blueandgray
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Post by blueandgray on Sept 6, 2019 16:11:34 GMT -5
The difference between us having say a good season (call it a tourney bid) and a great season (call it a 2nd weekend team that can play with anyone in the country)...comes down in my opinion to how much work Blair and Pickett put in from this minute forward.
We know what we are going to get from James, MAC, and Leblanc....three guys who will put forth maximum effort in games and in practice. We know Omer has the work ethic and dedication to push his game as he has aspirations to go pro sooner than later. We know we have senior guards who have pretty much seen it all and who are battle tested. We know we have another 5 newcomers who are going to be fighting for minutes. What we don’t know is what Jahvon and Jamarko are going to bring to the table after a sophomore slump.
Are they going to be the first in and last one out of the gym ....EVERYDAY? Are they going to treat this season like it’s their one chance to make a big jump in their game and live up to the potential we all know they have? Are they going to be the wild card that takes this team and leads it to a tourney run? Ultimately, are they going to put the work in?
Nothing should be more important to these guys than working hard in school and getting as much as they can out of their god given talents. I just hope both guys recognize that and seize the moment!! The time is now!!
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MCIGuy
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Post by MCIGuy on Sept 6, 2019 16:36:25 GMT -5
Something tells me this post is more about Jamorko since you already written recently some glowing things the staff had to say about Jahvon.
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calhoya
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Post by calhoya on Sept 6, 2019 16:40:08 GMT -5
I agree that the performance of both players is important to the success of the team. Has work ethic in the gym been an issue for these two players? I know that at times Pickett seems to get down on himself and pout. I have not heard that he did not work hard in the gym or put in the time to improve. Just assumed that he had a bad year. Same for Blair, who seemed to have lost minutes to better players, not because of his effort, but the fact that they were just more skilled.
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prhoya
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Post by prhoya on Sept 6, 2019 16:41:38 GMT -5
Before last season, somewhere here I wrote that Pickett was going to be our #2 option behind Jessie. I'm not jinxing him like that again.
Looking forward to these two's season... fire away!!!
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blueandgray
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Post by blueandgray on Sept 6, 2019 16:55:17 GMT -5
Like in life, when you have the skillset ...hard work usually translates to success. Now how one defines ”hard work” is the true variable.
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tashoya
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Post by tashoya on Sept 6, 2019 20:02:22 GMT -5
Like in life, when you have the skillset ...hard work usually translates to success. Now how one defines ”hard work” is the true variable. I feel like we have less to go on with Jahvon. With regard to Jamorko, he put in a lot of work last year on the less sexy aspects of the game and made himself valuable to his team even when he wasn't scoring. If he's kept on putting in the work and it all starts to come together for him, I believe he has the ability to exceed all reasonable expectations of him and still has the time to reach the ones even the craziest of us had for him early in his freshman year. I'm pulling for the man because I feel like he showed a lot of character and maturity last year. I'm really hoping it all pays off for him.
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Eurostar
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Post by Eurostar on Sept 6, 2019 21:46:20 GMT -5
Every year around this time there is a thread saying that the make or break part of our season is how some of our minor options on offense play. While Jahvon and Jamorko playing well is important, what makes or breaks almost everyone's season is how their best players play. If Omer, Leblanc, and our 2 Soph guards all take steps forward, that will make the most impact.
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MCIGuy
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Post by MCIGuy on Sept 6, 2019 22:24:18 GMT -5
Every year around this time there is a thread saying that the make or break part of our season is how some of our minor options on offense play. While Jahvon and Jamorko playing well is important, what makes or breaks almost everyone's season is how their best players play. If Omer, Leblanc, and our 2 Soph guards all take steps forward, that will make the most impact. Agree to an extent. But the thing is if Jamorko really puts his mind to it, he easily becomes one of the best players on the team,if not the best. That's the advantage he has physically with that length, quickness and relatively good set of skills.
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s4hoyas
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Post by s4hoyas on Sept 6, 2019 22:25:42 GMT -5
I've seen and heard signs that both are working hard and are expanding/growing their games...I'm optimistic that they both will make significant contributions to this year's team...
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DanMcQ
Moderator
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Post by DanMcQ on Sept 7, 2019 5:44:32 GMT -5
The point is, IMO, that if these two have success in advancing their games the TEAM becomes substantially tougher to guard and that will spill into all other facets of the game.
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Post by HamptonHoya on Sept 7, 2019 6:52:07 GMT -5
Every year around this time there is a thread saying that the make or break part of our season is how some of our minor options on offense play. While Jahvon and Jamorko playing well is important, what makes or breaks almost everyone's season is how their best players play. If Omer, Leblanc, and our 2 Soph guards all take steps forward, that will make the most impact. Agree to an extent. But the thing is if Jamorko really puts his mind to it, he easily becomes one of the best players on the team,if not the best. That's the advantage he has physically with that length, quickness and relatively good set of skills. This is a pretty big compliment. For the most part, both of these guys are afterthoughts. If Jamorko becomes that guy and Blair is the 2019 version of Vinne the Microwave...we become a very big headache for everyone. Over the last couple of years, the only player that has caused our opponent to double team us was Govan, and we didn't always make them pay. On paper, this year they should. The other starters and new guys are getting 95% of the ink. You almost forget they made the BE all rookie team just two seasons ago. I believe they are tailoring their games to be true team contributors. Now get off my lawn, I am a Mets and Hurricanes fan. I stay mad. Let me soak in the Hoyas for as long as I can.
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Bigs"R"Us
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Post by Bigs"R"Us on Sept 7, 2019 7:24:27 GMT -5
If these two can hit shots, they will play. Blair seemed more comfortable with his handle, in Kenner anyway. The kid can definitely stroke it. Pickett needs to commit to rebounding and defense, of which he is capable. I think Alexander could surprise.
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Post by michaelgrahmstylie on Sept 7, 2019 7:28:35 GMT -5
I don’t know how I feel about them being described as minor options, especially Pickett.
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Bigs"R"Us
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Post by Bigs"R"Us on Sept 7, 2019 8:13:22 GMT -5
Not fair, either one of the two are most likely on the floor. It’s important that they hold their own. Pickett will most likely be a starter, at least at the beginning of the season.
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blueandgray
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Post by blueandgray on Sept 7, 2019 8:59:29 GMT -5
Not fair, either one of the two are most likely on the floor. It’s important that they hold their own. Pickett will most likely be a starter, at least at the beginning of the season. I get that. It goes without saying - at least it should - that every man in the rotation is important. But why do we have two threads going about how our 5th best guard and our least effective starter are going to be keys to the season? Even in some small amount -- like turning a 1st weekend tourney team to a 2nd weekend team...? This just feels like an advertorial. We will go as far as James, Omer, Josh, and Mac take us -- roughly in that order. They are our "stars". If Jamorko or Jahvon play well enough to be part of that core... GREAT! I'll be the first one singing their praises. But I don't think a scenario where Blair sees little to no time OR Pickett is benched in favor of Alexander or Gardner is any less likely. And I don't think those scenarios in any way relegate us to a "bad" season. The bottom line is... we've got 2 top 100 (in those best CBB players ranking) guys and a full roster for the first time in years. How about we enjoy and celebrate and discuss that? You could write this same thread ("watch out for this guy") about Alexander or Allen or Jagan or Gardner or Wahab. Just switch out the names. Wrong on several levels....not sure where to start. First off, let’s be real....we have no “stars” on this team. Iverson was a star, Ewing was a star....the guys you mentioned are good ballplayers who all have a lot of work to do to get better. Second, no where did I say we would have a bad season...with these two having what we would all consider a good year...it could take the team from good to great. Finally, you can’t just switch names and write the threat about any player. If Pickett and Jahvon are benched in favor of newcomers ...because neither kid can get it going....i’d have my concerns. I think the new guys are going to be great...but they are young and don’t provide the same perimeter threat that these two do. We do much better if these two guys step their game up versus say Jagan and Wahab. Given what this team needs and what it would do to open up floor spacing...these two are key, and IF they put in the work...have no reason why they can’t get there.
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MCIGuy
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Post by MCIGuy on Sept 7, 2019 9:21:56 GMT -5
Wrong on several levels....not sure where to start. First off, let’s be real....we have no “stars” on this team. Iverson was a star, Ewing was a star....the guys you mentioned are good ballplayers who all have a lot of work to do to get better. I think players on any college team can be well, well below the levels of all-timers like Ewing and Iverson and still be stars.
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MCIGuy
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Post by MCIGuy on Sept 7, 2019 10:21:50 GMT -5
Whatever you may think of Chris Mack, he knows talent. And after seeing Pickett in person when the Hoyas almost upset Xavier at Xavier, Mack made an unprompted statement in which he said Pickett would be one of the very best players Georgetown has ever had. Now so far that prediction hasn't come close to being true and perhaps it never will. But that is not as important to me as WHY Mack said such a thing in the first place. I feel the reasons are because of the tantalizing possibilities Pickett, in theory at least, presents. Before last season longtime DC sports writer Ben Standing thought it was only 50-50 that Pickett would not leave Gtown for the pros after his second year. Of course Pickett wasn't close to being in that position after this previous season ended but why had Standing made such a guess? At the time he said he had just gotten back covering the NBA summer league and that Pickett had the type of frame that NBA GMs and coaches saw as ideal; he based that on all the new, young players on NBA team rosters for that summer league.
This is true in that Pickett represents the type of potential two-way guys that NBA teams can't get enough of. He is not just tall, he is long with a ridiculous wingspan. He is a faceup player who can hit long threes but also cover opponents on the perimeter as well. He can pass, block shots and when inspired even rebound. And while some on this board dismiss him as being an average athlete, he is actually better on that front than they give him credit for. I'm now 3/4 of the way done on season edits for Pickett, after finishing DVDs for Akinjo, McClung and LeBlanc. Pickett's highlights are far fewer so the process is going faster but what it impresses me as I keep pouring through all of these game clips is just how effective Pickett often was on defense.
He is a difference maker on that side of the ball. He has tremendously quick feet to keep up with opponents and great reaction speed to help him alter shots. He has quick hands and his long arms are not just useful to obscure clear views of players trying to shoot over him, they also can help him deflect or pick off passes from opposing teams. There was a moment at Providence when Diallo slipped behind him and received a pass right under the basket. It was a clean look for Diallo, a gimme. Even though he was in traffic every other Hoya was either distracted or not close enough to stop a would-be point blank layup. Pickett notices it, closes in like a speed-demon and from behind goes above an extended Diallo's right shoulder to spike the ball cleanly off the backboard. He did this without his block even coming close to looking like a possible foul because his reach is so insane; it all comes across as so effortless. Diallo is quite long himself, at least 6-6, perhaps 6-7 and he would make that same shot against virtually any other player assigned to guard him. But not against Pickett. Pickett has given him fits every time out so he knew he had to get that shot off quick, but still it was to no avail.
You have to understand I’m far more interested in player’s offense capabilities than their defensive ones, but that play by Pickett, and several other of his defensive showings, stood out to even me. I think he may have better timing and reactions with his blocks than LeBlanc but Josh gets to show his worth on that end more because as a four he is more likely to be in the paint. Having too guys of that caliber and length on the defensive end is a luxury not many other teams will have (and the fact the Hoyas stunk so much on defense demonstrates how bad some of the other guys were on D or how Pickett being on the bench could affect outcomes). LeBlanc is a more explosive leaper on defense but Pickett has quicker feet and more reach. I genuinely think the kid is roughly around 6’9. Looking at some of the clips I notice he does things on defense that he won’t statistically get credit for. He can stick to his man and be such a disruptor it leads to the other player turning the ball over or taking a shot that is way off.
What has held Pickett back is his mentality and a certain skill that he would probably have refined far more if he had a more assertive/alpha-male personality: dribbling . His dribbling can be inconsistent, non-existent and at times downright horrible. He doesn’t get the opportunity to display the fluidity or agility on the finish because too often his ballhandling skills can’t properly take advantage of his quick first step to get him to the hoop. He should be better at that by now. Its an easier thing to shore up than height, quickness or other qualities that can’t be taught. Undoubtedly his sometimes bone-headed decisions that lead to unnecessary turnovers don’t help matters. It’s also fair to say that he can seem allergic to contact . But its unquestionably his ballhandling that negatively affects the rest of his game. If opposing players feared it more they would lay off him a bit instead of crowding him when he is looking to launch three-pointers. If his handle was better he would be able to be more comfortable and thus more assertive at driving to get easier close-in shots like midrange pullups or layups at the hoop. And he is such a gifted passer, based upon closer observation, that improved ballhandling would give the Hoyas another starter who could create for his teammates. The good news is that all of these weaknesses, even the mentality, can be corrected. The negative is that they haven’t been already and there is realistic danger that he will never fully take advantage of his God-given gifts. So, no he isn’t at this time one of the top four or so guys on the team going into this season. But I stand by my claim that he has the POTENTIAL to be as good if not better than anyone on this team. The ball is in his court.
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jwp91
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
Posts: 5,893
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Post by jwp91 on Sept 7, 2019 11:20:50 GMT -5
Only 60 days until the next game. We will have to find better ways to avoid getting at each other’s throats.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Sept 7, 2019 11:26:36 GMT -5
Only 60 days until the next game. We will have to find better ways to avoid getting at each other’s throats. You're too right about that. I'm gonna delete and dismount from this one...
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blueandgray
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Post by blueandgray on Sept 7, 2019 11:42:22 GMT -5
Whatever you may think of Chris Mack, he knows talent. And after seeing Pickett in person when the Hoyas almost upset Xavier at Xavier, Mack made an unprompted statement in which he said Pickett would be one of the very best players Georgetown has ever had. Now so far that prediction hasn't come close to being true and perhaps it never will. But that is not as important to me as WHY Mack said such a thing in the first place. I feel the reasons are because of the tantalizing possibilities Pickett, in theory at least, presents. Before last season longtime DC sports writer Ben Standing thought it was only 50-50 that Pickett would not leave Gtown for the pros after his second year. Of course Pickett wasn't close to being in that position after this previous season ended but why had Standing made such a guess? At the time he said he had just gotten back covering the NBA summer league and that Pickett had the type of frame that NBA GMs and coaches saw as ideal; he based that on all the new, young players on NBA team rosters for that summer league. This is true in that Pickett represents the type of potential two-way guys that NBA teams can't get enough of. He is not just tall, he is long with a ridiculous wingspan. He is a faceup player who can hit long threes but also cover opponents on the perimeter as well. He can pass, block shots and when inspired even rebound. And while some on this board dismiss him as being an average athlete, he is actually better on that front than they give him credit for. I'm now 3/4 of the way done on season edits for Pickett, after finishing DVDs for Akinjo, McClung and LeBlanc. Pickett's highlights are far fewer so the process is going faster but what it impresses me as I keep pouring through all of these game clips is just how effective Pickett often was on defense. He is a difference maker on that side of the ball. He has tremendously quick feet to keep up with opponents and great reaction speed to help him alter shots. He has quick hands and his long arms are not just useful to obscure clear views of players trying to shoot over him, they also can help him deflect or pick off passes from opposing teams. There was a moment at Providence when Diallo slipped behind him and received a pass right under the basket. It was a clean look for Diallo, a gimme. Even though he was in traffic every other Hoya was either distracted or not close enough to stop a would-be point blank layup. Pickett notices it, closes in like a speed-demon and from behind goes above an extended Diallo's right shoulder to spike the ball cleanly off the backboard. He did this without his block even coming close to looking like a possible foul because his reach is so insane; it all comes across as so effortless. Diallo is quite long himself, at least 6-6, perhaps 6-7 and he would make that same shot against virtually any other player assigned to guard him. But not against Pickett. Pickett has given him fits every time out so he knew he had to get that shot off quick, but still it was to no avail. You have to understand I’m far more interested in player’s offense capabilities than their defensive ones, but that play by Pickett, and several other of his defensive showings, stood out to even me. I think he may have better timing and reactions with his blocks than LeBlanc but Josh gets to show his worth on that end more because as a four he is more likely to be in the paint. Having too guys of that caliber and length on the defensive end is a luxury not many other teams will have (and the fact the Hoyas stunk so much on defense demonstrates how bad some of the other guys were on D or how Pickett being on the bench could affect outcomes). LeBlanc is a more explosive leaper on defense but Pickett has quicker feet and more reach. I genuinely think the kid is roughly around 6’9. Looking at some of the clips I notice he does things on defense that he won’t statistically get credit for. He can stick to his man and be such a disruptor it leads to the other player turning the ball over or taking a shot that is way off. What has held Pickett back is his mentality and a certain skill that he would probably have refined far more if he had a more assertive/alpha-male personality: dribbling . His dribbling can be inconsistent, non-existent and at times downright horrible. He doesn’t get the opportunity to display the fluidity or agility on the finish because too often his ballhandling skills can’t properly take advantage of his quick first step to get him to the hoop. He should be better at that by now. Its an easier thing to shore up than height, quickness or other qualities that can’t be taught. Undoubtedly his sometimes bone-headed decisions that lead to unnecessary turnovers don’t help matters. It’s also fair to say that he can seem allergic to contact . But its unquestionably his ballhandling that negatively affects the rest of his game. If opposing players feared it more they would lay off him a bit instead of crowding him when he is looking to launch three-pointers. If his handle was better he would be able to be more comfortable and thus more assertive at driving to get easier close-in shots like midrange pullups or layups at the hoop. And he is such a gifted passer, based upon closer observation, that improved ballhandling would give the Hoyas another starter who could create for his teammates. The good news is that all of these weaknesses, even the mentality, can be corrected. The negative is that they haven’t been already and there is realistic danger that he will never fully take advantage of his God-given gifts. So, no he isn’t at this time one of the top four or so guys on the team going into this season. But I stand by my claim that he has the POTENTIAL to be as good if not better than anyone on this team. The ball is in his court. smartest man in the room right here!
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