New commit?

[NowherePoke]

Agreed about James being a pure wing. He started at point his junior year and lists himself as a two guard. He seems to be most effective when outside or moving towards the basket.

I know the coaches really want a stretch four. That's where I think he fits in the short term. I agree with you that he would probably wear down defensively in the post if he plays a lot of man. I just don't see us playing much man next year with our inexperience and thin physiques in the post. I'm expecting a lot of 2-3 zone next year, where he wouldn't have to bang as much.

I don't know if James at the four is the answer or if the 2-3 is the answer but I know we'll play a lot of zone. That's why I think it will work: when he pulls a big to the perimeter and can cover a wing in the 2-3. Then he'll be effective on both ends of the floor.

I know SF or 2 guard is James future. I just think he's going to get opportunities at the four THIS season due to the youth/inexperience/lack of bodies in the post. I certainly don't want or expect him to play pf permanently.

I still want/expect him to play SF. He'll get minutes there for sure. I just think our best lineup will have him AND Mcmanamen on the floor at the same time and I don't expect Jason to play much two guard. JJ might play the two, but we have an abundance of guards on the roster. If that means four out and one in, then we'll probably do that.

I'm not concerned about us defensively. Any team Shy coaches is one of the best in the country on defense. I'm worried about the offense. We lost Cookes 10 points a game in the post. We lost Nances 15 a game in the post. We don't have a proven paint offensive option. Adams will get his. McManamen is the most clutch shooter we have. Where else does the offense come from? I'm betting its going to come from the perimeter. That's the other reason I think JJ will get minutes at PF in a four out/one in offense.

I agree with you about playing zone. With the 30 second shot clock, Shyatt would love nothing more than to coax the opposition into wasting 10-15 seconds passing the ball around the perimeter.

 

[DVDA]

Interesting 2-3 zone possibility in the future:

G: 6'5" Gorski
G: 6'7" James
F: 6'9" Dalton - long arms
F: 6'9" Herndon - long arms
C: 6'9" Barnes - 250 pound anchor

James and Barnes run the pick and roll with three shooters spreading the floor. The possibilities with the current crop are really exciting to think about.

 

[POKE FAN]

Here's a pic of Dalton swatting away a shot by sheep commit Jeremiah Paige. Hopefully, more of this to come down the road in the Border War (courtesy Denver Post):