Best newcomer not named Heron?

Based on Friday night, Figueroa was not only the best newcomer, but the best player, period.

The scary part is, he probably won't start this year.  That's a luxury that we have not had in a long time around here.

He stole the show Friday night, he looks like a flat out baller.

Based on Friday night, Figueroa was not only the best newcomer, but the best player, period.

The scary part is, he probably won't start this year.  That's a luxury that we have not had in a long time around here.

What did he do other than the dunks that impressed you so much?

Figueroa will be the best newcomer and should start with Mikey and Keita being the first 2 off the bench 

Figueroa will be the best newcomer and should start with Mikey and Keita being the first 2 off the bench 

Who are we thinking about as starters?
Ponds, Simon, Clark, Heron and Figueroa? Maybe some nights, but we will have to see Keita in the BE season. Keita plays first four, then Figueroa. Hopefully Clark avoids his early foul trouble.

The key is rebounding. Controlling the boards will allow the PhDs [Ponds, Heron, Dixon, Simon] to run wild.

Quote from: sju89tr on October 15, 2018, 06:18:19 PM

Figueroa will be the best newcomer and should start with Mikey and Keita being the first 2 off the bench 

Who are we thinking about as starters?
Ponds, Simon, Clark, Heron and Figueroa? Maybe some nights, but we will have to see Keita in the BE season. Keita plays first four, then Figueroa. Hopefully Clark avoids his early foul trouble.

The key is rebounding. Controlling the boards will allow the PhDs [Ponds, Heron, Dixon, Simon] to run wild.

Rebounding will be an issue

Got to be Clark LJ, Heron, Simon, Ponds as starters

Quote from: braintrust on October 15, 2018, 06:47:55 PM

Quote from: sju89tr on October 15, 2018, 06:18:19 PM

Figueroa will be the best newcomer and should start with Mikey and Keita being the first 2 off the bench 

Who are we thinking about as starters?
Ponds, Simon, Clark, Heron and Figueroa? Maybe some nights, but we will have to see Keita in the BE season. Keita plays first four, then Figueroa. Hopefully Clark avoids his early foul trouble.

The key is rebounding. Controlling the boards will allow the PhDs [Ponds, Heron, Dixon, Simon] to run wild.

Rebounding will be an issue

Got to be Clark LJ, Heron, Simon, Ponds as starters

What about Keita? I have not seen much of him nor do I know much about his game. But shouldn’t there be a defensive presence in the middle if we have them?

the PhDs [Ponds, Heron, Dixon, Simon] to run wild.

Impressive.

Quote from: sju61982 on October 15, 2018, 04:05:31 PM

Based on Friday night, Figueroa was not only the best newcomer, but the best player, period.

The scary part is, he probably won't start this year.  That's a luxury that we have not had in a long time around here.

What did he do other than the dunks that impressed you so much?

Made Lavin's players look slow and unathletic.

I also think the dunks were a good sign.  Think there is a good amount of aggressiveness in his game.

Quote from: Marillac on October 15, 2018, 06:11:21 PM

Quote from: sju61982 on October 15, 2018, 04:05:31 PM

Based on Friday night, Figueroa was not only the best newcomer, but the best player, period.

The scary part is, he probably won't start this year.  That's a luxury that we have not had in a long time around here.

What did he do other than the dunks that impressed you so much?

Made Lavin's players look slow and unathletic.

I also think the dunks were a good sign.  Think there is a good amount of aggressiveness in his game.

He's not on the same planet as Simon, Sampson, or Pointer athletically. I think that is a very unfair expectation to put on him after a scrimmage. He can dunk well in space, but he's 6'6 with long arms. He didn't show us anything else athletically.

My sense of his game is that he is a coordinated kid that can move well for his size and score in a variety of ways. I'd love to be wrong here.

Quote from: sju89tr on October 15, 2018, 06:54:34 PM

Quote from: braintrust on October 15, 2018, 06:47:55 PM

Quote from: sju89tr on October 15, 2018, 06:18:19 PM

Figueroa will be the best newcomer and should start with Mikey and Keita being the first 2 off the bench 

Who are we thinking about as starters?
Ponds, Simon, Clark, Heron and Figueroa? Maybe some nights, but we will have to see Keita in the BE season. Keita plays first four, then Figueroa. Hopefully Clark avoids his early foul trouble.

The key is rebounding. Controlling the boards will allow the PhDs [Ponds, Heron, Dixon, Simon] to run wild.

Rebounding will be an issue

Got to be Clark LJ, Heron, Simon, Ponds as starters

What about Keita? I have not seen much of him nor do I know much about his game. But shouldn’t there be a defensive presence in the middle if we have them?

Looked unimpressive. He matched up with Simon a few times in the post and it left me wondering who looked stronger. I just don't think he adds much if anything to Simon or Clark in the down low of he can't consistently score with his back to the basket. Maybe against huge bigs he'll be needed. I expect to run a smaller lineup most of the time.

Quote from: sju61982 on October 16, 2018, 12:32:01 AM

Quote from: Marillac on October 15, 2018, 06:11:21 PM

Quote from: sju61982 on October 15, 2018, 04:05:31 PM

Based on Friday night, Figueroa was not only the best newcomer, but the best player, period.

The scary part is, he probably won't start this year.  That's a luxury that we have not had in a long time around here.

What did he do other than the dunks that impressed you so much?

Made Lavin's players look slow and unathletic.

I also think the dunks were a good sign.  Think there is a good amount of aggressiveness in his game.

He's not on the same planet as Simon, Sampson, or Pointer athletically. I think that is a very unfair expectation to put on him after a scrimmage. He can dunk well in space, but he's 6'6 with long arms. He didn't show us anything else athletically.

My sense of his game is that he is a coordinated kid that can move well for his size and score in a variety of ways. I'd love to be wrong here.

Showed the ability to go off one or two feet and had great coordination around the rim with a couple reverses. Think you are downplaying his athleticism for some reason kinda like you did with rysheed

Quote from: braintrust on October 15, 2018, 06:47:55 PM

the PhDs [Ponds, Heron, Dixon, Simon] to run wild.

Impressive.

agreed - i like that one

Quote from: Poison on October 15, 2018, 08:25:12 PM

Quote from: sju89tr on October 15, 2018, 06:54:34 PM

Quote from: braintrust on October 15, 2018, 06:47:55 PM

Quote from: sju89tr on October 15, 2018, 06:18:19 PM

Figueroa will be the best newcomer and should start with Mikey and Keita being the first 2 off the bench 

Who are we thinking about as starters?
Ponds, Simon, Clark, Heron and Figueroa? Maybe some nights, but we will have to see Keita in the BE season. Keita plays first four, then Figueroa. Hopefully Clark avoids his early foul trouble.

The key is rebounding. Controlling the boards will allow the PhDs [Ponds, Heron, Dixon, Simon] to run wild.

Rebounding will be an issue

Got to be Clark LJ, Heron, Simon, Ponds as starters

What about Keita? I have not seen much of him nor do I know much about his game. But shouldn’t there be a defensive presence in the middle if we have them?

Looked unimpressive. He matched up with Simon a few times in the post and it left me wondering who looked stronger. I just don't think he adds much if anything to Simon or Clark in the down low of he can't consistently score with his back to the basket. Maybe against huge bigs he'll be needed. I expect to run a smaller lineup most of the time.

If Keita is a total bust, this team is going to have major issues....

All he needs to do is clog up the middle, play decent defense and rebound a little...

Quote from: Marillac on October 16, 2018, 11:38:14 AM

Quote from: sju61982 on October 16, 2018, 12:32:01 AM

Quote from: Marillac on October 15, 2018, 06:11:21 PM

Quote from: sju61982 on October 15, 2018, 04:05:31 PM

Based on Friday night, Figueroa was not only the best newcomer, but the best player, period.

The scary part is, he probably won't start this year.  That's a luxury that we have not had in a long time around here.

What did he do other than the dunks that impressed you so much?

Made Lavin's players look slow and unathletic.

I also think the dunks were a good sign.  Think there is a good amount of aggressiveness in his game.

He's not on the same planet as Simon, Sampson, or Pointer athletically. I think that is a very unfair expectation to put on him after a scrimmage. He can dunk well in space, but he's 6'6 with long arms. He didn't show us anything else athletically.

My sense of his game is that he is a coordinated kid that can move well for his size and score in a variety of ways. I'd love to be wrong here.

Showed the ability to go off one or two feet and had great coordination around the rim with a couple reverses. Think you are downplaying his athleticism for some reason kinda like you did with rysheed

I remember Jordan as a very good athlete. His skill and pace were his weaknesses. I don't really remember my commentary on Jordan but I'd be surprised if wasn't impressed with him physically. He had NBA physical talent for sure.

Quote from: Amaseinyourface2 on October 16, 2018, 12:09:47 PM

Quote from: Marillac on October 16, 2018, 11:38:14 AM

Quote from: sju61982 on October 16, 2018, 12:32:01 AM

Quote from: Marillac on October 15, 2018, 06:11:21 PM

Quote from: sju61982 on October 15, 2018, 04:05:31 PM

Based on Friday night, Figueroa was not only the best newcomer, but the best player, period.

The scary part is, he probably won't start this year.  That's a luxury that we have not had in a long time around here.

What did he do other than the dunks that impressed you so much?

Made Lavin's players look slow and unathletic.

I also think the dunks were a good sign.  Think there is a good amount of aggressiveness in his game.

He's not on the same planet as Simon, Sampson, or Pointer athletically. I think that is a very unfair expectation to put on him after a scrimmage. He can dunk well in space, but he's 6'6 with long arms. He didn't show us anything else athletically.

My sense of his game is that he is a coordinated kid that can move well for his size and score in a variety of ways. I'd love to be wrong here.

Showed the ability to go off one or two feet and had great coordination around the rim with a couple reverses. Think you are downplaying his athleticism for some reason kinda like you did with rysheed

I remember Jordan as a very good athlete. His skill and pace were his weaknesses. I don't really remember my commentary on Jordan but I'd be surprised if wasn't impressed with him physically. He had NBA physical talent for sure.

Consider you surprised

Quote from: Amaseinyourface2 on October 16, 2018, 12:09:47 PM

Quote from: Marillac on October 16, 2018, 11:38:14 AM

Quote from: sju61982 on October 16, 2018, 12:32:01 AM

Quote from: Marillac on October 15, 2018, 06:11:21 PM

Quote from: sju61982 on October 15, 2018, 04:05:31 PM

Based on Friday night, Figueroa was not only the best newcomer, but the best player, period.

The scary part is, he probably won't start this year.  That's a luxury that we have not had in a long time around here.

What did he do other than the dunks that impressed you so much?

Made Lavin's players look slow and unathletic.

I also think the dunks were a good sign.  Think there is a good amount of aggressiveness in his game.

He's not on the same planet as Simon, Sampson, or Pointer athletically. I think that is a very unfair expectation to put on him after a scrimmage. He can dunk well in space, but he's 6'6 with long arms. He didn't show us anything else athletically.

My sense of his game is that he is a coordinated kid that can move well for his size and score in a variety of ways. I'd love to be wrong here.

Showed the ability to go off one or two feet and had great coordination around the rim with a couple reverses. Think you are downplaying his athleticism for some reason kinda like you did with rysheed

I remember Jordan as a very good athlete. His skill and pace were his weaknesses. I don't really remember my commentary on Jordan but I'd be surprised if wasn't impressed with him physically. He had NBA physical talent for sure.

https://redmen.com/forum/redmentalk/3421-6-big-east-predictions.html?start=20#80226

to be fair this is what you said, "I hope you are right, but I don't see it yet. He's quick and he's skilled for sure, but I haven't seen that crazy athletic ability like Sampson-Dom-Felix."

Quote from: Marillac on October 16, 2018, 11:42:43 AM

Quote from: Poison on October 15, 2018, 08:25:12 PM

Quote from: sju89tr on October 15, 2018, 06:54:34 PM

Quote from: braintrust on October 15, 2018, 06:47:55 PM

Quote from: sju89tr on October 15, 2018, 06:18:19 PM

Figueroa will be the best newcomer and should start with Mikey and Keita being the first 2 off the bench 

Who are we thinking about as starters?
Ponds, Simon, Clark, Heron and Figueroa? Maybe some nights, but we will have to see Keita in the BE season. Keita plays first four, then Figueroa. Hopefully Clark avoids his early foul trouble.

The key is rebounding. Controlling the boards will allow the PhDs [Ponds, Heron, Dixon, Simon] to run wild.

Rebounding will be an issue

Got to be Clark LJ, Heron, Simon, Ponds as starters

What about Keita? I have not seen much of him nor do I know much about his game. But shouldn’t there be a defensive presence in the middle if we have them?

Looked unimpressive. He matched up with Simon a few times in the post and it left me wondering who looked stronger. I just don't think he adds much if anything to Simon or Clark in the down low of he can't consistently score with his back to the basket. Maybe against huge bigs he'll be needed. I expect to run a smaller lineup most of the time.

If Keita is a total bust, this team is going to have major issues....

All he needs to do is clog up the middle, play decent defense and rebound a little...

Let LJ come off the bench as the 1st wing and let him earn a starting spot.

We need to show a little size and its either Keita or Roberts, so let the transfer start.  At least until someone else shows himself as more deserving.

Quote from: Marillac on October 16, 2018, 12:52:17 PM

Quote from: Amaseinyourface2 on October 16, 2018, 12:09:47 PM

Quote from: Marillac on October 16, 2018, 11:38:14 AM

Quote from: sju61982 on October 16, 2018, 12:32:01 AM

Quote from: Marillac on October 15, 2018, 06:11:21 PM

Quote from: sju61982 on October 15, 2018, 04:05:31 PM

Based on Friday night, Figueroa was not only the best newcomer, but the best player, period.

The scary part is, he probably won't start this year.  That's a luxury that we have not had in a long time around here.

What did he do other than the dunks that impressed you so much?

Made Lavin's players look slow and unathletic.

I also think the dunks were a good sign.  Think there is a good amount of aggressiveness in his game.

He's not on the same planet as Simon, Sampson, or Pointer athletically. I think that is a very unfair expectation to put on him after a scrimmage. He can dunk well in space, but he's 6'6 with long arms. He didn't show us anything else athletically.

My sense of his game is that he is a coordinated kid that can move well for his size and score in a variety of ways. I'd love to be wrong here.

Showed the ability to go off one or two feet and had great coordination around the rim with a couple reverses. Think you are downplaying his athleticism for some reason kinda like you did with rysheed

I remember Jordan as a very good athlete. His skill and pace were his weaknesses. I don't really remember my commentary on Jordan but I'd be surprised if wasn't impressed with him physically. He had NBA physical talent for sure.

https://redmen.com/forum/redmentalk/3421-6-big-east-predictions.html?start=20#80226

to be fair this is what you said, "I hope you are right, but I don't see it yet. He's quick and he's skilled for sure, but I haven't seen that crazy athletic ability like Sampson-Dom-Felix."

Ok that is pretty in line with what I remember. There are levels to athleticism in my mind. Rysheed was definitely a level below those guys athletically. You can add Simon to that group as well now. However, Rysheed was a few levels ahead of them all in skill and he wasn't really elite in that area (for a PG). The kid should have been in the NBA with better coaching and guidance. Very disappointing story.

I think LJ is a level below Rysheed. On a scale of 1-10:

Sampson, Balamou, Pointer and Simon are all 9 to 10

Jordan is an 8

LJ is a 6 and possibly a 7.

The thing about rysheed and Felix’s athleticism is that they couldn’t jump off one foot, and in games that ability is huge. Personally I always thought Jakarrs athleticism was a bit overrated, for instance i thought harkless’ functional athleticism to be more impressive.

LJ probably isn’t a top 10% athlete but on the Marillac scale I’d refuse to go any lower than a 7.5

The thing about rysheed and Felix’s athleticism is that they couldn’t jump off one foot, and in games that ability is huge. Personally I always thought Jakarrs athleticism was a bit overrated, for instance i thought harkless’ functional athleticism to be more impressive.

LJ probably isn’t a top 10% athlete but on the Marillac scale I’d refuse to go any lower than a 7.5

I think Sampson was a great athlete, but he just wasn't a very smart player. Would have been great if someone would have taught him to pass the damn ball.