The MCW Effect

[ORRange]

Now I've read it all. Moqui isn't that impressed with NN. How in the hell does getting NN effect Colemans offensive low post effectiveness? Most of the posters on here believe NN will play the 4 and that they can play together. It could possibly effect Rak or CJ's numbers a bit but our defense would be unreal. Yeah, let's not take the number 1 player in the USA. Total rubbish. Typical that you aren't roasted on here, anyone else says this nonsense they would get tar and feathered like the OP. Of course, the OP should get skewered but that's beside the point. I can't believe that anyone in their right mind would pass on this kid. Terrible post and insight.

 

[Flacusian]

I will even go out on a limb and say that I would actually prefer that he doesn't come . . . if he hadn't reclassified to this year, and this was the spring of 2013, I might be singing a different tune, but I really like what SU has in the fold, and I think that Noel actually detracts from that.

JB has nearly perfected his defensive scheme; even with the weakness in defensive rebounding, SU has been top 20 in defensive efficiency for three years running with three completely different guys manning the middle (Arinze, Ricky, Fab). They have also been top 5 in blocked shot percentage all three years (indeed, SU has been top 7 in block percentage 8 of the last 10 years, regardless of who mans the middle). With DC2 and BMK rotating in the 5 spot, they will be top 20/top 10 again next year. If anything, I bet DC2 is better on the defensive glass than was Fab.

What we lack from that spot is offensive production. DC2 is a much, much better offensive player than is NN. Even BMK, with his experience and knowledge of the system, is a better offensive player than is NN. NN brings so little to the offensive end of the court that bringing him in automatically lessens SU offensively. Every minute that he takes away from DC2 and, to a lesser but still significant extent, BMK, would hurt the team, IMO. And before anyone claims that BMK will take a redshirt, let me say that I find it highly unlikely that JB will redshirt his most experienced center, who played very well deep into the NCAA tournament, in favor of rolling with two freshman.

I have posted before that an anticipated center rotation of DC2/BMK and forward rotation of Dirty/CJ/Rak will be one of the top - and maybe the very best - frontcourts in the nation when all is said and done. Paired with a perfect three guard rotation of an experienced senior chasing the all time wins record, a stellar point guard ready to make the Sophomore Leap, and a deadeye shooter redshirt frosh, and I think Syracuse is a serious contender for the Final Four next year. They might not match this year's stellar won/loss record, but I think they could end up being a better team with more ability to score on those closing possessions deep in March.

Moqui... exellent post and I share your sentiment. Obviously, the addtion of NN would be great but there are certainly factors which could potentially be detrimental which we wouldn't have to deal with if he does not select SU. I'll be very happy no matter what the outcome. RAK and BMK will also develop more with not having to share as many minutes and based on what was demonstrated in the closing portion of the season I have confidence that they will perform just fine. The offensive quotient will offset more than most people realize.

 

[Rossco123]

I think NN ends up at Georgetown and we are a better team for it. Next year’s team will need offense in the front court and we don’t get it with NN.
The thought of having two Fr. and a Soph. In the front court rotation is enough to give any coach the shakes. The next year NN is long gone and you have a bunch of unhappy campers. Oh yes and still no offense up front.
The zone is a defense that needs at least a year before the slides become instinctive (how many examples do you need). I think Rak, CJ, JS, BMK and Coleman will provide the kind of balance needed. This is a program not a one year popularity contest.

P.S. If you choose to tack the word rubbish to Moqui’s opinion you start with O credibility.

 

[Moontan]

So, who opened the portal from syracuse.com? Whoever it was, s/he needs to go back and close it pronto!

 

[br801]

I agree that two out of Xmas, BMK, and NN seems like it would be too much of an offensive drag. So RS BMK. Then it would be up to JB to minimize the Rak/NN combos.

I disagree with your last line. Can always use more elite talent. But that is a question mark for me, is NN elite? I know the hype is saying he is. But no one even claims he has much offense. So, is he defensively elite? Is he as good as Fab was last year?

We just saw the difference of what Fab in the lineup can do. Rak and BMK were a drop down. If NN is at the Fab level he brings an added defensive dimension. I would be hoping for DC2 to fill an RJ role and have NN and Rak divvy up the 5 minutes.

If NN is not as advertised though, it could get messy. That is my fear, is NN really going to be much better than Rak at the 5? He is built more like Rak than like Fab. And if NN is more like Rak, and you pretty much have to play him, and sit Dirty/CJ, then the team does suffer.

In the end though, I want JB to have as many good tools/players at his disposal as possible.

Sarge, if JB had gaping holes to fill or if Noel were likely to be here more than one year, I would be all for landing him. I just think one year of Noel will result in a 24/7 circus and unreasonably high expectations from all quarters for both him and the team. To me, weighing that against the team we have as of today, it's just not worth it.

 

[Sgt Cuse]

Now I've read it all. Moqui isn't that impressed with NN. How in the hell does getting NN effect Colemans offensive low post effectiveness? Most of the posters on here believe NN will play the 4 and that they can play together. It could possibly effect Rak or CJ's numbers a bit but our defense would be unreal. Yeah, let's not take the number 1 player in the USA. Total rubbish. Typical that you aren't roasted on here, anyone else says this nonsense they would get tar and feathered like the OP. Of course, the OP should get skewered but that's beside the point. I can't believe that anyone in their right mind would pass on this kid. Terrible post and insight.

Moqui's view is a little different, but it's certainly not without merit. NN could certainly affect DC2, from a minutes and position standpoint.

The posters here who say that NN would play the 4 are guessing. They are trying to make it work and that's the best they can come up with, because they don't think DC2 works at the 4. But there are serious problems with NN at the 4. First and foremost would be his lack of scoring. There would be the very real fear that NN could be Rak-like at the 4.

With NN, you would have another good 5. That would go along with DC2, Rak, and BMK. Even if you redshirt BMK, you still have 3 good centers. You would have to move one over to the 4 for minutes.
The best solution, in my eyes, is if DC2 could make the move. If DC2 could provide an RJ like presence, some low post and a ton of rebounds, that would be a perfect compliment to a big NN defensive presence at the 5. The problem is, moving to the 4 is a lot to ask out of a frosh DC2. We just saw the problems trying to do that with Rak. It took RJ a long time to make the transition too.

If DC2 can't make the transition to 4, the addition of NN would lose a lot of value. A defensive nonscoring 4 is not that great of an addition.

 

[Sgt Cuse]

Sarge, if JB had gaping holes to fill or if Noel were likely to be here more than one year, I would be all for landing him. I just think one year of Noel will result in a 24/7 circus and unreasonably high expectations from all quarters for both him and the team. To me, weighing that against the team we have as of today, it's just not worth it.

I am starting to understand your concerns. From a team standpoint, the lack of O from NN is a problem. He would demand big minutes from a hype standpoint. But if he ended up taking undeserving minutes from Dirty, it might not be the best thing for the team.

And you have a good point about expectations. Sky high expectations with the addition of a defensive specialist.

 

[ORRange]

Moqui's view is a little different, but it's certainly not without merit. NN could certainly affect DC2, from a minutes and position standpoint.

The posters here who say that NN would play the 4 are guessing. They are trying to make it work and that's the best they can come up with, because they don't think DC2 works at the 4. But there are serious problems with NN at the 4. First and foremost would be his lack of scoring. There would be the very real fear that NN could be Rak-like at the 4.

With NN, you would have another good 5. That would go along with DC2, Rak, and BMK. Even if you redshirt BMK, you still have 3 good centers. You would have to move one over to the 4 for minutes.
The best solution, in my eyes, is if DC2 could make the move. If DC2 could provide an RJ like presence, some low post and a ton of rebounds, that would be a perfect compliment to a big NN defensive presence at the 5. The problem is, moving to the 4 is a lot to ask out of a frosh DC2. We just saw the problems trying to do that with Rak. It took RJ a long time to make the transition too.

If DC2 can't make the transition to 4, the addition of NN would lose a lot of value. A defensive nonscoring 4 is not that great of an addition.

Sgt., What I'm saying is DC will be our offensive low post player. NN will be setting screens at the top of the circle (ala Fab) and playing high/low ball from the foul line feeding DC and CJ. On the defensive end NN can either play the 5 and protect the rim if DC or anyone else gets beat or play the 4 . Coaches decision. But, in no way do they both strictly play the 5. The way that DC has progressed and the talent of NN , both have to play. Worrying about offense with NN on the court is ludricrous, he is a game changer on the defensive end.
Magic played point guard, but only on the offensive end. Nixon and others defended the other teams PG, Magic always covered a bigger player defensively. Whether we call NN a 5 or 4 depends on which team has the ball. No way I want NN as our low post offensive threat, but I sure want him defending the rim. Both guys get plenty of time and gives us plenty of options. But to think that DC won't play the 5 on the offensive end regardless of NN, or that DC will keep NN off the court is absurd. James and Rak's playing time will be affected. Not wanting or not being impressed by NN is laughable. Anthony Davis, David Robinson and Okafor come to mind. He is a great talent and every single school in the country would take and want him. So I think his view is more than a little different. lol.