I fully expected growing pains - at least some, and maybe a lot. As long as they are just that -- growing pains -- we'll be OK in the long run. A handful of games in the very beginning aren't enough to tell us anything about the long term.
Thoughts
- Thread starter Coach 107
- Start date
I think as in everything, it is important to read the fine print. I said that Kadary Richmond has the ability to be a lockdown defender. He is 6'6 210 with a strong frame and a plus wingspan (6'9-6'10), and he is athletic and bouncy. His feet can be a little heavy moving laterally, so I probably wouldn't have him on smaller point guards. But Sha usually has Dawes or Harris on the floor for offense, so they are usually on the ball defensively. What I've been impressed with is his ability to disrupt passing lanes off the ball, and he seems instinctive on the defensive end. Rebounds his position pretty well when he is on the floor. He was ideally suited for the top of that Syracuse 2-3 zone. But I think if our coaches really teach him how to split his man defensively, always force guys to their weak hand, use his length to give room to prevent the drive while being able to close quickly on a shot, talk through the screen game in terms of getting an inside hip over the screener or whether they are hedging, icing, or switching a ball screen, and stay low on the ball and focus on core movement, he could be a kid who could regularly shut down an opponent's biggest perimeter threat. His physicality off the ball could really disrupt wings by bumping or steering them through cuts. But he has to learn to do all of this somewhat discreetly while not accumulating fouls. Kadary has the ability to be a leader too, which we need.
Much of this will depend on our coaches instilling these things and that defensive mentality in him, and Kadary's willingness to embrace what is being taught. That lockdown mentality is hard for young kids to embrace, especially when all the social media emphasis on the game today is on the offensive end. I watched our kids continually let guys get to their strong hand, not communicate on switches and rotations, simply not box out, and you could see Sha's pained expression each time it happened. For a coach that hangs his hat on that end of the floor, it has to be frustrating. And if we are as challenged offensively as we seem to be many times against better teams, defense is what will win us games. You will see that philosophy when we play Rutgers. Ron Harper Jr, Geo Baker, and Cliff Omeruyi were the large extent of their offense for the last few years but they found ways to win.
Much of this will depend on our coaches instilling these things and that defensive mentality in him, and Kadary's willingness to embrace what is being taught. That lockdown mentality is hard for young kids to embrace, especially when all the social media emphasis on the game today is on the offensive end. I watched our kids continually let guys get to their strong hand, not communicate on switches and rotations, simply not box out, and you could see Sha's pained expression each time it happened. For a coach that hangs his hat on that end of the floor, it has to be frustrating. And if we are as challenged offensively as we seem to be many times against better teams, defense is what will win us games. You will see that philosophy when we play Rutgers. Ron Harper Jr, Geo Baker, and Cliff Omeruyi were the large extent of their offense for the last few years but they found ways to win.
Big man coach was Ike’s coach for 4 years. Let’s not lament too much there. 🤣
I’ve never seen anything to indicate Richmond can be a leader, quite the opposite, that’s just not him.
Sha needs to get Richmond back on track ASAP. He has been firmly on NBA radars the last few years and not reaching that potential would be bad for recruiting on top of all the other issues we have in that area. If Richmond doesn't get it together as a 30+ MPG player, this season is over.
Richmond is an enigma. So far, Boeheim appeared to be right on the money in his assessment of him. Talent is there, but the will to be great isn’t. A real shame.
Someone who can dribble, pass, and shoot but views his principle role to be a playmaker for others
Andre Barrett was legit. Sure he was undersized but you could trust the guy with your offense.
Ok. So no comments on individual games. We should hold all comments till end of season?
Over my time here i have been reasonably level headed. But what i have seen the past 2 games scares me. I am thrilled sha is our coach and that makes my distress even heavier. Said it many times, hope these posts look ridiculous soon. But imo, what we have seen in the last 3 qtrs is worse than bad play if you ask me.
Count on it. For our next big win i will be sky high. And the next bad loss will be a tyson punch to my gut.
And on our good teams since Holloway was in school the PG has usually been the highest scorer.
The way I look at the PG position the player who plays the point is the player who can run the offense the way the coach wants , can put points on the board and can play solid offense . If the offense is an up tempo, run and gun style you look for one type of player to run your offense while if a more deliberate style that features feeding the post its a different type of player you want there .You also have to factor in the individual skills that coaches look for in every position that impact what they want in the players they target. What is asked of Richmond by this staff may not play to his strengths and right now we don’t know if that’s true and when you add in the relentless substitution it’s hard for me to fairly judge why he hasn’t been the player many expected.
True, but I don’t see a Whitehead, Carrington or Q on this roster.
This shot at Billmeier is off base. Delgado, Gill, Enzi, and Sandro come to mind. Everyone of those guys improved over four years. Ike just didn’t have the hands or coordination to be effective on offense. So he was coached up on defense.
More importantly we don't have a bucket getter. We have a few guys who can do it so in spurts but nobody who can be reasonably counted on to score given the opportunity.
You didn't/don't need a "true PG" when you have someone like that to bail you out a half dozen times or so a night.
The Richmond/ Aiken combo worked well until Bryce went out for good. After that we were scuffling but rallied to go 8-2 down the stretch. Credit to the players for hanging in there, some good coaching and Ike blocking or altering a zillion shots around the rim.
Ideal PG or not, this team should not be having multiple games of 6/20 from 2 in a half, this awful FT shooting, the absurd turnovers. It’s a poorly organized and structured team right now regardless of the coach is in Year 1 or Year 12. This is basic basketball stuff.
To me the poor free throw shooting is an indication those players aren't good shooters at all.
Maybe that's an oversimplification but all a free throw is is an open 15-foot shot. Lots of guys have no business taking that shot in the flow of the game and that carries over to FT shooting.
