Welcome John McGriff

I like tough players and I particularly like fast point guards that are pass first and play really tough, aggressive defense and are smart enough and skilled enough to do so without getting into foul trouble. I am not questioning at all the ability of a shorter guard to be effective OFFENSIVELY.
What I don't like is getting shot over at will. So I can see McGriff being a valuable piece but I also worry about Lovett/Mikey Dixon scenarios where the opponents just feast on our defense because shooters are so much taller than our defender that they are a non-factor defensively. And defensively it will already be a major adjustment for a freshman to get used to playing against much more advanced players in both skill and physical abilities. More length at PG would help with that worry.
While I don't want to see so much help defense EVER again in my lifetime and if we get stuck in a half court switch everything defense with a 5'9 guy on the floor we're doomed. To Section3's point, yesterday I was watching some of Steere's high school footage. He was way more of a shot blocker than I had figured. I sure hope he is immediately eligible because he will fill several voids for us and he is kind of a tweener SF/PF with offensive skills inside and out. Seems to run the floor well too for a guy his size. Looks great in a St John's uni.
 
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[quote="Paul Massell" post=347810]I like tough players and I particularly like fast point guards that are pass first and play really tough, aggressive defense and are smart enough and skilled enough to do so without getting into foul trouble. I am not questioning at all the ability of a shorter guard to be effective OFFENSIVELY.
What I don't like is getting shot over at will. So I can see McGriff being a valuable piece but I also worry about Lovett/Mikey Dixon scenarios where the opponents just feast on our defense because shooters are so much taller than our defender that they are a non-factor defensively. And defensively it will already be a major adjustment for a freshman to get used to playing against much more advanced players in both skill and physical abilities. More length at PG would help with that worry.
While I don't want to see so much help defense EVER again in my lifetime and if we get stuck in a half court switch everything defense with a 5'9 guy on the floor we're doomed. To Section3's point, yesterday I was watching some of Steere's high school footage. He was way more of a shot blocker than I had figured. I sure hope he is immediately eligible because he will fill several voids for us and he is kind of a tweener SF/PF with offensive skills inside and out. Seems to run the floor well too for a guy his size. Looks great in a St John's uni.[/quote]

Now, he was an exceptional defender for sure but not too many people shot over John Linehan. Mugsy Bogues never got abused on D, even in the pros, neither did Nate Robinson. I have no idea how good or bad myself McGriff is but I guarantee he is a tough kid that plays hard D. Made a few calls around and found a good buddy still scouting the AAU circuit who has seen him play several times. Joe thought he was a good, competitive player. Did not think he was ready for a BE starting role right now; that is no surprise but obviously our cupboard at PG is bare. One thing he shared was that he loved his attitude. Said one of the games he saw, McGriff was pretty much outplayed by just a more talented player but Joe said the more the guy scored the harder McGriff competed, loved his heart. We shall see. BTW, Joe is the same guy who told me how good Dom Pointer was; I posted that when Pointer signed; unfortunately we didn’t see it until his senior year.
 
[quote="Logen" post=347814]
Now, he was an exceptional defender for sure but not too many people shot over John Linehan. Mugsy Bogues never got abused on D, even in the pros, neither did Nate Robinson. [/quote]

I remember Barkley abusing Linehan but those examples are also from a different time. Today pretty much everyone on the floor is a shooter in many if not most games.
 
[quote="Paul Massell" post=347820][quote="Logen" post=347814]
Now, he was an exceptional defender for sure but not too many people shot over John Linehan. Mugsy Bogues never got abused on D, even in the pros, neither did Nate Robinson. [/quote]

I remember Barkley abusing Linehan but those examples are also from a different time. Today pretty much everyone on the floor is a shooter in many if not most games.[/quote]

Remember that also; Barkley was a hell of a player and abused a lot of people.
 
Andre Barrett another 5’9” from that time period that more than held his own. I do t expect this kid to be a world beater. Speedy strong kid to share some ball handling duties and get out and defend full court.
 
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Relax folks. Coach Anderson filled a need for a back up point guard of the future. The goal is Curbelo.
Look at the positive this late in the recruiting process. He is one of the top 50 high school point guards in his class. He is a 3 star prospect. He will be needed to break presses and to run fast breaks. He is likely a reserve but he is quick.
Arkansas just signed a 5'9 pg also who is a 3 star player.
Finally Hero Ball highlighted players under 5'9. Miami had a good one.
Lykes is 5'7...
"Two players share the honor of being the shortest player in the tournament -- Texas Southern's Demontrae Jefferson and Miami's Chris Lykes.

Jefferson is Texas Southern's leading scorer (23.4 points per game) and also leads the teams in assists (4.5 per game). He leads the team in minutes played as well. Lykes averages 9.6 points and 2.4 assists over 21.3 minutes per game for the Hurricanes."
 
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[quote="Class of 72" post=347836]Relax folks. Coach Anderson filled a need for a back up point guard of the future. The goal is Curbelo.
Look at the positive this late in the recruiting process. He is one of the top 50 high school point guards in his class. He is a 3 star prospect. He will be needed to break presses and to run fast breaks. He is likely a reserve but he is quick.
Arkansas just signed a 5'9 pg also who is a 3 star player.
Finally Hero Ball highlighted players under 5'9. Miami had a good one.
Lykes is 5'7...
"Two players share the honor of being the shortest player in the tournament -- Texas Southern's Demontrae Jefferson and Miami's Chris Lykes.

Jefferson is Texas Southern's leading scorer (23.4 points per game) and also leads the teams in assists (4.5 per game). He leads the team in minutes played as well. Lykes averages 9.6 points and 2.4 assists over 21.3 minutes per game for the Hurricanes."[/quote]
Sensible, 72
 
Phil Pressey was sub 6ft and was perhaps the most important player on CMA’s best team. Not expecting that but will certainly be nice to have a backup point guard or two on our roster.
 
Amaseinyourface wrote: Phil Pressey was sub 6ft and was perhaps the most important player on CMA’s best team. Not expecting that but will certainly be nice to have a backup point guard or two on our roster.

Good to know Amase, didn't realize Phil was that much shorter than his Dad. I just think we're going to enjoy the hell out of watching these CMA teams. I know I am looking forward to it big time.
 
[quote="Class of 72" post=347836]Relax folks. Coach Anderson filled a need for a back up point guard of the future. The goal is Curbelo.
Look at the positive this late in the recruiting process. He is one of the top 50 high school point guards in his class. He is a 3 star prospect. He will be needed to break presses and to run fast breaks. He is likely a reserve but he is quick.
Arkansas just signed a 5'9 pg also who is a 3 star player.
Finally Hero Ball highlighted players under 5'9. Miami had a good one.
Lykes is 5'7...
"Two players share the honor of being the shortest player in the tournament -- Texas Southern's Demontrae Jefferson and Miami's Chris Lykes.

Jefferson is Texas Southern's leading scorer (23.4 points per game) and also leads the teams in assists (4.5 per game). He leads the team in minutes played as well. Lykes averages 9.6 points and 2.4 assists over 21.3 minutes per game for the Hurricanes."[/quote]

As far as I’m concerned, the staff gets a complete pass on any kids they bring in for next year. Just like Chris got a pass on his first glass. At this point in the recruiting game, CMA has to worry about getting kids here who he thinks can compete at this level, to fill our voids. Having said that, some of the comparisons I’m hearing to McGriff are making me scratch my head. Then when the kid doesn’t turn out to be the next Calvin Murphy some fans will be ripping him to shreds. Glad we got him, let’s temper expectations. Actually a little disappointed no one mentioned “Monte” Towe.
 
A good example of an effective undersized college PG is Isaiah Thomas playing at 5'10" for the Washington Huskies. I am not saying McGriff will be anywhere near the talent that Thomas is, but if you pull up some of Thomas' college highlights on YouTube, you will have a better visual idea of how a kid can be effective at that height.
 
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John Lineman is an example of a diminutive 5'9" / 165 pound player who excelled.

Linehan played for Providence College from 1997 to 2002. He led the Big East Conference in steals, in three different seasons, and also earned the Big East Defensive Player of the Year and Second Team All-Big East honors his last two seasons. As a senior, in the 2001–02 season, he averaged 12.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 4.5 steals per game, finishing second in the nation in steals.

I am not going to discount McGiff until he has a chance to succeed.

Lets hope.
 
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[quote="Monte" post=347843][quote="Class of 72" post=347836]Relax folks. Coach Anderson filled a need for a back up point guard of the future. The goal is Curbelo.
Look at the positive this late in the recruiting process. He is one of the top 50 high school point guards in his class. He is a 3 star prospect. He will be needed to break presses and to run fast breaks. He is likely a reserve but he is quick.
Arkansas just signed a 5'9 pg also who is a 3 star player.
Finally Hero Ball highlighted players under 5'9. Miami had a good one.
Lykes is 5'7...
"Two players share the honor of being the shortest player in the tournament -- Texas Southern's Demontrae Jefferson and Miami's Chris Lykes.

Jefferson is Texas Southern's leading scorer (23.4 points per game) and also leads the teams in assists (4.5 per game). He leads the team in minutes played as well. Lykes averages 9.6 points and 2.4 assists over 21.3 minutes per game for the Hurricanes."[/quote]

As far as I’m concerned, the staff gets a complete pass on any kids they bring in for next year. Just like Chris got a pass on his first glass. At this point in the recruiting game, CMA has to worry about getting kids here who he thinks can compete at this level, to fill our voids. Having said that, some of the comparisons I’m hearing to McGriff are making me scratch my head. Then when the kid doesn’t turn out to be the next Calvin Murphy some fans will be ripping him to shreds. Glad we got him, let’s temper expectations. Actually a little disappointed no one mentioned “Monte” Towe.[/quote]

The thing I like about how CMA builds his teams is that he looks for pieces that fit his system and if 4*s aren't available or conducive to his recruiting spin, he actively pursues Plans B and gets 3*s on board that can play and contribute.
It takes a swarm of guys to make his system work and he knows it.
Last year, 9 guys played 14+ mpg and another 3 guys got cameos of 2 - 5mpg.
I think McGriff may be a 'piece' to contribute, and Mike's strategy to get pieces that fit might be achievable even this late in the 'game'.
We shall see.
 
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[quote="Chicago Days" post=347849][quote="Monte" post=347843][quote="Class of 72" post=347836]Relax folks. Coach Anderson filled a need for a back up point guard of the future. The goal is Curbelo.
Look at the positive this late in the recruiting process. He is one of the top 50 high school point guards in his class. He is a 3 star prospect. He will be needed to break presses and to run fast breaks. He is likely a reserve but he is quick.
Arkansas just signed a 5'9 pg also who is a 3 star player.
Finally Hero Ball highlighted players under 5'9. Miami had a good one.
Lykes is 5'7...
"Two players share the honor of being the shortest player in the tournament -- Texas Southern's Demontrae Jefferson and Miami's Chris Lykes.

Jefferson is Texas Southern's leading scorer (23.4 points per game) and also leads the teams in assists (4.5 per game). He leads the team in minutes played as well. Lykes averages 9.6 points and 2.4 assists over 21.3 minutes per game for the Hurricanes."[/quote]

As far as I’m concerned, the staff gets a complete pass on any kids they bring in for next year. Just like Chris got a pass on his first glass. At this point in the recruiting game, CMA has to worry about getting kids here who he thinks can compete at this level, to fill our voids. Having said that, some of the comparisons I’m hearing to McGriff are making me scratch my head. Then when the kid doesn’t turn out to be the next Calvin Murphy some fans will be ripping him to shreds. Glad we got him, let’s temper expectations. Actually a little disappointed no one mentioned “Monte” Towe.[/quote]

The thing I like about how CMA builds his teams is that he looks for pieces that fit his system and if 4*s aren't available or conducive to his recruiting spin, he actively pursues Plans B and gets 3*s on board that can play and contribute.
It takes a swarm of guys to make his system work and he knows it.
Last year, 9 guys played 14+ mpg and another 3 guys got cameos of 2 - 5mpg.
I think McGriff may be a 'piece' to contribute, and Mike's strategy to get pieces that fit might be achievable even this late in the 'game'.
We shall see.[/quote

Everyone misses the point. The administration has ruined the program. Everything else is just PR baloney
They dont care about the program and every few years sell us suckers on a new rebuilding program. The only way they will pay attention is if everyone turns in their season tickets. Let them play to the dance team, band and cheerleaders.
 
[quote="dee" post=]
Everyone misses the point. The administration has ruined the program. Everything else is just PR baloney
They dont care about the program and every few years sell us suckers on a new rebuilding program. The only way they will pay attention is if everyone turns in their season tickets. Let them play to the dance team, band and cheerleaders.[/quote]

Gréât post Dee , this is now the tenth consecutive post where you continually tell all board members how we missed the point and this is a horrible hire and everyone should cancel their tickets.
As opposed to harping on the same points perhaps you could explain to the board Coach Anderson , TJ and Van Macon’s weaknesses and what they are lacking in order to make the program successfull again. I am sure we would all be interested in reading some facts as opposed to your unsubstantiated repetitive opinion with zero insight as to why you feel that way. Pretend you are giving the board your closing legal arguments.
 
[quote="dee" post=347881]
Everyone misses the point. The administration has ruined the program. Everything else is just PR baloney
They dont care about the program and every few years sell us suckers on a new rebuilding program. The only way they will pay attention is if everyone turns in their season tickets. Let them play to the dance team, band and cheerleaders.[/quote]

Why would people turn in their season tickets when there have only been four or five people here expressing displeasure? And so far those people have been 1) secretly related to Mullin; 2) racist; or 3) Monte. So which one are you? I know you aren't Monte, and we'd know by now if you were related to Mullin.
 
[quote="otis" post=347846]John Lineman is an example of a diminutive 5'9" / 165 pound player who excelled.

Linehan played for Providence College from 1997 to 2002. He led the Big East Conference in steals, in three different seasons, and also earned the Big East Defensive Player of the Year and Second Team All-Big East honors his last two seasons. As a senior, in the 2001–02 season, he averaged 12.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 4.5 steals per game, finishing second in the nation in steals.

I am not going to discount McGiff until he has a chance to succeed.

Lets hope.[/quote]



Linehan also played professionally for more than 10 years. I saw him play in Paris in 2011 against a team that Lamont Hamilton was on. Let's just welcome McGriff to our program. We should be happy that Coach Anderson was able to add a point guard at this time.

Looking forward to the upcoming season.
 
[quote="L J S A" post=347889][quote="dee" post=347881]
Everyone misses the point. The administration has ruined the program. Everything else is just PR baloney
They dont care about the program and every few years sell us suckers on a new rebuilding program. The only way they will pay attention is if everyone turns in their season tickets. Let them play to the dance team, band and cheerleaders.[/quote]

Why would people turn in their season tickets when there have only been four or five people here expressing displeasure? And so far those people have been 1) secretly related to Mullin; 2) racist; or 3) Monte. So which one are you? I know you aren't Monte, and we'd know by now if you were related to Mullin.[/quote]

“Expressing displeasure”? Have you read my recent posts? I’m starting to come around. However till we actually take the court, I will continue to express “cautious optimism”. After 6 straight disappointing hires, my gut tells me that’s the prudent thing to do.
 
[quote="dee" post=347881]
Everyone misses the point. The administration has ruined the program. Everything else is just PR baloney
They dont care about the program and every few years sell us suckers on a new rebuilding program. The only way they will pay attention is if everyone turns in their season tickets. Let them play to the dance team, band and cheerleaders.[/quote]

Where are your season seats located? If they're good I will legit buy them from you. I'm moving back to NYC at the end of the summer. You won't need to turn them in. Just sell them to me. Being 100 percent serious with you rn.
 
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