My advice to D'Angelo Harrison

[logen]

I raked D'Angelo Harrison over the coals pretty hard for his performance against Rutgers. I won't repeat them , but I suggested he should be moved to 6th man because he had become a shameless fire-it-up guard who appeared to disrespect his teammates by becoming a selfish offensive player.

Apparently Harrison, whether he reads this site or not, took that game just as hard. He's promptly gone in the tank for single digits two games in a row.

So here's my re-assessment:

1) I believe I mistakenly classified Harrison as an ill-tempered thug who yells profanity at his teammate, coaches, and sometimes himself. What I think is really there is a kid with fire in his belly, who is all business when he steps on the court. Yea, he wears a permanent scowl, but it's because he is serious about the game. He leaves it all on the court.

2) Last night late in the game, he took one on the nose - hard. It was enough to draw blood. As trainer Ron Linfonte worked on him Harrison winced and jerked his head away in pain every time his nose was touched. But he wouldn't come out of the game. Looking at him, you just knew he couldn't wait to get out there and make someone pay for the shot to the nose - either by reataliation or by his play. He chose the latter, drilling a long three, blocking a shot late, and garnering a big rebound he didnt get credit for because ND slapped it out of bounds(SJU ball). mHe showed me I was wrong, and he's really the heart and soul of this team.

Now, here's what I would advise:

1) Get out of the tank. For us to have a shot at .500 in the Big East, Harrison must score. Yea, the shot selection must be better, and yea sometimes a teammate will be open who should get the ball, and yea a three on two fast break should result in a layup, not a long three. But, for St. John's to win, we need more than 7 or 8 points out of Harrison, and he is very capable of that, without having to force the issue.

2) D'Angelo, you have to move more on offense. Yea, Harrison can shoot off the dribble, yea he can create his own shot, BUT hanging out on the perimeter, just standing there waiting for his shot, the offense dies. You have to cut, pick, uses picks and flash. My kid was coached by Bellerose's George Groome, one of Holy Cross high school all time greats and one of the best players ever at Fairfield. He taught kids to flash, to use picks in the paint and flash out synching with the swing of the ball back to the top so you could catch and shoot from a wing. To get open shots, you have to be in constant motion (see Bill Bradley).

So yea, I think I was mostly wrong about Harrison, and completely wrong about casting him on the bench. He is clearly the soul of this team and our most talented offensive player. Now is the time for him to step up as a leader his teammates can like and respect, and become the premier two guard he can be, especially now that Branch is running the show from the point.

IMO Harrison played his finest game as a Johnnie against ND because he played WINNING ball. He played D, he moved the ball and accepted that ND was going to run players at him and make it difficult for him to score.

I do think that Harrison played winning basketball in crunch time after getting whacked on the nose. Doing everything right to help your team win in the closing moments of a game is the difference betweens Ws and Ls.

That being said, Harrison shot two for eight on the night, two for 7 from 3 point land, lending credence to the fact that he is standing around on the perimeter waiting for the ball as our offense goes East West. Hardly his greatest game as Johnnie, just a very solid 3-4 minutes at the end.

I think my expectations are higher because I see what he is capable of if he moves on offense without the ball, and refines his shot selection. As an undersized guard, if he is to have NBA aspirations, his game must be elevated two or three levels if he is to have a prayer at being an NBA draft pick. I think he is capable of that, and as such, believe my critiques are valid.

Harrison (and the entire team) played D the whole game. The effort they put in on that end of the court was what I feel has been missing and that's why I disagree with all the X's and O's talk. Anyway, back to Harrison, he did not aimlessly dribble when he got the ball, he moved it. Personally, I couldn't care less about what he shot or what he needs to do to become a pro. To me, the guards first priority is putting pressure on the ball, disrupting offense; he and all the guards did that Moving the ball, creating a team tempo on offense is next and again, Harrison and all the guards did that. The only time we started to over-dribble was at the end and I do agree with the use of that nonsensical 35 feet from the basket weave; an experienced team may be able to get a good shot while bleeding clock but we sure can't. Anyway, we will just have to disagree, points are usually down on my list when judging a players game.

 

[billyfa]

Um, not sure why these threads pop up? Harrison is the VERY LEAST of our problems!

Couldn't have said it any better myself.

 

[westchesterjoe]

A couple of comments. One, Harrison is the only true scorer on this team right now. As a result, BE teams scout us to focus on stopping him. Lavin's offense, limited as it is, doesn't do much to counter opponents Defense and free up Harrison for good shots. IF plays were established for him or, actually, any of our players to set screens, backdoor cuts, etc. it would help the team substantially.

A lot of the problem is not Harrison getting open, it's THE EAST-WEST weave that Lavin uses AND the Greene dribble pound that negates ball movement and results in wasting time until the final 10 seconds of a possession and then, usually resulting in a frantic chaos throw at the basket or a shot clock violation.

Maybe Steve is waiting to install a offense until next year? But, there's not much going on the Court to create motion and get everyone involved in the offense. Right now, it's the guy with the ball and not much else.
Perhaps that worked 8 years ago in the PAC-12 but, it's not suited to BE style BB. I'm pretty sure Bobby Knight was appalled at the lack of off the ball motion vs ND. Steve ought to read and re-read Bobby's book.

Lavin needs to adjust to the league and, recognize this isn't UCLA ..

 

[beast of the east]

My advise would be continue to do what you have been doing . But, if you are double teamed, look for the open man, dont force shots , and dont shoot the 3 on a 3 on 3 fast break.

Yeah right, and that 3 from beyond the arc to get us back the lead against nd was an ill advised shot as well. Dlo's going to take some forced shots, but there is absolutely nobody on this team I'd rather take a crunch time shot. heck, I don't know of anybody who wants to take that shot except him. And, Lavin sets up plays for him to get the ball in crunch time.

Harrison made exactly one big shot all night and two altogether. The three he nailed was a wide open look, and has nothing to do with shooting a 3 on the break. Shooting a three on the break is one of those shots that only makes sense when you make it, or looks ridoculous when done every time you are running the break. If you take a moment to look at the box score you'd see that Harrison attempted 8 shots vs. ND, all but one a 3 point shot, lending credence to my accurate assessment that he was mostly hanging out way out on the perimeter. He missed all previous 7 looks from three, and you'd have to believe that someone who can handle the ball like him can do much better than shooting 7/8th's of his shots from beyond the arc, and making only 2.

 

[Moose]

In general its better to take high % shots then low ones.

'in general'

 

[Moose]

My advise would be continue to do what you have been doing . But, if you are double teamed, look for the open man, dont force shots , and dont shoot the 3 on a 3 on 3 fast break.

Yeah right, and that 3 from beyond the arc to get us back the lead against nd was an ill advised shot as well. Dlo's going to take some forced shots, but there is absolutely nobody on this team I'd rather take a crunch time shot. heck, I don't know of anybody who wants to take that shot except him. And, Lavin sets up plays for him to get the ball in crunch time.

Harrison made exactly one big shot all night and two altogether. The three he nailed was a wide open look, and has nothing to do with shooting a 3 on the break. Shooting a three on the break is one of those shots that only makes sense when you make it, or looks ridoculous when done every time you are running the break. If you take a moment to look at the box score you'd see that Harrison attempted 8 shots vs. ND, all but one a 3 point shot, lending credence to my accurate assessment that he was mostly hanging out way out on the perimeter. He missed all previous 7 looks from three, and you'd have to believe that someone who can handle the ball like him can do much better than shooting 7/8th's of his shots from beyond the arc, and making only 2.

The guys around him were hitting shots vs. ND. Usually sadly that is NOT the case. Hence him usually attempting twice as many shots.

 

[Section9]

My advise would be continue to do what you have been doing . But, if you are double teamed, look for the open man, dont force shots , and dont shoot the 3 on a 3 on 3 fast break.

Yeah right, and that 3 from beyond the arc to get us back the lead against nd was an ill advised shot as well. Dlo's going to take some forced shots, but there is absolutely nobody on this team I'd rather take a crunch time shot. heck, I don't know of anybody who wants to take that shot except him. And, Lavin sets up plays for him to get the ball in crunch time.

Harrison made exactly one big shot all night and two altogether. The three he nailed was a wide open look, and has nothing to do with shooting a 3 on the break. Shooting a three on the break is one of those shots that only makes sense when you make it, or looks ridoculous when done every time you are running the break. If you take a moment to look at the box score you'd see that Harrison attempted 8 shots vs. ND, all but one a 3 point shot, lending credence to my accurate assessment that he was mostly hanging out way out on the perimeter. He missed all previous 7 looks from three, and you'd have to believe that someone who can handle the ball like him can do much better than shooting 7/8th's of his shots from beyond the arc, and making only 2.

The guys around him were hitting shots vs. ND. Usually sadly that is NOT the case. Hence him usually attempting twice as many shots.

That was a high pressure shot at a very critical point in the game. Who else would have cojones to take that shot? Almost everybody else would pass the ball because they're afraid of the high pressure situation. DLo doesn't have that fear. Is he going to make that shot every time, no. Is there anybody else on this team you'd want to take that shot?

Why do you think that every team we face designs their defences to stop DLo?

 

[Moose]

My advise would be continue to do what you have been doing . But, if you are double teamed, look for the open man, dont force shots , and dont shoot the 3 on a 3 on 3 fast break.

Yeah right, and that 3 from beyond the arc to get us back the lead against nd was an ill advised shot as well. Dlo's going to take some forced shots, but there is absolutely nobody on this team I'd rather take a crunch time shot. heck, I don't know of anybody who wants to take that shot except him. And, Lavin sets up plays for him to get the ball in crunch time.

Harrison made exactly one big shot all night and two altogether. The three he nailed was a wide open look, and has nothing to do with shooting a 3 on the break. Shooting a three on the break is one of those shots that only makes sense when you make it, or looks ridoculous when done every time you are running the break. If you take a moment to look at the box score you'd see that Harrison attempted 8 shots vs. ND, all but one a 3 point shot, lending credence to my accurate assessment that he was mostly hanging out way out on the perimeter. He missed all previous 7 looks from three, and you'd have to believe that someone who can handle the ball like him can do much better than shooting 7/8th's of his shots from beyond the arc, and making only 2.

The guys around him were hitting shots vs. ND. Usually sadly that is NOT the case. Hence him usually attempting twice as many shots.

That was a high pressure shot at a very critical point in the game. Who else would have cojones to take that shot? Almost everybody else would pass the ball because they're afraid of the high pressure situation. DLo doesn't have that fear. Is he going to make that shot every time, no. Is there anybody else on this team you'd want to take that shot?

Why do you think that every team we face designs their defences to stop DLo?

Asking me? I'm his biggest fan. He has permanent green light in my book.

Does he get pissed when his teammates cant throw the ball in the ocean? Yes. Thats where it unravels. But the other night they were firing on all cylinders and he could take a step back.

 

[Section9]

My advise would be continue to do what you have been doing . But, if you are double teamed, look for the open man, dont force shots , and dont shoot the 3 on a 3 on 3 fast break.

Yeah right, and that 3 from beyond the arc to get us back the lead against nd was an ill advised shot as well. Dlo's going to take some forced shots, but there is absolutely nobody on this team I'd rather take a crunch time shot. heck, I don't know of anybody who wants to take that shot except him. And, Lavin sets up plays for him to get the ball in crunch time.

Harrison made exactly one big shot all night and two altogether. The three he nailed was a wide open look, and has nothing to do with shooting a 3 on the break. Shooting a three on the break is one of those shots that only makes sense when you make it, or looks ridoculous when done every time you are running the break. If you take a moment to look at the box score you'd see that Harrison attempted 8 shots vs. ND, all but one a 3 point shot, lending credence to my accurate assessment that he was mostly hanging out way out on the perimeter. He missed all previous 7 looks from three, and you'd have to believe that someone who can handle the ball like him can do much better than shooting 7/8th's of his shots from beyond the arc, and making only 2.

The guys around him were hitting shots vs. ND. Usually sadly that is NOT the case. Hence him usually attempting twice as many shots.

That was a high pressure shot at a very critical point in the game. Who else would have cojones to take that shot? Almost everybody else would pass the ball because they're afraid of the high pressure situation. DLo doesn't have that fear. Is he going to make that shot every time, no. Is there anybody else on this team you'd want to take that shot?

Why do you think that every team we face designs their defences to stop DLo?

Asking me? I'm his biggest fan. He has permanent green light in my book.

Does he get pissed when his teammates cant throw the ball in the ocean? Yes. Thats where it unravels. But the other night they were firing on all cylinders and he could take a step back.

Nah, just reenforcing what you said, it's all good.

 

[logen]

My advise would be continue to do what you have been doing . But, if you are double teamed, look for the open man, dont force shots , and dont shoot the 3 on a 3 on 3 fast break.

Yeah right, and that 3 from beyond the arc to get us back the lead against nd was an ill advised shot as well. Dlo's going to take some forced shots, but there is absolutely nobody on this team I'd rather take a crunch time shot. heck, I don't know of anybody who wants to take that shot except him. And, Lavin sets up plays for him to get the ball in crunch time.

Harrison made exactly one big shot all night and two altogether. The three he nailed was a wide open look, and has nothing to do with shooting a 3 on the break. Shooting a three on the break is one of those shots that only makes sense when you make it, or looks ridoculous when done every time you are running the break. If you take a moment to look at the box score you'd see that Harrison attempted 8 shots vs. ND, all but one a 3 point shot, lending credence to my accurate assessment that he was mostly hanging out way out on the perimeter. He missed all previous 7 looks from three, and you'd have to believe that someone who can handle the ball like him can do much better than shooting 7/8th's of his shots from beyond the arc, and making only 2.

The guys around him were hitting shots vs. ND. Usually sadly that is NOT the case. Hence him usually attempting twice as many shots.

That was a high pressure shot at a very critical point in the game. Who else would have cojones to take that shot? Almost everybody else would pass the ball because they're afraid of the high pressure situation. DLo doesn't have that fear. Is he going to make that shot every time, no. Is there anybody else on this team you'd want to take that shot?

Why do you think that every team we face designs their defences to stop DLo?

Asking me? I'm his biggest fan. He has permanent green light in my book.

Does he get pissed when his teammates cant throw the ball in the ocean? Yes. Thats where it unravels. But the other night they were firing on all cylinders and he could take a step back.

Or were they firing on all cylinders because he took a step back and they finally moved the ball like a team? Harrison is a very good player but permanent green light? Reserved for the very best of the best and he is not that.

 

[Moose]

My advise would be continue to do what you have been doing . But, if you are double teamed, look for the open man, dont force shots , and dont shoot the 3 on a 3 on 3 fast break.

Yeah right, and that 3 from beyond the arc to get us back the lead against nd was an ill advised shot as well. Dlo's going to take some forced shots, but there is absolutely nobody on this team I'd rather take a crunch time shot. heck, I don't know of anybody who wants to take that shot except him. And, Lavin sets up plays for him to get the ball in crunch time.

Harrison made exactly one big shot all night and two altogether. The three he nailed was a wide open look, and has nothing to do with shooting a 3 on the break. Shooting a three on the break is one of those shots that only makes sense when you make it, or looks ridoculous when done every time you are running the break. If you take a moment to look at the box score you'd see that Harrison attempted 8 shots vs. ND, all but one a 3 point shot, lending credence to my accurate assessment that he was mostly hanging out way out on the perimeter. He missed all previous 7 looks from three, and you'd have to believe that someone who can handle the ball like him can do much better than shooting 7/8th's of his shots from beyond the arc, and making only 2.

The guys around him were hitting shots vs. ND. Usually sadly that is NOT the case. Hence him usually attempting twice as many shots.

That was a high pressure shot at a very critical point in the game. Who else would have cojones to take that shot? Almost everybody else would pass the ball because they're afraid of the high pressure situation. DLo doesn't have that fear. Is he going to make that shot every time, no. Is there anybody else on this team you'd want to take that shot?

Why do you think that every team we face designs their defences to stop DLo?

Asking me? I'm his biggest fan. He has permanent green light in my book.

Does he get pissed when his teammates cant throw the ball in the ocean? Yes. Thats where it unravels. But the other night they were firing on all cylinders and he could take a step back.

Or were they firing on all cylinders because he took a step back and they finally moved the ball like a team? Harrison is a very good player but permanent green light? Reserved for the very best of the best and he is not that.

That's my opinion. He has permanent green light. People complain when he shoots pull up 3's on break but meanwhile thats his strength. People complain when he might force a runner. Meanwhile he's pretty much 80% from line. The runner more than likely will lead to a foul.

There have been a few games this year where he hasnt inserted himself for a good 6-8 even 10 minutes. Couple games at CA come to mind. Ironically on those nights they guys weren't hitting and we dug ourselves holes. Holes that he in turned climbed us out of.

 

[logen]

My advise would be continue to do what you have been doing . But, if you are double teamed, look for the open man, dont force shots , and dont shoot the 3 on a 3 on 3 fast break.

Yeah right, and that 3 from beyond the arc to get us back the lead against nd was an ill advised shot as well. Dlo's going to take some forced shots, but there is absolutely nobody on this team I'd rather take a crunch time shot. heck, I don't know of anybody who wants to take that shot except him. And, Lavin sets up plays for him to get the ball in crunch time.

Harrison made exactly one big shot all night and two altogether. The three he nailed was a wide open look, and has nothing to do with shooting a 3 on the break. Shooting a three on the break is one of those shots that only makes sense when you make it, or looks ridoculous when done every time you are running the break. If you take a moment to look at the box score you'd see that Harrison attempted 8 shots vs. ND, all but one a 3 point shot, lending credence to my accurate assessment that he was mostly hanging out way out on the perimeter. He missed all previous 7 looks from three, and you'd have to believe that someone who can handle the ball like him can do much better than shooting 7/8th's of his shots from beyond the arc, and making only 2.

The guys around him were hitting shots vs. ND. Usually sadly that is NOT the case. Hence him usually attempting twice as many shots.

That was a high pressure shot at a very critical point in the game. Who else would have cojones to take that shot? Almost everybody else would pass the ball because they're afraid of the high pressure situation. DLo doesn't have that fear. Is he going to make that shot every time, no. Is there anybody else on this team you'd want to take that shot?

Why do you think that every team we face designs their defences to stop DLo?

Asking me? I'm his biggest fan. He has permanent green light in my book.

Does he get pissed when his teammates cant throw the ball in the ocean? Yes. Thats where it unravels. But the other night they were firing on all cylinders and he could take a step back.

Or were they firing on all cylinders because he took a step back and they finally moved the ball like a team? Harrison is a very good player but permanent green light? Reserved for the very best of the best and he is not that.

That's my opinion. He has permanent green light. People complain when he shoots pull up 3's on break but meanwhile thats his strength. People complain when he might force a runner. Meanwhile he's pretty much 80% from line. The runner more than likely will lead to a foul.

There have been a few games this year where he hasnt inserted himself for a good 6-8 even 10 minutes. Couple games at CA come to mind. Ironically on those nights they guys weren't hitting and we dug ourselves holes. Holes that he in turned climbed us out of.

I certainly respect your opinion; however, "a few games" and "a good 6-8 even 10 minutes" does not a permanent green light make in my poinion. We just disagree on degree, as I said, I think Harrison is a very good player and in no way am I knocking him.

 

[beast of the east]

My advise would be continue to do what you have been doing . But, if you are double teamed, look for the open man, dont force shots , and dont shoot the 3 on a 3 on 3 fast break.

Yeah right, and that 3 from beyond the arc to get us back the lead against nd was an ill advised shot as well. Dlo's going to take some forced shots, but there is absolutely nobody on this team I'd rather take a crunch time shot. heck, I don't know of anybody who wants to take that shot except him. And, Lavin sets up plays for him to get the ball in crunch time.

Harrison made exactly one big shot all night and two altogether. The three he nailed was a wide open look, and has nothing to do with shooting a 3 on the break. Shooting a three on the break is one of those shots that only makes sense when you make it, or looks ridoculous when done every time you are running the break. If you take a moment to look at the box score you'd see that Harrison attempted 8 shots vs. ND, all but one a 3 point shot, lending credence to my accurate assessment that he was mostly hanging out way out on the perimeter. He missed all previous 7 looks from three, and you'd have to believe that someone who can handle the ball like him can do much better than shooting 7/8th's of his shots from beyond the arc, and making only 2.

The guys around him were hitting shots vs. ND. Usually sadly that is NOT the case. Hence him usually attempting twice as many shots.

That was a high pressure shot at a very critical point in the game. Who else would have cojones to take that shot? Almost everybody else would pass the ball because they're afraid of the high pressure situation. DLo doesn't have that fear. Is he going to make that shot every time, no. Is there anybody else on this team you'd want to take that shot?

Why do you think that every team we face designs their defences to stop DLo?

Asking me? I'm his biggest fan. He has permanent green light in my book.

Does he get pissed when his teammates cant throw the ball in the ocean? Yes. Thats where it unravels. But the other night they were firing on all cylinders and he could take a step back.

Michael Jordan gets a permanent green light. So does Kobe, Lebron, Jerry West, Geroge Gervin, Isaiah Thomas and a slew of unstoppable players. The rest play in the framework of a team. Harrison right now is in the category of everyone else, and if you think otherwise I don't know what to say except we have a big difference opinion, and one of us is wrong.

 

[we are sju]

My advise would be continue to do what you have been doing . But, if you are double teamed, look for the open man, dont force shots , and dont shoot the 3 on a 3 on 3 fast break.

Yeah right, and that 3 from beyond the arc to get us back the lead against nd was an ill advised shot as well. Dlo's going to take some forced shots, but there is absolutely nobody on this team I'd rather take a crunch time shot. heck, I don't know of anybody who wants to take that shot except him. And, Lavin sets up plays for him to get the ball in crunch time.

Harrison made exactly one big shot all night and two altogether. The three he nailed was a wide open look, and has nothing to do with shooting a 3 on the break. Shooting a three on the break is one of those shots that only makes sense when you make it, or looks ridoculous when done every time you are running the break. If you take a moment to look at the box score you'd see that Harrison attempted 8 shots vs. ND, all but one a 3 point shot, lending credence to my accurate assessment that he was mostly hanging out way out on the perimeter. He missed all previous 7 looks from three, and you'd have to believe that someone who can handle the ball like him can do much better than shooting 7/8th's of his shots from beyond the arc, and making only 2.

The guys around him were hitting shots vs. ND. Usually sadly that is NOT the case. Hence him usually attempting twice as many shots.

That was a high pressure shot at a very critical point in the game. Who else would have cojones to take that shot? Almost everybody else would pass the ball because they're afraid of the high pressure situation. DLo doesn't have that fear. Is he going to make that shot every time, no. Is there anybody else on this team you'd want to take that shot?

Why do you think that every team we face designs their defences to stop DLo?

Asking me? I'm his biggest fan. He has permanent green light in my book.

Does he get pissed when his teammates cant throw the ball in the ocean? Yes. Thats where it unravels. But the other night they were firing on all cylinders and he could take a step back.

Michael Jordan gets a permanent green light. So does Kobe, Lebron, Jerry West, Geroge Gervin, Isaiah Thomas and a slew of unstoppable players. The rest play in the framework of a team. Harrison right now is in the category of everyone else, and if you think otherwise I don't know what to say except we have a big difference opinion, and one of us is wrong.

The difference between Harrison and our second best ofensive player(Sampson?) is so vast that yes a greenlight is warranted

 

[Moose]

My advise would be continue to do what you have been doing . But, if you are double teamed, look for the open man, dont force shots , and dont shoot the 3 on a 3 on 3 fast break.

Yeah right, and that 3 from beyond the arc to get us back the lead against nd was an ill advised shot as well. Dlo's going to take some forced shots, but there is absolutely nobody on this team I'd rather take a crunch time shot. heck, I don't know of anybody who wants to take that shot except him. And, Lavin sets up plays for him to get the ball in crunch time.

Harrison made exactly one big shot all night and two altogether. The three he nailed was a wide open look, and has nothing to do with shooting a 3 on the break. Shooting a three on the break is one of those shots that only makes sense when you make it, or looks ridoculous when done every time you are running the break. If you take a moment to look at the box score you'd see that Harrison attempted 8 shots vs. ND, all but one a 3 point shot, lending credence to my accurate assessment that he was mostly hanging out way out on the perimeter. He missed all previous 7 looks from three, and you'd have to believe that someone who can handle the ball like him can do much better than shooting 7/8th's of his shots from beyond the arc, and making only 2.

The guys around him were hitting shots vs. ND. Usually sadly that is NOT the case. Hence him usually attempting twice as many shots.

That was a high pressure shot at a very critical point in the game. Who else would have cojones to take that shot? Almost everybody else would pass the ball because they're afraid of the high pressure situation. DLo doesn't have that fear. Is he going to make that shot every time, no. Is there anybody else on this team you'd want to take that shot?

Why do you think that every team we face designs their defences to stop DLo?

Asking me? I'm his biggest fan. He has permanent green light in my book.

Does he get pissed when his teammates cant throw the ball in the ocean? Yes. Thats where it unravels. But the other night they were firing on all cylinders and he could take a step back.

Michael Jordan gets a permanent green light. So does Kobe, Lebron, Jerry West, Geroge Gervin, Isaiah Thomas and a slew of unstoppable players. The rest play in the framework of a team. Harrison right now is in the category of everyone else, and if you think otherwise I don't know what to say except we have a big difference opinion, and one of us is wrong.

Newsflash. Those guys don't grow on trees. They are NBA HOF'ers. Scotty Reynolds had a green light at Nova. He was never going to be an NBA player. Didn't stop him from being a great college player. Apples to oranges with the names and examples you gave.

 

[simplyred]

DLo's success is a direct byproduct of his confidence. Lavin doesn't want to take that away from. Therefore, he has the green light. Every shot that leaves DLo's hands, he is 100% sure it is going in.

While I didn't like the shot that he took at the end of the Rutgers game, I understand that to him it was a certain game-winner.

 

[beast of the east]

My advise would be continue to do what you have been doing . But, if you are double teamed, look for the open man, dont force shots , and dont shoot the 3 on a 3 on 3 fast break.

Yeah right, and that 3 from beyond the arc to get us back the lead against nd was an ill advised shot as well. Dlo's going to take some forced shots, but there is absolutely nobody on this team I'd rather take a crunch time shot. heck, I don't know of anybody who wants to take that shot except him. And, Lavin sets up plays for him to get the ball in crunch time.

Harrison made exactly one big shot all night and two altogether. The three he nailed was a wide open look, and has nothing to do with shooting a 3 on the break. Shooting a three on the break is one of those shots that only makes sense when you make it, or looks ridoculous when done every time you are running the break. If you take a moment to look at the box score you'd see that Harrison attempted 8 shots vs. ND, all but one a 3 point shot, lending credence to my accurate assessment that he was mostly hanging out way out on the perimeter. He missed all previous 7 looks from three, and you'd have to believe that someone who can handle the ball like him can do much better than shooting 7/8th's of his shots from beyond the arc, and making only 2.

The guys around him were hitting shots vs. ND. Usually sadly that is NOT the case. Hence him usually attempting twice as many shots.

That was a high pressure shot at a very critical point in the game. Who else would have cojones to take that shot? Almost everybody else would pass the ball because they're afraid of the high pressure situation. DLo doesn't have that fear. Is he going to make that shot every time, no. Is there anybody else on this team you'd want to take that shot?

Why do you think that every team we face designs their defences to stop DLo?

Asking me? I'm his biggest fan. He has permanent green light in my book.

Does he get pissed when his teammates cant throw the ball in the ocean? Yes. Thats where it unravels. But the other night they were firing on all cylinders and he could take a step back.

Michael Jordan gets a permanent green light. So does Kobe, Lebron, Jerry West, Geroge Gervin, Isaiah Thomas and a slew of unstoppable players. The rest play in the framework of a team. Harrison right now is in the category of everyone else, and if you think otherwise I don't know what to say except we have a big difference opinion, and one of us is wrong.

Newsflash. Those guys don't grow on trees. They are NBA HOF'ers. Scotty Reynolds had a green light at Nova. He was never going to be an NBA player. Didn't stop him from being a great college player. Apples to oranges with the names and examples you gave.

Moose, I really wish you could have seen Mullin at St. John's, or Magic Johnson in his prime, or Larry Bird. Those guys even by far the best players on their team, and the latter two the best in the league, always played within the framework of team ball. A great pass for each, the correct pass, was always superior to the shot. Make a cut, they deliver the ball at the right moment. They don't have the ball, they are in motion. Watching any of the three was poetry, a four year degree in basketball that could be learned in one evening if you absorbed it all. For each it was like they were connected to each of their four teammates electronically - they knew and anticipated each of their moves, and could deliver or receive the ball where it should be on the floor. They each had "the green light", but always made good decisions, never running a red light by forcing up a horrible shot.

Part of our problems this year, especially during the Rutgers game, was Harrison trying to do too much, to force the issue, to ignore the fact that a 10 footer by a teammate is better than a 25 footer from him. I think with Brnach running the show, this is changing, and I think harrison as a major cog in the machine will be much better than harrison as the machine, as the show.

Anyway, we would both agree that Harrison is our most talented offensive force, but disagree of how his tlaents should be best harnessed.

 

[logen]

My advise would be continue to do what you have been doing . But, if you are double teamed, look for the open man, dont force shots , and dont shoot the 3 on a 3 on 3 fast break.

Yeah right, and that 3 from beyond the arc to get us back the lead against nd was an ill advised shot as well. Dlo's going to take some forced shots, but there is absolutely nobody on this team I'd rather take a crunch time shot. heck, I don't know of anybody who wants to take that shot except him. And, Lavin sets up plays for him to get the ball in crunch time.

Harrison made exactly one big shot all night and two altogether. The three he nailed was a wide open look, and has nothing to do with shooting a 3 on the break. Shooting a three on the break is one of those shots that only makes sense when you make it, or looks ridoculous when done every time you are running the break. If you take a moment to look at the box score you'd see that Harrison attempted 8 shots vs. ND, all but one a 3 point shot, lending credence to my accurate assessment that he was mostly hanging out way out on the perimeter. He missed all previous 7 looks from three, and you'd have to believe that someone who can handle the ball like him can do much better than shooting 7/8th's of his shots from beyond the arc, and making only 2.

The guys around him were hitting shots vs. ND. Usually sadly that is NOT the case. Hence him usually attempting twice as many shots.

That was a high pressure shot at a very critical point in the game. Who else would have cojones to take that shot? Almost everybody else would pass the ball because they're afraid of the high pressure situation. DLo doesn't have that fear. Is he going to make that shot every time, no. Is there anybody else on this team you'd want to take that shot?

Why do you think that every team we face designs their defences to stop DLo?

Asking me? I'm his biggest fan. He has permanent green light in my book.

Does he get pissed when his teammates cant throw the ball in the ocean? Yes. Thats where it unravels. But the other night they were firing on all cylinders and he could take a step back.

Michael Jordan gets a permanent green light. So does Kobe, Lebron, Jerry West, Geroge Gervin, Isaiah Thomas and a slew of unstoppable players. The rest play in the framework of a team. Harrison right now is in the category of everyone else, and if you think otherwise I don't know what to say except we have a big difference opinion, and one of us is wrong.

Newsflash. Those guys don't grow on trees. They are NBA HOF'ers. Scotty Reynolds had a green light at Nova. He was never going to be an NBA player. Didn't stop him from being a great college player. Apples to oranges with the names and examples you gave.

And Scotty Reynolds played 100% within the team concept. I am not arguing Harrison's talent, but he is nowhere near good enough to go outside the team concept and try to win games himself. Great players get it done within the team, not outside it. Look at the Lakers record with Kobe firing away and putting up mega-numbers as opposed to when he reins it in and makes his teammates better. And Harrison obviously is not in the same universe as Bryant.

 

[beast of the east]

My advise would be continue to do what you have been doing . But, if you are double teamed, look for the open man, dont force shots , and dont shoot the 3 on a 3 on 3 fast break.

Yeah right, and that 3 from beyond the arc to get us back the lead against nd was an ill advised shot as well. Dlo's going to take some forced shots, but there is absolutely nobody on this team I'd rather take a crunch time shot. heck, I don't know of anybody who wants to take that shot except him. And, Lavin sets up plays for him to get the ball in crunch time.

Harrison made exactly one big shot all night and two altogether. The three he nailed was a wide open look, and has nothing to do with shooting a 3 on the break. Shooting a three on the break is one of those shots that only makes sense when you make it, or looks ridoculous when done every time you are running the break. If you take a moment to look at the box score you'd see that Harrison attempted 8 shots vs. ND, all but one a 3 point shot, lending credence to my accurate assessment that he was mostly hanging out way out on the perimeter. He missed all previous 7 looks from three, and you'd have to believe that someone who can handle the ball like him can do much better than shooting 7/8th's of his shots from beyond the arc, and making only 2.

The guys around him were hitting shots vs. ND. Usually sadly that is NOT the case. Hence him usually attempting twice as many shots.

That was a high pressure shot at a very critical point in the game. Who else would have cojones to take that shot? Almost everybody else would pass the ball because they're afraid of the high pressure situation. DLo doesn't have that fear. Is he going to make that shot every time, no. Is there anybody else on this team you'd want to take that shot?

Why do you think that every team we face designs their defences to stop DLo?

Asking me? I'm his biggest fan. He has permanent green light in my book.

Does he get pissed when his teammates cant throw the ball in the ocean? Yes. Thats where it unravels. But the other night they were firing on all cylinders and he could take a step back.

Michael Jordan gets a permanent green light. So does Kobe, Lebron, Jerry West, Geroge Gervin, Isaiah Thomas and a slew of unstoppable players. The rest play in the framework of a team. Harrison right now is in the category of everyone else, and if you think otherwise I don't know what to say except we have a big difference opinion, and one of us is wrong.

Newsflash. Those guys don't grow on trees. They are NBA HOF'ers. Scotty Reynolds had a green light at Nova. He was never going to be an NBA player. Didn't stop him from being a great college player. Apples to oranges with the names and examples you gave.

To be fair to your concept of green light, I wanted to check out Harrison's numbers. He is shooting 42% from the field so far, 33% from the shorter college three point line. Keep in mind that this all includes the creampuff part of our schedule. I checked the top 40 three point % shooters in the NCAA Division 1 and the 40th ranked three point shooter is shooting 47.6% from three. Twenty four of the 40 are averaging double digits in points. Statistically, the 40th best three point shooter is almost 50% more efficient than Harrison from three (33% x 1.5 =49.5%). This would justify that as good a shooter as Harrison should focus on shot selection, and does not warrant a green light to shoot whenever he sees fit.

 

[Moose]

My advise would be continue to do what you have been doing . But, if you are double teamed, look for the open man, dont force shots , and dont shoot the 3 on a 3 on 3 fast break.

Yeah right, and that 3 from beyond the arc to get us back the lead against nd was an ill advised shot as well. Dlo's going to take some forced shots, but there is absolutely nobody on this team I'd rather take a crunch time shot. heck, I don't know of anybody who wants to take that shot except him. And, Lavin sets up plays for him to get the ball in crunch time.

Harrison made exactly one big shot all night and two altogether. The three he nailed was a wide open look, and has nothing to do with shooting a 3 on the break. Shooting a three on the break is one of those shots that only makes sense when you make it, or looks ridoculous when done every time you are running the break. If you take a moment to look at the box score you'd see that Harrison attempted 8 shots vs. ND, all but one a 3 point shot, lending credence to my accurate assessment that he was mostly hanging out way out on the perimeter. He missed all previous 7 looks from three, and you'd have to believe that someone who can handle the ball like him can do much better than shooting 7/8th's of his shots from beyond the arc, and making only 2.

The guys around him were hitting shots vs. ND. Usually sadly that is NOT the case. Hence him usually attempting twice as many shots.

That was a high pressure shot at a very critical point in the game. Who else would have cojones to take that shot? Almost everybody else would pass the ball because they're afraid of the high pressure situation. DLo doesn't have that fear. Is he going to make that shot every time, no. Is there anybody else on this team you'd want to take that shot?

Why do you think that every team we face designs their defences to stop DLo?

Asking me? I'm his biggest fan. He has permanent green light in my book.

Does he get pissed when his teammates cant throw the ball in the ocean? Yes. Thats where it unravels. But the other night they were firing on all cylinders and he could take a step back.

Michael Jordan gets a permanent green light. So does Kobe, Lebron, Jerry West, Geroge Gervin, Isaiah Thomas and a slew of unstoppable players. The rest play in the framework of a team. Harrison right now is in the category of everyone else, and if you think otherwise I don't know what to say except we have a big difference opinion, and one of us is wrong.

Newsflash. Those guys don't grow on trees. They are NBA HOF'ers. Scotty Reynolds had a green light at Nova. He was never going to be an NBA player. Didn't stop him from being a great college player. Apples to oranges with the names and examples you gave.

To be fair to your concept of green light, I wanted to check out Harrison's numbers. He is shooting 42% from the field so far, 33% from the shorter college three point line. Keep in mind that this all includes the creampuff part of our schedule. I checked the top 40 three point % shooters in the NCAA Division 1 and the 40th ranked three point shooter is shooting 47.6% from three. Twenty four of the 40 are averaging double digits in points. Statistically, the 40th best three point shooter is almost 50% more efficient than Harrison from three (33% x 1.5 =49.5%). This would justify that as good a shooter as Harrison should focus on shot selection, and does not warrant a green light to shoot whenever he sees fit.

You and I both know his shooting % suffers because he is often 'forced' to take a shot that is not ideal. The Harrison detractors will say this is his doing. Me personally I will point towards the oftentimes inept play of our other 'scorers' or 'dribble penetrators'

Lets agree to disagree here.