Sampson's game has improved the most over the course of the season. He's got the most talent on the team and has taken over as the major offensive player.. He's a NBA player but, still needs work on his long jumper, handle, passing, etc.. He could use another year at SJU but, we all know the pros will draft on potential,i.e. Harkless last season, case in point. So we will see what his advisers tell him. I hope Lebron tells him to stay in school 1 more year.
Harrison has deteriorated from the beginning of the season and looks frustrated in not hitting his shots and as a result, is chucking the ball up without much success. He's not a NBA player now and probably isn't going to be. Europe maybe. This will shock many but,he was a distraction on the Court yesterday and frankly, he needs to mature as a player. Maybe it happens next year, maybe not..I don't see his leaving as a obstacle that can't be overcome.. Look at the CELTICS, withour Rondo.. They haven't lost a game..Sometimes the chemistry on the Court transcends any individual player's contribution. His demeanor on the Court all season has been very poor. I wonder if Lavin has given up on him?
I still see raggedy play from this Group as a team , not too much better than earlier in the year. They can beat mid pack BE teams but, as we've seen thru G'town, Syracuse,etc not ready to challenge the top tier..Sampson's improvement has been instrumental in winning most games in the BE season, the rest of the team is pretty much what they were earlier. Pointer has had moments but, disappears too.
Our Zone is terrible as a defensive strategy and I see no improvement in this team's ability to play it..That's almost 2 full years of the team playing it.. I think, even the most optimistic fans would agree it's not effective for this group. They collectively, don't seem interested in applying the intensity it requires. I'm not being negative, just seeing what occurs on the Court. We poorly defended against the 3 again and Syracuse makes you pay every time.
Even factoring Branch's absence, we still have little clue how to attack against a Zone and no one yesterday could or would dribble penetrate. The turnovers too, were critical. Other than Branch, neither Greene, DLO, Dom, Garrett have good handles and the turnovers showed that.
Greene, in particular, does little on defense, shoots poorly, dribbles incessantly without purpose and should be a bench, role player. And, it's beyond noticeable that he doesn't pass to Marc A. In a team environment, that can't be left unaddressed.
Not having any backup at PG THIS YEAR, is a result of poor recruiting with Lindsay last season.. Lavin's initial recruiting plan had him leading the point for 2 years.. That's a big ingredient in poor guard play this year. Getting Branch from A&M was a make-up for Lindsay being a bad choice.But, waiting half a season and now with his injury, it has set us back as a team.
I call them as I see them and if it doesn't sit well with others, that's ok.
