Post by FLHoya on Jul 14, 2012 19:19:08 GMT -5
What is it about Nate Lubick that so often sends Hoya fans to their fainting couches?
True, he is the Most Interesting Man at Georgetown: but when he's not endorsing GUSA candidates he seems like a regular enough fella. Very workmanlike approach to the game, causes intermittent smudging when slapping backboards.
But it's the darndest thing...
...by my count, the Nate has now been the subject of inexplicable but ultimately unfounded kerfuffle concerning his
status during the summer before each of his seasons at Georgetown:
--Prior to his freshman year, rumors circulated that Nate planned to de-commit. This was partially responsible for his recruiting board thread being deleted. Said rumors of course were completely unfounded.
--Last summer, Nate hurt his shoulder a few weeks into the Kenner League. He sat out the remainder of the KL, all the while I fielded several urgent tweets and emails and was urged to break some sort of confidentiality rule to reveal what was truly wrong with him. Meh, I ain't a doctor. Three weeks later, he played every game in China.
--So this summer, it's one big game of "Where's Nate?" after he didn't play in Clyde's first game last week. Got several inquiries again, and it worked it's way into casual conversation such that "Do you think Nate will play Saturday?" is somehow a Very Important Question. Yep, he played.
Just weird.
Clyde's 91 Tree & The Top Boys 54
Gil Scott-Heron "We Almost Lost Detroit" (1977):
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. "We Almost Lost Detroit" (2012):
Some days you come for pickup basketball and get a shootaround instead. The first game was delayed about 30 minutes due to a frantic search for Top Boys. Finally, at around 12:15 a GU staffer ran in from the entrance with two additional bodies and we were ready to go...well, after a uniform change to avoid clashing colors. In the meantime, the Kenner League announce table served up a medley of breakdancing music and early 90s Eurodance.
The game: well, once Steve Weingarten went on a personal 6-0 run to put Clyde's up 12-7, that pretty much broke the Top Boys' momentum. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
In truth, Clyde's was always in control: up by 21 at halftime, they seldom needed to break a sweat against their undermanned veteran opponents. Speaking of veterans: three members of the 2007 Final Four squad (Jon Wallace, Tyler Crawford, and Sead Dizdarevic) suited up for the game, although Crawford switched sides to even out the rosters.
Otherwise, we might be still looking for the perfect beat in McDonough.
Markel Starks: 18 points, 5-9 2FG, 2-6 3FG, 2-2 FT, 6RB, 6AST, 2TO, 1F
It took Markel a while to get going in the first half--he was 1 for his first 5 shots--but he warmed up nicely and played a well-rounded game.
What got him going were two pull-up three-pointers on consecutive transition situations. Markel gets into little scoring runs, and his jump shot feeds on the momentum. When he's on a shooting streak, Markel is very apt to continue to pull up in transition or off the dribble in halfcourt situations, anywhere from 15 feet to beyond the arc.
His game went in stages today. He moved from Stage One--the transition shooting--to a Stage 2 when he facilitated a few nifty assists, including a pick and roll with Nate.
Stage 3--most of the second half--saw Markel look to attack off the dribble and get to the rim. Last weekend, I noted Markel's quick first move and speed served him well breaking through defenses at the perimeter. That advantage was less pronounced today against a more savvy veteran opponent--T&TTB were smart enough not to commit to his fakes at the perimeter. Still, he did a serviceable job finishing in traffic with some strength.
What interests me about Markel: will his speed and/or strength be enough at the Big East level to make him a reliable option to attack the basket? He's doing okay in the Kenner League, but neither attribute is SO great to make it a slam dunk Markel is going to turn into Chris Wright: Wrecking Ball all of a sudden. I'm reasonably confident though he can be a three-point and jump shooting option (if a streaky one) in both spot-up situations and off the dribble.
Nate Lubick: 18 points, 9-13 2FG, 0-2 3FG, 11 RB, 1AST, 1F
Nate's primary role today was a finisher: he cashed in transition opportunities (more than just one-on-none), drive and dish opportunities, and pick and rolls.
On transition: for someone of his build and playing his position, Nate is a plenty good enough athlete to run the floor and be part of a fast break. Lots of opportunities for layups/dunks as the trailer or dunking from the wing.
On half-court sets: assuming Nate can become an above-average screener, there will be lots of opportunities to finish plays off on the roll. Having Starks as a summer league teammate is a good situation: Markel uses high screens well and creates a lot of pull up/pass decisions. Something to look for later in the summer.
Nate was a bit slow closing out on defense. A lot of this is the nature of a Kenner League blowout: after the first 10 minutes, the game was played at a less-than-competitive intensity. Still, there's a worry that more athletic forwards that play at the perimeter, or who can attack off the dribble, could trouble him. Of course, for all we know he may play primarily at the 5 position during the Big East, which could raise another set of issues. Will be interesting to see him matched up against one of the bigger Kenner League centers.
True, he is the Most Interesting Man at Georgetown: but when he's not endorsing GUSA candidates he seems like a regular enough fella. Very workmanlike approach to the game, causes intermittent smudging when slapping backboards.
But it's the darndest thing...
...by my count, the Nate has now been the subject of inexplicable but ultimately unfounded kerfuffle concerning his
status during the summer before each of his seasons at Georgetown:
--Prior to his freshman year, rumors circulated that Nate planned to de-commit. This was partially responsible for his recruiting board thread being deleted. Said rumors of course were completely unfounded.
--Last summer, Nate hurt his shoulder a few weeks into the Kenner League. He sat out the remainder of the KL, all the while I fielded several urgent tweets and emails and was urged to break some sort of confidentiality rule to reveal what was truly wrong with him. Meh, I ain't a doctor. Three weeks later, he played every game in China.
--So this summer, it's one big game of "Where's Nate?" after he didn't play in Clyde's first game last week. Got several inquiries again, and it worked it's way into casual conversation such that "Do you think Nate will play Saturday?" is somehow a Very Important Question. Yep, he played.
Just weird.
Clyde's 91 Tree & The Top Boys 54
Gil Scott-Heron "We Almost Lost Detroit" (1977):
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. "We Almost Lost Detroit" (2012):
Some days you come for pickup basketball and get a shootaround instead. The first game was delayed about 30 minutes due to a frantic search for Top Boys. Finally, at around 12:15 a GU staffer ran in from the entrance with two additional bodies and we were ready to go...well, after a uniform change to avoid clashing colors. In the meantime, the Kenner League announce table served up a medley of breakdancing music and early 90s Eurodance.
The game: well, once Steve Weingarten went on a personal 6-0 run to put Clyde's up 12-7, that pretty much broke the Top Boys' momentum. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
In truth, Clyde's was always in control: up by 21 at halftime, they seldom needed to break a sweat against their undermanned veteran opponents. Speaking of veterans: three members of the 2007 Final Four squad (Jon Wallace, Tyler Crawford, and Sead Dizdarevic) suited up for the game, although Crawford switched sides to even out the rosters.
Otherwise, we might be still looking for the perfect beat in McDonough.
Markel Starks: 18 points, 5-9 2FG, 2-6 3FG, 2-2 FT, 6RB, 6AST, 2TO, 1F
It took Markel a while to get going in the first half--he was 1 for his first 5 shots--but he warmed up nicely and played a well-rounded game.
What got him going were two pull-up three-pointers on consecutive transition situations. Markel gets into little scoring runs, and his jump shot feeds on the momentum. When he's on a shooting streak, Markel is very apt to continue to pull up in transition or off the dribble in halfcourt situations, anywhere from 15 feet to beyond the arc.
His game went in stages today. He moved from Stage One--the transition shooting--to a Stage 2 when he facilitated a few nifty assists, including a pick and roll with Nate.
Stage 3--most of the second half--saw Markel look to attack off the dribble and get to the rim. Last weekend, I noted Markel's quick first move and speed served him well breaking through defenses at the perimeter. That advantage was less pronounced today against a more savvy veteran opponent--T&TTB were smart enough not to commit to his fakes at the perimeter. Still, he did a serviceable job finishing in traffic with some strength.
What interests me about Markel: will his speed and/or strength be enough at the Big East level to make him a reliable option to attack the basket? He's doing okay in the Kenner League, but neither attribute is SO great to make it a slam dunk Markel is going to turn into Chris Wright: Wrecking Ball all of a sudden. I'm reasonably confident though he can be a three-point and jump shooting option (if a streaky one) in both spot-up situations and off the dribble.
Nate Lubick: 18 points, 9-13 2FG, 0-2 3FG, 11 RB, 1AST, 1F
Nate's primary role today was a finisher: he cashed in transition opportunities (more than just one-on-none), drive and dish opportunities, and pick and rolls.
On transition: for someone of his build and playing his position, Nate is a plenty good enough athlete to run the floor and be part of a fast break. Lots of opportunities for layups/dunks as the trailer or dunking from the wing.
On half-court sets: assuming Nate can become an above-average screener, there will be lots of opportunities to finish plays off on the roll. Having Starks as a summer league teammate is a good situation: Markel uses high screens well and creates a lot of pull up/pass decisions. Something to look for later in the summer.
Nate was a bit slow closing out on defense. A lot of this is the nature of a Kenner League blowout: after the first 10 minutes, the game was played at a less-than-competitive intensity. Still, there's a worry that more athletic forwards that play at the perimeter, or who can attack off the dribble, could trouble him. Of course, for all we know he may play primarily at the 5 position during the Big East, which could raise another set of issues. Will be interesting to see him matched up against one of the bigger Kenner League centers.
