Starling had the least efficient season for a starting shooting guard going back to 04-05

[Cusefan0307]

The last player with a total shot % this low was Louie McCroskey in 04-05. He finished at .487. Only McCroskey was worse at .448.

He finished with splits at 40/27/68 overall and 38/25/74 in ACC play.

 

[Fly Rodder]

His game scores (where 10 is an average game) this year total to ... 10.0 ... average. His PER is 15. Average. He has one elite skill and that is being able to beat his guy off the dribble. Unfortunately, that isn't as valuable as people like to think. More so when the rest of the ability is average or below.

Great kid from all accounts, nothing against him as a person, but he's another example of the SU staff trying to put a square peg in a round hole and expecting miracles.

 

[Jasoncuse]

The JJ situation is going to be a tough one. He's local and by all accounts a great kid, talented, athletic and does some things really well. But he's also not really a winning player with his inefficiencies, poor defense and issues as a PG (not a good passer, poor feel, turnovers) or SG (can't shoot). Unless he's your 3rd/4th option, surrounded by shooters and skilled players that play D, I don't think a team can win with him.

So do we push him out? Does he come back and we hope he somehow finds his shot (unlikely) and really cleans up his issues? Is there someone better out there to replace him with? I am of the mindset that this portal season is going to be another disaster, so pushing him out could leave us even more barren.

 

[OttosDad]

The last player with a total shot % this low was Louie McCroskey in 04-05. He finished at .487. Only McCroskey was worse at .448.

He finished with splits at 40/27/68 overall and 38/25/74 in ACC play.

Really, really hope Red moves on from him this offseason.

Given Red’s affinity for him I kind of expect him back but who knows

 

[upperdeck]

He is getting the other teams best defender to beat. If you had a pt guard that teams had to defend his skill set plays better and we get to see more 10ft and in stuff.
Of course he could not shoot at all and his stats would play better and we could just stand around and let the shot clock run out

 

[Millhouse]

He is getting the other teams best defender to beat. If you had a pt guard that teams had to defend his skill set plays better and we get to see more 10ft and in stuff.
Of course he could not shoot at all and his stats would play better and we could just stand around and let the shot clock run out

The last sentence is crazy talk
Why in the world do you think no one else could miss a shot as well as him

 

[Grbac]

He had a complete green light all season. Sometimes it worked and he came in clutch. Sometimes he missed layups and couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn.

Overall he was probably the only guy that could create his own shots. So by default he had to have the green light.

Would probably hopefully be much more efficient on a more talented team with other scorers.

 

[Cusefan0307]

He had a complete green light all season. Sometimes it worked and he came in clutch. Sometimes he missed layups and couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn.

Overall he was probably the only guy that could create his own shots. So by default he had to have the green light.

Would probably hopefully be much more efficient on a more talented team with other scorers.

In the last 6 weeks when our offense was 30th in efficiency in the entire country he shot 34% and 25% from 3. When we started to play better he played worse. The SMU and VT games specifically were choked away by him down the stretch.

 

[CuseTG2003]

At least he didn't throw a chair at Red. He's got that over Louie.

 

[Red2003]

In the last 6 weeks when our offense was 30th in efficiency in the entire country he shot 34% and 25% from 3. When we started to play better he played worse. The SMU and VT games specifically were choked away by him down the stretch.

So in other news there is no new news here. Did people think JJ was an efficient player? Did we even play a good team the last 6 weeks?

 

[pearl31]

seemingly great kid, but a losing player (offensive inefficiency and inability/refusal to play defense) - certainly not a player to build a team around

 

[OttoinGrotto]

The last sentence is crazy talk
Why in the world do you think no one else could miss a shot as well as him

Reminiscent of when people on the board used to make the case that Gerry "had" to take bad threes for the offense to function.

We were a lot better back then, anyways.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

Wild to me to be in an era where not wanting a guard that's played a lot to come back for their senior season, which should be their best basketball, is a convo yet here we are in these wild times of college hoops.

I think he and Bell would both benefit from fresh starts.

 

[Grbac]

In the last 6 weeks when our offense was 30th in efficiency in the entire country he shot 34% and 25% from 3. When we started to play better he played worse. The SMU and VT games specifically were choked away by him down the stretch.

With that being said I’m afraid if he comes back, Red will lean on him heavily. Depending on who we pick up in the portal, Starling will be the go to scorer. For better or worse.

 

[Millhouse]

Reminiscent of when people on the board used to make the case that Gerry "had" to take bad threes for the offense to function.

We were a lot better back then, anyways.

If it weren't for my bad shots, there wouldn't be shots!

It's like all those baseball teams that send a pitcher to the minors and every fifth game the ball just sits on the mound with everyone doing the Travolta pulp fiction meme

 

[LAorange44]

I went to all the way back to 2008 using Bart Torvik overall player efficiency data and JJ is one of our lowest efficiency starting guards edging out young Trevor Cooney, Frank Howard, and sophomore slump Joe Girard. He is nowhere near Jonny Flynn, Tyus Battle, or even Jackson Buddy Boeheim. Really interesting how 5 star burger boy has not met the expectations of his predecessors. Is that on JJ or Red’s ability to develop?

 

[Cusefan0307]

Reminiscent of when people on the board used to make the case that Gerry "had" to take bad threes for the offense to function.

We were a lot better back then, anyways.

Let's put it this way. Gerry was never even close to being this inefficient even with his gunning tendencies. This is infinitely worse.

The closest season i can find with this high shooting volume is Deshaun Williams last year here.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

Let's put it this way. Gerry was never even close to being this inefficient even with his gunning tendencies. This is infinitely worse.

Don't get me wrong, that was definitely not the case I was making.

It was more a commentary on board perceptions than how various Syracuse guys play.

 

[shandeezy7]

It's crazy that a shoulder injury messed up his shooting mechanics so badly. How is it seemingly impossible for him to regain his form from high school?

 

[Scooch]

JJ was Red's Kyle McCord. The guy who the coach had a long time relationship with and brought in for his first year to build around.

Hasn't quite worked out like Fran's Kyle McCord.

 

[Fly Rodder]

I think he and Bell would both benefit from fresh starts.

It could be a chicken and egg thing. I don't know if the coaching is failing these guys or they're failing the coaches. Probably both. I think either could blossom at another school with a better staff. But outside of JG3, our transfers to other schools generally produce less than they did at SU. Even Jesse and Maliq had reduced or similar numbers or a reduced role.

 

[Cusefan0307]

It could be a chicken and egg thing. I don't know if the coaching is failing these guys or they're failing the coaches. Probably both. I think either could blossom at another school with a better staff. But outside of JG3, our transfers to other schools generally produce less than they did at SU. Even Jesse and Maliq had reduced or similar numbers or a reduced role.

Can't speak for Bell, but JJ's stats and game is awfully similar to Deshaun Williams who ended up at Iona. I realize JJ is an upstanding citizen where DeShaun not, but if guys can play they usually go to better schools than that regardless of their reputation.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

It could be a chicken and egg thing. I don't know if the coaching is failing these guys or they're failing the coaches. Probably both. I think either could blossom at another school with a better staff. But outside of JG3, our transfers to other schools generally produce less than they did at SU. Even Jesse and Maliq had reduced or similar numbers or a reduced role.

Agreed.

The benefit of a fresh start may not necessarily be bigger roles/better production for them. It might be going someplace where expectations are better inline with their games.

 

[justgold315]

With JJ taking 15-25 shots per game, there's not a lot left for other players, and we are likely going to be very bad again next year. Red is not going to drop him down to 10-15 minutes per game. He is not an elite shooter, defender, or facilitator. Given Red's ineptitude for roster management and in game coaching, JJ cannot be part of the team, and Red will likely revert back to ISO hero ball if we slump at all.

 

[HyattsCuse]

I can look past the offensive inefficiency. Echoing comments made already, but he was the focus of every opponent, because he had to be our #1 option especially when Donnie went out. No one else on the team was a threat to penetrate. I assume the staff was also in his ear to be aggressive and be “the guy”. I just don’t think he has the mindset to be in that role. If he’s a 3rd or 4th option, I think he can be useful.

The lack of defense was disappointing. You would think with his athleticism, he could stay in front of someone or at least do what Judah did last year and average a couple steals/game.

Right now, I’m hoping he comes back and can find a smaller role. That’s mostly me being pragmatic since I can’t see us getting 5-6 new portal guys that are better.