Taurean Thompson...looks like a big talent...here's why

[DirtDog44]

First off, I'm happy the TT drama is over. Before the commitment I purposely didn't watch his videos...but once he became a part of the Orange family I started looking at his H.S. tapes and came away very impressed. #1: Great body to bang low and seems to have a knack for where the ball will be...like Roberson. He could be a very solid rebounder in time. #2: He is skilled with both hands. At first glance I thought he was a lefty because many times around the rim he would finish with the left hand effortlessly ...it wasn't until I saw him take a foul shot that I saw he was a right handed player. #3: He always keeps the ball high in the post. This is one of the biggest mistakes that H.S. centers/ forwards make. They bring the ball down to their knees and it gets stolen. That doesn't happen with TT. #4. His free throw shooting stroke. This kid has great shooting fundamentals at the line which leads me to believe that he can be a very capable guy from 12-15 out. If he stays more than 2 years he will extend that range to the 3 point line. Obviously I've only seen him at his best via "highlight videos" but he comes to campus with tools that I haven't seen in a big man for many years. He just looks like a very well coached kid that is comfortable in his body and his position.

 

[SBU72]

"it wasn't until I saw him take a foul shot that I saw he was a right handed player."
Didn't some player a few years ago shoot his foul shots with his off hand to force himself to concentrate? Then there was the player who shot with his left hand to honor his best friend who died the previous year. Of course akk the names have escaped me at the moment.

 

[Digger]

Then there was the player who shot with his left hand to honor his best friend who died the previous year. Of course akk the names have escaped me at the moment.

It was Bo Kimble shooting lefty to honor Hank Gathers

 

[shermstheman]

"it wasn't until I saw him take a foul shot that I saw he was a right handed player."
Didn't some player a few years ago shoot his foul shots with his off hand to force himself to concentrate? Then there was the player who shot with his left hand to honor his best friend who died the previous year. Of course akk the names have escaped me at the moment.

That was Hank Gathers at Loyola Marymount- he died on the court. Horrible to see the video. Surreal. Bo Kimball then took his first foul shot whenever he went to the line left handed as a tribute... For the rest of the season I think, even in the NCAA's. They were coached by Paul Westphal and scored like crazy (120 a game maybe?)

 

[NYCorange]

"it wasn't until I saw him take a foul shot that I saw he was a right handed player."
Didn't some player a few years ago shoot his foul shots with his off hand to force himself to concentrate? Then there was the player who shot with his left hand to honor his best friend who died the previous year. Of course akk the names have escaped me at the moment.

You may also be thinking of Tristan Thompson, who completely broke down his shot (free throw and fg) and switched hands because it was determined that his natural left handed shot was permanently broken. He got about 15% better at the free throw line, I believe.

 

[NYCorange]

Obviously I've only seen him at his best via "highlight videos" but he comes to campus with tools that I haven't seen in a big man since Tyler Lydon arrived last year. /QUOTE]

There, I fixed it for you.

 

[OrangeDW]

That was Hank Gathers at Loyola Marymount- he died on the court. Horrible to see the video. Surreal. Bo Kimball then took his first foul shot whenever he went to the line left handed as a tribute... For the rest of the season I think, even in the NCAA's. They were coached by Paul Westphal and scored like crazy (120 a game maybe?)

It was actually Paul Westhead who was the coach. He also coached the Lakers to the 1980 title, and later the Denver Nuggets who scored a ton but weren't good. There's a good 30 for 30 on Netflix called "Guru of Go" on Westhead and those Loyola Marymount teams.

Paul Westphal was the Suns coach in the early 90's and later the Sonics and Kings.

 

[br801]

It was actually Paul Westhead who was the coach. He also coached the Lakers to the 1980 title, and later the Denver Nuggets who scored a ton but weren't good. There's a good 30 for 30 on Netflix called "Guru of Go" on Westhead and those Loyola Marymount teams.

Paul Westphal was the Suns coach in the early 90's and later the Sonics and Kings.

Westphal was a damn good player at USC and in the NBA, too.

Paul Westphal

 

[CraigForth]

It was actually Paul Westhead who was the coach. He also coached the Lakers to the 1980 title, and later the Denver Nuggets who scored a ton but weren't good. There's a good 30 for 30 on Netflix called "Guru of Go" on Westhead and those Loyola Marymount teams. Paul Westphal was the Suns coach in the early 90's and later the Sonics and Kings.

Didn't westhead basically run one of his players to death?

 

[Dave85]

First off, I'm happy the TT drama is over. Before the commitment I purposely didn't watch his videos...but once he became a part of the Orange family I started looking at his H.S. tapes and came away very impressed. #1: Great body to bang low and seems to have a knack for where the ball will be...like Roberson. He could be a very solid rebounder in time. #2: He is skilled with both hands. At first glance I thought he was a lefty because many times around the rim he would finish with the left hand effortlessly ...it wasn't until I saw him take a foul shot that I saw he was a right handed player. #3: He always keeps the ball high in the post. This is one of the biggest mistakes that H.S. centers/ forwards make. They bring the ball down to their knees and it gets stolen. That doesn't happen with TT. #4. His free throw shooting stroke. This kid has great shooting fundamentals at the line which leads me to believe that he can be a very capable guy from 12-15 out. If he stays more than 2 years he will extend that range to the 3 point line. Obviously I've only seen him at his best via "highlight videos" but he comes to campus with tools that I haven't seen in a big man for many years. He just looks like a very well coached kid that is comfortable in his body and his position.

Nice comments. I like how he keeps the ball high also. He has good foot work too. A nice drop step move to the basket. The way he was bouncing around getting rebounds reminded me of Roberson. He seems to have a good motor.

 

[Toga]

Doesn't take much to make me happy. A good drop step will do it.

 

[Consigliere]

This kid has great shooting fundamentals at the line which leads me to believe that he can be a very capable guy from 12-15 out. If he stays more than 2 years he will extend that range to the 3 point line.

That was the key surprise for me in JB's comments. Never expected to hear one of Thompson's biggest positives is his potential to develop into a big time long range shooter.

 

[realorange]

Didn't westhead basically run one of his players to death?

Where did you get this?

 

[shermstheman]

It was actually Paul Westhead who was the coach. He also coached the Lakers to the 1980 title, and later the Denver Nuggets who scored a ton but weren't good. There's a good 30 for 30 on Netflix called "Guru of Go" on Westhead and those Loyola Marymount teams.

Paul Westphal was the Suns coach in the early 90's and later the Sonics and Kings.

Thanks for the correction!

 

[kcsu]

He uses both hands well and can finish with his left in tight as naturally as with his right. Great get.

 

[We Are Syracuse]

My source told me they are stoked about TT commitment. They said he could be a contributor from day one. Just really long and active and could be a really good dump guy in the PNR situations. In addition, he says the same about Paschal. Offensively, as expected, he won't provide a ton but he will be a great dump/alley oop guy that bigs will have to respect when guards are penetrating. This opens up everything on the perimeter when we can get solid dump guys. In addition, here's the bad news, Moyer is way behind most think on this forum. Do not expect him to contribute this year and if Andrew White signs, I honestly expect him to redshirt. His shot they are really trying to adjust. His leg is like slanted in when he shoots and one of the bigger problems he has with his shot is that fact his guide hand is in the front of the ball when he shoots. Meaning it is getting in the way of his shot. Also, he is supposedly out of shape badly. It may not be that, it may be that he is still trying to get used to the speed of the game. Hopefully, Autry will continue to work on his shot and he improves it for the future. But, again, do not expect much from Moyer THIS season. Hope summer is going well for all of OrangeNation!

 

[CraigForth]

Where did you get this?

One of his players had a heart condition and died on the court. During a game.

Edit: yes I am remembering correctly, his name was Hank Gathers

 

[IthacaMatt]

My source told me they are stoked about TT commitment. They said he could be a contributor from day one. Just really long and active and could be a really good dump guy in the PNR situations. In addition, he says the same about Paschal. Offensively, as expected, he won't provide a ton but he will be a great dump/alley oop guy that bigs will have to respect when guards are penetrating. This opens up everything on the perimeter when we can get solid dump guys. In addition, here's the bad news, Moyer is way behind most think on this forum. Do not expect him to contribute this year and if Andrew White signs, I honestly expect him to redshirt. His shot they are really trying to adjust. His leg is like slanted in when he shoots and one of the bigger problems he has with his shot is that fact his guide hand is in the front of the ball when he shoots. Meaning it is getting in the way of his shot. Also, he is supposedly out of shape badly. It may not be that, it may be that he is still trying to get used to the speed of the game. Hopefully, Autry will continue to work on his shot and he improves it for the future. But, again, do not expect much from Moyer THIS season. Hope summer is going well for all of OrangeNation!

Moyer is skinny and needs to fill out in the shoulders. Battle is broader than Matt right now. But I would find it hard to believe that he's out of shape.

 

[CaptainJ]

That was Hank Gathers at Loyola Marymount- he died on the court. Horrible to see the video. Surreal. Bo Kimball then took his first foul shot whenever he went to the line left handed as a tribute... For the rest of the season I think, even in the NCAA's. They were coached by Paul Westphal and scored like crazy (120 a game maybe?)

BJ's dad, OG, actually played against that team. I miss having him around here, he at times could provide an angle to the game that the "paysiders" could only dream of. And if your name is OG, you deserve some homage now and again!

I remember that inspiring me to try shooting FTs left handed, and I was able to do decent. If I recall correctly, Bo Kimball made all of his left handed attempts. Incredible stuff, a great display of homage in games where everything was on the line. Those LM games were fun to watch.

My breaking bad@$$ is back from bleeping Belize, b*****s! #AlliterationForOrangeNation