White vs a returning Malachi

[Newhouser]

Which would you prefer?

 

[OrangeTown]

No offense, but is this even a question?

 

[MG44]

I would have preferred a returning Malachi, just because we had seen him in action and knew what he was capable of. That being said, from what everyone says of White I'm very very happy we got him and think he helps fill the void Malachi left nicely.

 

[Cusefan0307]

Malachi was great for us in the tournament last year, but we haven't had a guy shoot this high of a percentage from three with this many attempts since Rautins in 2010.

 

[MSOrange]

Defensively in the zone, I'd probably take Malachi with his year of experience. But offensively, I'll take the 41% 3 point shooter. All in all, I'm thrilled to get White

 

[orangefog]

No offense to Andrew White, I can't wait to see him in action, but I have to agree with others. If you watch those magical few minutes in the Virginia game, you can just see Malachi coming out this year as the man. Unstoppable offensive force.

 

[jr4750]

Think Mali was better off the bounce by far. Think White was a better shooter last year. Think White is the better rebounder at this stage. Mali would have had a year in the system, and probably shot a better percentage. For this team, with the ability of TB/JG/FH to break down defenses with the dribble and the need for a pure shooter, perhaps White, but its very very close.

 

[UnderHisOwnPower]

Which would you prefer?

Mali - I think he had just scratched the surface of how explosive he was to become. I think his rebounding was underrated, and another year in the system, with late game plays drawn up for him to get to the rack is too good to pass up as an option.

 

[Cusefan0307]

After scoping White's game log, I think I'm more impressed by his rebounding than his shooting...

Had 21 and 13 at Illinois and 28 and 10 at Creighton.

I know Mal was a good rebounder, but not as good as White...

 

[Dave85]

No offense, but is this even a question?

First of all, your avatar has a nice rack!

I forgot what I was going to say.

 

[Dave85]

Which would you prefer?

Malachi has better hair.

I think Andrew White may make this comparison much closer than people think. AW3 on a much better team on transition and a better team kicking the ball out for an open look may translate very well for AW3's numbers this year.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

Seeing as how one was an NBA draft 1st round selection, and the other got feedback and came back to school, I'd take the one that's currently getting paid to play.

Which means I love Kentucky's entire roster, hey-oh!

 

[RF2044]

Malichi clearly had more versatility, especially in terms of being able to put the ball on the floor and create his own shots or take it to the rim--something White has not demonstrated he can do.

White is bigger, a better rebounder, and possibly a better shooter. He's a good fit for the roster we currently have, and what the team's needs were. We were fortunate to land him.

So--who would I rather land? Obviously, Malichi was a proven commodity, and an NBA first round pick, so probably him. But in terms of bouncing back from his departure, we probably couldn't have asked for a better replacement, even though their games are quite different.

 

[jsshap]

Malichi clearly had more versatility, especially in terms of being able to put the ball on the floor and create his own shots or take it to the rim--something White has not demonstrated he can do.

White is bigger, a better rebounder, and possibly a better shooter. He's a good fit for the roster we currently have, and what the team's needs were. We were fortunate to land him.

So--who would I rather land? Obviously, Malichi was a proven commodity, and an NBA first round pick, so probably him. But in terms of bouncing back from his departure, we probably couldn't have asked for a better replacement, even though their games are quite different.

Also, no clue here, but I wonder if Gillon still comes if Malachi returns. I would take Malachi without a doubt, but all in all perhaps its a net gain how it all worked out.

 

[Orangeman13]

Malachi basically destroyed UVA under pressure in a few minutes...hard to compete with that.

 

[HOFCeluck]

To be fair I think it's Gillon and White vs Mali.

 

[sutomcat]

Which would you prefer?

For the 2016-17 team, an outside shooter is more urgently needed, so I think White is a better fit. Malachi is better at drawing fouls and is a better passer but in terms of advanced metrics, White is a far better player on offense (he is amazingly efficient scoring points) and is a better rebounder. Look at his stats. He was 2nd in the B1G in FG %, 4th in 3P FGs, 5th in 3P FG %, 2nd in effective FG %, 7th in true shooting %, 10th in points produced, 5th in offensive win shares, etc.

Andrew White III

Further, Malachi was a major liability on defense during his time at Syracuse. Good teams repeatedly attacked his area of the zone, particularly ones with 2 big strong forwards. Even though White has little experience playing the zone, he has a lot of experience playing defense at the highest level and is physically far ahead of MR, even if Mali had added some muscle for 2016-17. I think he will be a better player on defense as well.

Not saying MR wouldn't have been a really good player his sophomore year. He would have. But AW3 is really good and his skill set fits the needs this team has more than MR.

 

[OrangeDW]

Malachi. I was expecting a monster season, and with his tourney heroics he cemented himself as a guy that had that "it" factor. The confidence and fearlessness to take and make big shots and to put the offense on his back when hot, and had more ability to make plays off the dribble both for himself and others(based on the stats).

That said, getting a guy like White to replace him is a dream scenario. He would seem to be a better and more consistent shooter, and is bigger in the back of the zone. It will be interesting to see how Gillon/Battle/White compare to Gbinije/Cooney/Richardson.

 

[RF2044]

Further, Malachi was a major liability on defense during his time at Syracuse. Good teams repeatedly attacked his area of the zone, particularly ones with 2 big strong forwards. Even though White has little experience playing the zone, he has a lot of experience playing defense at the highest level and is physically far ahead of MR, even if Mali had added some muscle for 2016-17. I think he will be a better player on defense as well.

That said, getting a guy like White to replace him is a dream scenario. He would seem to be a better and more consistent shooter, and is bigger in the back of the zone. It will be interesting to see how Gillon/Battle/White compare to Gbinije/Cooney/Richardson.

You guys both hit the nail on the head about where White fits defensively in our system. That bigger body plus the rebounding prowess are perfectly suited to the back line, and playing back there would mask some of his limitations, in terms of questionable ability to move his feet / cut off penetration from smaller, quicker guards. He's tailor made for one of the wing positions on the back line of the zone.

 

[721Comstock]

After scoping White's game log, I think I'm more impressed by his rebounding than his shooting...

Had 21 and 13 at Illinois and 28 and 10 at Creighton.

I know Mal was a good rebounder, but not as good as White...

White played on a team of Smurfs. He was the 2nd tallest guy who got minutes.

Mali played w/ Robey. Plus Rico, DC, G, etc.
A LOT less potential boards for him, given the other teammates he had on the court alongside him.

 

[Cusefan0307]

White played on a team of Smurfs. He was the 2nd tallest guy who got minutes.

Mali played w/ Robey. Plus Rico, DC, G, etc.
A LOT less potential boards for him, given the other teammates he had on the court alongside him.

Ehh. It's not like we had a big size advantage ourselves last year. Richardson grabbed 7 percent of all total rebounds while he was in the game. White grabbed 12 percent.

 

[sufandu]

Malachi is a better individual talent, but if what I've read is accurate, AW may be a better fit for our team needs. Glad to have him.

 

[Finwad32]

I think White's an upgrade from a pure comparison standpoint.

Malachi was a streaky shooter who didn't do as well on the boards. Even though he'd attack the rim, I often thought he was erratic or out of control and not that strong of a finisher.

White's experience/court awareness, shooting ability coupled with his ability on the boards and I'm assuming better off the dribble, makes this kind of a no brainer from where I sit.

 

[721Comstock]

Ehh. It's not like we had a big size advantage ourselves last year. Richardson grabbed 7 percent of all total rebounds while he was in the game. White grabbed 12 percent.

Yes - WHITE grabbed more available rebounds, because he was the 2nd tallest player on the team, and I believe their LEADING rebounder. That ain't gonna be the case at SU.
He didn't have to 'fight' as good/better rebounders ON HIS OWN TEAM, since there weren't any.
ALL of our guys had multiple other talented teammates with whom they competed for rebounds.
White did not - they were all Smurfs.

Not sure why you're not understanding this.

 

[OttoMets]

Malachi - that kid could really play basketball. Capable (if indiscriminate) shooter, savvy passer, able to get to the rim, could rebound and defend when he wanted to, and I think he was on the cusp of becoming a good finisher. And if a tie-breaker is needed, I'm going with the guy who's played in this system before.