Team Needs a Star....

[Domedog84]

No ones made that proclamation. Another big win I looked at where he showed up in a big moment is 2024 vs #7 UNC. We’ve got a player or two who are better than him but he’s the guy who’s showed up in big wins on more than one occasion. No need to continuously pile on the gratuitous negativity.

I agree with your overall point, but those two wins where he showed up are literally the only 2 big wins we have in his time here. So he has shown up in our big wins, but it is only twice. Hopefully we see it continue this year. I have been impressed with his effort on defense since he came back.

 

[AlpoTitan]

I am more interested in three double digit scorers in any given game…and especially “efficient” scoring. At the half against TN, we had one and no one else close. Good sign that we finally got there. But JJ should get credit for his final five points at the end. We don’t win without those two baskets IMHO.

 

[nccusefan]

I’m not sure this team will have a star.

JJ is the guy if they need a big basket.

Donnie puts up numbers when healthy but he likes to stay on the perimeter too much and he is awkward finishing. He gets bailed out a lot by the whistle and gets his points at the line. Not sure he’s going to get those calls against better competition.

I’m impressed with Nate Kingz overall game but he needs to start delivering behind the ark.

Naithan George has not been able to get into the lane as well as I expected and has turned it over too much against the better defensive teams.

Kiyan is probably a future star but next year

I was higher on Kyle than most but he has even exceeded my expectations. Our best offense this year has been to throw the ball up near the rim and let him go get it.

I think the best thing to come out of the Freeman injury is the extra minutes for White. He will be a star and the only player on the team I am confident will have a career in the NBA. Hopefully we can get in the tournament and will continue to develop. He is Jerami Grant 2.0

 

[sufandu]

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.

Yeah. There's not much of an argument against him being our star. The question is whether he is A star. The stud that can take over when you need it. A guy that other teams fear. We'll have to wait and see.

 

[shu 49]

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 really like Kingz. He plays tough on both sides of ball. This team is different cause one night it could be Kingz then next could be white next could be JJ. We have four to five guys capable of next level games. We just don’t know who that is each game but either way they bring The Juice and honestly that’s all I care about.

 

[sufandu]

I really like Kingz. He plays tough on both sides of ball. This team is different cause one night it could be Kingz then next could be white next could be JJ. We have four to five guys capable of next level games. We just don’t know who that is each game but either way they bring The Juice and honestly that’s all I care about.

Having a team where a different guy can step up on any given night is a great trait. Having a go-to guy paired with that is even better. I think about the 2010 team, which is one of my favorite teams. It was probably the best "the whole is better than the parts" team JB ever had, but as good as Wes Johnson was, he wasn't that give him the ball and get out of the way guy that would have got us past Butler. Then you look at the 1996 team, and that's exactly what Wallace was along with other good complementary pieces. I don't know if Donnie can be that, but it would be great if he can.

 

[23Zone]

We need a STARling to be a senior leader and hit the big shots like he did against Tennessee. When he doesn't think about what he's doing he's pretty darn good, let it flow

 

[721Comstock]

We need a STARling to be a senior leader and hit the big shots like he did against Tennessee. When he doesn't think about what he's doing he's pretty darn good, let it flow

Don't think, meat. You're hurting the ballclub.