Re-Introduction to Jamal Branch

Hey Moose,

Can you comment on the ball Handling, ranked only as good? (Assuming that's what handle means). I was thinking of Branch as a potential floor general, and that assessment you posted appears that ball hnadling is the weakest part of his game, where i'd expect it to be a strength. Thanks,
 
Hey Moose,

Can you comment on the ball Handling, ranked only as good? (Assuming that's what handle means). I was thinking of Branch as a potential floor general, and that assessment you posted appears that ball hnadling is the weakest part of his game, where i'd expect it to be a strength. Thanks,
 
Branch has a good three point shot, he drives well, he passes well, he will be able to drive the lane and create open shots for Dlo, Marco, and Greene. If Branch can be a good distributer our slashers like Jarkarr, Sir'Dom, Amir, and Felix can get into to the lane. Chris could get some easier dump-off baskets. I only see the team improving from this point on.
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I know it was a very small sample size at the beginning of the season, but Branch didn't look good at midnight madness. I would actually say he looked pretty bad. That's why I'm holding my breath...we can't expect him to be a savior. Hope I'm dead wrong.
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Maybe he's better in actual games.
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Sundance Kid: "Can I move? I'm better when I move...."
 
Branch has a good three point shot, he drives well, he passes well, he will be able to drive the lane and create open shots for Dlo, Marco, and Greene. If Branch can be a good distributer our slashers like Jarkarr, Sir'Dom, Amir, and Felix can get into to the lane. Chris could get some easier dump-off baskets. I only see the team improving from this point on.
Click to expand...

I know it was a very small sample size at the beginning of the season, but Branch didn't look good at midnight madness. I would actually say he looked pretty bad. That's why I'm holding my breath...we can't expect him to be a savior. Hope I'm dead wrong.
Click to expand...

Maybe he's better in actual games.
Click to expand...

Sundance Kid: "Can I move? I'm better when I move...."
Click to expand...

I loved that movie.
 
Hey Moose,

Can you comment on the ball Handling, ranked only as good? (Assuming that's what handle means). I was thinking of Branch as a potential floor general, and that assessment you posted appears that ball hnadling is the weakest part of his game, where i'd expect it to be a strength. Thanks,
Click to expand...

Can't say I've ever seen him play besides the videos. Maybe he doesn't hold the ball on a string with nifty trickery so its just good or solid instead? Looking forward to seeing it first hand finally tomorrow.
 
Watch a kid like Pitt's James Robinson play. He's a big PG that's not real fast and not real flashy, but is rock solid. I think he had 9 assists his last game, but only a few points. I think Branch will be a little more in that mold, but we'll have to wait and see. We really do need somebody to control the tempo and get us settled at both ends. Branch could have a huge impact potentially. Let's just let the kid get acclimated. We have some depth and talent here already. Tomorrow he'll see a good chunk of time I'm guessing to get m ready for Big East play. I expect some 3-guard sets as well with Branch, Greene and D'Lo on the floor at times. With Greene and D'Lo we have 2 off-ball scorers that can feel free to get points. Branch just has to distribute,
 
Hey Moose,

Can you comment on the ball Handling, ranked only as good? (Assuming that's what handle means). I was thinking of Branch as a potential floor general, and that assessment you posted appears that ball hnadling is the weakest part of his game, where i'd expect it to be a strength. Thanks,
Click to expand...

Can't say I've ever seen him play besides the videos. Maybe he doesn't hold the ball on a string with nifty trickery so its just good or solid instead? Looking forward to seeing it first hand finally tomorrow.
Click to expand...

Who knows but we'll find out soon enough...in the meantime, I will trust Dunlap's positive assessment (included somewhere earlier in this thread --- I think)
 
Jakarr Sampson on Jamal Branch:

"He's been huge practicing with the second group and making them better. Whenever he's on the court, everyone gets better because he can find people and put them in good situations. He'll direct and tell them where they need to be and what he wants them to do. He gets into our offense."

If this transfers to game play our half court will get a lot better.
 
Watch a kid like Pitt's James Robinson play. He's a big PG that's not real fast and not real flashy, but is rock solid. I think he had 9 assists his last game, but only a few points. I think Branch will be a little more in that mold, but we'll have to wait and see. We really do need somebody to control the tempo and get us settled at both ends. Branch could have a huge impact potentially. Let's just let the kid get acclimated. We have some depth and talent here already. Tomorrow he'll see a good chunk of time I'm guessing to get m ready for Big East play. I expect some 3-guard sets as well with Branch, Greene and D'Lo on the floor at times. With Greene and D'Lo we have 2 off-ball scorers that can feel free to get points. Branch just has to distribute,
Click to expand...

Still, this is a kid who on his way to leading Grace Prep to the Texas State Championship as a senior, put up 48 pts in one game....
 
Watch a kid like Pitt's James Robinson play. He's a big PG that's not real fast and not real flashy, but is rock solid. I think he had 9 assists his last game, but only a few points. I think Branch will be a little more in that mold, but we'll have to wait and see. We really do need somebody to control the tempo and get us settled at both ends. Branch could have a huge impact potentially. Let's just let the kid get acclimated. We have some depth and talent here already. Tomorrow he'll see a good chunk of time I'm guessing to get m ready for Big East play. I expect some 3-guard sets as well with Branch, Greene and D'Lo on the floor at times. With Greene and D'Lo we have 2 off-ball scorers that can feel free to get points. Branch just has to distribute,
Click to expand...

Still, this is a kid who on his way to leading Grace Prep to the Texas State Championship as a senior, put up 48 pts in one game....
Click to expand...

If he can rack up assists it will be great for us. If he proves he can be a consistent #3 scorer, even better.
 
Hopefully Branch's outside shot is good enough that opposing defenders have to respect him and play up on him. I would rather not have it that defenders sag off him and that makes it harder for Branch drive to the basket effectively and/or the sagging defender can play off enough to be able to help other defenders.

I'm crossing my fingers that Branch is a good outside shooter and then opposing defenders would have to respect all of Branch, Harrison and Green and Sampson from the outside. Our spacing on the floor should continue to improve. That being said, the coaches should then be to draw effective plays & teach a solid offense to this team that has: 1) solid long-range to mid-range shooting options, 2) a PG that can drive to the hoop and pass and 3) a couple of bouncy 6'8'' to 6'9'' guys.

Here's to a more solid looking offense...
 
Hopefully Branch's outside shot is good enough that opposing defenders have to respect him and play up on him. I would rather not have it that defenders sag off him and that makes it harder for Branch drive to the basket effectively and/or the sagging defender can play off enough to be able to help other defenders.

I'm crossing my fingers that Branch is a good outside shooter and then opposing defenders would have to respect all of Branch, Harrison and Green and Sampson from the outside. Our spacing on the floor should continue to improve. That being said, the coaches should then be to draw effective plays & teach a solid offense to this team that has: 1) solid long-range to mid-range shooting options, 2) a PG that can drive to the hoop and pass and 3) a couple of bouncy 6'8'' to 6'9'' guys.

Here's to a more solid looking offense...
Click to expand...

Not too long till we can see what he can do. I know I'm excited.
 
Watch a kid like Pitt's James Robinson play. He's a big PG that's not real fast and not real flashy, but is rock solid. I think he had 9 assists his last game, but only a few points. I think Branch will be a little more in that mold, but we'll have to wait and see. We really do need somebody to control the tempo and get us settled at both ends. Branch could have a huge impact potentially. Let's just let the kid get acclimated. We have some depth and talent here already. Tomorrow he'll see a good chunk of time I'm guessing to get m ready for Big East play. I expect some 3-guard sets as well with Branch, Greene and D'Lo on the floor at times. With Greene and D'Lo we have 2 off-ball scorers that can feel free to get points. Branch just has to distribute,
Click to expand...
.

Phil and D Lo will have to move better without the ball now getting.themselves free for the open jumper. come off the picks better and utilize the give and go
 
Watch a kid like Pitt's James Robinson play. He's a big PG that's not real fast and not real flashy, but is rock solid. I think he had 9 assists his last game, but only a few points. I think Branch will be a little more in that mold, but we'll have to wait and see. We really do need somebody to control the tempo and get us settled at both ends. Branch could have a huge impact potentially. Let's just let the kid get acclimated. We have some depth and talent here already. Tomorrow he'll see a good chunk of time I'm guessing to get m ready for Big East play. I expect some 3-guard sets as well with Branch, Greene and D'Lo on the floor at times. With Greene and D'Lo we have 2 off-ball scorers that can feel free to get points. Branch just has to distribute,
Click to expand...
.

Phil and D Lo will have to move better without the ball now getting.themselves free for the open jumper. come off the picks better and utilize the give and go
Click to expand...

D Lo has shown he can get open in the middle of the floor, and make good decision once he gets the ball there. Phil on the other hand hasn't had to move with out the ball so that's the bigger mystery in my mind.
 
It looks like Steve Lavin needed the re-introduction, not us! This kid transferred and practiced for a year only to sit and watch a less talented team outscore us by 22 points in the 2nd half as Phil Greene weaves for 30 seconds, D'Lo played with his usual abandon and two other guys Lavin had starting just weeks ago (Jones and Balamou) were glued, and I mean glued, to the bench.
I would love to hear the true opinions of the 2 St. John's staffers that are members here (yes, I mean guys that sit on the bench).
 
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