blueandgray
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
Posts: 6,728
|
Post by blueandgray on Nov 11, 2018 1:37:16 GMT -5
It’s been a long time since we’ve had a true point who could really run the team. Chris Wright wasn’t that guy, Markel was closer to being that guy, however it feels that James really could be that guy.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 11, 2018 1:47:15 GMT -5
James looked a bit more settled to me. He looks to be a smart player. When he gets a little more muscle on him and can fight over picks as opposed to under them, I think he's going to be a really good defender. If he can become a reliable outside shooter, he's going to be dangerous. He doesn't strike me at all as out of his depth and I think he's going to flourish in-season which isn't common for freshmen. To me, he just has the look of a guy that will want to beat you badly at absolutely anything and I love that. It hasn’t shown up yet but he can shoot it. I think as he gets more comfortable you will see him start to knock down more jumpers. Hopefully for our sakes that starts on Tuesday.
|
|
SaxaCD
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
Posts: 4,401
|
Post by SaxaCD on Nov 11, 2018 3:58:43 GMT -5
James looked a bit more settled to me. He looks to be a smart player. When he gets a little more muscle on him and can fight over picks as opposed to under them, I think he's going to be a really good defender. If he can become a reliable outside shooter, he's going to be dangerous. He doesn't strike me at all as out of his depth and I think he's going to flourish in-season which isn't common for freshmen. To me, he just has the look of a guy that will want to beat you badly at absolutely anything and I love that. It hasn’t shown up yet but he can shoot it. I think as he gets more comfortable you will see him start to knock down more jumpers. Hopefully for our sakes that starts on Tuesday. In that tournament he was MVP of, his 3 point shot looked effortless and beautiful. He and Mac are both drifting a bit on it now. Once they relax and square up, their shooting will really improve
|
|
Bigs"R"Us
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
Posts: 6,640
|
Post by Bigs"R"Us on Nov 12, 2018 14:10:59 GMT -5
We could be 0-2 without him. 1-1, at best.
|
|
|
Post by ewingitrust on Nov 12, 2018 18:18:19 GMT -5
It’s been a long time since we’ve had a true point who could really run the team. Chris Wright wasn’t that guy, Markel was closer to being that guy, however it feels that James really could be that guy. i completely agree...he makes a huge difference. His shot will come around but he has an excellent chance of being a top assist man.
|
|
|
Post by HamptonHoya on Nov 13, 2018 7:01:21 GMT -5
Well said. If our biggest worrry as a team is James Akinjo, I like our prospects. I posted in other threads that I was unimpressed by Akinjo's first game and was roundly criticized. I plead guilty to "irrational exuberance" prior to the game. But to your point, yes our biggest worry has to be Akinjo just because there in no other quality pg on this team and we saw last year what poor pg play can do to us. So yes our biggest worry has to be Akinjo. Sorry if that places a lot on the back of a freshman but it is what it is. I really don't understand how anyone who saw us play last year doesn't feel the same way. I believe everyone knows the key to our success runs through the point and therefore Akinjo. The difference is whether you believe Akinjo can deliver. I am on Team Akinjo. I am looking for continued improvement from him and we got it from game 1 to game 2. Look at the end of the game. Elvado is just saying this one member of the team you don't need to worry about.
|
|
calhoya
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
Posts: 4,351
Member is Online
|
Post by calhoya on Nov 13, 2018 9:43:10 GMT -5
Akinjo shows great promise but also looks very much like a freshman adjusting to a new level. He needs to avoid forcing the shot from behind the arc and he needs to avoid taking the 3 from several feet behind the arc. If that is the only way to get his shot off then he should not be taking it in the first place. It's a difficult enough shot without adding 5-7 feet to the distance.
Much more concerned about McClung's adjustments than Akinjo.
|
|
|
Post by petabdoubleg on Nov 13, 2018 9:50:41 GMT -5
Akinjo shows great promise but also looks very much like a freshman adjusting to a new level. He needs to avoid forcing the shot from behind the arc and he needs to avoid taking the 3 from several feet behind the arc. If that is the only way to get his shot off then he should not be taking it in the first place. It's a difficult enough shot without adding 5-7 feet to the distance. Much more concerned about McClung's adjustments than Akinjo. I actually don't feel that his shots have been forced and I would prefer that he stay aggressive. He clearly can knock them down, maybe not at an elite level but at an acceptable level, and that will only open up everything else for him. Once defenders have to respect his jumper it's game over, with the hesitation moves in his arsenal and his court vision.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 13, 2018 9:53:59 GMT -5
Last Hoya player to have court vision like James?
|
|
SSHoya
Blue & Gray (over 10,000 posts)
"Forget it Jake, it's Chinatown."
Posts: 18,074
|
Post by SSHoya on Nov 13, 2018 10:16:04 GMT -5
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 13, 2018 10:43:55 GMT -5
he can't pass on the move like James but that's what I think too. Who do you guys think was the last guard?
|
|
|
Post by centercourt400s on Nov 13, 2018 11:49:54 GMT -5
he can't pass on the move like James but that's what I think too. Who do you guys think was the last guard? Its awfully early to be making solid comparisons right now but... if pressed I would say James shows more raw court vision than any guard in the JT3 era. I think you may need to go back to Charles Smith, Michael Jackson and of course AI.
|
|
Bigs"R"Us
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
Posts: 6,640
|
Post by Bigs"R"Us on Nov 13, 2018 11:50:04 GMT -5
Kenny Brunner or David Edwards.
|
|
SirSaxa
Blue & Gray (over 10,000 posts)
Posts: 15,620
|
Post by SirSaxa on Nov 13, 2018 15:16:47 GMT -5
Kenny Brunner is the name that came to me as well. I was thinking, who was our best passing guard, who displayed remarkable vision and anticipation, in the last 20 years or so. Brunner had a lot of baggage and didn't stay long and so on. But if we are making the assessment based purely on his passing ability? Hands down Brunner would be #1 in that time frame.
This is not to suggest James will be better than, as good as, best since... or whatever. Akinjo has a lot of talent and vision of his own. But we are only 2 games into his time as a Hoya. Personally, I have high hopes for him. He is looking very talented so far.
|
|
skunk
Century (over 100 posts)
Posts: 169
|
Post by skunk on Nov 13, 2018 22:50:49 GMT -5
This is exactly why I told people not to worry about akinjo. This kid is an absolute stud. Took over the game
|
|
|
Post by centercourt400s on Nov 13, 2018 23:05:47 GMT -5
An assassin from the free throw line as well.
We are witnessing the start of something special.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 13, 2018 23:33:17 GMT -5
19 and 7assts ... Made all the big plays down the stretch and in high leverage moments.
|
|
saxagael
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
Posts: 6,765
|
Post by saxagael on Nov 13, 2018 23:43:32 GMT -5
This dog not only has bark but one heck of a bite too! Great to have a solid point guard (if not much more) on The Hilltop again.
|
|
kbones17
Golden Hoya (over 1000 posts)
Posts: 1,186
|
Post by kbones17 on Nov 14, 2018 0:06:32 GMT -5
Akinjo was amazing tonight. His stat line doesn’t even show his impact. Without his handle, vision, and moxie at the end we don’t win that game. Huge performance from him!
|
|
hoyainla
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
Suspended
Posts: 4,719
|
Post by hoyainla on Nov 14, 2018 0:12:09 GMT -5
Akinjo was amazing tonight. His stat line doesn’t even show his impact. Without his handle, vision, and moxie at the end we don’t win that game. Huge performance from him! The only thing wrong with his stat line tonight was the 5 TO. 2 of those he was fouled on. 1 Josh didn't handle a pass. The other 2 were at least dead ball TOs, the push ahead where he overthrew Josh and the step out of bounds on the first drive. Everything else he did tonight was just out of this world. Without him this game isn't close.
|
|