The Sim Issue

[Shannon]

I’d say 5x a game Sim’s lack of strength becomes an issue.

His defense is improving…he hassles his man all game. The rotations can be better but he’s young.

I don’t care how many he misses, I love his shot. I just wish we got him looks he could step into more often.

This stretch without Deivon has forced him to come to the forefront offensively.

Nm

 

[Marillac2]

I think his defense is night-and-day better than last year, especially on-ball activity. Also much better at driving in the paint and in transition. Last year he could hit an open jump shot b/c he has a beautiful stroke, and as the year progressed had a few games where he was really effective off drop coverage in the PNR because he loves that mid-range (and can knock it down).

He's definitely made a big leap. And with Pitino I'd bet on him making another one next year. With some increased strength, I think he can be a big time upperclassmen.

The thing that has been hard for me to adjust to (and probably many others) is when he gets beat, it’s so bad.

But that is also Pitino’s style. When you pickup 70 feet from the basket, you’re going to get beat for layups.

He dogs his man. Wears them down as the game goes on.

Would love to see him get stronger and start playing lanes and rotating better.

 

[Silly Donovan]

Silly D incoming , he’s been waiting on this thread

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Since you insist, here’s my take. First of all, great post Mug, this is definitely a situation which will keep this team from reaching the level it has the potential to reach if not improved upon.

What’s so unreal to me is that some of the same individuals who trash RJ Luis who has carried this team in scoring, rebounding and many times defense (you know who you are) regularly, are willing to give one of the worst, if not the worst shooting two guard in the Big East a pass? We are 20 games into the season and game after game it’s surprising when he hits a three. Is his defense better, and even passing, yup but as a “shooting” guard your role is to shoot and hit some outside shots. Since many posters on here love to make comparisons with other Big East teams, tell me, what shooting guard on any of the top 6 or 7 teams wouldn’t you trade Wilcher for?

Now of course you’ll hear many who are caught up in the season overlooking this negative aspect of Wilcher’s game cause we are winning. But think of it this way, if he didn’t go 2-9 etc. and actually hit a few shots, would these games be going down to the wire? And eventually if we are on the wrong side of a close score and Wilcher is still shooting poorly, then perhaps this issue becomes more magnified even to those who choose to look the other way.

Hey I’m as big a Johnny fan as any on this site and hope Wilcher all of a sudden morphs into a good shooter but there is more to a good shooter then form and desire. I’ve known some kids with great form that couldn’t put the ball in the ocean and kids with horrible form that couldn’t miss. It comes down to an actual belief that you can make the shot and putting that belief into practice.

Unfortunately, there is not much Pitino can do about Wilcher now unless he plays Smith more and a better conditioned Kadary as well. At this point neither Lio or Glover can be counted on to score. In terms of next year, I would hope Pitino goes out and finds a shooting guard that can actually shoot. As Pitino has often said, this is a business, kids are being highly paid to perform and if they can’t….. next up. And for those who are still tied into the old concept of “loyalty” to our players, ask yourself this, if Wilcher had a great season, would he not be negotiating for the best “deal” available? If you don’t believe that then let me convince you that Florida’s pizza and bagels are far superior to New York’s.

 

[paultzman]

Sim w the SJU Director of Security