|
Post by FrazierFanatic on Apr 16, 2019 15:50:12 GMT -5
Are Jamorko and James two completely different people? Yes. Did a significant portion of Morkos struggles primarily stem from a lack of quality passes coming his way from one player on our roster? No. Sounds like a reach but that’s just me. Should a ball dominant PG/playmaker have a responsibility for getting all of his offensive weapons involved? Yes...not as much of a reach for me. Yes of course, there is that responsibility. I thought James did a decent job of it, especially for a freshman, but certainly acknowledge that there is plenty of room for improvement in multiple areas of his game. Let's not forget that the other players also have responsibilities to their point guard; work hard to get open, and especially to get open at spots where they can do something with the ball. Make their cuts and releases with effort and purpose so the PG does not have to thread the needle every time to get them the ball. And be where they are supposed to be on every play. Those things didn't always happen.
|
|
|
Post by hoyasaxa2003 on Apr 16, 2019 17:05:54 GMT -5
Yes of course, there is that responsibility. I thought James did a decent job of it, especially for a freshman, but certainly acknowledge that there is plenty of room for improvement in multiple areas of his game. Yes, this is very true and shouldn't be controversial, as much as certain people don't like it whenever anybody says something that's not overly rosy. It can be true at the same time that: (a) Akinjo was way better than who we had the year before, (b) Akinjo does some things really well, but (c) Akinjo can easily improve on certain aspects of his game where he has weaknesses. For me, the biggest area of improvement needs to go from two point range, where he was 24.6% against Big East range. He needs to either figure out ways to finish against taller, more athletic Big East athletes, or he needs to shoot less twos and more threes (this past year in Big East play he shot 118 twos and 77 threes). In fact, he shot threes at a rate of 40.3%, which is really good, and he's great at FTs, so clearly he's got shooting talent. Despite the assists, I think he also needs to work on court vision a bunch too, giving up the ball when he has no shot, and facilitating better ball movement (which is really a team-wide problem), and following the directions of his coach when appropriate. But, he did a lot of good things too, so I think it is fair for many to be excited about him (and the other freshman), while also acknowledging weaknesses. After all, if he had no weaknesses, he'd be entering the NBA draft.
|
|
|
Post by hoyas big supporter on Apr 16, 2019 17:24:01 GMT -5
Yes of course, there is that responsibility. I thought James did a decent job of it, especially for a freshman, but certainly acknowledge that there is plenty of room for improvement in multiple areas of his game. Yes, this is very true and shouldn't be controversial, as much as certain people don't like it whenever anybody says something that's not overly rosy. It can be true at the same time that: (a) Akinjo was way better than who we had the year before, (b) Akinjo does some things really well, but (c) Akinjo can easily improve on certain aspects of his game where he has weaknesses. For me, the biggest area of improvement needs to go from two point range, where he was 24.6% against Big East range. He needs to either figure out ways to finish against taller, more athletic Big East athletes, or he needs to shoot less twos and more threes (this past year in Big East play he shot 118 twos and 77 threes). In fact, he shot threes at a rate of 40.3%, which is really good, and he's great at FTs, so clearly he's got shooting talent. Despite the assists, I think he also needs to work on court vision a bunch too, giving up the ball when he has no shot, and facilitating better ball movement (which is really a team-wide problem), and following the directions of his coach when appropriate. But, he did a lot of good things too, so I think it is fair for many to be excited about him (and the other freshman), while also acknowledging weaknesses. After all, if he had no weaknesses, he'd be entering the NBA draft. Exactly. Plenty of room for improvement. His first year is over with. I, for one, will create my judgment based on what he does going forward. This offseason, the next season, next offseason, etc. So far, he’s positioned himself well to keep making an impact and still has plenty of room to improve as a player. I don’t think anyone here thinks he is without fault, but there are a few here who act as if they’d prefer to roll the dice on someone else. It’s just kind of bizarre to me, and I think James deserves our appreciation just by virtue of how hard he works, the leadership he took on this year, and the willingness to learn that he demonstrates. Pair that with his tools and his ceiling is high.
|
|
SirSaxa
Blue & Gray (over 10,000 posts)
Posts: 15,620
|
Post by SirSaxa on Apr 16, 2019 22:21:04 GMT -5
OK - I did not do a deep dive statistical analysis on Akinjo's 2 pt shooting. However, I recall about 3-4 games in a row in which he was about 1-21....or something crazy like that. I also recall him running aimlessly into the trees and getting blocked, repeatedly. Then he started doing his pullup jumpers and floaters, varying his attack and even passing out from time to time.
Point is, if we only look at season stats, we will only see how the entire season averaged out. But watching the games, I saw a kid getting better and better from November to March. Yes, he definitely has to be better from 2, most of that was failing to finish at the rim, and he was already making adjustments during the season. I expect AKinjo - and LeBlanc and Mac - to come back much improved from their outstanding freshman year performances. Just my take... from memory. Yes, I probably did have my B&G glasses on at the time.
|
|
blueandgray
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
Posts: 6,762
|
Post by blueandgray on Apr 16, 2019 22:58:49 GMT -5
The more I watch Lillard the more I see Akinjo.
|
|
|
Post by Lethal_Interjection on Apr 17, 2019 4:33:51 GMT -5
What's amazing is that the kid just turned 18 back in November. The growing pains were going to be in place for the young man as he stepped onto the court. I really like his determination in becoming better and learning from his mistakes, also working out with Lillard on how to perfect his craft.
|
|
GIGAFAN99
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
Posts: 4,487
|
Post by GIGAFAN99 on Apr 17, 2019 5:45:37 GMT -5
OK - I did not do a deep dive statistical analysis on Akinjo's 2 pt shooting. However, I recall about 3-4 games in a row in which he was about 1-21....or something crazy like that. I also recall him running aimlessly into the trees and getting blocked, repeatedly. Then he started doing his pullup jumpers and floaters, varying his attack and even passing out from time to time. Point is, if we only look at season stats, we will only see how the entire season averaged out. But watching the games, I saw a kid getting better and better from November to March. Yes, he definitely has to be better from 2, most of that was failing to finish at the rim, and he was already making adjustments during the season. I expect AKinjo - and LeBlanc and Mac - to come back much improved from their outstanding freshman year performances. Just my take... from memory. Yes, I probably did have my B&G glasses on at the time. You are correct. He was 14-64 through 13 conference games and finished 20-53 the rest of the way through the BET. That included his best performance of the season at Marquette after one of those early season blocks possibly cost us the prior Marquette game. Still plenty of room for improvement but to be expanding and adjusting his game while supposedly hitting the "freshman wall" bodes well.
|
|
HoyaFanNY
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
Never throw to the venus on a spider 3 Y banana!
Posts: 4,991
|
Post by HoyaFanNY on Apr 17, 2019 5:53:49 GMT -5
James gets blocked at a crazy high rate at the rim. That led to the low 2pt % IMO. Priority #1 for James and every single other player on the roster this off-season has to be a rigorous S&C program. In nearly every game we played, I noticed a distinct difference in body types between our players and the opposition. I don't know what the program has currently, but IMO it needs to be drastically changed. These players need to become much stronger physically. Not just the bigs but the entire roster. James and Mac were pushed around the better part of the year by the taller and much stronger BE guards.
|
|
|
Post by Ranch Dressing on Apr 17, 2019 6:14:19 GMT -5
James gets blocked at a crazy high rate at the rim. That led to the low 2pt % IMO. Priority #1 for James and every single other player on the roster this off-season has to be a rigorous S&C program. In nearly every game we played, I noticed a distinct difference in body types between our players and the opposition. I don't know what the program has currently, but IMO it needs to be drastically changed. These players need to become much stronger physically. Not just the bigs but the entire roster. James and Mac were pushed around the better part of the year by the taller and much stronger BE guards. Part of this has to do with our young team, who naturally should have looked less physically developed as they were almost always younger than the competition. Even so, Govan (Derrickson too as a junior) Blair, and Moseley were just as developed physically as the competition last season. Akinjo and Mac both arrived as freshman in very good physical condition and they will only get stronger. LeBlanc’s frame should fill out substantially and quickly. Pickett has that Durant-type frame and so he will most likely always look spindly. Carter and Wilson need to add strength. Tim-Iggy and Q-Dub look strong for high school seniors but will need to add 10-15. Hopefully Yurt was using his time effectively in the weight room as a transfer. I never felt we were grossly outgunned physically last year. The mistakes referenced above were more mental (knowing when to drive in the trees or not) rather than physical.
|
|
tashoya
Blue & Gray (over 10,000 posts)
Posts: 12,330
|
Post by tashoya on Apr 17, 2019 7:56:42 GMT -5
James gets blocked at a crazy high rate at the rim. That led to the low 2pt % IMO. Priority #1 for James and every single other player on the roster this off-season has to be a rigorous S&C program. In nearly every game we played, I noticed a distinct difference in body types between our players and the opposition. I don't know what the program has currently, but IMO it needs to be drastically changed. These players need to become much stronger physically. Not just the bigs but the entire roster. James and Mac were pushed around the better part of the year by the taller and much stronger BE guards. Part of this has to do with our young team, who naturally should have looked less physically developed as they were almost always younger than the competition. Even so, Govan (Derrickson too as a junior) Blair, and Moseley were just as developed physically as the competition last season. Akinjo and Mac both arrived as freshman in very good physical condition and they will only get stronger. LeBlanc’s frame should fill out substantially and quickly. Pickett has that Durant-type frame and so he will most likely always look spindly. Carter and Wilson need to add strength. Tim-Iggy and Q-Dub look strong for high school seniors but will need to add 10-15. Hopefully Yurt was using his time effectively in the weight room as a transfer. I never felt we were grossly outgunned physically last year. The mistakes referenced above were more mental (knowing when to drive in the trees or not) rather than physical. Agreed. In contrast to most freshmen, I don't recall thinking James wasn't strong enough. If anything, I was surprised by how physically well prepared he was for the BE as a very young freshman. Kid obviously works his butt off in the gym.
|
|
jwp91
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
Posts: 6,038
|
Post by jwp91 on Apr 17, 2019 8:15:13 GMT -5
The worst part of this conversation is that to defend any constructive criticism you make to those who only see the good comes too close to tearing the kid down.
I am glad he is a Hoya. He is a foundational player to build around...and one that will be around and not vanish like a one and one. If he improves in the areas discussed, he could be 1st team Big East and one of the absolute best PGs in the country.
|
|
|
Post by hoyas big supporter on Apr 17, 2019 8:34:31 GMT -5
The worst part of this conversation is that to defend any constructive criticism you make to those who only see the good comes too close to tearing the kid down. I am glad he is a Hoya. He is a foundational player to build around...and one that will be around and not vanish like a one and one. If he improves in the areas discussed, he could be 1st team Big East and one of the absolute best PGs in the country. Oh please, miss me with that martyrdom bs. Nobody took issue with the content or gist of what you said. Your timing and placement of the comment is what was unnecessary.
|
|
|
Post by hoyacane11 on Apr 17, 2019 8:48:23 GMT -5
Akinjo is a gem, and he will be a star by the time he leaves here. If we had guys who could catch and finish consistently, he would have 2-3 more assists a game. We are truly blessed to finally have a pg like him.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 17, 2019 9:33:27 GMT -5
|
|
jwp91
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
Posts: 6,038
|
Post by jwp91 on Apr 17, 2019 11:11:22 GMT -5
The worst part of this conversation is that to defend any constructive criticism you make to those who only see the good comes too close to tearing the kid down. I am glad he is a Hoya. He is a foundational player to build around...and one that will be around and not vanish like a one and one. If he improves in the areas discussed, he could be 1st team Big East and one of the absolute best PGs in the country. Oh please, miss me with that martyrdom bs. Nobody took issue with the content or gist of what you said. Your timing and placement of the comment is what was unnecessary. When you show the ability to understand any of my posts will be the next time I will dignify you with a response.
|
|
|
Post by hoyas big supporter on Apr 17, 2019 13:51:23 GMT -5
Oh please, miss me with that martyrdom bs. Nobody took issue with the content or gist of what you said. Your timing and placement of the comment is what was unnecessary. When you show the ability to understand any of my posts will be the next time I will dignify you with a response. I’m not the one who was just fishing for pity because someone had a difference of opinion with me. But yeah, keep deflecting with this “you can’t comprehend me” silliness. Again, your act is easy to see through and your timing wasn’t good. Like seaweed said, there doesn’t have to be a turd in every pool. How exactly is it “constructive” to keep harping on obvious and previously detailed deficiencies on a post that provided a stat that directly refuted some of the criticism you levied with evidence? Anyway I’m done I can’t believe I got pulled into this conversation (which you’re not even participating in yet still replying because you can’t admit you made an assumption/designation that it was a trash stat because you, personally, dont know what it means....aka based off of lack of knowledge on the subject)... I sincerely apologize to all who had to sift through this nonsense back and forth. I was simply trying to make the point that we could stand to be more supportive of our own, especially a player that literally 99.5% of other teams would love to have. It’s not looking through rose colored glasses to choose to not keep making points about obvious criticism. To me, if you’re a Hoya fan and watched the majority’s of the games this year it’s a given that he’s not perfect and got better as the year went on. I’ve noticed that there are a few posters on this board who will echo points or try to define a player early in the hopes that they can say that they were right early on. People always want to be right on this board and it’s not that serious. An obviously, it’s easier to say a player isn’t capable of than to try to define what they are capable of. That way, you necessarily increase your chances of being “right” if you just poo poo everything.
|
|
|
Post by CountAardvark on Apr 17, 2019 14:34:13 GMT -5
Can we re-orient this thread back towards James and away from this argument?
|
|
HoyaFanNY
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
Never throw to the venus on a spider 3 Y banana!
Posts: 4,991
|
Post by HoyaFanNY on Apr 17, 2019 14:49:48 GMT -5
James gets blocked at a crazy high rate at the rim. That led to the low 2pt % IMO. Priority #1 for James and every single other player on the roster this off-season has to be a rigorous S&C program. In nearly every game we played, I noticed a distinct difference in body types between our players and the opposition. I don't know what the program has currently, but IMO it needs to be drastically changed. These players need to become much stronger physically. Not just the bigs but the entire roster. James and Mac were pushed around the better part of the year by the taller and much stronger BE guards. Part of this has to do with our young team, who naturally should have looked less physically developed as they were almost always younger than the competition. Even so, Govan (Derrickson too as a junior) Blair, and Moseley were just as developed physically as the competition last season. Akinjo and Mac both arrived as freshman in very good physical condition and they will only get stronger. LeBlanc’s frame should fill out substantially and quickly. Pickett has that Durant-type frame and so he will most likely always look spindly. Carter and Wilson need to add strength. Tim-Iggy and Q-Dub look strong for high school seniors but will need to add 10-15. Hopefully Yurt was using his time effectively in the weight room as a transfer. I never felt we were grossly outgunned physically last year. The mistakes referenced above were more mental (knowing when to drive in the trees or not) rather than physical. You and I were watching different games then. Mosely is the only player that looks physically strong for his size. govan certainly didn't. there were multiple games where mac and james were pushed around on both ends by bigger, more physical players.
|
|
seaweed
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
Posts: 4,670
|
Post by seaweed on Apr 17, 2019 17:50:41 GMT -5
Part of this has to do with our young team, who naturally should have looked less physically developed as they were almost always younger than the competition. Even so, Govan (Derrickson too as a junior) Blair, and Moseley were just as developed physically as the competition last season. Akinjo and Mac both arrived as freshman in very good physical condition and they will only get stronger. LeBlanc’s frame should fill out substantially and quickly. Pickett has that Durant-type frame and so he will most likely always look spindly. Carter and Wilson need to add strength. Tim-Iggy and Q-Dub look strong for high school seniors but will need to add 10-15. Hopefully Yurt was using his time effectively in the weight room as a transfer. I never felt we were grossly outgunned physically last year. The mistakes referenced above were more mental (knowing when to drive in the trees or not) rather than physical. You and I were watching different games then. Mosely is the only player that looks physically strong for his size. govan certainly didn't. there were multiple games where mac and james were pushed around on both ends by bigger, more physical players. How about durability? Our guys adjusted to BEast play and remained fundamentally injury free except a couple of game for an ankle sprain and one concussion protocol that you can’t train your way out of. Sure they are young and surely they will fill out like we all did in college. The frosh in particular have reputations as gym rats and proved strong enough to get through the season without missing time due to injury. I call that a good start in developing physically.
|
|
|
Post by Ranch Dressing on Apr 17, 2019 18:43:37 GMT -5
Part of this has to do with our young team, who naturally should have looked less physically developed as they were almost always younger than the competition. Even so, Govan (Derrickson too as a junior) Blair, and Moseley were just as developed physically as the competition last season. Akinjo and Mac both arrived as freshman in very good physical condition and they will only get stronger. LeBlanc’s frame should fill out substantially and quickly. Pickett has that Durant-type frame and so he will most likely always look spindly. Carter and Wilson need to add strength. Tim-Iggy and Q-Dub look strong for high school seniors but will need to add 10-15. Hopefully Yurt was using his time effectively in the weight room as a transfer. I never felt we were grossly outgunned physically last year. The mistakes referenced above were more mental (knowing when to drive in the trees or not) rather than physical. You and I were watching different games then. Mosely is the only player that looks physically strong for his size. govan certainly didn't. there were multiple games where mac and james were pushed around on both ends by bigger, more physical players. Yeah, we disagree. I didn’t see a huge difference physically in most games last season.
|
|