Felix Balamou

Balamou has the highest ceiling on the team other than Jordan and arguably Obekpa IMO. I'll agree he wasn't a world beater on defense yesterday, but if you watched the game he got lost in a series of screens and it was his first game back in almost a year. He was also playing against a nearly finished collegiate product that is on the NBA radar--a 6'0 PG at that.

For those of you saying he can't shoot or score, you obviously didn't see him in high school. He was a big scorer and he had a quick trigger from deep. I'm not saying he's a sharpshooter, but I think he is a kid that can see north of 35% with 4-5 attempts per game with good shot selection.

I liked the idea of having him here for three years after this season, but he can really help this year. It all has to start on defense and with rebounding/loose balls. That is his specialty. Also, for such an athletic freak, he plays under control seemingly at all times. Sampson, Obekpa, and Pointer could really learn from that.

Posters on this board love to make the Dom to Oladipo comparison, but I think it is Balamou that has that kind of breakout potential.
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So why not save him and give him three more years instead of using a year of eligibility on a team where he won't see much time when Jordan comes back? Plus, as MJ said, the season is already 1/3 of the way over, whether he has a high ceiling or not, it's still a bad move to put him on the team this year.
 
With all potential referenced, I doubt he will get many minutes, thus making move questionable. If he becomes 15+ minutes player, ok, but doubt he gets 10 in BE play. If so, why do this? Hope there is no other shoe to fall. Hopefully not, but I just doubt this "looked great in practice" line. We'll see.

Btw, I felt starting Felix was bit of a stunt. Lav has to stop fiddling around with lineups and establish a regular rotation. Doing the unexpected is not always a positive. Too many Huhs? at times with Coach. Not end of world, just saying.
 
I can't see him getting any more than 6 mpg. Two years down the road if Balamou is incredible and our best player we are going to be kicking ourselves because we could've given him two years of impactful minutes. He's still not going to get a lot of time next year with Harrison, Greene, Branch, and most likely Jordan still on the team. He wouldn't be getting a ton of playing time until the year after Harrison and co. Graduate. So redshirt him this year, and He could've had TWO years of impactful minutes for this team, and now he's only going to get one. Bad move by Lavin and the staff IMO.
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Two years down the road if we do not sign our top 2015 targets we will be in deep sh*t depth wise and talent wise. There are always good "unrated" prospects out there every year. Gonzaga finds them, Davidson finds them. You just do not pay the salaries SJ pays Lavin, the assistants and Keady for under the radar recruits. You need to have brilliant coaches to be successful with that level of talent. Lavin would be a total failure with that level of talent. This year in particular the coaches look more stressed on the bench, especially Lavin. I saw coach Whitesell the first week he arrived and he looked as refined as Bob McKillip and now he looks like Jack Nicholson in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.
I can't put my finger on it but something is just not right.
Addendum: I do not want to cause unnecessary concern with the coaching staff. It is just an observation in comparison to Lavin's first year where I still have tapes and his constant interaction with coach D at the time. That is totally absent with coach W and oftentimes it is the inexperienced Rico Hines that he consults with rather than coach W who has 30 years of coaching on his resume. I find that just plain odd!
 
Back in the day, SJU practices were open. Way back. I would watch Kevin Williams tear it up at practice. He moved at a quicker level than the rest of the team. Of course, not as quick apparently to Coach, who started Bob Kelly over him. See some of KW in Balamou. I think he can be an impact player.
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LC did not play KW as much as he should have as a result of a bad incident on Kevin`s part which was kept under wraps. It was a disciplinary reason, no more no less. As Kevin matured his pt increased. There was solid logic behind Coach LC`s decision.
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Please tell. Never heard about a single incident, although KW was a bit of a head case, or so I heard.
 
Balamou has the highest ceiling on the team other than Jordan and arguably Obekpa IMO. I'll agree he wasn't a world beater on defense yesterday, but if you watched the game he got lost in a series of screens and it was his first game back in almost a year. He was also playing against a nearly finished collegiate product that is on the NBA radar--a 6'0 PG at that.

For those of you saying he can't shoot or score, you obviously didn't see him in high school. He was a big scorer and he had a quick trigger from deep. I'm not saying he's a sharpshooter, but I think he is a kid that can see north of 35% with 4-5 attempts per game with good shot selection.

I liked the idea of having him here for three years after this season, but he can really help this year. It all has to start on defense and with rebounding/loose balls. That is his specialty. Also, for such an athletic freak, he plays under control seemingly at all times. Sampson, Obekpa, and Pointer could really learn from that.

Posters on this board love to make the Dom to Oladipo comparison, but I think it is Balamou that has that kind of breakout potential.
Click to expand...


So why not save him and give him three more years instead of using a year of eligibility on a team where he won't see much time when Jordan comes back? Plus, as MJ said, the season is already 1/3 of the way over, whether he has a high ceiling or not, it's still a bad move to put him on the team this year.
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Because he wouldn't be here in three years if you get my drift.
 
Balamou has the highest ceiling on the team other than Jordan and arguably Obekpa IMO. I'll agree he wasn't a world beater on defense yesterday, but if you watched the game he got lost in a series of screens and it was his first game back in almost a year. He was also playing against a nearly finished collegiate product that is on the NBA radar--a 6'0 PG at that.

For those of you saying he can't shoot or score, you obviously didn't see him in high school. He was a big scorer and he had a quick trigger from deep. I'm not saying he's a sharpshooter, but I think he is a kid that can see north of 35% with 4-5 attempts per game with good shot selection.

I liked the idea of having him here for three years after this season, but he can really help this year. It all has to start on defense and with rebounding/loose balls. That is his specialty. Also, for such an athletic freak, he plays under control seemingly at all times. Sampson, Obekpa, and Pointer could really learn from that.

Posters on this board love to make the Dom to Oladipo comparison, but I think it is Balamou that has that kind of breakout potential.
Click to expand...


So why not save him and give him three more years instead of using a year of eligibility on a team where he won't see much time when Jordan comes back? Plus, as MJ said, the season is already 1/3 of the way over, whether he has a high ceiling or not, it's still a bad move to put him on the team this year.
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Because he wouldn't be here in three years if you get my drift.
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I don't get your drift. And if what you're trying to say is he'd get drafted you're crazy!
 
Balamou has the highest ceiling on the team other than Jordan and arguably Obekpa IMO. I'll agree he wasn't a world beater on defense yesterday, but if you watched the game he got lost in a series of screens and it was his first game back in almost a year. He was also playing against a nearly finished collegiate product that is on the NBA radar--a 6'0 PG at that.

For those of you saying he can't shoot or score, you obviously didn't see him in high school. He was a big scorer and he had a quick trigger from deep. I'm not saying he's a sharpshooter, but I think he is a kid that can see north of 35% with 4-5 attempts per game with good shot selection.

I liked the idea of having him here for three years after this season, but he can really help this year. It all has to start on defense and with rebounding/loose balls. That is his specialty. Also, for such an athletic freak, he plays under control seemingly at all times. Sampson, Obekpa, and Pointer could really learn from that.

Posters on this board love to make the Dom to Oladipo comparison, but I think it is Balamou that has that kind of breakout potential.
Click to expand...


So why not save him and give him three more years instead of using a year of eligibility on a team where he won't see much time when Jordan comes back? Plus, as MJ said, the season is already 1/3 of the way over, whether he has a high ceiling or not, it's still a bad move to put him on the team this year.
Click to expand...

Because he wouldn't be here in three years if you get my drift.
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I don't get your drift. And if what you're trying to say is he'd get drafted you're crazy!
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Not the first time I've been called that on this site.
 
Coach sees Dlo going in the draft this year and he wants Balamou ready to step in from day 1 next year.
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Draft in which sport? He has no shot in the NBA. I love the kid but he doesn't have the size or quickness.
 
I am mystified by the comments about Balamou. He is athletic, and so far that is all you can say about him. Right now he looks like a poor man's Alpha Bangura. Maybe he will have a Lavor Postell-like developmental curve. We'll see.

Regardless, the decision to activate him makes zero sense unless a guard is leaving for good, imminently (or perhaps unless Balamou indicated he would transfer if he didn't get some time). The backcourt is fully stocked with Harrison, Jordan, Greene and Branch. If the staff managed to get over its love affair with the 3-guard lineup then there would be barely enough minutes for the 4 guards we have.

There's another shoe here somewhere.
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Unfortunately, I am in complete agreement with LMF. There is not enough pt for the current crop of guards so why play Felix?
I said prior to the season that the biggest challenge the staff had was to manage pt and that at least 2 players needed to be redshirted.
I suggested Greene but clearly could live with the redshirting of Felix, whom to date is a proven capable rebounder and shot blocker. Not the qualities you look for in a guard.
Why he was started, especially at SF is an absolute head scratcher unless there is something we all don"t know. I hope such is not the case as I have no stomach for bad news.
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SF is his position. Why are you scratching your head at that?
 
Back in the day, SJU practices were open. Way back. I would watch Kevin Williams tear it up at practice. He moved at a quicker level than the rest of the team. Of course, not as quick apparently to Coach, who started Bob Kelly over him. See some of KW in Balamou. I think he can be an impact player.
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I saw Kelly play at the garden when he was still at Holy Cross college, and he was a different player than the one we saw after he transferred to sju. He had knee surgery and was never the same. Another example of the sju curse. Those teams were one good point guard away from being really good. Williams was very talented, but not really a point guard. His senior year, we beat the Ewing G'town team both times we met. Sellout games at msg and the capital center. Three thousand of us watched the away game at Alumni Hall, on closed circuit, since I don't believe the game was televised locally.
 
Coach sees Dlo going in the draft this year and he wants Balamou ready to step in from day 1 next year.
Click to expand...

Draft in which sport? He has no shot in the NBA. I love the kid but he doesn't have the size or quickness.
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I said that facetiously but:

http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/jacksma01.html

Dlo's biggest problem would be his ability, or lack thereof, to distribute.
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He will have a long career overseas and love every minute of it!
 
I am mystified by the comments about Balamou. He is athletic, and so far that is all you can say about him. Right now he looks like a poor man's Alpha Bangura. Maybe he will have a Lavor Postell-like developmental curve. We'll see.

Regardless, the decision to activate him makes zero sense unless a guard is leaving for good, imminently (or perhaps unless Balamou indicated he would transfer if he didn't get some time). The backcourt is fully stocked with Harrison, Jordan, Greene and Branch. If the staff managed to get over its love affair with the 3-guard lineup then there would be barely enough minutes for the 4 guards we have.

There's another shoe here somewhere.
Click to expand...

Unfortunately, I am in complete agreement with LMF. There is not enough pt for the current crop of guards so why play Felix?
I said prior to the season that the biggest challenge the staff had was to manage pt and that at least 2 players needed to be redshirted.
I suggested Greene but clearly could live with the redshirting of Felix, whom to date is a proven capable rebounder and shot blocker. Not the qualities you look for in a guard.
Why he was started, especially at SF is an absolute head scratcher unless there is something we all don"t know. I hope such is not the case as I have no stomach for bad news.
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SF is his position. Why are you scratching your head at that?
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He is listed as a guard. I just double checked at redstormsports.com.
 
Haven't we started a 3 guard lineup in a number of games? I found it odd that he started but the position didn't really make a difference.
 
Coach sees Dlo going in the draft this year and he wants Balamou ready to step in from day 1 next year.
Click to expand...


Draft in which sport? He has no shot in the NBA. I love the kid but he doesn't have the size or quickness.
Click to expand...

I said that facetiously but:

http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/jacksma01.html

Dlo's biggest problem would be his ability, or lack thereof, to distribute.
Click to expand...

I thought you were being serious. Harrison is a fine passer, he biggest weakness is that he doesn't come remotely close to the physical requirements of playing in the NBA. He is not quick, tall, long, or athletic. He really has no chance IMO.
 
Coach sees Dlo going in the draft this year and he wants Balamou ready to step in from day 1 next year.
Click to expand...


Draft in which sport? He has no shot in the NBA. I love the kid but he doesn't have the size or quickness.
Click to expand...

I said that facetiously but:

http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/jacksma01.html

Dlo's biggest problem would be his ability, or lack thereof, to distribute.
Click to expand...

I thought you were being serious. Harrison is a fine passer, he biggest weakness is that he doesn't come remotely close to the physical requirements of playing in the NBA. He is not quick, tall, long, or athletic. He really has no chance IMO.
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Didn't they say that about Mullin not that you can draw a remote comparison other than you can not always go by .what they.
 
I am mystified by the comments about Balamou. He is athletic, and so far that is all you can say about him. Right now he looks like a poor man's Alpha Bangura. Maybe he will have a Lavor Postell-like developmental curve. We'll see.

Regardless, the decision to activate him makes zero sense unless a guard is leaving for good, imminently (or perhaps unless Balamou indicated he would transfer if he didn't get some time). The backcourt is fully stocked with Harrison, Jordan, Greene and Branch. If the staff managed to get over its love affair with the 3-guard lineup then there would be barely enough minutes for the 4 guards we have.

There's another shoe here somewhere.
Click to expand...

Unfortunately, I am in complete agreement with LMF. There is not enough pt for the current crop of guards so why play Felix?
I said prior to the season that the biggest challenge the staff had was to manage pt and that at least 2 players needed to be redshirted.
I suggested Greene but clearly could live with the redshirting of Felix, whom to date is a proven capable rebounder and shot blocker. Not the qualities you look for in a guard.
Why he was started, especially at SF is an absolute head scratcher unless there is something we all don"t know. I hope such is not the case as I have no stomach for bad news.
Click to expand...

SF is his position. Why are you scratching your head at that?
Click to expand...

He is listed as a guard. I just double checked at redstormsports.com.
Click to expand...

That may be what they list him at but sf is what best suits him at this point. He plays a few inches bigger than he is and he does most of his work inside.
 
Coach sees Dlo going in the draft this year and he wants Balamou ready to step in from day 1 next year.
Click to expand...


Draft in which sport? He has no shot in the NBA. I love the kid but he doesn't have the size or quickness.
Click to expand...

I said that facetiously but:

http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/jacksma01.html

Dlo's biggest problem would be his ability, or lack thereof, to distribute.
Click to expand...

I thought you were being serious. Harrison is a fine passer, he biggest weakness is that he doesn't come remotely close to the physical requirements of playing in the NBA. He is not quick, tall, long, or athletic. He really has no chance IMO.
Click to expand...

I don't think Dlo's skills translate to an NBA career but the reason I put up the Mark Jackson link is because he was shorter and slower than Dlo. He was just the consummate pass first point guard with an excellent ability to see the court and find his teammate (whether open or not) and get him the ball where he can score. Dlo is a fine passer for a 2 guard but he is not a pg. There is a caveat, however. With Dlo's ability to score on this level, if it continues to develop, i don't totally count out his chances.
 
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