Rotation
- Thread starter 1and1sju
- Start date
No offense, but using what math? There just aren't that many minutes to go around.
Amir cannot and will not play PF. Jones will. So again, where does that leave Amir? He's not going to play (according to your split) 20 MPG with Dom and Jakarr playing SF. Where does he fit in?
And Greene can only play 2 positions. How does he log 20 minutes backing up PG & SG during BE play?
The 2 players you singled out, Obekpa and Jones, just happen to be the 2 players Lavin has raved about in practices. He's not leaving them on the bench.
I don't approach it using math and I'd suspect no successful coach does either. Amir Garrett is the kind of kid that needs to be on the court. He played PF for us last year and did a great job as a freshman. There isn't a single big man in the conference that can stay with him on the other end of the floor He can also defend several positions and he is our best offensive rebounder. I love his ability to attack off the bounce and I think he's a better shooter than he showed last year. I don't see Sampson getting much if any PT at the SF. There are simply too many options with Garrett, Pointer, Bourgault, and a three-guard lineup of Greene, Harrison, and Branch.
Greene is awesome. I really expect a lot out of him. I understand the value of experience--that is why I predicted 13 wins last year. Greene is a huge piece to the puzzle for us going forward. He can create for himself and others and this roster does not have a lot of guys that can do that.
As for Jones and Obekpa, I think they will be brought along slowly. I think Obekpa is awesome, but he looked beyond raw to me in the several games I saw. When we need a game-changer in the lane, he'll come in. When we need a banger, Lav will call on Jones. Freshmen will be freshmen.
I believe this roster will shrink to about eight late in the season. I think Lav will continue to work some guys in and out of the main rotation based on matchups and effort in practice.
Fair enough.
But any PF that Amir might've played last year was out of necessity, not skill, with only 6 players available. There's way too much looking back at last year IMO. He probably ended up being the statistical offensive rebounding leader because the team shot so poorly. Do you think that Amir is the bet offensive rebounder on the team as the roster stands today?
Jakarr playing SF was revealed by him at SJUs media day. He was told this by Lavin. Lavin is going to make a push to get him drafted. He's doing the same with Harrison. He's not going to have this kid parked on the bench. No way. Too highly ranked, recruited and talented to not have him on the floor. Lavin was gushing about him when asked by Lenn Robbins.
I don't see a lineup ever with Branch, Harrison and Greene. You're talking three 6'3 kids during Big East play. They'd get killed. I think Greene will get minutes backing them up. But not as many quality minutes as he saw last year.
And concerning Jones, again, words straight from Lavin's mouth, not my opinion. I'm going by the coach's words. Jones will be on the floor. Main rotation. He said Jones made the smoothest transition so far of all the freshmen.
Obekpa. Liability on the offensive end right now. But invaluable on the defensive side. Plus he gives guys like Sanchez, Gift and Jones the ability to play their natural positions- PF.
I commend the guys for what they did last year. But they've added players who instantly have become the best shot blocker (Obekpa), shooter (Marco), NBA draft prospect (Jakarr) and freakishly athletic player (Jones) to the team. Some kids from last year will have to get bumped. Just the way it works.
This is a great conversation to be having - which Top 100 kid is going to play more than another and where.
One thing I would guard against - with Amir, with playing all three guards together, etc. - is pigeonholing a Steve Lavin rotation into traditional positions, 1-5. The college game has moved away from that generally, and Lavin seems to have an even greater tendency to worry less about what "position" someone plays and more about how five guys on the court at a particular time produce together.
Look no further than his first year with us. He started the two Maliks together in the backcourt early in the year. He started Hardy off the ball and by mid-season had him as one of the best on the ball players in the country as our primary PG. He kept looking for lineups and rotations until he found the ones that worked.
As that applies to Amir, I think whether he is a SF or PF is basically inconsequential in Lavin's eyes. He's long, he's athletic, and he can play. When he and Jakaar are out there together, for example, I don't think Lavin will be looking to define one as the 3 and one as the 4. Just two long rangy forwards who between the two of them can cover both positions and create matchup nightmares on both ends in the process.
Could be wrong on this, but this is my read on Lavin's approach.
One thing I would guard against - with Amir, with playing all three guards together, etc. - is pigeonholing a Steve Lavin rotation into traditional positions, 1-5. The college game has moved away from that generally, and Lavin seems to have an even greater tendency to worry less about what "position" someone plays and more about how five guys on the court at a particular time produce together.
Look no further than his first year with us. He started the two Maliks together in the backcourt early in the year. He started Hardy off the ball and by mid-season had him as one of the best on the ball players in the country as our primary PG. He kept looking for lineups and rotations until he found the ones that worked.
As that applies to Amir, I think whether he is a SF or PF is basically inconsequential in Lavin's eyes. He's long, he's athletic, and he can play. When he and Jakaar are out there together, for example, I don't think Lavin will be looking to define one as the 3 and one as the 4. Just two long rangy forwards who between the two of them can cover both positions and create matchup nightmares on both ends in the process.
Could be wrong on this, but this is my read on Lavin's approach.
FKASJU
Member
But any PF that Amir might've played last year was out of necessity, not skill, with only 6 players available. There's way too much looking back at last year IMO. He probably ended up being the statistical offensive rebounding leader because the team shot so poorly. Do you think that Amir is the bet offensive rebounder on the team as the roster stands today?
Jakarr playing SF was revealed by him at SJUs media day. He was told this by Lavin. Lavin is going to make a push to get him drafted. He's doing the same with Harrison. He's not going to have this kid parked on the bench. No way. Too highly ranked, recruited and talented to not have him on the floor. Lavin was gushing about him when asked by Lenn Robbins.
I don't see a lineup ever with Branch, Harrison and Greene. You're talking three 6'3 kids during Big East play. They'd get killed. I think Greene will get minutes backing them up. But not as many quality minutes as he saw last year.
And concerning Jones, again, words straight from Lavin's mouth, not my opinion. I'm going by the coach's words. Jones will be on the floor. Main rotation. He said Jones made the smoothest transition so far of all the freshmen.
Obekpa. Liability on the offensive end right now. But invaluable on the defensive side. Plus he gives guys like Sanchez, Gift and Jones the ability to play their natural positions- PF.
I commend the guys for what they did last year. But they've added players who instantly have become the best shot blocker (Obekpa), shooter (Marco), NBA draft prospect (Jakarr) and freakishly athletic player (Jones) to the team. Some kids from last year will have to get bumped. Just the way it works. [/quote]
I agree wholeheartedly about the passage regarding trying to get sampson and harrison drafted. Lavin thinks of this in the big picture. While it may hurt the program immediately if one or two guys go pro (even if potentially too soon, Coach realizes that to become a top Tier program, you need to have multiple guys in the NBA. It just helps too much in recruiting. Sampson will get at least 28 minutes per game and probably more. That's his prize recruit. Lavin wants to be able to tell recruits that he had Harkless for one year, played him major minutes the whole season, put up great stats, and got to the Draftt. Then he did the same thing with Sampson. "so i can do this for you too kid ..." I think he'll employ this strategy with Sampson even if it may not make the most sense in terms of individual game strategy. The kid is going to be out there a LOT.
You know Harrison is going to get at least 30 minutes. Between him and Jakarr (regardless of what position either player is playing) that a minimum of 58 minutes per game combined. Everyone else can jockey for the rest of the time depending on matchups, flow of the game, scheme, strategy, foul trouble, etc.
Jakarr playing SF was revealed by him at SJUs media day. He was told this by Lavin. Lavin is going to make a push to get him drafted. He's doing the same with Harrison. He's not going to have this kid parked on the bench. No way. Too highly ranked, recruited and talented to not have him on the floor. Lavin was gushing about him when asked by Lenn Robbins.
I don't see a lineup ever with Branch, Harrison and Greene. You're talking three 6'3 kids during Big East play. They'd get killed. I think Greene will get minutes backing them up. But not as many quality minutes as he saw last year.
And concerning Jones, again, words straight from Lavin's mouth, not my opinion. I'm going by the coach's words. Jones will be on the floor. Main rotation. He said Jones made the smoothest transition so far of all the freshmen.
Obekpa. Liability on the offensive end right now. But invaluable on the defensive side. Plus he gives guys like Sanchez, Gift and Jones the ability to play their natural positions- PF.
I commend the guys for what they did last year. But they've added players who instantly have become the best shot blocker (Obekpa), shooter (Marco), NBA draft prospect (Jakarr) and freakishly athletic player (Jones) to the team. Some kids from last year will have to get bumped. Just the way it works. [/quote]
I agree wholeheartedly about the passage regarding trying to get sampson and harrison drafted. Lavin thinks of this in the big picture. While it may hurt the program immediately if one or two guys go pro (even if potentially too soon, Coach realizes that to become a top Tier program, you need to have multiple guys in the NBA. It just helps too much in recruiting. Sampson will get at least 28 minutes per game and probably more. That's his prize recruit. Lavin wants to be able to tell recruits that he had Harkless for one year, played him major minutes the whole season, put up great stats, and got to the Draftt. Then he did the same thing with Sampson. "so i can do this for you too kid ..." I think he'll employ this strategy with Sampson even if it may not make the most sense in terms of individual game strategy. The kid is going to be out there a LOT.
You know Harrison is going to get at least 30 minutes. Between him and Jakarr (regardless of what position either player is playing) that a minimum of 58 minutes per game combined. Everyone else can jockey for the rest of the time depending on matchups, flow of the game, scheme, strategy, foul trouble, etc.
tom in salem
Well-known member
Looks safe to assume that Gift and Balamou will redshirt, leaving 10 scholarships players who will suit up.
Assume a starting lineup of Sanchez, Sampson, Garrett, Harrison and Greene.
Bench looks like Obekpa, Jones, Pointer, Bourgault and Branch.
I can happily live with that rotation.
Assume a starting lineup of Sanchez, Sampson, Garrett, Harrison and Greene.
Bench looks like Obekpa, Jones, Pointer, Bourgault and Branch.
I can happily live with that rotation.
tom in salem
Well-known member
yes.
Jones will be great in the running game but what has impressed me most, so far, is the mid-range game. He seems confident taking the 10-12 foot jumper. I think he will get minutes.
I was most impressed with Phil Green. He looks a lot more like a point guard than D'lo. Phil is my pick for most improved player this year.
I was most impressed with Phil Green. He looks a lot more like a point guard than D'lo. Phil is my pick for most improved player this year.
He sure does.
Last night was the first time I've heard Greene and NBA in the same sentence. I think he has that potential as a Senior to get drafted.
Even as a freshman, he reminded me a lot of Rondo because of his long arms. He also reminds me a lot of what Tyshawn Taylor developed into last year at Kansas.
Things are surely looking up for Phil.
So can I , it is the right decision.
12 players would not all play and this way the staff has a much easier task keeping everyone happy and balancing the rotation. A year of practice for Felix and GG will also do them wonders.
tom in salem
Well-known member
Looks like Lav is content to go with 7 now until Branch comes back.
My biggest concern is that this group doesn't rebound well.
Maybe it's not too late to suit up Gift.
Might make the difference of getting a bid or not dancing at all.
My biggest concern is that this group doesn't rebound well.
Maybe it's not too late to suit up Gift.
Might make the difference of getting a bid or not dancing at all.
Storm Tracker
Well-known member
what happened with christian jones?
tom in salem
Well-known member
Whose minutes would you sacrifice?
Storm Tracker
Well-known member
marco bourgault for one...