We need more from Naithan George

[Eric15]

In our past four games against good-to-great opponents, he was 7-29 from the field, 3-18 from three, 15 assists vs. 17 turnovers. With some very questionable decision making at critical junctures of games.

He started attacking the basket and made way too late of an entry pass on the most important possession of the season thus far vs. Houston. Obviously it worked out at the end, but he took a very ill-advised jump shot on one of our last offensive possessions last night. And on fast breaks, I don't quite trust his decision making much of the time.

I know he's capable of playing better, which is why I write this. His role as a floor general is absolutely critical if we want to turn our resume around and make the tournament.

 

[FrancoPizza]

He has become invisible. Only time I've noticed him in the last few games is when he turns the ball over or takes an ill-advised shot.

 

[Surfan06001]

Maybe Nathan George needs more from you.

 

[Newhouser]

He also seems to not want the ball. I also think his game awareness is not strong. I am shocked how bad he has looked.

 

[tbonezone]

we need some outside shooting period. i don't care who brings it. you will not go far shooting this poorly deep.

 

[Nicknack]

Yeah, it's still very early so I expect he will get better but so far I have to say I'm really disappointed. This was the position I was most excited about and sure that we had the right guy. The turnovers are just not unacceptable. In 1/2 of the games so far, he's averaged more turnovers than assists!

 

[Eric15]

Maybe Nathan George needs more from you.

Naithan*

 

[OttoinGrotto]

Maybe Nathan George needs more from you.

Maybe the real Nait George is the friends we made along the way.

 

[Surfan06001]

Naithan*

Doh

 

[Cusefan0307]

He's playing much worse here than he did for GT. His defense has been good, but offensively he's a mess. His turnover rate and assist rate are both worse. He does not look comfortable at all out there.

 

[Orangezoo]

He's playing much worse here than he did for GT. His defense has been good, but offensively he's a mess. His turnover rate and assist rate are both worse. He does not look comfortable at all out there.

He’s one player I do think the defensive commitment and effort has had an impact on his play on offense. He really needs this next run of games to rebuild that confidence and have some strong games on that end.

 

[HyattsCuse]

I’ve never seen a guy get caught in the air more than George. Numerous times he’ll drive, jump or pick up his dribble, and throw a crappy pass that often results in a TO because he has to get rid of the ball before he lands or takes his next step.

There’s also times where I feel like he can get by his man, but then is trying too hard to find someone to dish to instead of just taking the shot. Hopefully, he figures it out. We need him.

 

[hoopsupstate]

He's playing much worse here than he did for GT. His defense has been good, but offensively he's a mess. His turnover rate and assist rate are both worse. He does not look comfortable at all out there.

He has a tendency to be late closing out on three point shooters. He struggles when he’s forced to go left.

 

[CapitalO]

I sure hope Red tells him to get more aggressive on offense the next 5 games due to lesser competition that might give him more confidence, also I hope Fennell get some time the next 5 games I feel he could be the guy to come in some close games to provide us with better FT%

 

[Scott11]

In our past four games against good-to-great opponents, he was 7-29 from the field, 3-18 from three, 15 assists vs. 17 turnovers. With some very questionable decision making at critical junctures of games.

He started attacking the basket and made way too late of an entry pass on the most important possession of the season thus far vs. Houston. Obviously it worked out at the end, but he took a very ill-advised jump shot on one of our last offensive possessions last night. And on fast breaks, I don't quite trust his decision making much of the time.

I know he's capable of playing better, which is why I write this. His role as a floor general is absolutely critical if we want to turn our resume around and make the tournament.

I totally agree with your summary. A few thoughts.
-Yes he has been far too careless with the ball. Too many avoidable, unnecessary turnovers. But at least he can dribble and get the ball over half court. Some of his predecessors at the point were good for one turnover a game before they even got to the half court (JG3, Howard, Carlos).
-The stats don't show how good he was against Houston. That defense was smothering and he did a solid job getting us into our offense.
-Our outside shooting has been poor and George really hasn't gotten many easy assists. His expected assists are likely higher and if Kingz builds on last night he will likely help increase George's assists. Same with Donnie, who not only do we miss as a scorer but also as a guy who gets it out quickly on the fast break which would allow George to run a more frequent and effective fast break.
-Nait has taken too many bad shots. The fallaway late versus Tennessee was unforgivable. Red has to reel him in and encourage him only to take good looks, which he can make. He has some ability to drive, although he has trouble getting by plus defenders. But his greatest value offensively is facilitating.
-Defensively he needs to closeout better and keep his hands up and contest without fouling.
-Overall I think he will be good. It is an adjustment to play with new guys and Donnie has been hurt, who was a focal part of the offense they installed all offseason. George might have been better off had the Vegas trip and Tennessee game been a bit later in the season but now he will have some games against ostensibly lesser competition to hopefully right the ship.

 

[721Comstock]

I’ve never seen a guy get caught in the air more than George. Numerous times he’ll drive, jump or pick up his dribble, and throw a crappy pass that often results in a TO because he has to get rid of the ball before he lands or takes his next step.

There’s also times where I feel like he can get by his man, but then is trying too hard to find someone to dish to instead of just taking the shot. Hopefully, he figures it out. We need him.

HyattsCuse - Michael Carter-Williams is on the Orange courtesy phone for you.

 

[justgold315]

I could handle most of his faults on offense if he stops shooting 3s when no one is under the basket or 10 secs into the shot clock. I'm hoping he just had an abnormally bad game on defense. If most of his assists come from lobs, then we are doing something right on defense

 

[HyattsCuse]

HyattsCuse - Michael Carter-Williams is on the Orange courtesy phone for you.

Haha…when you lead the nation in assists per game and your team to the Final 4, you get a pass.

 

[23Zone]

I’ve never seen a guy get caught in the air more than George. Numerous times he’ll drive, jump or pick up his dribble, and throw a crappy pass that often results in a TO because he has to get rid of the ball before he lands or takes his next step.

There’s also times where I feel like he can get by his man, but then is trying too hard to find someone to dish to instead of just taking the shot. Hopefully, he figures it out. We need him.

Ever watch Quadir Copeland? His specialty lol

 

[CardiacCuse]

Ever watch Quadir Copeland? His specialty lol

at this point, i;d rather have quadir as PG

 

[NortheastOHSUfan]

I could handle most of his faults on offense if he stops shooting 3s when no one is under the basket or 10 secs into the shot clock. I'm hoping he just had an abnormally bad game on defense. If most of his assists come from lobs, then we are doing something right on defense

I just wish he would just be a pass first PG and work on setting up the rest of his teammates. An occasional deep shot is OK, but would be nice to have better ball handling, driving and passing.

 

[Sherman20]

In our past four games against good-to-great opponents, he was 7-29 from the field, 3-18 from three, 15 assists vs. 17 turnovers. With some very questionable decision making at critical junctures of games.

He started attacking the basket and made way too late of an entry pass on the most important possession of the season thus far vs. Houston. Obviously it worked out at the end, but he took a very ill-advised jump shot on one of our last offensive possessions last night. And on fast breaks, I don't quite trust his decision making much of the time.

I know he's capable of playing better, which is why I write this. His role as a floor general is absolutely critical if we want to turn our resume around and make the tournament.

Kingz had his breakout in the Tennessee game (at least in the first half). Hopefully George is due for his soon. He played well the first four games but not in Vegas.

 

[DoctahLexus]

at this point, i;d rather have quadir as PG

Then you are clinically insane lol

Edit - Wait I may have spoke too soon. How the hell is Q going off this year?? Put up some major numbers against some good teams. What in the hell??

 

[Sbucketball]

Then you are clinically insane lol

Edit - Wait I may have spoke too soon. How the hell is Q going off this year?? Put up some major numbers against some good teams. What in the hell??

Nait George is better and he should be good in conference play.

With that said I was a huge Quadir defender. People's complaints against him were overblown. We failed to control him. He's a good player with a few flaws. One thing is for sure -- would have been a hell of a lot better at PG than Carlos last year. Wish we could have kept him eligible and in control because he's a lot of fun to watch especially if we could have had him off the bench this year (although he probably would've left anyway this year when we recruited over him with Nait).

 

[DoctahLexus]

Nait George is better and he should be good in conference play.

With that said I was a huge Quadir defender. People's complaints against him were overblown. We failed to control him. He's a good player with a few flaws. One thing is for sure -- would have been a hell of a lot better at PG than Carlos last year. Wish we could have kept him eligible and in control because he's a lot of fun to watch especially if we could have had him off the bench this year (although he probably would've left anyway this year when we recruited over him with Nait).

Well his main problem was definitely his complete inability to hit any sort of jump shot. I thought complaints about the turnovers were a little overblown. He made some bonehead plays but a lot of good ones. Was a good defender too. But it's not all on our staff that we "failed to control him." A big part of that is on Q too. He is responsible for his academic issues and he often seemed mentally checked out. Personal responsibility is a thing. It's not just all on the coaches.