Summers' shot is...wow

[GIGAFAN99]

Just got done watching the Charm City Challenge or whatever it's called. Not the greatest viewing but at least I got to see Summers. I know we had a thread on game reports but I was blown away by this one thing.

Summers went 4-6 from three but Bowman went 4-5 versus the Johnnies and his mechanics are the Hindenburg so I didn't know what to expect.

But watching Summers I have to say that right now he has a better shot than everyone on this team except Wallace and I'm not big on freshmen. It's the most developed shot at this point for a Hoya big man since Othella (cue the_way) but with better range.

Can't wait to catch this kid at the Jordan Classic on ESPN. The rest of his game was fine. It was big, mature high school kid sort of stuff. But his shot was the highlight for me. I just hope he doesn't get enamored with it early and it hurts his growth moving towards the basket.

[RBHoya]

Very true. I think DaJuan is poised to surprise a lot of Hoya fans next year with his outside shooting prowess (though perhaps they won't be surprised with more threads like this). A big man with that kind of shot could really be great in our offense if they let him play the "5" role on offense (perhaps with Vernon at 4 to minimize size concerns) and play quarterback at the top of the key. Because the defense is going to have to guard him out there, lest he drain one in there eye, and that's gonna open up the paint for everyone else.

I too hope he doesn't get TOO enamored though. He's great from outside but he needs to remember that he's 6'8+ and chiseled and that he has low block skills too. I've heard he does at least, though he seems to prefer the perimeter when I've watched.

The other day I heard somebody suggest that if he can improve on his (already decent) ballhandling skills, he could be the next Lamar Odom. That's a lofty aspiration, but I honestly wouldn't be surprised. Even if he doesn't quite get that far, he's definitely going to be a standout NCAA player, IMO.

[prhoya]

Don't knock it. We can use all the outside shot help we can get.

[jerseyhoya34]

Maybe RB can PM Giga with instructions about how to become Facebook friends with Summers. ;D I can't wait to watch this video because I wanted to pull my hair out when I saw his AAU team and how they were not making the most of him.

[FrazierFanatic]

Is it October yet??!

[jerseyhoya34]

Took a look at the video last night, and Summers' upside is scary. That said, I have a few points to make, positive and negative.

1. Those missed layups you saw are Ewing dunks, so I don't see Summers starting right away, and I want to give Spann another look before I make comments about PT other than the Ewing remark I made. Summers needs to make sure he's in a position to make those layups off of his dribble.

2. I began to wonder whether Summers has small hands because it seemed like he'd lose the ball at awkward points. I think he'd benefit from extra work on this part of his game because he could really expand his value to our team if he could get to the tin off the bounce and convert.

3. Loved the shot. Good form on it, and it makes me a believer. Looks as good as the results it produces.

4. I like how he turned up his game after a frustrating first half. He seems to have a knack for stepping up at the right points/times. See also his performance against MSJ in the Baltimore Catholic League playoffs.

5. He seems to have a great burst of speed off his first move. I would like him to expand and incorporate additional moves into his repetoire.

All in all, I'm impressed by what I saw, but he still has work to do. As he does that work, he'll be a GREAT Hoya. Scary part is we're even having a conversation about him coming off the bench next season.

[GUHoya07]

jerseyhoya34 said:

Took a look at the video last night, and Summers' upside is scary. That said, I have a few points to make, positive and negative.

1. Those missed layups you saw are Ewing dunks, so I don't see Summers starting right away, and I want to give Spann another look before I make comments about PT other than the Ewing remark I made. Summers needs to make sure he's in a position to make those layups off of his dribble.

2. I began to wonder whether Summers has small hands because it seemed like he'd lose the ball at awkward points. I think he'd benefit from extra work on this part of his game because he could really expand his value to our team if he could get to the tin off the bounce and convert.

3. Loved the shot. Good form on it, and it makes me a believer. Looks as good as the results it produces.

4. I like how he turned up his game after a frustrating first half. He seems to have a knack for stepping up at the right points/times. See also his performance against MSJ in the Baltimore Catholic League playoffs.

5. He seems to have a great burst of speed off his first move. I would like him to expand and incorporate additional moves into his repetoire.

All in all, I'm impressed by what I saw, but he still has work to do. As he does that work, he'll be a GREAT Hoya. Scary part is we're even having a conversation about him coming off the bench next season.

I know you keep talking about Spann, but Im still having trouble even considering him taking any PT from Summers. Summers is a beast when you see him in person and he has some serious game. I saw Spann playing against Egerson in Yates last night, and while he has some potential, I dont think its even close to what Summers brings to the table. Spann could be a solid contributor on a college team at some point I think, Summers is a potential top 5 pick in the NBA draft, and probably before his senior year.

[jerseyhoya34]

To some extent, I think Spann and Summers bring different things to the table, which is why I talk up Spann. Spann is a very good defender and rebounder for his position, and I am not yet convinced that Summers is as good in those areas. I would give Summers an edge offensively, with some caveats about the possibility for turnovers off the dribble, but his passing does make up for some of that. I do have to see Spann again before I say much more. Otherwise, it is probably not a fair discussion.

Are you a Summers facebook friend too? LOL. Seriously, those are lofty expectations, but he may be able to back it up. He certainly looks the part.

[MCIGuy]

Spann could be a solid contributor on a college team at some point I think, Summers is a potential top 5 pick in the NBA draft, and probably before his senior year.

Oh, come on. He's no Ruben Boumtje-Boumtje.

[kchoya]

Where is this video posted?

[jerseyhoya34]

hoyatalk2.proboards48.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=1143341262&page=2#1144274458

[MCIGuy]

By the way, Jerz, I'm beginning to get worried about your hands obsession when it comes to these players. Its freaking me out.

[GIGAFAN99]

guhoya2007 said:

jerseyhoya34 said:

Took a look at the video last night, and Summers' upside is scary. That said, I have a few points to make, positive and negative.

1. Those missed layups you saw are Ewing dunks, so I don't see Summers starting right away, and I want to give Spann another look before I make comments about PT other than the Ewing remark I made. Summers needs to make sure he's in a position to make those layups off of his dribble.

2. I began to wonder whether Summers has small hands because it seemed like he'd lose the ball at awkward points. I think he'd benefit from extra work on this part of his game because he could really expand his value to our team if he could get to the tin off the bounce and convert.

3. Loved the shot. Good form on it, and it makes me a believer. Looks as good as the results it produces.

4. I like how he turned up his game after a frustrating first half. He seems to have a knack for stepping up at the right points/times. See also his performance against MSJ in the Baltimore Catholic League playoffs.

5. He seems to have a great burst of speed off his first move. I would like him to expand and incorporate additional moves into his repetoire.

All in all, I'm impressed by what I saw, but he still has work to do. As he does that work, he'll be a GREAT Hoya. Scary part is we're even having a conversation about him coming off the bench next season.

I know you keep talking about Spann, but Im still having trouble even considering him taking any PT from Summers. Summers is a beast when you see him in person and he has some serious game. I saw Spann playing against Egerson in Yates last night, and while he has some potential, I dont think its even close to what Summers brings to the table. Spann could be a solid contributor on a college team at some point I think, Summers is a potential top 5 pick in the NBA draft, and probably before his senior year.

I think Spann will be able to face up better than Summers at this point. Summers is a 4 right now with 3 skills. I do not expect Mackiln or Summers to put the ball on the floor much. Summers should be a guy who sets up in the high post against a 2-3 and Macklin should post-up and get a lot of putbacks.

So I think Summers will play some 3 and some 4 but Spann has a skill set that is a bit better suited to facing the basket especially with a year in the system. Plus freshman defense is always prone to mistakes.

Where will we find time? Honestly I think Hibbert and Green will stay at 25mpg and 30mpg respectively with Ewing adding 25. So all three of those guys could see 10-15 minutes unless one emerges as a clear frontrunner. They all bring different skills.

[SFHoya99]

Giga, you watched the Charm City Challenge and don't think Summers can face up? Spann may be better or not, but Summers drove for two dunks, one layup and miss two layups off long drives. He also got fouled once on the floor when he exploded past his man. (He also settled twice for separation and a missed jumper) I didn't see any low post moves from here, though I hear he has them. I did see him take his man off the dribble repeatedly.

Really, aside from his size, nothing about how he played screamed anything but "wing."

[GUHoya07]

gigafan99 said:

guhoya2007 said:

I know you keep talking about Spann, but Im still having trouble even considering him taking any PT from Summers. Summers is a beast when you see him in person and he has some serious game. I saw Spann playing against Egerson in Yates last night, and while he has some potential, I dont think its even close to what Summers brings to the table. Spann could be a solid contributor on a college team at some point I think, Summers is a potential top 5 pick in the NBA draft, and probably before his senior year.

I think Spann will be able to face up better than Summers at this point. Summers is a 4 right now with 3 skills. I do not expect Mackiln or Summers to put the ball on the floor much. Summers should be a guy who sets up in the high post against a 2-3 and Macklin should post-up and get a lot of putbacks.

So I think Summers will play some 3 and some 4 but Spann has a skill set that is a bit better suited to facing the basket especially with a year in the system. Plus freshman defense is always prone to mistakes.

Where will we find time? Honestly I think Hibbert and Green will stay at 25mpg and 30mpg respectively with Ewing adding 25. So all three of those guys could see 10-15 minutes unless one emerges as a clear frontrunner. They all bring different skills.

Sorry, but I have to disagree with you. Summers has incredible face up skills. He can shoot the ball from the outside if the defender doesnt guard him, and he's great at putting the ball on the floor and blowing past guys. Spann can't even compare in terms of face up skills. Summers can also post up more traditionally and back his guy down, hes a beast. Offensively there isnt much he cant do.

[dejoyahoya]

i too watched the charm city challenge and was impressed with how he drained those 2 three pointers (the third wasnt drained). however, i was disappointed with how he disappeared on the floor, had many stupid turnovers, and was almost non-existant on defense (when he was there, he fouled his man; and he often watched his man blow by him to get open for a dunk). do you guys think this is the result of it being an all-star game of sorts?

[GUHoya07]

dejoyahoya said:

i too watched the charm city challenge and was impressed with how he drained those 2 three pointers (the third wasnt drained). however, i was disappointed with how he disappeared on the floor, had many stupid turnovers, and was almost non-existant on defense (when he was there, he fouled his man; and he often watched his man blow by him to get open for a dunk). do you guys think this is the result of it being an all-star game of sorts?

I know for a fact that its the result of it being an all-star game, he was much more focused on defense and taking good shots when I saw him play twice in real high school games during the winter.

[dejoyahoya]

say word

[gujake]

I agree with dejoya.

I was very impressed with Summers' offensive skill set and defenetely envision him as a wing. Incredible first step and nice stroke, very athletic. I think he will fit in great in a Princeton-style offense. He didn't demand the ball much, but to be fair his teammates were not looking to pass much.

I was dissapointed by his defense though. Didn't seem to try much, though he was decent when he did. Tried to steal/block too many shots when he didn't need to. Didn't box guys out. This could have been a result of playing an all-star game, though. It's impossible to tell without video of real games.

[jerseyhoya34]

If you log on to the site I posted and search for "McDonogh," you'll get a game he played earlier in the year against a team featuring Eric Hayes, a UMD commit.