Macinjo and Team Chemisty

[blueandgray]

I know this may sound crazy.....but I had a long conversation with a former Hoya player today and discussed the merits of having Mac come off the bench. The more we spoke, the more it made sense .... stick with me for a second.

We know that both Mac and Akinjo are ball dominant players, but at this juncture Akinjo is more of a true point guard and does a much better job at creating opportunities for others. Mac at this point is really mostly a scorer and will try to score every opportunity he has. The problem here is that when beginning a game and the team is trying to get into a flow, its hard to do so when nearly every time Mac touches the ball he is putting it up. While there are points in a game where you certainly want that and need that....getting everyone involved early on in a game imho is more important than getting Mac the ball so he can score. In a perfect world, I'd like for Mac to get his 28 to 32 minutes a game and he should be in to finish games as possessions become more important and he can score and get to the line....but should do so by coming off the bench. We may be better suited with a starting line up of....

Akinjo
Blair
Pickett
Leblanc
Yurt

with Mac, Mosely, Alexander, Wahab, Allen and Gardner off the bench. A very solid and well balanced starting 5 with easily the best bench in the conference.

Just curious to get some thoughts.

[Deleted]

No

If McClung & Blair were comparable players (not styles, but overall talent), this might be a conversation. I don't think they're in the same ballpark.

[HOYAPLAYA]

I made a similar post last year and the "Mac fanatics" came out in full force to criticize. I still think it could be what's best for the team and for Mac maximizing his scoring opportunities. I like it even more with Allen coming off the bench as backup PG. Mac is our best penetrating guard and can finish at the hoop better than anyone on the team but he does look to score just about every time he has the ball in the half court set. I think this is better suited to the second five this year to start both halfs and then you just let it flow for the last 10 minutes of each half. Either way, he is going to score a lot of points this year. I just hope to see more three point attempts like his first one last night and very few like his last two that were really bad shots (compared to Blair who just missed his early wide open 3's).

[blueandgray]

Aug 13, 2019 18:34:49 GMT -5 @nychoya94 said:

No

If McClung & Blair were comparable players (not styles, but overall talent), this might be a conversation. I don't think they're in the same ballpark.

I’m not suggesting that Blair is nearly as talented as Mac...nor am I saying that we should reduce his minutes or shot attempts. All I am suggesting is that we may be off with him leading the 2nd unit and allowing guys like Pickett and Leblanc to get some touches earlier in the game.

[Deleted]

Aug 13, 2019 18:53:00 GMT -5 blueandgray said:

Aug 13, 2019 18:34:49 GMT -5 @nychoya94 said:

No

If McClung & Blair were comparable players (not styles, but overall talent), this might be a conversation. I don't think they're in the same ballpark.

I’m not suggesting that Blair is nearly as talented as Mac...nor am I saying that we should reduce his minutes or shot attempts. All I am suggesting is that we may be off with him leading the 2nd unit and allowing guys like Pickett and Leblanc to get some touches earlier in the game.

I get that. But unless you're playing for a single outcome on a single possession, you're overthinking the value of increased lineup diversity.

For the most part substitutions (and therefore starting lineups) should only be about keeping your best players on the court for as long a period as possible.

If A & B are comparable but differently skilled talents, there's no harm in giving each equal run. But if B is significantly less skilled, that will be a problem the more time he's on the court.

[prhoya]

Aug 13, 2019 18:53:00 GMT -5 blueandgray said:

Aug 13, 2019 18:34:49 GMT -5 @nychoya94 said:

No

If McClung & Blair were comparable players (not styles, but overall talent), this might be a conversation. I don't think they're in the same ballpark.

I’m not suggesting that Blair is nearly as talented as Mac...nor am I saying that we should reduce his minutes or shot attempts. All I am suggesting is that we may be off with him leading the 2nd unit and allowing guys like Pickett and Leblanc to get some touches earlier in the game.

I disagree. I like the power of Mackinjo to start games, find out which one has the hot hand that game, and then switch it around. I see Allen playing a lot, so there will be a lot of combinations. Blair will get his chance to shine, but he better make his shots or he'll see less playing time. This is the first year in a very long time that we can go 5 v 5 against any team, plus we have depth at every position. We need to punch teams in the mouth to start games and Blair has not earned his starter position.

[HOYAPLAYA]

Aug 13, 2019 18:53:00 GMT -5 blueandgray said:

Aug 13, 2019 18:34:49 GMT -5 @nychoya94 said:

No

If McClung & Blair were comparable players (not styles, but overall talent), this might be a conversation. I don't think they're in the same ballpark.

I’m not suggesting that Blair is nearly as talented as Mac...nor am I saying that we should reduce his minutes or shot attempts. All I am suggesting is that we may be off with him leading the 2nd unit and allowing guys like Pickett and Leblanc to get some touches earlier in the game.

I understand your logic and think it's something to consider. I don't think either of us was suggesting less overall minutes just a potential option to improve output from remaining members of starting 5 by getting them into the flow offensively early. It may not be a good idea but it's worth some merit. I think Gardner developing could be another interesting option. The kid is going to play a lot of guard for us even though some on here want to push him down the 3/4 path which is just not accurate. Right now, there is not a huge drop off between any of the folks that can play the 2 spot when you look at overall offensive and defensive game combined. On the offensive side, that includes ball movement to get your teammates involved.

[Hoyas4Ever]

This feels very reminiscent of the group that got caught in the moment (or lost their minds) after Malinowski torched Butler to open BIG EAST play while McClung was nursing an injured ankle, and they went on for a week or so that Malinowski should start over McClung...

[jwp91]

You want to replace Mac with Blair? Lol....the only bigger chucker on the team?

I think Mac is poised for 16+ ppg this year. I think your criticism is valid, but it is a good problem to have.....a confident scorer who can taste his next bucket.

If you really wanted a PG who created opportunities for others, after last night I am wondering if Allen is that guy instead of Akinjo. Akinjo is a great player, but he is a ball dominant, scoring PG. I think Allen is likely the creator for others PG. Allen was really impressive last night from a defensive and distribution perspective. And he shot well on limited shots.

I think we keep Akinjo and Mac starting with Allen the first guard off the bench. Blair can be the guy when we need an offensive spark from deep.

[MCIGuy]

Hell no.

No offense but why is this even still a discussion? Are we so bored with the Who Should Kick Jamorko Out of the Starting Five debate that we have gone back to this for the time being? I think its a ridiculous suggestion. I recall at this time last year people brushing off the idea of McClung in the starting lineup over Blair. And all McClung did was end up on the Big East All Rookie Team, hit some clutch shots and helped the Hoyas finish tied for third in the BE. But this team is supposed to be better with him coming off the bench? Get out of here.

First of all it is insulting and misleading to suggest that McClung is just some gunslinger jacking up shots. That's not the case despite how many times people try to press this theory. Yes, he is aggressive. That's part of his game at this point, part of which makes him special. But he's not putting up attempts like some second coming of Iverson. No doubt he takes bad shots but who on this team didn't last season? Did you see yesterday's game? McClung put up 8 shot attempts in 15 and 1/2 minutes. Akinjo, the guy who has the unofficial title of lead point guard for the team, put up 10 shots in under 18 minutes and yet no one ever charges him with being a chucker. Not on this board. The James Can Do No Wrong Crowd is no better than the Mac Can Do No Wrong Cult. Meanwhile for guys like me with no dog in the fight other than wanting what's best for the team and what's best for both players long term, I have to shake my head and wonder what's wrong with both groups. Both come off as a collection of fanboys.

Without question at this moment Akinjo has the better handle and the better vision. The latter he'll probably always be better at. But McClung can create too, he's just has to much flair for his own good at times. But he is an asset with the ball in his hands and isn't selfish to the point that he only looks for his own shot opportunities. And by the way Akinjo dominates the ball far more than McClung, barely allowing him to bring up the ball past halfcourt.

McClung gives our starting backcourt another guard with essentially point-guard level handle, and from all I've read he has continued to improve that handle. That's an asset. What McClung also gives the starting lineup is the one single player who can beat his man off the dribble, drive all the way to the hoop and FINISH when he gets there. That is a highly valuable commodity, a sought after skill. That is something Blair does not provide this team. Blair is a solid ballhandler but if he gets pressed too hard he is very likely to cough up the ball. I'm a fan of Blair but he isn't driving to the hoop against a tight defense either. Heck, he isn't even reliable enough from the one area he is supposed to provide this team: long-distance shooting. Despite all their flaws, despite not being a true perfect fit alongside each other, Akinjo and McClung add a dynamic nature to a Hoya backcourt not seen since Iverson and Page (if Freeman and Wright were capable of being that it was lost in the dynamic-dulling offense of III). I would argue that Akinjo and McClung complimented each other better than AI and Page because they have had a longer time to work alongside one another and because neither hogs the ball as much as Iverson did.

The only issue with Akinjo and McClung is size. They make for a smallish backcourt. But there have been plenty of other successful backcourt duos of similar height in the history of the NCAA. Such as Anderson and Hunt of UNLV, Travieso and Padilla of UMass fame and Charles Smith and Dwayne Bryant of Georgetown. Besides what they lack in height they make up for in speed, moxie, skill and aggression. If Gardner in a short time develops a jumpshot to go along with his handle I could at least understand the argument of wanting him to be the starting shooting guard (although I would still say no). But Blair? Come on.

James and Mac have aspirations to play at the next level but to do so they would have to play one specific position. Unfortunately its the same position. Right now James has the benefit of getting more reps at playing point guard for the Hoyas, but Mac is trying to steal a moment or two for himself as primary ballhandler. Nothing wrong with that. Let them learn. They're getting better all the time.

Last of all every time I read these types of opinions the first thing I think of is folks here do not trust Ewing's decisions. Doesn't matter that he is getting better results quicker than the naysayers thought he would or that he keeps bringing in talented players who were under the radar. People still have doubts. I don't have those types of doubts and concerns. When I see McClung in the starting lineup I believe Ewing has him there because he thinks it gives his team a better chance to win. Who am I to argue?

[jwp91]

Aug 13, 2019 18:53:00 GMT -5 blueandgray said:

Aug 13, 2019 18:34:49 GMT -5 @nychoya94 said:

No

If McClung & Blair were comparable players (not styles, but overall talent), this might be a conversation. I don't think they're in the same ballpark.

I’m not suggesting that Blair is nearly as talented as Mac...nor am I saying that we should reduce his minutes or shot attempts. All I am suggesting is that we may be off with him leading the 2nd unit and allowing guys like Pickett and Leblanc to get some touches earlier in the game.

Go back and watch Pickett the first 3 minutes of last night’s game. I think you will have a deeper appreciation of how Pickett was involved even as Mac was going off. I didn’t see it until my second viewing.

[MCIGuy]

Aug 13, 2019 18:53:00 GMT -5 blueandgray said:

Aug 13, 2019 18:34:49 GMT -5 @nychoya94 said:

No

If McClung & Blair were comparable players (not styles, but overall talent), this might be a conversation. I don't think they're in the same ballpark.

I’m not suggesting that Blair is nearly as talented as Mac...nor am I saying that we should reduce his minutes or shot attempts. All I am suggesting is that we may be off with him leading the 2nd unit and allowing guys like Pickett and Leblanc to get some touches earlier in the game.

Since Akinjo is likely to have the ball in his hands what is stopping him from getting Pickett and Leblanc going early on himself?

[Bigs"R"Us]

No way. Blair is too one dimensional. Mac can score in a number of ways and is good in the open court. I like Blair where he is- spark off the bench who is streaky from three.

[MCIGuy]

Aug 13, 2019 19:07:05 GMT -5 prhoya said:

Aug 13, 2019 18:53:00 GMT -5 blueandgray said:

I’m not suggesting that Blair is nearly as talented as Mac...nor am I saying that we should reduce his minutes or shot attempts. All I am suggesting is that we may be off with him leading the 2nd unit and allowing guys like Pickett and Leblanc to get some touches earlier in the game.

I disagree. I like the power of Mackinjo to start games, find out which one has the hot hand that game, and then switch it around. I see Allen playing a lot, so there will be a lot of combinations. Blair will get his chance to shine, but he better make his shots or he'll see less playing time. This is the first year in a very long time that we can go 5 v 5 against any team, plus we have depth at every position. We need to punch teams in the mouth to start games and Blair has not earned his starter position.

Agree on that last part.

Look, I wrote it back during his frosh season that I saw Blair as a guy who would come off the bench for four years at GU but still put up a lot of points. Translation: he is a legit major D1 player who can put up big time points in spurts of limited minutes. He's a MUCH better version of Irvin Church, but that doesn't mean you want him as a starter for a team that has aspirations to go far.

[MCIGuy]

Aug 13, 2019 20:03:56 GMT -5 jwp91 said:

You want to replace Mac with Blair? Lol....the only bigger chucker on the team?

I think Mac is poised for 16+ ppg this year. I think your criticism is valid, but it is a good problem to have.....a confident scorer who can taste his next bucket.

If you really wanted a PG who created opportunities for others, after last night I am wondering if Allen is that guy instead of Akinjo. Akinjo is a great player, but he is a ball dominant, scoring PG. I think Allen is likely the creator for others PG. Allen was really impressive last night from a defensive and distribution perspective. And he shot well on limited shots.

I think we keep Akinjo and Mac starting with Allen the first guard off the bench. Blair can be the guy when we need an offensive spark from deep.

Post of the year.

[GIGAFAN99]

Sparks are good. Chemistry is good. Talent is better.

[HOYAPLAYA]

Aug 13, 2019 20:03:56 GMT -5 jwp91 said:

You want to replace Mac with Blair? Lol....the only bigger chucker on the team?

I think Mac is poised for 16+ ppg this year. I think your criticism is valid, but it is a good problem to have.....a confident scorer who can taste his next bucket.

If you really wanted a PG who created opportunities for others, after last night I am wondering if Allen is that guy instead of Akinjo. Akinjo is a great player, but he is a ball dominant, scoring PG. I think Allen is likely the creator for others PG. Allen was really impressive last night from a defensive and distribution perspective. And he shot well on limited shots.

I think we keep Akinjo and Mac starting with Allen the first guard off the bench. Blair can be the guy when we need an offensive spark from deep.

Ok. You may think it's a bad idea but let's not get ridiculous with suggesting a freshman PG that led the Big East in assists doesn't look to distribute the ball very well. Mac is likely going to score around 16 ppg and do it in something around 26 to 28 mpg. This team is going to score more than last year's team and I think the depth across the board is going to have this team running even more. I don't think it is taking a shot at Mac by saying he isn't a PG and won't likely ever be one as that isn't his mentality. He is a big time scorer and can get his shots regardless of who he is playing with which is truly what makes him so valuable to this team. I think we will find that Gardner will use his size to be very similar over his career. The overall basketball talent on this team just keeps getting better while at the same time getting more athletic which I believe is going to surprise a lot of folks out there come conference game time.

[zxhoya]

Aug 13, 2019 20:03:56 GMT -5 jwp91 said:

You want to replace Mac with Blair? Lol....the only bigger chucker on the team?

I think Mac is poised for 16+ ppg this year. I think your criticism is valid, but it is a good problem to have.....a confident scorer who can taste his next bucket.

If you really wanted a PG who created opportunities for others, after last night I am wondering if Allen is that guy instead of Akinjo. Akinjo is a great player, but he is a ball dominant, scoring PG. I think Allen is likely the creator for others PG. Allen was really impressive last night from a defensive and distribution perspective. And he shot well on limited shots.

I think we keep Akinjo and Mac starting with Allen the first guard off the bench. Blair can be the guy when we need an offensive spark from deep.

100% agree. Play your best players and Mac is an elite scorer that the opposition has to game plan for and maybe on a less important note, he's a star that draws for the university. He's the type of player that networks want to show and in turn GU gets more eyes on them and this is good for recruiting and increasing your fan base.

But strictly from a basketball perspective he's part of a dynamic backcourt coming back for their sophomore season and it's my belief that there gonna have a break out season.

Cream rises to the top and if your reason for sitting one of your best players is so that others can get more opportunities to score, at the collegiate level, is off to me. Maybe if you were replacing him with a lock down defender and the rest of the starters are stout scorers... maybe.

Take any team with two excellent scorers in the backcourt and you could make this argument but it doesn't mean it's the right argument. Allen Iverson and Victor Page dominated the ball and shots because they were the best scorers but either could have been really good leading the 2nd unit but who closes out the game, Allen and Victor.

I would love to know who the former player is, a key starter or a reserve?

[MCIGuy]

Aug 13, 2019 20:41:38 GMT -5 HOYAPLAYA said:

Aug 13, 2019 20:03:56 GMT -5 jwp91 said:

You want to replace Mac with Blair? Lol....the only bigger chucker on the team?

I think Mac is poised for 16+ ppg this year. I think your criticism is valid, but it is a good problem to have.....a confident scorer who can taste his next bucket.

If you really wanted a PG who created opportunities for others, after last night I am wondering if Allen is that guy instead of Akinjo. Akinjo is a great player, but he is a ball dominant, scoring PG. I think Allen is likely the creator for others PG. Allen was really impressive last night from a defensive and distribution perspective. And he shot well on limited shots.

I think we keep Akinjo and Mac starting with Allen the first guard off the bench. Blair can be the guy when we need an offensive spark from deep.

Ok. You may think it's a bad idea but let's not get ridiculous with suggesting a freshman PG that led the Big East in assists doesn't look to distribute the ball very well. Mac is likely going to score around 16 ppg and do it in something around 26 to 28 mpg. This team is going to score more than last year's team and I think the depth across the board is going to have this team running even more. I don't think it is taking a shot at Mac by saying he isn't a PG and won't likely ever be one as that isn't his mentality. He is a big time scorer and can get his shots regardless of who he is playing with which is truly what makes him so valuable to this team. I think we will find that Gardner will use his size to be very similar over his career. The overall basketball talent on this team just keeps getting better while at the same time getting more athletic which I believe is going to surprise a lot of folks out there come conference game time.

HOYAPLAYA, what you are not getting is that despite his leading the BE in assists, Akinjo doesn't necessarily qualify as a real PG either because he dominates the ball and takes ill advised shots himself. In fact if I can recall Mac wasn't sat down by Ewing for blowing off coaches and teammates and jacking up shots last season at the end of games; James was. Some people on this site were so mad at Akinjo because they felt his actions cost the team a win or two. But I wasn't mad, I was just a tad disappointed. I recognized that Ewing and the fans would just have to live with those mistake as Akinjo went through his growing pains. By no means did I think Akinjo was the perfect PG but he was the PG I would take over anyone else. So much so that I wasn't that thrilled over the recruiting of Anthony because I didn't want him getting in the way of Akinjo.

As for your remarks about Mac not being a PG, I have to question if you realize what era you're living in. True PGs are almost as irrelevant/extinct as big men who only play in the paint. In the NBA especially it has become more about guards at the one who are scoring threats either through long distance shooting or by being able to get to the hoop and finish. And if you can do both you are truly the elite of the elite. You know where the creating for teammates come into play for these types of guards? It comes by being so good at ballhandling and being so much of a threat to score that when defenses are drawn to you you are able to spot an open teammate or kick out the ball to one off the drive. This is why guys like Curry, Westbrook, Wade and others, who were never considered point guards in college and didn't even play that position in college, ended up being at the #1 spot fulltime or during crunch time for their respective NBA teams. That's the new era we live in, as one WPost article puts it, an era that came about 20 years too late for Allen Iverson. An era in which Kyrie Irving is considered one of the best at the PG spot not because he sets up teammates but because he is skilled enough to put the ball on a string and get buckets. I'm not saying McClung is at the level, I'm saying there is a template for him to follow that would allow him to remain aggressive at the one spot if he continues to refine and improve his skills.

[burnell]

Mac should come off the bench to make you feel good.