Post by SFHoya99 on Dec 27, 2008 17:52:07 GMT -5
Usually, when I think about recruiting, I usually think of positions. But given how unique our offense is, and the requirements it places on players, as well as our coach's (apparent) preferences for certain types of players on offense and defense, I wonder if roles aren't a more appropriate lens in which to view the future.
Now, I'm wholly aware that my view of a targeted role has a lot more to do with who Coach has gotten to come to GU and how they've performed than possibly who he has wanted to come to GU. So be it. I can only do the best I can do. I am fairly confident that most of the objections to my roles won't be something that we'd actually see work well on the Hoyas (for example, you won't see a prue enforcer type with no skills in this post).
I am also fully aware that given different personnel, this staff has shown the ability to be successful. That's true -- I'm trying to see what an optimal set of roles might be and if we have that setup for the future. It's not to say if we're missing a role, the team is doomed.
So all caveats aside, here's my best shot at the various roles and how set we are for the future. Please note one player can fulfill multiple roles.
Scoring Point Guard
Can be a traditional point, but in reality, the most important attributes are the ability to hit an outside shot, defend opposing points and handle well enough to bring up the ball. Distribution is a plus, but not a requirement.
Examples: Chris Wright
Outlook: Possibly the best on the team. Wright will be here at least through next year and very possibly be a four year player. Jason Clark is not as slick on the handle, but I think he will end up here by junior year in terms of handle. (I could be wrong, whcih would be a real issue). I think Clark can be a Rondo-level defender, and his shot has been nicer than advertised.
And Markel Starks has a nice handle, can shoot and is improving and has the tools to defend.
We have depth here, even if Chris leaves as a junior.
Combo Guard as Two Guard
Shooting has been and likely will be a primary focus here. Obviously the ability to create your own shot is a plus, but again, not absolutely necessary. What distinguishes the "combo" portion here is that Thompson seems to really want a player who can handle (if not drive and dish) as well as his point here.
Examples: Ashanti Cook, Jessie Sapp
Outlook: Probably need one soon. Jason Clark will fill this role until he swings to point when Wright leaves, but a bigger question is whether Austin can provide this role in the future.
Hollis Thompson may be able to play 2 guard, but he's not going to have a point like handle. So I wouldn't put him here, either.
In other words, we're either going to need to have to find another point or combo, or get used to a weaker handle at the two. That's not an awful downside, but it is something Thompson hasn't had at GU.
The Post Hub
This is the Princeton post man, the versatile player who can defend the post and rebound, score in the low post while taking his man outside at times and distributing the ball.
Example: Jeff Green, Greg Monroe
Outlook: Pretty poor right now for a perfect fit, actually. Monroe isn't likely to stay very long and Josh Hairston committed to Duke. I haven't really heard any rumblings of other possibilities anytime soon, either.
The role of post player is necessary, and Sims or Vaughn may be thrust into the role. Sims can fulfill quite a few of the duties, but he doesn't seem to have the court vision, distribution skills or handle of the ideal player here. Like with Roy Hibbert, III can work around it, but it would make a perimeter offense even more perimeter based.
Shotblocker
A defensive role. Our defense has been so good over the years partially because we are excellent at challenging and altering shots down low.
Example: Roy Hibbert, Jeff Green, Greg Monroe
Outlook: Not too bad. Sims and Vaughn are pretty good shotblockers, and Sims has potential to be great. We need depth here, but I'm fairly confident Sims can step into this role fairly quickly.
Combo Forward
Somewhat rare to find, this is a player who can defend PFs, rebound, hit a shot from the outside and possibly penetrate. I just never see III employing a traditional banger who doesn't have skills unless he has to. Most likely to play PF but could play elsewhere.
Examples: Jeff Green, Brandon Bowman, DaJuan Summers
Outlook: Middle of the road. Sims doesn't have the handling, and neither does Nate Lubick, but it does seem as if they will be able to stretch the defense with their shot while still being able to rebound and defend.
That said, neither is really the dynamic style of player we've seen at this position and both will have to learn to handle a bit on the perimeter. What we lose in offensive versatility may be made up in rebounding, but the issue is that we need multiple big guys out there, and we may not have enough to let Sims play this role.
Shooter
Very simply put, our wings need to be able to shoot.
Examples: Darrel Owens, Austin Freeman, Jon Wallace.
Outlook: No issues here. Thompson had a brief fling with a couple of players who couldn't shoot, but in general it seems to be a prereq for being recruited.
Honestly, with Austin, Hollis Thompson and a whole slew of good shooters, we're set to stretch the defense.
Double-Team/Help D Demander
This isn't a prereq for being good, but a plyer who can, either in the post or on the perimeter, demand a double team, elevates any offense. I'm also including players who can break down their man one on one, requiring help D, which is somewhat the same thing.
Example: Jeff Green, possibly Chris Wright
Outlook: We've got a bunch of players near to this level, so the end of this year or next year could be very special. But after that, I'm not sure anyone elevates themselves that quickly.
It's incredibly hard to tell, though.
Now, I'm wholly aware that my view of a targeted role has a lot more to do with who Coach has gotten to come to GU and how they've performed than possibly who he has wanted to come to GU. So be it. I can only do the best I can do. I am fairly confident that most of the objections to my roles won't be something that we'd actually see work well on the Hoyas (for example, you won't see a prue enforcer type with no skills in this post).
I am also fully aware that given different personnel, this staff has shown the ability to be successful. That's true -- I'm trying to see what an optimal set of roles might be and if we have that setup for the future. It's not to say if we're missing a role, the team is doomed.
So all caveats aside, here's my best shot at the various roles and how set we are for the future. Please note one player can fulfill multiple roles.
Scoring Point Guard
Can be a traditional point, but in reality, the most important attributes are the ability to hit an outside shot, defend opposing points and handle well enough to bring up the ball. Distribution is a plus, but not a requirement.
Examples: Chris Wright
Outlook: Possibly the best on the team. Wright will be here at least through next year and very possibly be a four year player. Jason Clark is not as slick on the handle, but I think he will end up here by junior year in terms of handle. (I could be wrong, whcih would be a real issue). I think Clark can be a Rondo-level defender, and his shot has been nicer than advertised.
And Markel Starks has a nice handle, can shoot and is improving and has the tools to defend.
We have depth here, even if Chris leaves as a junior.
Combo Guard as Two Guard
Shooting has been and likely will be a primary focus here. Obviously the ability to create your own shot is a plus, but again, not absolutely necessary. What distinguishes the "combo" portion here is that Thompson seems to really want a player who can handle (if not drive and dish) as well as his point here.
Examples: Ashanti Cook, Jessie Sapp
Outlook: Probably need one soon. Jason Clark will fill this role until he swings to point when Wright leaves, but a bigger question is whether Austin can provide this role in the future.
Hollis Thompson may be able to play 2 guard, but he's not going to have a point like handle. So I wouldn't put him here, either.
In other words, we're either going to need to have to find another point or combo, or get used to a weaker handle at the two. That's not an awful downside, but it is something Thompson hasn't had at GU.
The Post Hub
This is the Princeton post man, the versatile player who can defend the post and rebound, score in the low post while taking his man outside at times and distributing the ball.
Example: Jeff Green, Greg Monroe
Outlook: Pretty poor right now for a perfect fit, actually. Monroe isn't likely to stay very long and Josh Hairston committed to Duke. I haven't really heard any rumblings of other possibilities anytime soon, either.
The role of post player is necessary, and Sims or Vaughn may be thrust into the role. Sims can fulfill quite a few of the duties, but he doesn't seem to have the court vision, distribution skills or handle of the ideal player here. Like with Roy Hibbert, III can work around it, but it would make a perimeter offense even more perimeter based.
Shotblocker
A defensive role. Our defense has been so good over the years partially because we are excellent at challenging and altering shots down low.
Example: Roy Hibbert, Jeff Green, Greg Monroe
Outlook: Not too bad. Sims and Vaughn are pretty good shotblockers, and Sims has potential to be great. We need depth here, but I'm fairly confident Sims can step into this role fairly quickly.
Combo Forward
Somewhat rare to find, this is a player who can defend PFs, rebound, hit a shot from the outside and possibly penetrate. I just never see III employing a traditional banger who doesn't have skills unless he has to. Most likely to play PF but could play elsewhere.
Examples: Jeff Green, Brandon Bowman, DaJuan Summers
Outlook: Middle of the road. Sims doesn't have the handling, and neither does Nate Lubick, but it does seem as if they will be able to stretch the defense with their shot while still being able to rebound and defend.
That said, neither is really the dynamic style of player we've seen at this position and both will have to learn to handle a bit on the perimeter. What we lose in offensive versatility may be made up in rebounding, but the issue is that we need multiple big guys out there, and we may not have enough to let Sims play this role.
Shooter
Very simply put, our wings need to be able to shoot.
Examples: Darrel Owens, Austin Freeman, Jon Wallace.
Outlook: No issues here. Thompson had a brief fling with a couple of players who couldn't shoot, but in general it seems to be a prereq for being recruited.
Honestly, with Austin, Hollis Thompson and a whole slew of good shooters, we're set to stretch the defense.
Double-Team/Help D Demander
This isn't a prereq for being good, but a plyer who can, either in the post or on the perimeter, demand a double team, elevates any offense. I'm also including players who can break down their man one on one, requiring help D, which is somewhat the same thing.
Example: Jeff Green, possibly Chris Wright
Outlook: We've got a bunch of players near to this level, so the end of this year or next year could be very special. But after that, I'm not sure anyone elevates themselves that quickly.
It's incredibly hard to tell, though.
