Addressing Needs

R

Ray Morgan

Well-known member
The great thing about this team is that there are no mysteries when analyzing the team's weaknesses. When you have a good amount of talent and under-perform, finding a resolution isn't that easy. Then you have to blame it on chemistry, or selfishness, or lack off effort, With this team, it's there for all to see. Here are some that stand out. I am hopeful that some of our knowledgeable posters can advise if the players we have signed or are right there with will address these needs.

1. PG play. Breaking pressure, penetration and ball movement are all affected. Mussini is all heart, but is an off guard and always will be. Lovett will solve that. I would still like an option other than Mussini to spell Lovett or replace him if he misses a game for whatever reason. I haven't seen Ponds. Is he more shooting guard than point, or can he handle both?

2. Team strength. I like guys like Mel Davis and Cecil Rellford. Ron Artest too. It keeps the opponents in line. Hey, it worked for Georgetown. Mussini gets trapped, and has neither the size or strength to beat the double team. Sima and Yakwe get backed down by their man, and have to rely on their wingspan and athleticism to recover.. We add Lovett, Ponds and hopefully Freudenberg, but all are on the thinner side. Rawle Alkins would really help, Ahmed too. I know posters talk about the weight room, but body type is generally determined by genetics. If you are not big and strong by 18 or 19, it probably isn't going to happen, unless you use the Sammy Sosa and Barry Bonds formula.

3. Perimeter game. Should be way improved by getting Mussini back to where he belongs, and adding Ponds and Freudenberg if that works out.
I'm interested in the what others think regarding these and other weaknesses, and how close we will be next season in having them resolved.
 
The great thing about this team is that there are no mysteries when analyzing the team's weaknesses. When you have a good amount of talent and under-perform, finding a resolution isn't that easy. Then you have to blame it on chemistry, or selfishness, or lack off effort, With this team, it's there for all to see. Here are some that stand out. I am hopeful that some of our knowledgeable posters can advise if the players we have signed or are right there with will address these needs.

1. PG play. Breaking pressure, penetration and ball movement are all affected. Mussini is all heart, but is an off guard and always will be. Lovett will solve that. I would still like an option other than Mussini to spell Lovett or replace him if he misses a game for whatever reason. I haven't seen Ponds. Is he more shooting guard than point, or can he handle both?

2. Team strength. I like guys like Mel Davis and Cecil Rellford. Ron Artest too. It keeps the opponents in line. Hey, it worked for Georgetown. Mussini gets trapped, and has neither the size or strength to beat the double team. Sima and Yakwe get backed down by their man, and have to rely on their wingspan and athleticism to recover.. We add Lovett, Ponds and hopefully Freudenberg, but all are on the thinner side. Rawle Alkins would really help, Ahmed too. I know posters talk about the weight room, but body type is generally determined by genetics. If you are not big and strong by 18 or 19, it probably isn't going to happen, unless you use the Sammy Sosa and Barry Bonds formula.

3. Perimeter game. Should be way improved by getting Mussini back to where he belongs, and adding Ponds and Freudenberg if that works out.
I'm interested in the what others think regarding these and other weaknesses, and how close we will be next season in having them resolved.
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Speaking about your point #2, I think Yakwe has a nice foundation to work with. He has a solid base and really chests up his man on defense. Remember he is only 18 and should be playing this year in HS. I am actually surprised with his offensive game, it s raw but not as raw as I thought. Think he will be a great role player for the next 3.5 years, its all about him getting comfortable out there but he already possesses the tools to be an excellent rebounder and defender. He has great length and seems to get the ball at its highest point, reminds me of Harkless in that regard. Will be interesting to see who out of him and Sima has more blocks from this point forward, I think it will be close.
 
The great thing about this team is that there are no mysteries when analyzing the team's weaknesses. When you have a good amount of talent and under-perform, finding a resolution isn't that easy. Then you have to blame it on chemistry, or selfishness, or lack off effort, With this team, it's there for all to see. Here are some that stand out. I am hopeful that some of our knowledgeable posters can advise if the players we have signed or are right there with will address these needs.

1. PG play. Breaking pressure, penetration and ball movement are all affected. Mussini is all heart, but is an off guard and always will be. Lovett will solve that. I would still like an option other than Mussini to spell Lovett or replace him if he misses a game for whatever reason. I haven't seen Ponds. Is he more shooting guard than point, or can he handle both?

2. Team strength. I like guys like Mel Davis and Cecil Rellford. Ron Artest too. It keeps the opponents in line. Hey, it worked for Georgetown. Mussini gets trapped, and has neither the size or strength to beat the double team. Sima and Yakwe get backed down by their man, and have to rely on their wingspan and athleticism to recover.. We add Lovett, Ponds and hopefully Freudenberg, but all are on the thinner side. Rawle Alkins would really help, Ahmed too. I know posters talk about the weight room, but body type is generally determined by genetics. If you are not big and strong by 18 or 19, it probably isn't going to happen, unless you use the Sammy Sosa and Barry Bonds formula.

3. Perimeter game. Should be way improved by getting Mussini back to where he belongs, and adding Ponds and Freudenberg if that works out.
I'm interested in the what others think regarding these and other weaknesses, and how close we will be next season in having them resolved.
Click to expand...

Ray, I too would be interested to see what our online community can come up with.
 
The great thing about this team is that there are no mysteries when analyzing the team's weaknesses. When you have a good amount of talent and under-perform, finding a resolution isn't that easy. Then you have to blame it on chemistry, or selfishness, or lack off effort, With this team, it's there for all to see. Here are some that stand out. I am hopeful that some of our knowledgeable posters can advise if the players we have signed or are right there with will address these needs.

1. PG play. Breaking pressure, penetration and ball movement are all affected. Mussini is all heart, but is an off guard and always will be. Lovett will solve that. I would still like an option other than Mussini to spell Lovett or replace him if he misses a game for whatever reason. I haven't seen Ponds. Is he more shooting guard than point, or can he handle both?

2. Team strength. I like guys like Mel Davis and Cecil Rellford. Ron Artest too. It keeps the opponents in line. Hey, it worked for Georgetown. Mussini gets trapped, and has neither the size or strength to beat the double team. Sima and Yakwe get backed down by their man, and have to rely on their wingspan and athleticism to recover.. We add Lovett, Ponds and hopefully Freudenberg, but all are on the thinner side. Rawle Alkins would really help, Ahmed too. I know posters talk about the weight room, but body type is generally determined by genetics. If you are not big and strong by 18 or 19, it probably isn't going to happen, unless you use the Sammy Sosa and Barry Bonds formula.

3. Perimeter game. Should be way improved by getting Mussini back to where he belongs, and adding Ponds and Freudenberg if that works out.
I'm interested in the what others think regarding these and other weaknesses, and how close we will be next season in having them resolved.
Click to expand...

Speaking about your point #2, I think Yakwe has a nice foundation to work with. He has a solid base and really chests up his man on defense. Remember he is only 18 and should be playing this year in HS. I am actually surprised with his offensive game, it s raw but not as raw as I thought. Think he will be a great role player for the next 3.5 years, its all about him getting comfortable out there but he already possesses the tools to be an excellent rebounder and defender. He has great length and seems to get the ball at its highest point, reminds me of Harkless in that regard. Will be interesting to see who out of him and Sima has more blocks from this point forward, I think it will be close.
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Sima will probably get more blocks from this point forward, because I think Yakwe is going to make other teams think twice about going inside. Sima has not yet had that effect on teams. I think Yakwe will.
 
I agree that Yakwe has a nice physical foundation to work with. He is being bodied by older, stronger players now, but that will improve with age and experience. Yakwe does not have the offensive skills that Harkless had as a freshman, but he is more gifted athletically, which is saying a lot.
 
Lefty Postell. See if he can develop a J
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Not seeing Postell. Postell was 6'5 and came with some offensive skills. A 6'7" player with extraordinary hops and limited other skills is a left handed Ed Searcy. Except Searcy was probably 20 years old when he to to SJU after transferring from Duquesne. He never developed a reliable offensive game, although he never missed in practice. Too bad there was no dunking allowed when he played. Much like Searcy, Yakwe is a great leaper with 2 feet planted. Makes for a better rebounder and shot blocker. After a while, Searcy would only fake like he was going to jump, and guys would miss anyway. However, one poster pointed out that Ed was never in great shape, so maybe he was just conserving energy.
 
Not to split hairs but everyone has pretty much agreed that Yawke is 6-6. Other than Sealy who was good as a frosh, but became one of the best ever for the program, Postell showed the most improvement from his Frosh year. As a frosh Postell was not a good shooter.
 
Not to split hairs but everyone has pretty much agreed that Yawke is 6-6. Other than Sealy who was good as a frosh, but became one of the best ever for the program, Postell showed the most improvement from his Frosh year. As a frosh Postell was not a good shooter.
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Postell continues to be the most oft-compared player in sju history. Seems every batch of players brought in has one compared to him. I personally don't think Yakwe will ever be a perimeter player.
 
Not to split hairs but everyone has pretty much agreed that Yawke is 6-6. Other than Sealy who was good as a frosh, but became one of the best ever for the program, Postell showed the most improvement from his Frosh year. As a frosh Postell was not a good shooter.
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Postell continues to be the most oft-compared player in sju history. Seems every batch of players brought in has one compared to him. I personally don't think Yakwe will ever be a perimeter player.
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The reason is because unlike the people who in the past were compared to him he developed. He came in as an athlete and became a complete player by the time he left. Anthony Mason jr and Amir Garret two guys who previously reminded me of Postell as a frosh did not.
 
Not to split hairs but everyone has pretty much agreed that Yawke is 6-6. Other than Sealy who was good as a frosh, but became one of the best ever for the program, Postell showed the most improvement from his Frosh year. As a frosh Postell was not a good shooter.
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Probably 95% of the freshman SJU had in the modern era of basketball were not good shooters. In that sense, we have a lot of guys similar to Postell. Postell was a perimeter player. He took close to 300 3s in his career. Yakwe is a shot blocker and may have more blocks by early next season than Postell had in his career.

We hope that every player develops more of an offensive game than they come here with. For Yakwe to improve from beyond the paint, he needs to stop shooting the ball like he is loading and artillery shell. Far too much going on with his form. He's a young player who I assume hasn't been playing as long as some players. He will get better with coaching, experience and hard work. But his talents are primarily on the defensive end and on his ability to run the floor and finish with dunks.
 
Yakwe runs the floor extremely well, is a very good rebounder (particularly offensively), obviously is a talented shot blocker, but is clearly a work in progress offensively. I suspect on that end he will improve modestly in time, but not to extent Postell did. With good shooters around him,as I anticipate, I think he will be a huge plus, maximizing the strengths noted. If he does develop a decent short range shooting game, then watch out. In any event, with maturation, he will be a fan favorite & winner IMO.
 
Yakwe runs the floor extremely well, is a very good rebounder (particularly offensively), obviously is a talented shot blocker, but is clearly a work in progress offensively. I suspect on that end he will improve modestly in time, but not to extent Postell did. With good shooters around him,as I anticipate, I think he will be a huge plus, maximizing the strengths noted. If he does develop a decent short range shooting game, then watch out. In any event, with maturation, he will be a fan favorite & winner IMO.
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I'm looking forward to your thoughts on our needs and how our signed or potential recruits address those needs. Especially on Ponds playing some point. Thanks.
 
Yakwe runs the floor extremely well, is a very good rebounder (particularly offensively), obviously is a talented shot blocker, but is clearly a work in progress offensively. I suspect on that end he will improve modestly in time, but not to extent Postell did. With good shooters around him,as I anticipate, I think he will be a huge plus, maximizing the strengths noted. If he does develop a decent short range shooting game, then watch out. In any event, with maturation, he will be a fan favorite & winner IMO.
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I'm looking forward to your thoughts on our needs and how our signed or potential recruits address those needs. Especially on Ponds playing some point. Thanks.
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I have only seen Ponds a few times, but folks I respect (including some posters) note he is more of a scoring guard than pure PG. That said, I am sure he will be able to complement LoVett, more of a PG, when called upon to do so. He, Mussini & ML may lack size, but each is very crafty and skilled.

Judging just from games, highlights I have seen on line, Freuedenberg intrigues me, because I think he is well coached, shoots proficiently & at 6'9 will bring (hopefully) requisite skills to play "stretch four" or SF positions. Very flexible player is my sense.

Of course Ahmed will really be a solid recruit, who will start from day one IMO & bring nice wing size, shooting touch h& scoring ability. Getting him will be huge.

Not an expert, but just sharing my sense of things.
 
add Ponds with Thon Maker & we are good! Love to have the german kid and Rawle but add Thon and im a happy camper
 
as far as this year goes....I like all the kids attitudes. Seems like they really like each other. My eval so far...Moose has been a nice surprise. I envision him to be a future scorer for us when he reverts back to his position. Obviously not a point. Johnson- offensively looks pretty good. A tad inconsistant and is a liability on defense. Seems to lose his man all too often. Mouvika- overall decent scorer. Better shot than i imagined. Slow on defense though. Balamou- Seeing his hops this year so far. Love him attacking the rim, weak outside shot. Has been fireplug so far. Sima- another nice surprise. Future is very very bright with him. Natural Frosh mistakes. Jones- Has been steady so far with added playing time. Needs to play into that beast body of his. Good free throws, but still not the force on D. Yakwe- see Sima. Love his hops too. Very excited about him being a johnnie. Williams- inc, didnt see enough to be missing him. Ellison- see Williams, although without LoVett we will miss him more. Ali- Niagara could of been his breakout game so far. He was more aggressive but they didnt fall. I think he will evolve to be more of a steady body underneath for us. Needs better shot selection. I am by no means busting on these guys. Just expressing what in my opinion they need improvement on or what im excited about. As far as coaches go.....not sure what im making of Mully so far. Recruiting has been great with Slice and Matt. I also love the fire in St Jean and see a future coach in him. Anyway....just some thoughts on the team.....also with LoVett all these guys I think will play better. Fingers crossed
 
If Yakwe can develop a 10-15 ft jump shot that would really improve how effective he can be offensively. More pressing at the moment though is his free throw shooting. He's such a physical player, he's going to be at the line often. Gotta get that FT% up. Luckily his coach is one of the greatest shooters of all time.
 
as far as this year goes....I like all the kids attitudes. Seems like they really like each other. My eval so far...Moose has been a nice surprise. I envision him to be a future scorer for us when he reverts back to his position. Obviously not a point. Johnson- offensively looks pretty good. A tad inconsistant and is a liability on defense. Seems to lose his man all too often. Mouvika- overall decent scorer. Better shot than i imagined. Slow on defense though. Balamou- Seeing his hops this year so far. Love him attacking the rim, weak outside shot. Has been fireplug so far. Sima- another nice surprise. Future is very very bright with him. Natural Frosh mistakes. Jones- Has been steady so far with added playing time. Needs to play into that beast body of his. Good free throws, but still not the force on D. Yakwe- see Sima. Love his hops too. Very excited about him being a johnnie. Williams- inc, didnt see enough to be missing him. Ellison- see Williams, although without LoVett we will miss him more. Ali- Niagara could of been his breakout game so far. He was more aggressive but they didnt fall. I think he will evolve to be more of a steady body underneath for us. Needs better shot selection. I am by no means busting on these guys. Just expressing what in my opinion they need improvement on or what im excited about. As far as coaches go.....not sure what im making of Mully so far. Recruiting has been great with Slice and Matt. I also love the fire in St Jean and see a future coach in him. Anyway....just some thoughts on the team.....also with LoVett all these guys I think will play better. Fingers crossed
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After watching yesterday's game where we scored 48 points against a team that shot 22%, I think you are being very kind. I love Mussini's effort and his shooting touch but I think he has a ton of work to do on his dribbling, passing, strength and foot speed. Sima looks good. Just needs to keep improving. Same for Yawke. Jones is doing better but will always have a low basketball IQ. if he sticks around next year, maybe he can get a little better. Amar should stick to being an interior player. First make the lay ups and the tip ins before chucking three pointers that are often air balls and bricks. Wish Balamou was here next year and like his athleticism. Johnson and Mvouika won't be here next year either. Hope Lovett can get eligible and Ellison could stay healthy. Would love to see the five freshman get as much playing time as possible. Williams should red shirt. Recruits I want based on what Paultzman says in addition to Owens and Ponds are Ahmed and Freudenburg. Would save the other scholarship unless Alkins or someone else really good wants it.
 
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