tashoya
Blue & Gray (over 10,000 posts)
Posts: 12,328
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Post by tashoya on Dec 13, 2009 20:01:42 GMT -5
I'm not sure the Don Reid comparison holds either. I loved Don Reid and I'm loving JV now but for different reasons. I think Don had more agility and hops but didn't have anywhere near the offensive game that JV has. Also, a big part of Don's problem early in his career is that he couldn't not foul. Not to the extent of Jahidi early in his career but not that far off. Julian fouled a bit last year but I think it had to do with his conditioning not being what it is this year. He often got caught a half step behind. He's improved his footwork and his conditioning in a huge way and it's allowing him to be a strong presence on offense and defense. Don was really solid on defense but not really an offensive option. 2 entirely different players that are fun to watch for very different reasons.
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Post by bigelephant on Dec 14, 2009 9:08:39 GMT -5
In May I posted THIS: "Vaughn is a wide body but not the most athletic - he's already got 2 collegiate years under his belt and I don't see big improvement coming. I was watching the rerun of the Syracuse game at the Verizon Center and he did have a great O rebound with a put back. More of that and I'll eat my words."
I"m here to tell I have been eating those words all season - Jules has improved so much that I'm thinking that this team can go far - a little early to tell for sure but is he keeps it up the season is going to be great. The baby hooks, the dunk put backs, the rebounding, the hustle, the PO cuts and passes, the picks - have all been welcome - and how about when he brought the ball down the floor ala Greg against Washington? I'm a total believer now!
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rosslynhoya
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
Posts: 2,595
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Post by rosslynhoya on Dec 14, 2009 9:45:04 GMT -5
What's got me especially excited about JV's play is the timing: I'm really glad Benimon is here to see his transformation, because he seems the most likely candidate to step up into Vaughn's niche after next season and challenge some of these incoming blue-chip recruits for PT. I think something was lost in continuity last year, post-PE2/post-Tyler, and however you want to describe that role, it would be a nice GU tradition to revive.
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OldHoyafan
Golden Hoya (over 1000 posts)
Posts: 1,387
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Post by OldHoyafan on Dec 14, 2009 10:09:41 GMT -5
Not being from the DC area, I had not heard of Vaughn prior to his transfer to Georgetown, so early on I really thought that JT3 was desperately trying to just get another big body to replace Macklin. However, Julian is a player that actually fits the Hoya offense. His ability to face up at the top of the key and drive to the basket really has surprised me. I did not see that at all last year. To be honest right now I like his drives to the basket better than Monroe's because he can go to his left or right and finish with his left or right hand. Monroe's right hand finish is still a work in progress. (Keep at it Greg its looking better!) His ability to hit the jump shot from the top of the key has not been shown, but his form on his shot looks good. To be honest from that same position on the court last year and this year, Macklin has only shown the ability to execute a running right hand hook. His quickness in this defense of hedging on the opposing guard after a screen and then recovering is actually better than Monroe's. If this young man's rebounding and defense stays this consistant in BE play, then he is not just a big body relacement but a significant upgrade on offense and defense from Macklin.
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joey0403p
Golden Hoya (over 1000 posts)
Posts: 1,586
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Post by joey0403p on Dec 14, 2009 12:45:18 GMT -5
I have to say - JV has been a BEAST this year. He really has. He's allowed Greg to move to the 4 spot instead of the 5. This is huge in terms of limiting GM's fouls IMO. He has legit post up moves which help our offense. He free's up Greg to do his thing in the paint of at the high post.
For all the talk about free, chris, clark etc. JV might be our 2nd best player. His defense (not just blocks) but putting a body on people, getting rebounds, contesting shots etc....all are helping us a lot. He is a very pleasant surprise. Keep up the good work big fella.
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