No one has ever questioned that Yakwe works his tail off. I just hope he is working on some basketball skills. He doesn't have the best basketball instincts (maybe he started late?) but more time playing can only help. Hopefully, he is ready for a big jump this year.
Some Positives
- Thread starter paultzman
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No one has ever questioned that Yakwe works his tail off. I just hope he is working on some basketball skills. He doesn't have the best basketball instincts (maybe he started late?) but more time playing can only help. Hopefully, he is ready for a big jump this year.
Last season SJU's defensive and rebounding shortcomings are the main areas requiring improvement in order for them to play in the post season this year but the lack of Yawke's ability to make a twelve to fifteen jump shot is another major problem that is going to require significant improvement.
With a lineup of Ponds, LoVett, Bashir and Simon who all have the ability to penetrate and either take it to rim or kick it out for an open jump shot you cannot have Yawke's defender basically ignoring him and staying in the paint discouraging any penetration. By the last third of last season Yawke had lost all confidence of making an outside shot and was not defended.
Either Yawke or the player who replaces him has to have the shooting ability to at least keep the opposition somewhat honest.
With a lineup of Ponds, LoVett, Bashir and Simon who all have the ability to penetrate and either take it to rim or kick it out for an open jump shot you cannot have Yawke's defender basically ignoring him and staying in the paint discouraging any penetration. By the last third of last season Yawke had lost all confidence of making an outside shot and was not defended.
Either Yawke or the player who replaces him has to have the shooting ability to at least keep the opposition somewhat honest.
Granted, Yakwe had a disappointing season, but he was forced to play out of position -- which saw him matched up, both defensively and offensively, against guys not only bigger and stronger (a la Delgado), but also more adapted to, and more comfortable with, playing the five spot. Hoping he'll be more up to the task this coming season. Sort of like taking a very good rookie second baseman and moving him to shortstop without any period of adjustment ... and then complaining that he lacks the range and the arm to be a standout player there.
I agree with you Enright regarding the need to space the floor especially with our guards' and wings' ability to dribble penetrate.
However the issue may be even more simplistic than that, since we are undersized at almost every position and generally play 4 out 1 in or even 5 wide, a lot of times last year when a big went to help on a drive it was a dunk opportunity and not a 12-15 footer. Which is great in theory but we had immense and pretty consistent issue catching and converting. Yawke was not the only one but he was one and if he could just improve there it should be a big help, especially as we may see even more of these opportunities with Lovett, Ponds, and Simon creating.
With Yawke a big part of the issue last year seemed to be over-thinking, seemingly starting with what he should or shouldn't be doing on offense and then potentially seeping into other parts of his game and his overall confidence level from there. From my vantage point he should be told not to worry about an enhanced offensive repertoire in games. Motor, defense, rebounding, dunking, and energy plays. Potential irony is that the added confidence that could come from doing those things well - as Yawke did his freshman year - could result in an enhanced offensive repertoire in games.
Getting freshman year production from Yawke would not be a minor deal for this squad.
