shooting workouts are designed to refine his shooting form. Instead of tallying the number of shots taken, he’s focused on taking only quality shots, each one replicating the motion and stroke needed to be a reliable 3-point shooter.
** Career 3PT%: 29.6%

I won't paste any more of the article in since it's paywalled, but JJ has to focus on what he can do (attack lanes and make buckets from like 6' and in; use his ability to work angles when he gets lift attacking the rim), what he should do (be way more choosy in his jump shooting and getting his jump shot FGA numbers down; getting to the FT line and getting that % up) and then, as you note, be effective on D (that is a universal for all players/coaches).

Obviously glad he is working on his jump shot for when he does take it, but I would be shocked if he got to 40% or anywhere near it.

If JJ shot 34% from 3 it would be a huge win.

 

[orangefog]

“In high school, I shot above 40 percent from 3,’’ Starling said. “I’m making sure it goes back up to that.’’
** It's high school.

Starling’s shooting workouts are designed to refine his shooting form. Instead of tallying the number of shots taken, he’s focused on taking only quality shots, each one replicating the motion and stroke needed to be a reliable 3-point shooter.
** Career 3PT%: 29.6%

I won't paste any more of the article in since it's paywalled, but JJ has to focus on what he can do (attack lanes and make buckets from like 6' and in; use his ability to work angles when he gets lift attacking the rim), what he should do (be way more choosy in his jump shooting and getting his jump shot FGA numbers down; getting to the FT line and getting that % up) and then, as you note, be effective on D (that is a universal for all players/coaches).

Obviously glad he is working on his jump shot for when he does take it, but I would be shocked if he got to 40% or anywhere near it.

I think he SHOULD be working on his shooting stroke. It was nice in high school. Somewhere along the way he developed that hitch. I believe he can fix it and I hope he does. Because, we know he can drive. He also has to use his left hand.

 

[OrangeXtreme]

 

[wiCuse]

If you could have one or the other would you want JJ shooting 40% from 3 or improving his defense next season? I'd take 40% from 3. We'd be very difficult to guard. Plus, his shooting was better before he broke his hand last season.

 

[Cusefan0307]

If you could have one or the other would you want JJ shooting 40% from 3 or improving his defense next season? I'd take 40% from 3. We'd be very difficult to guard. Plus, his shooting was better before he broke his hand last season.

Fans have taken this narrative and run with it despite it not being true. He was shooting 28% from 3 and 67% from the line when he got injured. There was no real difference in his performance before or after the injury. His best stretch during the season was in January when he initially returned.

 

[MSOrange]

If you could have one or the other would you want JJ shooting 40% from 3 or improving his defense next season? I'd take 40% from 3. We'd be very difficult to guard. Plus, his shooting was better before he broke his hand last season.

I'd even take 35% from 3. He hasn't come close to touching that.

 

[Niastri]

If you could have one or the other would you want JJ shooting 40% from 3 or improving his defense next season? I'd take 40% from 3. We'd be very difficult to guard. Plus, his shooting was better before he broke his hand last season.

It depends, does Starling suddenly become Jason Hart? Or are we talking merely a slightly plus defender instead of the slightly negative defender he is now?

I take Starling exactly as he is offensively with Jason Hart’s defense any day.

40% three point shooting would be cool too.

 

[Niastri]

I'd even take 35% from 3. He hasn't come close to touching that.

Starling has a long stretch of ACC play at the end of his sophomore year where over 16 games he shot .363 on 5.7 three point attempts per game. He also shot .579 on twos in that same period, on 7.1 attempts per game.

That a total of 12.8 shots per game, high volume but not insane. He was extremely efficient as well, averaging 15.9 in those 12.8 shots with only 1.9 free throws per game. If we could combine that with his improved passing he exhibited last season, we’ve got an all American type player on offense.

This, combined with an improvement in defense, is my dream for him this season, actually.

 

[Ozone!]

 

[AngryOtto]

 

[OmahaCuse]

Likable guy, he closed the interview well. The school should have someone work with him about saying, um, like, a, you know, um, like. Makes him come across as a poor communicator, and very hard to listen to. JB was sarcastic but came across a lot more confident, even if he had no idea what he was saying. Last point is we are not paying coaches to get better, we need coaches who can win right now, they can get better at Albany, Buffalo etc. This is his chance to have a very good year, hope he does. He should learn from Fran