Athletes vs. Basketball players

J

jumbo_peanuts

Active member
I am not familiar with the level of competition that our freshman played against in high school, but it seems like that these kids were such great athletes that they allowed their athleticism to carry them, and never bothered to learn the game of basketball. They overall have a very weak understanding of basketball and situational basketball. This was proven when they were down 12 with a few minutes to go and they were using the entire shot clock, or how they always seem to allow the other team to shoot lights out against us. It's like they don't know how or when they should rotate or anything. However, some of that should be put on the coaching staff, and it can be easily corrected.


Our offense is mainly us passing the ball around until about 8 seconds left on the shot clock, and then having someone try to use their athleticism to drive the lane and get fouled. It doesn't seem like we ever run set any plays or anything. Our defense is absolutely atrocious. We are always out of position, can never rotate quite quickly enough, we over-pursue every pass on the perimeter, and get out rebounded because we never, ever box out, and instead just try to out jump everyone.

After watching the first part of the season, it's no secret that this team is filled with tremendous athletes, but with the exception of Stith(maybe its his experience), this team has no basketball players. These kids need to learn that while their natural athleticism may have gotten them through high school, it is not going to work at this level. Sooner or later, they are going to have to learn the fundamentals and learn how to play the game of basketball...
 
 Theres no doubt in my mind that Harrison, moe, and phil know how to play. Nuri looks like hes used to dominating and Dom is more of a defensive player at this point.
 
It must be at least 55 years ago but at that time there was a quote attributed to Joe Lapchick: I'm looking for basketball players not athletes, I don't have this word for word but that was the general drift.

I still think you are better off with basketball players.  You wount get showtime but you'll have fewer disappointments.
 
 We have scorers not shooters. Once again, it reminds me of the Felipe Lopez days, no real good outside shot. Scored at Rice, obviously, on his athleticism.
 
I think you guys are being hasty judging them on seven games. Dwight Hardy didn't do much his entire junior year-patience!
 
Jumbo great point about the team not boxing out that and the free throw shooting need to be remided ASAP.
 
If the current crop of freshman all had a good handle, a high BB IQ, and some consistency from the outside, they would be in the NBA. This assumes they also have the size the NBA is looking for. If you want the total package, then look to the top 10 rated high school seniors, and you may find it there.

The staff recruited for athleticism. The NBA teams draft for superior athleticism, so if it's good enough for the NBA and good enough for this staff, it works for me. The job of the staff is to get these great athletes to work hard and buy into their system. This may be the most athletic team SJU has ever had. That can't be taught. Yes, it would be great to have a team of long range shooters that could rain three balls on the opposition's head. You can't have everything, unless you are Duke or NC, or a cheat school that pays players. I will take my chances with the athletes we have and trust the staff to fill in the gaps by next season.
 
 If being a "basketball player" = being an outstanding shooter, than this would be a simpler comparison. But the truth is, the basketball skills our guys aren't mastering yet - ie. boxing out, spacing on defense, making physical screens, and harder cuts- that stuff for the most part can be taught, practiced, and improved upon.

Shooting, can improve. Although admittedly, not as much. But shooting can improve, and shot selection/scoring moves CERTAINLY can be taught.

So on the whole, I'm glad the staff brought in athletic guys that can force the other team into mistakes. They're "basketball skills" will improve as they work with the staff.
 
If the current crop of freshman all had a good handle, a high BB IQ, and some consistency from the outside, they would be in the NBA. This assumes they also have the size the NBA is looking for. If you want the total package, then look to the top 10 rated high school seniors, and you may find it there.

The staff recruited for athleticism. The NBA teams draft for superior athleticism, so if it's good enough for the NBA and good enough for this staff, it works for me. The job of the staff is to get these great athletes to work hard and buy into their system. This may be the most athletic team SJU has ever had. That can't be taught. Yes, it would be great to have a team of long range shooters that could rain three balls on the opposition's head. You can't have everything, unless you are Duke or NC, or a cheat school that pays players. I will take my chances with the athletes we have and trust the staff to fill in the gaps by next season.
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Exactly..it is too early and unfair to start criticizing this crop...if we had the 3 guys who failed to qualify we would have been much better (although certainly not perfect). . .
 
Watching the Xavier-Vanderbilt game got me wondering, did we ever go after Tu Holloway? Spent 3 years at Hempstead High on LI, played for LI Lightning and NY Gauchos 
 
Yes, Norm was recruiting him quite a bit as I recall and he was oft discussed on this site. 

FWIW he originally committed to Indiana but got out of his recruitment when Sampson was fired (as did Devin Ebanks). Scout had him as the #15 PG in his class. Scout also says STJ didn't offer.
 
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