MCIGuy
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
Anyone here? What am I supposed to update?
Posts: 9,520
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Post by MCIGuy on Oct 24, 2006 11:07:20 GMT -5
Plus it depends on the player. I think Summers is most ready for PT; Vernon and Jeremiah are coming along nicely but not there yet. Vernon is a great rebounder, but you can't just do one thing on the floor for Coach's team- In an interview in April Vernon told a reporter that the Gtown coaches informed him they expected him to come in and essentially concentrate on rebounding his first season. If that report was right it sounds like III and Co knew that Vernon was not going to come in and display a lot of skills and do more than just one thing on the court. And that still doesn't explain why Spann, Thornton and Egerson, who even last season, could dribble, shoot, pass and play defense did not see much of any time on the court last season during BE play.
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Post by Nitrorebel on Oct 24, 2006 11:08:48 GMT -5
I really question the opinion that this system takes a year and a half to learn. If it did take that long, it's a bad system. In college, you can't be spending 50% of your 4 years learning - when are you supposed to play?! And a lot of the guys coming in won't even necessarily be spending 4 years at school. I think, the guys we had when 3 came in were both inexperienced, and let's face it, not world-beaters. The guys coming in this year on are the best there are: they won't need long to get the gist. Watch Oden, Young, Durant, Lawson, Harris etc dominate. Good players do that, think Hansbrough last year; we just haven't had many good players the last 10 years. Ticket is not entirely at that level, but Summers is one of the best out there, and Austin and Chris are at their positions. The learning curve is there but maybe till Dec of their frosh year, not Dec of their soph years.
Great discussion overall.
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SFHoya99
Blue & Gray (over 10,000 posts)
Posts: 17,899
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Post by SFHoya99 on Oct 24, 2006 11:14:42 GMT -5
I think the system really does probably take one and half seasons to get really good at it. Our team certainly seemed to click at that mark.
However, I don't think that precludes people playing earlier. If three players have years experience, and one player has one year and one player has none...I really doubt there's a discernable drop-off in performance on the court.
Thompson alluded to this early on. He preached patience because he was teaching 13 freshmen and had no upperclassmen to help him.
Now he has three coaches and nine player-coaches and three freshmen. It still may take a year and a half to master the system, but I think players will function well within the system on the court much quicker.
However, I do think that means we're not really all that likely to see a shuttle system - where there are wholesale substitutions. I'd think III would want to keep experience and youth mixed, and that precludes a shuttle system, at least while our best players are also our most experienced.
(I also love how, as the season gets started, we're back to bashing the system! I feel like an NC State fan).
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Post by TrueHoyaBlue on Oct 24, 2006 11:22:51 GMT -5
Which brings up an interesting question about next year, SF. I think at that point, we will be in a situation where there can be essentially two teams that blend a good mix of talent and experience
As a possibility...
"Team Blue" Wallace Austin Summers Jeff Roy
"Team Gray" Chris Jessie Tyler Ewing Macklin
Right now, that sort of talent/experience lineup isn't there for a shuttle-type rotation.
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YB
Golden Hoya (over 1000 posts)
Posts: 2,494
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Post by YB on Oct 24, 2006 11:23:56 GMT -5
It sounds like the staff knows Vernon is somewhat limited, and will likely back Roy up and rebound. But likely receive limited minutes.
I can tell you what I know- that for most players, the system takes a while, depending on talent, HS playing style, injuries, practice, etc. The sophs looked very sharp in practice and over the summer. Egerson will get some nice run this year. Spann may as well.
Like I said, I think Summers looks very polished- he's my "Jeff Green" candidate for this year. But make no mistake- for a system that demands polish and precision and patience, it sometimes takes quite a bit of time to move a player in that direction, depending on his background. BTW, the NBA also demands that level of polish to see serious floor time and win. So, they will do it now, or do it later if they are good enough- but sooner or later, every player must mature and grow to be successful. III's system demands it earlier- but it is not a bad thing that he demands that sort of development. It does make guys better players, and faster than just running them up and down the court, relying on athleticism but not developing any talents.
I give you exhibit A on this: Craig Esherisk. One of the biggest criticisms people had of Coach Esherick was that he recruited some talent but couldn't develop it. Well, he tried to employ a running style. III demands development or you won't see floor time. That moves guys along the path much quicker. In the end, that's better for them and for us.
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millerj9
Silver Hoya (over 500 posts)
Posts: 658
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Post by millerj9 on Oct 24, 2006 11:41:25 GMT -5
So how was the Open Practice?
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Post by StPetersburgHoya (Inactive) on Oct 24, 2006 11:58:01 GMT -5
So how was the Open Practice? Excellent. Thanks for asking.
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hoyanick
Bulldog (over 250 posts)
Posts: 417
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Post by hoyanick on Oct 24, 2006 13:57:37 GMT -5
The Hoya Hoop Club has released a partial transcript of JTIII's Q and A session. Before I cut and paste, I'd like to point out that the HHC definitely made the coach's answer to the UMD question MUCH more diplomatic. At the Q and A, JTIII insinuated that Williams wants the Hoyas to play at UMD TWICE before a game can be played at MCI or a Georgetown-preferred facility.
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Hoop Club Open Practice a Success The Hoya Hoop Club sponsored its annual Open Practice on Sunday, October 22 in McDonough Arena. The event started off with all of the youngsters in attendance getting autographs from the current players, and that was followed by a Q & A with Coach John Thompson III. After the Q& A, Hoop Club members enjoyed watching an hour of the team's practice, then gathered in the John Thompson lobby for dinner. Below are some excerpts from the Q & A.
On handling high expectations: We go about our business the same way if there are no expectations than if there are high expectations. At the end of the day we've got to come in here, lock the doors and get better.
On recruiting locally: There's a lot of talent in the DC, Baltimore, Virginia area. There always is. I think we've been fortunate that the guys here locally think we're doing things the right way. Hopefully, knock on wood, that will continue.
On differences in coaching styles between him and his father: I think that's for you all to figure out. When I came back here I didn't say, "O.K., I'm going to do A, B and C like Dad did it, and I'm gonna do D, E and F like he didn't do it." This is just who I am.
On the BIG EAST Conference: I think the league as a whole loses a lot, but it also returns a lot. Connecticut will be young but the most talented, Villanova has the potential to be good ... I think DePaul will be very good, Pitt has the answers, they have depth at every position, and we have the tools we just have to figure some things out. When you start naming teams (in the BIG EAST), you name half the league.
On playing Maryland: Why doesn't someone ask Gary Williams that question? That question always seems to end up back in this building ... As I understand it, they feel Georgetown owes them a game. Once we go there and play, then we can start the home and home, as I understand it.
On his expectations: To be better. I didn't put together a time table when I came here. If I had put together a five-year plan, we'd probably be ahead of that by now ... Everyone has heard me say we want to take baby steps.
On what the fans and supporters can do to help: Everybody has been great, the support has been great. I thank you, my guys thank you. But sooner or later we've got to address the issue of this building.
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