Lefty isn't a liability per se. But our top 6, 7 if you include Prey, can switch and guard anyone on the floor. Lefty cannot, and it creates a potential mismatch on switches in an otherwise airtight defense.
Ruben Prey as a 4
- Thread starter tnice
- Start date
I don’t think we have good sample of Lefty’s game. He’s been used sparingly to come in an shoot a three.
Haven't seen anything that bad with Lefty on defense. He moves through traffic well and seems to have good instincts. I'd imagine he's really advanced in both sides of the PnR like Prey. Being 6'5 means he can switch on a # of positions and that versatility is key.
We haven't but Pitino sees him everyday in practice. Teammates say he is a deadeye shooter, has a good handle, and isn't overwhelmed on the floor. We have 7 exceptional athletes who can guard everyone on the floor. Not every player is a fit for that.
Conversely, absolutely silly to judge anyone as a shooter when they average 1.3 shots in the 7.5 minutes per game they play.
Larry Wright
Well-known member
I never said he can’t shoot, simply said he does not make any of the attempts he does get at this point. He is 4 for 23 in BE games. Maybe he will become a decent shooter, right now he is not.
Zach’s Post Plus article today basically alluded to them returning
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RedStormRising
Well-known member
Lefty’s biggest problem is why would you ever take Kadary off the floor. There is no reason Lefty can’t develop into a big east player.
And anyone who knows anything about basketball knows shooting is a rhythm skill and it is impossible to get into a rhythm shooting one shot a game, so offering your ‘stats” as a basis for a conclusion is just nonsense. And nice backtrack, you certainly were saying you don’t think he can shoot, you should go into politics.
Sure KR is getting 30+ minutes that no one else can get, but I would argue Kadary is one of the biggest reason we should see more Lefty. On offense KR sets him up perfectly and protects him as a ball handler. On Defense KR guards 1-5, and shouldn’t affect Lefty’s defensive matchup. It would come from Sims pile mostly.
What the best coaches do are using players in situations where they have an advantage on the floor, and force opponents to make adjustments they'd rather not make. I'd have to say that with only 4 losses by a grand total of 7 points that this was a brilliant coaching job by Rick.
Defense in basketball is weakest link stuff. We switch so often without giving up many uncontested shots that it isn't about who Lefty guards but how well he switches and what that match-up is.
Having said all that, would not be shocked to see an upcoming game where Lefty is used to our sdvantage strategically or out of necessity where he makes 2 or 3 big shots and contributes to a win.
Rick has an arsenal of players that may not be the best roster in the country, but when you use your weapons brilliantly and they respond, may make for a storybook ending.
Lefteris Liotopoulos - there I got it right - has a higher ceiling than we've seen and will be a rotation player in the future. And maybe a hero's moment or two this year.
Marillac when Reuben prey hits one three in 15 tries
vs
when Jenkins shoots 35% from 3 on 5 attempts a game
Maker and Ayo just need to make it through the pregame meal for praise.View attachment 4333
Marillac when Reuben prey hits one three in 15 tries
vs
when Jenkins shoots 35% from 3 on 5 attempts a game
Larry Wright
Well-known member
I am saying at some point you have to actually make a shot. Any kid anywhere has had to prove that they can make shots in games to get more pt and more attempts. With the attempts he has gotten he has looked bad.