JS, -- thanks for the detailed breakdown from the scrimmage. To me, the worst item of information was Nickerson missed all his 3-point attempts. If he really worked on his outside shooting this summer, I don't think that would have happened.
The sooner he feels confident in making outside shots, then the sooner he becomes a virtually unstoppable offensive threat. I'm sure Sydney has explained this to him in detail -- if a defender has to guard him close to prevent the 3-point basket then Colin can fake the shot and use his quickness to blow by the guy for the layup.
I hope yesterday was some sort of fluke occurrence. We need as much offense as possible from our upperclassmen and it's Colin's last year. If he didn't really work on his jumper during the summer, then it's probably too late now to develop the necessary confidence to make that shot consistently in games.
I'd love to think that Nickerson could become "a virtually unstoppable offensive threat". I'd also love to think that I will win the lottery.
Let's be realistic. He is not going to become a great 3-pt shooter. It is unlikely that he will become even a good 3-pt shooter. But, as someone said, if he can learn to be a consistent shooter from 15 feet, that would be a huge breakthrough. Just be good enough to keep the defense honest and have to guard you away from the basket.
On another topic, Joe, your description of Grennan makes him sound like Jon Han. Would that be a good comparison?
Post by nashvillestag on Oct 21, 2012 9:16:24 GMT -5
Va., unfortunately I think you're right in that Nickerson is never going to be a great 3 pt. shooter as that is a skill that some players have the ability to do more than others, although you can always improve a little with extra work. I do not however ascribe to the theory as someone suggested above that because he missed them all yesterday proves he didn't work on them all summer (just as I know Robbie Cano going 1-30 something in the Detroit series proves he stopped working on his batting technique). It happens! In fact I actually think the fact that he was ready to attempt all these shots meant that he had been practicing them and he expected to make some. And this is a totally different attitude than he has shown in his first three years where he had no inclination to even pull the trigger even when wide open. So I almost look at it as a positive that that he wanted to take them. But you are right in that if he can get to the midrange area and score from there, then that would still create some space for his classic drives to the basket. BTW as far as the Grennan, Han comparisons, you may be onto something concerning his playing style in that Sean does seem to play with the same type of creative flare that Jon did before everthing fell apart in his career as a Stag. So yes I was generally impressed with what I saw from him and indeed wished he could be available this season.
In Colin's defense, the stats show that his shooting has improved every year. I don't think anyone will mistake him for Shane Miller, but the numbers have improved. If he can shoot 35% from 3 (which shouldn't be too big of a stretch) he could become very valuable.
Mikulic is now hurt too??? When I'm reading that the highlight of the scrimmage was a walk-on/manager who's hitting threes, I'm a little worried. No, check that ....A LOT WORRIED. Sorry to be a killjoy here. But regardless of how well we play defense, I'm now thinking that the various 6th place predictions might not be too far off base.
Last Edit: Oct 21, 2012 10:23:45 GMT -5 by HawkStag
To be honest, I think they should think about getting the walk-on some PT. I'm not kidding. He looked like he had a nice jumper. I know it was only a scrimmage, but from what I saw from Jenkins, he is no where near ready. He is going to need to develop for awhile. This kid had more skills than him...
I would not put too much stock in missing 3-pointers in the 1st scrimmage of the year. It looked like Nickerson did work on his shot as he was knocking them down in practice. He will be fine, just don't expect 40% from the arc. What he cannot do is let his missed shots affect the other parts of his game. Nickerson needs to play to his strengths and if he does that he should be great defensively, great in transition and OK in the half court..... that All MAAC to me.
What we really need is 3 guys on the perimeter that can shoot at all times. You can't play an "Effective Offense" with only 2 perimeter players. That's the main reason the Gray team with 3 perinmter players smoked the Red Team with 1-2 perimeter players. It was a slaughter. And the reason the Steven Johnson his 4 from the arc was because he was wide open on all 4...... And that was because Needham and Grennan drove, created the double team, and dished to Johnson, that he drained.
Wade did penetrate and dish , but not as effective as Needham/Grennan, as Nickerson was "somewhat open"..... but not as open as Steve Johnson. That Red team just did not have the perimeter threats.
IMO, best options to include another perimeter player are:
- Mikulic at a Center - Jenkins playnig some 3G - Van Nes getting healthy
I think all three are very good options, but they need experience and to get healthy. But that will come with more practice and confidence.
Last Edit: Oct 21, 2012 10:44:02 GMT -5 by JoeStag
To be honest, I think they should think about getting the walk-on some PT. I'm not kidding. He looked like he had a nice jumper. I know it was only a scrimmage, but from what I saw from Jenkins, he is no where near ready. He is going to need to develop for awhile. This kid had more skills than him...
Yes, Steven Johnson had a nice Jumper, but I would not go over-board on him. He was wide open, and played on a team that was destoying the other team. He does not have more skills than Jenkins, but he showed he can shoot and is more experienced than Jenkins as he has practiced with the team for 2 years.
So, I can see him getting minutes early in the season if he shoots like that. He does fill a specific need that we do have.
Jenkins looked like a deer in the headlights to me. Granted, he is still very green, but he is not the player I was expecting to see. Time will tell...
Post by nashvillestag on Oct 21, 2012 13:17:54 GMT -5
Hawk, try not to get too down based on one scrimmage and injury reports. Remember it is the middle of Oct., not the middle of Feb. As for your feeling that the event itself was a bit of a disappointment, I would say you were right. But I'm sure many teams in the MAAC as well as many others around the country have a lot of questions to be answered at this time of year. So keep the faith. And BTW many of these same teams have and will have various injuries as the season progresses, so yes there is a lot of luck involved in how those things can effect diffferent squads. But at least for now in checking directly with a couple inside sources I have been told that both Johnson and Mikulic will be back on the floor in a matter of days. And despite rumors to the contrary I was told that Van Nes will also be able to play soon (although I will admit that is a hard one to believe based on what we have been told in the past about him). But anyway, it is a long season so I wouldn't be ready to throw in the towel yet concerning what might happen.
So it seems like our senior guards will be playing a lot of minutes, really no problem there. Perhaps Mo can play some 3, letting Colin get more time at off-guard. However it works out, I expect to see Derek playing 36 minutes a game.
Glad to see Matthews is ready, and we knew Mo would be. But we really need Johnson, Mikulic and VVN to be ready too. The first month is not likely to be pretty.
I know it's very early and just a scrimmage. I get that. And I'm not throwing in the towel, not by a long stretch. Just frustrated because I expected a much better report, especially about our freshmen. Since two of them (three if you count Van Nes) didn't even suit up, I guess I shouldn't have hoped for better. I wasn't there, but there just seemed to be a lot of bad omens in the various posts, injuries, bad outside shooting, deer in the headlights look, lowering of expectations. This is the beginning of the season where hope springs eternal, right? And I'm already in a funk. There will be plenty of time for that during the season. Certainly sounds like we are a work in progress. In Sydney We Trust. Sorry for dumping my baggage on the board like this. I'll try to be more positive and upbeat. GO STAGS!
Last Edit: Oct 21, 2012 20:35:43 GMT -5 by HawkStag
So our freshman are playing like ........ Freshman. Is that really a surprise??? Is it disapointing that not one of the freshman had a great game. But that was due to a lack of experience, not a lack of talent. But only 3 of the 6 frosh were healthy enough to play.
Right now, the real key is that either Mikulic or Van Nes have to be able to give us 15-20 minutes of solid play at center to start the season. Not only do we need their Height on defense, but they are both skilled perimeter players on offense ..... a double benefit.
79, I see Gilbert getting backup minutes at the 3 over Barrow. Gilbert has some unique and exciting athletcism. A duo of Nickerson and Gilbert at the 3, should be a "Dynamic Duo" like Batman and Robin. Just don't expect great perimeter play in the half court
Derek - shooting and ball-handling Colin - speed and slashing ability Marcus - Athletic ability and developing shot Mo - Strong guy down low and rebounder Jossip - Skilled passer and shooter (from what i've heard)
with Coach's offense in place I think these guys can really mesh. Its hard cause this probably wont happen much because Dez needs to be in there but he is just so short with Derek being short also. If we play a bigger team I'd like to see this lineup though.