What's Your Opinion on the Starters

[Marillac]

It was said that Pointer might get some time at PG this year. 

 

That will never happen. I believe Lavin was saying that Pointer will be looked to push the ball from the wing in transition from the defensive end. That's what the defense is built for.

 

Disagree. Obviously D'Lo and Jamal (when he's eligible) will be the primaries, and Phil will be the 3rd. But things happen. One of D'lo or Phil go down (injury or fouls) before Branch is eligible, I think Dom gets the nod. I think Steve views him very much as he did Toby Bailey on his early Bruin teams and Rico on his later ones - someone he can plug in 1-4 depending on the situation/matchups. Not "real" pgs, certainly. But Rico was 10-1 as a starter at UCLA, and Toby's year as the 2nd PG, the team reached the Elite 8.

 

Dom has one of the worst handles on the team, he plays way too fast, and he makes very poor decisions in the half court. I can think of seven or eight guys I'd rather have running point before Dom. It simply won't happen.

I'm sure we'll see the weave repeatedly and some pick and roll that will leave many of our guys (Dom being one) facilitating the offense with a mismatch, but we cannot be successful with Dom handling the ball in the half court for any extended amount of time. Dom is a different player in the open court. His physical skills are too much to handle.

I remember Toby Bailey...Dom is no Toby Bailey in terms of skill.

 

[SJUalum98]

 OOC:

PG Harrison
SG Bourgault
SF Pointer
PF Sanchez
C Gift

BE:
PG Branch
SG Harrison
SF Pointer
PF Sanchez
C Depends on matchup (could be Jakarr at PF with Sanchez/Obekpa/Gift at Center)

I think Pointer is the X-factor and simply has to start. He can easily lead the Big East in steals.

And although I know Lavin wants to showcase Harrison's point guard abilities, he's too important of a shooter to have to give the ball up and get it back as a PG. I think Branch is just a heady, pure PG. He looks to facilitate.

I think most of us are hoping for a Dwight Hardy type of season from D'Angelo but I'm not sure if he's capable of that this year. He is so far beyond what Hardy was as an outside shooter and you take that away somewhat if he has to run an offense instead of being able to just catch and shoot.  

 

[1and1sju]

It was said that Pointer might get some time at PG this year. 

 

That will never happen. I believe Lavin was saying that Pointer will be looked to push the ball from the wing in transition from the defensive end. That's what the defense is built for.

 

Disagree. Obviously D'Lo and Jamal (when he's eligible) will be the primaries, and Phil will be the 3rd. But things happen. One of D'lo or Phil go down (injury or fouls) before Branch is eligible, I think Dom gets the nod. I think Steve views him very much as he did Toby Bailey on his early Bruin teams and Rico on his later ones - someone he can plug in 1-4 depending on the situation/matchups. Not "real" pgs, certainly. But Rico was 10-1 as a starter at UCLA, and Toby's year as the 2nd PG, the team reached the Elite 8.

 

Dom has one of the worst handles on the team, he plays way too fast, and he makes very poor decisions in the half court. I can think of seven or eight guys I'd rather have running point before Dom. It simply won't happen.

I'm sure we'll see the weave repeatedly and some pick and roll that will leave many of our guys (Dom being one) facilitating the offense with a mismatch, but we cannot be successful with Dom handling the ball in the half court for any extended amount of time. Dom is a different player in the open court. His physical skills are too much to handle.

I remember Toby Bailey...Dom is no Toby Bailey in terms of skill.

 

Absolutely agree. I think coach was talking about Dom as a pg, meaning he may bring the ball up occasionally and be the outlet pass for rebounds. But that's it. In theory in makes sense to use him as a versatile combo guard, but the truth is he can't dribble at all under pressure.

And with Branch and D'angelo, not to mention Phil, we'll have enough guys who are capable point guards that it won't be an issue.

 

[FKASJU]

I honestly believe that the only other member of the team besides 3Angelo that will start every game (barring injury) this season will be Sampson. 

If for no other reason than recruiting. Harkless succeeding right away last season and then making the jump to the NBA is a huge boost to young kids looking at SJU. You don't think that Lavin made similar promisess to Sampson in order to get him to recommitt? Lavin can't afford to have it leak out that he promised the moon to Sampson and then didn't fulfill his part of the bargain. I'm sure he told some of the other youngsters that they would see the floor immeidately, but Sampson was the only one that was a big enough recruit to warrant the red carpet treatment. Sampson will start from Game #1.

After those two, I think Sanchez starts the most games.

I believe that Amir & Dom will be interchangeable based on the matchups. Greene will get some starts early and clearly Branch will make his way into the lineup when he is eligible.

 

[Ray Morgan]

My guess is that Coach, at this point, wouldn't be able to answer this question. Probably won't until he sees how things shake out at practice, including who plays well together, and who is giving 100% effort and buying into the system. One thing for sure- I am sure he is better than Davis Love at finding the guys that will work well together.