Jeff vs. Dajuan

[ephoya04]

So we've got a slightly smaller sample size for Dajuan, but its a third of the way through DS's junior year and I was wondering where everyone thinks his game stacks up vs. Jeff Green's game during his junior year.

My impression is that Dajuan is a better offensive force, his outside shot is better, he's smoother with the handle. However, Jeff was a better passer and rebounder.

I am not sure how you compare their respective defensive games as Jeff tended to guard more down low on the block whereas Dajuan more often guards out on the wings.

Curious to hear what everyone else thinks.

[Boz]

They're both great players, that's what I think.

But hopefully, where we only had one for three years, we'll have the other for four.

[theexorcist]

So, at the Sweet 16 game against Vanderbilt, late in the game, this phlegmatic guy who sat in front of me and who was rooting for Vandy for complicated basketball pool-related reasons, asked me who should take the last shot.

I answered "Green" without hesitation.

When the game's on the line, Summers really isn't my first or second or choice to take that shot. Jeff brought a lot of intangibles.

[Hoya TMF]

Jan 15, 2009 10:00:21 GMT -5 theexorcist said:

So, at the Sweet 16 game against Vanderbilt, late in the game, this phlegmatic guy who sat in front of me and who was rooting for Vandy for complicated basketball pool-related reasons, asked me who should take the last shot.

I answered "Green" without hesitation.

When the game's on the line, Summers really isn't my first or second or choice to take that shot. Jeff brought a lot of intangibles.

Agreed. There really isn't a comparison. Summers has been great all year, but he hasn't yet shown that he can do the things Jeff did. Jeff was a more versatile scorer and defender. In addition, he proved himself to be a closer. Hopefully DaJuan can hit some of these big shots when we need him to. He's made some huge momentum plays this year and hit the game winner in last season's regular season finale. Still, his on the court skills and body of work don't compare right now. The other comforting thing is that Summers doesn't have to be what Jeff was in order for us to have the same success. Right now, I think we have five guys who could take and make a shot with the game on the line. We didn't really ahve that when Jeff was here. I think everyone knew where the ball would go in those situations in 06-07. This year, I have no idea.

[Boz]

Jan 15, 2009 10:11:40 GMT -5 Hoya TMF said:

The other comforting thing is that Summers doesn't have to be what Jeff was in order for us to have the same success. Right now, I think we have five guys who could take and make a shot with the game on the line. We didn't really ahve that when Jeff was here. I think everyone knew where the ball would go in those situations in 06-07. This year, I have no idea.

Neither does the other team. As you say, that is comforting.

[SFHoya99]

Different players. But I will also say, five game into the BE season, there was a lot of bickering about Jeff not stepping up. So in some ways, DaJuan is ahead of the curve. But he's not nearly the playmaker Jeff was, even if he's a better scorer.

[BubbleVisionBiff]

Dajuan does want the ball in the clutch, and did sink the 3 to get us back to back BE reg season titles against L'ville. I trust him with the ball at the end of the game.

But I try not to compare them. Different players, different roles in our system. Dajuan is doing the one thing everyone said he needed to do to elevate his game: put the ball on the floor and get to the rack. The mid range pull up is also very nice. He diversifies his portfolio, our offense doesn't stagnate, he improves his draft position, everybody wins.

The nice thing, like the 07 team, is that we have options--
07-Jeff, Wallace, Jessie (60 foot bomb at Nova). Dajuan also took his share of daggers that year in the flow of the game, if not at end of game.

09-Dajuan, Austin, Chris, Greg, Jessie (I still believe), Jason and of course, Nikita ;D

And once Dajuan and Greg connect on some of Greg's bullets from the top of the key to a baseline cutting Summers, look out.

[prhoya]

Jan 15, 2009 10:13:10 GMT -5 Boz said:

Jan 15, 2009 10:11:40 GMT -5 Hoya TMF said:

The other comforting thing is that Summers doesn't have to be what Jeff was in order for us to have the same success. Right now, I think we have five guys who could take and make a shot with the game on the line. We didn't really ahve that when Jeff was here. I think everyone knew where the ball would go in those situations in 06-07. This year, I have no idea.

Five? You cannot leave out Clark with his pull-up mid-range jumper. That thing is money!

[NCHoya]

Hard to say since they play different roles in the offense. Monroe plays Jeff's old spot and Dajuan is a wing player that has taken the initiative to get to the basket much more often than in previous seasons. I think they would compliment each other well but I cannot choose one over the other without seeing Dajaun complete this season.

[hoyajoker07]

There's a definite different in finesse, too (not a bad one). Both go/went up strong at times for dunks, but Jeff somehow managed to dunk pretty. DaJuan dunks ridiculously hard.

Obviously there's more to talk about than their dunks, but I know I always see that and once upon a time, it meant more missed dunks from DaJuan than we'd like to see. Now that he's made great improvements in control (how many players finish that dunk from last night?), I think he cuts a lot closer to Jeff's game.

I had a little more faith in Jeff on defense, too. A lot of that has to do with the bigs we have this year and DaJuan being able to harass an outside shooter, but in the old days (ha!) of Jeff and Roy in the paint, it felt like a lockdown.

[TBird41]

Nothing against Dajuan, but I don't think he'd be the one with the ball in his hands at the start of a final possession. He just doesn't pass well enough (which is why the offense doesn't run through him like it did Jeff, or does Monroe). I can't see JT3 drawing up the Vandy final play, with the first option being a back cut, and putting the ball in Dajuan's hand. Then again, I have no problem with Dajuan talking the final shot, if it's a good shot (or goes in)

[Just Cos]

Another way to look at it is that Dajaun will not be drafted higher than Jeff

[strummer8526]

One thing that I love about Dajuan is that he has a fire that Jeff never showed. Whether that translates to better or worse play on the court, I don't know. But, for instance, when Greg Oden bowled over Jeff in an obvious charge in the Final Four (a game-changing play), had that been Dajuan, I think there would have been a lot more passion shown. Maybe we pick up a makeup call on the other end? Maybe III gives it to the ref. Maybe something happens. Dajuan doesn't take crap without making it clear that something happened. It doesn't always look the most professional, and sometimes he gets close to a T. Sometimes I wonder what that translates to in terms of future plays, calls, etc.

[williambraskyiii]

um, I think that is called composure and don't really think that is a valid basis for criticism of Jeff.

More to the point, Jeff absolutely showed emotion in certain situations although he certainly chose his spots...do you happen to remember the Vandy Sweet 16 game at all?

This might refresh your memory:

graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2007/03/24/sports/24georgetown.1.600.jpg