LJ Figueroa NY Post Piece

[quote="Windy City Johnny Fan" post=283075]Guys, not trying to be negative. Everything I'm hearing about Figueroa is positive, sounds like a terrific signing. A great job by the staff there, no question about it.

My original comment was in reaction to the line in the article how we seem to just be looking for a front court reserve now, and not a starting caliber big. That simply seems misguided to me.

We're adding Keita, I understand that. But this idea that we are just "set" now with Clark as our starting 4, is interesting considering he averaged 4.7 boards in 30 minutes last year and seemed like more of a perimeter guy. We were 335th out of 351 D1 teams in rebounding margin last year. Again, I don't mean this as a knock on Clark, who I happen to love - love his attitude, leadership, he's a quality shooter, etc. etc. My point is only that I still think we are one starting caliber big man short. That's it, not trying to be super negative.[/quote]

Two points: I agree with the praise for Clark. However he has shown ZERO inclination to play the 4 in any traditional sense. That is not a knock on him. Not at all just a statement of fact. He wants to be a perimeter player and for the most part that is what he's done.

Second, He did actually have a few drive/finish in the later half of the season and I think he'll be more effective when he utilizes that more. Not because he is either a dominant interior player or because he has the speed for it, but because he needs it to be a more complete player and when he's got that as a legitimate threat defenders will need to back off him a bit which will help his already very good shooting.

If Ponds doesn't come back, some of our other shooters will have a harder time of it because Ponds was so often over defended it presented better shots for other players off the pass.
 
Appreciate what you are saying just our opinion of what is a diamond in the rough differs'. I SEE IT as a player that was recruited by the staff which no one else was looking at, a player that had the the potential to be a a very good player. I do not know for sure but many schools saw his abilities staff was fortunate to be able to grab him KODos to the staff
 
[quote="usguard" post=283250]Appreciate what you are saying just our opinion of what is a diamond in the rough differs'. I SEE IT as a player that was recruited by the staff which no one else was looking at, a player that had the the potential to be a a very good player. I do not know for sure but many schools saw his abilities staff was fortunate to be able to grab him KODos to the staff[/quote]

Couldn’t agree more, usguard. LJF looks to be a legitimate scorer and BEC-caliber player. A great ‘get’ By the Staff.
The offense will be explosive if Ponds also returns. A lineup of Ponds, Simon, Clark, Figueroa, and Keita, with Dixon, Trimble, Williams, ready to contribute will be challenging to most BEC teams to overcome.
Wish we had better ‘big’ depth, but that’s a gripe for another thread!
 
[quote="Paul Massell" post=283081][quote="Windy City Johnny Fan" post=283075]Guys, not trying to be negative. Everything I'm hearing about Figueroa is positive, sounds like a terrific signing. A great job by the staff there, no question about it.

My original comment was in reaction to the line in the article how we seem to just be looking for a front court reserve now, and not a starting caliber big. That simply seems misguided to me.

We're adding Keita, I understand that. But this idea that we are just "set" now with Clark as our starting 4, is interesting considering he averaged 4.7 boards in 30 minutes last year and seemed like more of a perimeter guy. We were 335th out of 351 D1 teams in rebounding margin last year. Again, I don't mean this as a knock on Clark, who I happen to love - love his attitude, leadership, he's a quality shooter, etc. etc. My point is only that I still think we are one starting caliber big man short. That's it, not trying to be super negative.[/quote]

Two points: I agree with the praise for Clark. However he has shown ZERO inclination to play the 4 in any traditional sense. That is not a knock on him. Not at all just a statement of fact. He wants to be a perimeter player and for the most part that is what he's done.

Second, He did actually have a few drive/finish in the later half of the season and I think he'll be more effective when he utilizes that more. Not because he is either a dominant interior player or because he has the speed for it, but because he needs it to be a more complete player and when he's got that as a legitimate threat defenders will need to back off him a bit which will help his already very good shooting.

If Ponds doesn't come back, some of our other shooters will have a harder time of it because Ponds was so often over defended it presented better shots for other players off the pass.[/quote]

Just a comment on Clark moving inside as a result of this real nice pick-up. I agree with both points, but I thought he had difficulty defending SF's and picked up too many fouls - and I am not watching games looking for things that coaches look for. I leave that up to others in section 114.

Perhaps this move works out well for Marvin and the team.
 
[quote="OLV72" post=283298][quote="Paul Massell" post=283081][quote="Windy City Johnny Fan" post=283075]Guys, not trying to be negative. Everything I'm hearing about Figueroa is positive, sounds like a terrific signing. A great job by the staff there, no question about it.

My original comment was in reaction to the line in the article how we seem to just be looking for a front court reserve now, and not a starting caliber big. That simply seems misguided to me.

We're adding Keita, I understand that. But this idea that we are just "set" now with Clark as our starting 4, is interesting considering he averaged 4.7 boards in 30 minutes last year and seemed like more of a perimeter guy. We were 335th out of 351 D1 teams in rebounding margin last year. Again, I don't mean this as a knock on Clark, who I happen to love - love his attitude, leadership, he's a quality shooter, etc. etc. My point is only that I still think we are one starting caliber big man short. That's it, not trying to be super negative.[/quote]

Two points: I agree with the praise for Clark. However he has shown ZERO inclination to play the 4 in any traditional sense. That is not a knock on him. Not at all just a statement of fact. He wants to be a perimeter player and for the most part that is what he's done.

Second, He did actually have a few drive/finish in the later half of the season and I think he'll be more effective when he utilizes that more. Not because he is either a dominant interior player or because he has the speed for it, but because he needs it to be a more complete player and when he's got that as a legitimate threat defenders will need to back off him a bit which will help his already very good shooting.

If Ponds doesn't come back, some of our other shooters will have a harder time of it because Ponds was so often over defended it presented better shots for other players off the pass.[/quote]

Just a comment on Clark moving inside as a result of this real nice pick-up. I agree with both points, but I thought he had difficulty defending SF's and picked up too many fouls - and I am not watching games looking for things that coaches look for. I leave that up to others in section 114.

Perhaps this move works out well for Marvin and the team.[/quote] I'm usually looking for a break in the action to go get a bronx pale ale before the line gets long :)
 
[quote="usguard" post=283306]I said , I hope Ponds comes back ut now that LJ IS HERE not getting concerned.[/quote]

Together they might cross over into “unbelievable”.
 
Yes, together they can be top guard duo in BE and in top 10 in the country Why not at this pt think big. We would sure make it easier for 20 wins
 
[quote="usguard" post=283357]Yes, together they can be top guard duo in BE and in top 10 in the country Why not at this pt think big. We would sure make it easier for 20 wins[/quote]

Top guard duo in the Big East? I suggest you temper your expectations. Hopefully Figueroa will be a solid contributor from day 1, but it's not realistic to suggest that he will be one of the top guards in the country. Will he even be playing the guard position?
 
[quote="Boo Harvey" post=283366][quote="usguard" post=283357]Yes, together they can be top guard duo in BE and in top 10 in the country Why not at this pt think big. We would sure make it easier for 20 wins[/quote]

Top guard duo in the Big East? I suggest you temper your expectations. Hopefully Figueroa will be a solid contributor from day 1, but it's not realistic to suggest that he will be one of the top guards in the country. Will he even be playing the guard position?[/quote]

Three spot type
 
[quote="Paultzman" post=283368][quote="Boo Harvey" post=283366][quote="usguard" post=283357]Yes, together they can be top guard duo in BE and in top 10 in the country Why not at this pt think big. We would sure make it easier for 20 wins[/quote]

Top guard duo in the Big East? I suggest you temper your expectations. Hopefully Figueroa will be a solid contributor from day 1, but it's not realistic to suggest that he will be one of the top guards in the country. Will he even be playing the guard position?[/quote]

Three spot type[/quote]

Everyone is a guard on offense at least. I like what I heard about his passing and creating for teammates. Nice to hear that combined with prolific scorer.
 
No doubt he will be a fine addition and was a last minute infusion of talent. If Ponds returns, this team should be fun to watch. Yeah, I know we still need interior help, but BE is down & this group should dance w Shamorie.
 
[quote="Paultzman" post=283380]No doubt he will be a fine addition and was a last minute infusion of talent. If Ponds returns, this team should be fun to watch. Yeah, I know we still need interior help, but BE is down & this group should dance w Shamorie.[/quote]

Yup, if Ponds returns and we’re not snake-bit by injuries, it’ll be ‘shoot-the-lights’ out hoops and dancing in the NCAAs.
Here’s hoping.
 
[quote="Paultzman" post=283380]No doubt he will be a fine addition and was a last minute infusion of talent. If Ponds returns, this team should be fun to watch. Yeah, I know we still need interior help, but BE is down & this group should dance w Shamorie.[/quote]

If I were coach, I'd definitely be temped to to play Ponds, Dixon, LJF, Simon, and Clark together for long stretches. We should absolutely do it against a team like Mount St. Mary's -- blow the damn doors off them early and get our freshmen some minutes in non game-threatening situations.
 
Agree, but I will be more optimistic ,even without PONDS WE DANCE. Also ,i think many on this board are not giving Keita enough credit. He fills the gap nicely. True ,he needs to stay healthy but across the board we will be rebound and play D better and our outside shooting will improve
 
[quote="Boo Harvey" post=283366][quote="usguard" post=283357]Yes, together they can be top guard duo in BE and in top 10 in the country Why not at this pt think big. We would sure make it easier for 20 wins[/quote]

Top guard duo in the Big East? I suggest you temper your expectations. Hopefully Figueroa will be a solid contributor from day 1, but it's not realistic to suggest that he will be one of the top guards in the country. Will he even be playing the guard position?[/quote]

I agree. Plus typically JUCO players take an adjustment period and usually don't put up huge numbers immediately. Just look at Ahmed and he was first team also I believe before choosing us.
 
[quote="usguard" post=283392]Agree, but I will be more optimistic ,even without PONDS WE DANCE. Also ,i think many on this board are not giving Keita enough credit. He fills the gap nicely. True ,he needs to stay healthy but across the board we will be rebound and play D better and our outside shooting will improve[/quote]


Ah too many variables would have to go right to make the Dance w/o Ponds. With virtually no BEC caliber depth in that scenario, we’d have to have no injuries, experience little foul trouble to our starting 5, and LJF would have to be the guy as a newbie in the BEC.
That’s asking for everything and seems unlikely imo.
But I’d love to see it.
 
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[quote="Paul Massell" post=283081][quote="Windy City Johnny Fan" post=283075]Guys, not trying to be negative. Everything I'm hearing about Figueroa is positive, sounds like a terrific signing. A great job by the staff there, no question about it.

My original comment was in reaction to the line in the article how we seem to just be looking for a front court reserve now, and not a starting caliber big. That simply seems misguided to me.

We're adding Keita, I understand that. But this idea that we are just "set" now with Clark as our starting 4, is interesting considering he averaged 4.7 boards in 30 minutes last year and seemed like more of a perimeter guy. We were 335th out of 351 D1 teams in rebounding margin last year. Again, I don't mean this as a knock on Clark, who I happen to love - love his attitude, leadership, he's a quality shooter, etc. etc. My point is only that I still think we are one starting caliber big man short. That's it, not trying to be super negative.[/quote]

Two points: I agree with the praise for Clark. However he has shown ZERO inclination to play the 4 in any traditional sense. That is not a knock on him. Not at all just a statement of fact. He wants to be a perimeter player and for the most part that is what he's done.

Second, He did actually have a few drive/finish in the later half of the season and I think he'll be more effective when he utilizes that more. Not because he is either a dominant interior player or because he has the speed for it, but because he needs it to be a more complete player and when he's got that as a legitimate threat defenders will need to back off him a bit which will help his already very good shooting.

If Ponds doesn't come back, some of our other shooters will have a harder time of it because Ponds was so often over defended it presented better shots for other players off the pass.[/quote]

Early in the season Owens came off the bench and Clark was our starting "5". The guys who rebounded were Ponds and Simon. I wouldn't be surprised if, depending on the opponent or situation, we don't start Keita and go small ball with Ponds, Simon, Clark, LJ and Dixon.
 
[quote="usguard" post=283392]Agree, but I will be more optimistic ,even without PONDS WE DANCE. Also ,i think many on this board are not giving Keita enough credit. He fills the gap nicely. True ,he needs to stay healthy but across the board we will be rebound and play D better and our outside shooting will improve[/quote]

I'm tempering my enthusiasm on Keita. The guy averaged 1pts and 2 rebounds per game in 10 minutes. I take it he was only a freshman. Never seen him play, but I've heard he has no hands. I'm glad he's here because he is the only size we have, just wouldn't count on him being the answer
 
[quote="usguard" post=283306]I said , I hope Ponds comes back ut now that LJ IS HERE not getting concerned.[/quote]

Ha

You better be concerned if Ponds doesn't come back. Otherwise I'll have whatever you're smoking
 
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