Ponds & Omar Cook

[quote="L J S A" post=276680][quote="redken" post=276676][quote="NCJohnnie" post=276666]I always think of the backcourt the year we went to the Elite Eight as Barkley & Bootsy Thornton rather than Barkley & Postell or Barley & Artest.[/quote]
Good recall, NC. I'd forgotten about Bootsy. And, yes, that was quite a backcourt.[/quote]

Best thing Fran ever did was redshirt Bootsy.[/quote]

Agreed. Bootsy came in mid year as he used up his two years of Juco but had to do an extra semester to get all of his Juco credits. Instead of getting 1 1/2 seasons, bysitting out we got a full 2 great seasons.
 
The '68-9 duo of Johnny Warren 19.6 ppg and Jumpin' Joe DePre 16.1 has to be way up there, although Carmine Calzonetti actually started at pg, Johnny and Joe played a lot in the backcourt. Carmine was always a pass first pg. I think the trio was one of the best ever.
 
I would offer that we've generally done well in the backcourt. It's often been said that guards are a dime a dozen, and given the height distribution, talented bigs are always much harder to find. Considering just about every NYC kid can dribble a basketball, even when we get the best of the rest, its been historically pretty good for us. Throw in an occasional gem recruit, and the kids who transfer here, and in general, our backcourt has been strongest. Now, guards who can shoot, that's another story.
 
Good post , Beastie . Yes, we have had a lot of good guards here. Some excellent players individually , Hatten , Cook, Barkley who was great by himself and in tandem. And , many of the really good ones from back in the Day . Warren , DePre, Alagia, etc . Mark Jackson was probably our best pure PG , although Louie didn’t play him enough as a Frosh and Soph. And , Mark had a better NBA career than his NYC contemporaries , Pearl Washington and Kenny Smith . The point you make about us not having that dead eye shooter as a Guard is a good one . Bootsy probably the best pure shooter we had at that position . And , he wasn’t a PG . I don’t know if Dixon or Williams are the sharpshooters we need as I haven’t seen them play . Guys like Howard , Rowsey, Jorgensen , Powell are the type we need . Either as sparks off the bench or, starting . If we assume the Core 4 returning next season will start , who gets the 5 th spot ? Dixon ? Diakite? Or, a late addition 5 th year Player or new Recruit . Early consensus says it will be Dixon . So , who rebounds until we get a big man in the Game ? The Core 4 don’t provide any Rebounding , which was a big weakness .
 
Seems we need better shooting and finishing by our guards and much improved rebounding in the paint.
I bet both Ponds and Simon work on those aspects of their game this summer. Dixon’s MAAC stats evidence he can shoot, 45% FG%, 37% 3pt%, and 85% FT%. Question is how much of that translates into the Big East?
Rebounding was an obvious weakness this season, so in my opinion, recruiting a BE-quality big guy is our highest priority.
The good thing is that with improved depth we should be able to showcase different offensive sets at various times in games and better match-up with bigger teams or guard-oriented teams.
Keys are: can Dixon and Keita succeed in BEC play, do we get that big guy, and how much can Williams, Roberts, Trimble, Earlington, Diakite (?), and 1 more mystery recruit contribute?
 
[quote="Section9" post=276720]The '68-9 duo of Johnny Warren 19.6 ppg and Jumpin' Joe DePre 16.1 has to be way up there, although Carmine Calzonetti actually started at pg, Johnny and Joe played a lot in the backcourt. Carmine was always a pass first pg. I think the trio was one of the best ever.[/quote]

Regarding "pass first:- I was at an event where Calzonetti and Coach K were reminiscing about playing against each other in college and how they both played great defense against each other...because their coaches wouldn't let them shoot...:)
 
[quote="fan since 65" post=276735][quote="Section9" post=276720]The '68-9 duo of Johnny Warren 19.6 ppg and Jumpin' Joe DePre 16.1 has to be way up there, although Carmine Calzonetti actually started at pg, Johnny and Joe played a lot in the backcourt. Carmine was always a pass first pg. I think the trio was one of the best ever.[/quote]

Regarding "pass first:- I was at an event where Calzonetti and Coach K were reminiscing about playing against each other in college and how they both played great defense against each other...because their coaches wouldn't let them shoot...:)[/quote]

Yeah, Carmine was one of Louie's few non NYC area recruits. He came all the way from exotic, far away Philadelphia.:)
 
Kenny McIntyre and Jerry Houston led the Redmen to the then-prestigious Holiday Festival title over No. 1 Michigan, and then finished the year winning the NIT for Joe Lapchick's last game. A very formidable duo.
 
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[quote="fuchsia" post=276740]Who was the 3 pt. shooter that transferred from us to either Oakland or Detroit Mercy?[/quote]
Hooper to Oakland
 
I was at that game. Stunning and exciting upset. the crowd roared.
 
[quote="Paultzman" post=276743][quote="fuchsia" post=276740]Who was the 3 pt. shooter that transferred from us to either Oakland or Detroit Mercy?[/quote]
Hooper to Oakland[/quote]

Larry Wright probably took more at Oakland but Hooper made more.
 
[quote="Chicago Days" post=276728]Seems we need better shooting and finishing by our guards and much improved rebounding in the paint.
I bet both Ponds and Simon work on those aspects of their game this summer. Dixon’s MAAC stats evidence he can shoot, 45% FG%, 37% 3pt%, and 85% FT%. Question is how much of that translates into the Big East?
Rebounding was an obvious weakness this season, so in my opinion, recruiting a BE-quality big guy is our highest priority.
The good thing is that with improved depth we should be able to showcase different offensive sets at various times in games and better match-up with bigger teams or guard-oriented teams.
Keys are: can Dixon and Keita succeed in BEC play, do we get that big guy, and how much can Williams, Roberts, Trimble, Earlington, Diakite (?), and 1 more mystery recruit contribute?[/quote]

I believe Ponds IS a good shooter, who just didn't shoot as well as he is capable.
 
I believe Ponds IS a good shooter, who just didn't shoot as well as he is capable.[/quote]


Agree Beastie. Ponds was a very good shooter his freshman year. For whatever reason—injuries, muscles, the pressure and transition drama due to LoVett’s departure, hoisting a plethora of NBA 3s—who know, his shooting was spotty this season.
I’m expecting he’ll ‘return to the mean’ and hope Simon improves his shooting for next year.
 
[quote="Chicago Days" post=276767]I believe Ponds IS a good shooter, who just didn't shoot as well as he is capable.[/quote]


Agree Beastie. Ponds was a very good shooter his freshman year. For whatever reason—injuries, muscles, the pressure and transition drama due to LoVett’s departure, hoisting a plethora of NBA 3s—who know, his shooting was spotty this season.
I’m expecting he’ll ‘return to the mean’ and hope Simon improves his shooting for next year.[/quote]

I don't even believe his shot selection was all that bad. Perhaps on a different team he'd have limited his outside shots when he wasn't feeling it, but I also think he was advised a coach who was a great shooter who instructed him to shoot his way out of it. With a supporting cast, Ponds can be more selective, gets more uncontested layups, and shooting % will rise.

FWIW, Lovett posts a lot of crap about never giving up, and fans give the crap right back to him
 
I think Ponds shooting got better once he realized he was going to be the Man , with Lovett out . He went to the hoop more , didn’t hoist as many 3’s and and found his place on the floor where he could set and shoot . He had a lot on his Plate once Lovett left . On another note , I would like to start the Campaign on this site and others ,touting Shamorie as 2018-19 BE Player of the Year and a Candidate for National Player of theYear . Let’s use all our resources , connections , etc to begin to promote Shamorie for next Year .Let’s get started . It’s how Brunson got all the pre season and early attention for this year . Shamorie’s credentials already established this year and last are truly worthy of this honor . Let’s go !
 
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[quote="SLYFOXX1968" post=276770]I think Ponds shooting got better once he realized he was going to be the Man , with Lovett out . He went to the hoop more , didn’t hoist as many 3’s and and found his place on the floor where he could set and shoot . He had a lot on his Plate once Lovett left . On another note , I would like to start the Campaign on this site and others ,touting Shamorie as 2018-19 BE Player of the Year and a Candidate for National Player of theYear . Let’s use all our resources , connections , etc to begin to promote Shamorie for next Year .Let’s get started . It’s how Brunson got all the pre season and early attention for this year . Shamorie’s credentials already established this year and last are truly worthy of this honor . Let’s go ![/quote]
Brunson also got it from winning 30 games a year and a NC.
 
All True , Bama. But, it still takes a Press Campaign to advance the Player . And , Brunson was a freshman when they won the NCAA and had a role for sure but, wasn’t yet the major domo. Last year Hart was the straw that stirred the drink . Yes , this Year Brunson was outstanding . I hope he gets the Wooden Award , etc. I think he is more deserving than Trae Young or Ayton from Arizona . Both, are1 and doners , Brunson has a body of work that surpasses their Resumes, in my opinion . But, back to Ponds . He’s our own guy . Let’s beat the Drums for him . He’s earned it !
 
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