Team Needs a Star.... | Syracusefan.com

Team Needs a Star....

newmexicuse

newmexicuse

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I did not get to see the first few W's against the cupcakes.

So, I have seen the last 4 games in which we went 1 & 3. We were right there against Houston and then folded in the next two outings. Great gutsy win against the Vols.

I think our core group is pretty solid. Problem is that who gets it done varies not only from game to game., but also from half to half. No real go to guy.

IMHO, this team needs a legit star - a go to guy who can make the big play at the right time, whether it is to stop an opponent's run or make a critical bucket in crunchtime. Maybe Freeman can be that guy when he returns. Kiyan might be that guy next year, but certainly not this season.

Right now I would have to say that Kyle is our best player, but clearly he does not have the skillset I am talking about. Man, SIX blocks - just awesome !!!

The other big issue I see is that I expected George and Kingz to be better than they are. Each has their moments, but both can disappear for stretches. Need them to get it done with consistency if not stardom.
 
I consider Donnie our "star." Hopefully he will be back soon.

Donnie averages 17 per game. After that, we have seven different players averaging between 8 and 11 points per game. I don't think I've ever seen that kind of balance with us.
 
Eric15 said:
I consider Donnie our "star." Hopefully he will be back soon.

Donnie averages 17 per game. After that, we have seven different players averaging between 8 and 11 points per game. I don't think I've ever seen that kind of balance with us.
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Donnie puts up the numbers and has the most potential to be that guy, but IMHO, he has not yet shown that you can give him the ball, get out of his way, and expect a hoop. Doesn't mean he wont get there, just sayin he hasnt proven it yet.
 
newmexicuse said:
Donnie puts up the numbers and has the most potential to be that guy, but IMHO, he has not yet shown that you can give him the ball, get out of his way, and expect a hoop. Doesn't mean he wont get there, just sayin he hasnt proven it yet.
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Agree with all of that. That's why I put star in quotation marks. Not sure he's a star in a traditional sense.
 
Donnie is not that guy. He doesn't have go-to moves that are effective. He doesn't rebound as you'd expect for a guy his height. A lot of his points came from trying to draw a whistle while bull rushing into the paint. I don't think he'll get the benefit of those calls when he returns for ACC play.

I do think the PNR would be more effective if they swapped Kyle with Donnie, but to say this guy is going to carry us is a bit of revisionist history. The last thing I want is more iso in the halfcourt and that's what he loves, mostly to the team's detriment.
 
I don't think many would have trouble anointing Donnie as our star when he's on the court. In the first four games, Kiyan looked squarely as the #2. Hopefully against better competition he can make the adjustments necessary to contribute more offensively - I think he will, especially with his pop in his corner providing feedback and instruction.
 
Maybe it’s the run of really tough games but we have 6 really good role players (excluding often injured dinky freeman), according to Bart torvik’s player efficiency numbers. Maybe the next dozen games will allow our guys to run the numbers up a bit more. But it is very similar to last years team in that there isn’t a dominant star level player statistically.
 
We need a guy who can create his own shot when the whole building knows he is creating his own shot. Donnie doesn't have the handle for that. JJ is probably that guy event if he has to go right handed all the time.
 
newmexicuse said:
Donnie puts up the numbers and has the most potential to be that guy, but IMHO, he has not yet shown that you can give him the ball, get out of his way, and expect a hoop. Doesn't mean he wont get there, just sayin he hasnt proven it yet.
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How would you know that if you didn't see the first 4 games? I mean that's basically how we had to beat Monmouth as everyone else looked scared.
 
Cusefan0307 said:
How would you know that if you didn't see the first 4 games? I mean that's basically how we had to beat Monmouth as everyone else looked scared.
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People define star too simply. Donnie forces the issue on defense to create turnovers, he is aggressive seeking his shot or using the ball fake to attack the basket and get to the line or he sets the table as an elite passer. All 3 things are things we absolutely could have used in Vegas and would give this team a big lift when he returns.
 
Orangezoo said:
People define star too simply. Donnie forces the issue on defense to create turnovers, he is aggressive seeking his shot or using the ball fake to attack the basket and get to the line or he sets the table as an elite passer. All 3 things are things we absolutely could have used in Vegas and would give this team a big lift when he returns.
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It always reverts to ISO ball.
 
Cusefan0307 said:
How would you know that if you didn't see the first 4 games? I mean that's basically how we had to beat Monmouth as everyone else looked scared.
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I saw plenty of Donnie last year before he got hurt. Gotta prove it against ACC caliber competition, not one game against a Monmouth. Hope he proves it down the road.
 
i think a front court featuring freeman , white and kyle is gonna be fun to watch. we do need more consistent shooting and playmaking from the backcourt.
 
newmexicuse said:
I saw plenty of Donnie last year before he got hurt. Gotta prove it against ACC caliber competition, not one game against a Monmouth. Hope he proves it down the road.
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Just as I was getting at as was 0307, it’s not just an isolation play that would meet that definition.
 
newmexicuse said:
Donnie puts up the numbers and has the most potential to be that guy, but IMHO, he has not yet shown that you can give him the ball, get out of his way, and expect a hoop. Doesn't mean he wont get there, just sayin he hasnt proven it yet.
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Donnie, if healthy, and JJ are the "go to" guys. Theya re and should be the stars offensively. Kyle looks like a legit defensive star, so does Kingz. Other guys will have their moments. Obviously, Kiyan has been the rotation piece with the most need to improve defensively. I like his fearlessness. I still like this team a lot except for free throws. Last night we made just enough of them. We hit 50 percent against Houston and this board would be gaga over this team. even with the ISU blowout.
 
DBCooper said:
Hopefully you'll get to see this years version of Donnie soon.
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Won't hold my breath waiting in Anticipation! If he makes it back and plays without any more injuries, he still has to prove he can do it every night.
 

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