Any JJJ updates?

#51
#51
Roustabout said:
Sure, we have some pathetic schleps who enjoy pulling up old threads more than the actual success of a player.

I hope James gets healthy and finds his way. He may blossom into something, but I also wouldn’t be surprised if ends up behind these incoming players. I said multiple times he isn’t a PG.

All I’m saying is James has been disappointing. Vescovi on the other hand is what I’d expect from a 5-Star all American.
20 points and 8 assist.
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Santiago Vescovi
38801153-39D3-4A12-AD9A-3306A43E9F79.jpeg

Josiah Jordan James
6ED777DC-598D-4BA0-8C37-F10C070221FB.jpeg

They are performing very similarly in conference despite JJJ being injured. Yet JJJ is somehow disappointing. JJJ is also much better on defense.
 
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#52
#52
VEKZY said:
Santiago Vescovi
View attachment 261020

Josiah Jordan James
View attachment 261021

They are performing very similarly in conference despite JJJ being injured. Yet JJJ is somehow disappointing. JJJ is also much better on defense.
Click to expand...
As I predicted before the season. When JJJ doesn’t average 20/10/8, the VN bozos will see him a failure. It will happen next year, too. It’s almost like going from high school to major college ball is hard and bigger leap than most realize. 🤷🏻‍♂️
 
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#53
#53
cncchris33 said:
As I predicted before the season. When JJJ doesn’t average 20/10/8, the VN bozos will see him a failure. It will happen next year, too. It’s almost like going from high school to major college ball is hard and bigger leap than most realize. 🤷🏻‍♂️
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Even Santiago was overhyped before he started playing. He has had some really good games but has also had bad games. When he has a good game he is the best player of all time, when he has a bad game he is a mid major level talent. It’s wild how volatile everyone’s reactions are here. When we win, we are all of a sudden a tournament team, when we lose, no chance of making any tourney.
 
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#54
#54
pimo1 said:
A bit harsh but in this case its hard to really argue for him getting more minutes. But I think Barnes said it best, he just needs to learn to play more physical. I think his issue is less physical than mental. He is used to playing a finesse game which is common for European players coming to American ball. He has the tools to be good. There are guys in the NBA with fewer physical tools tan him producing quite well. I am a tad surprised though because the Serbians actually play a more physical style than most EU teams. If he can add just that bit of toughness he can turn the corner and I think that's what Barnes is waiting for. Put him out there and pull him if he is not playing well and let him see smaller guys go in and show the way but he has to get out there and feel it for the lesson to sink in. People keep saying how he's not physically gifted but for a 7 footer he has above-average athleticism.
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Above-average athleticism is generous. Comparing him to every person in the world that is 7ft, ok he is about the average of that group. Comparing him to 7ft males that compete in something athletically, he is probably better classified as average. Now that is not to say he can't be successful. He can. But he has very heavy feet, does not get off the floor quickly when he jumps, not much vertical and lacks the strength to hold his spot. He can improve in all those areas with strength and agility training. He does have good length though which helps him. Long arms compensate for some of those things. But he needs to strength and skill to be able to utilize that on offense.
 
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#55
#55
He’s got to learn to play like he’s 7’ tall. Get and hold good position on D. Hold your arms straight up and don’t bite on ball fakes. Being 7’ has its advantages in this sport but one has to utilize them
 
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#56
#56
VEKZY said:
Even Santiago was overhyped before he started playing. He has had some really good games but has also had bad games. When he has a good game he is the best player of all time, when he has a bad game he is a mid major level talent. It’s wild how volatile everyone’s reactions are here. When we win, we are all of a sudden a tournament team, when we lose, no chance of making any tourney.
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Haha...bingo! Welcome to the manic nature of our fan base. There is no middle ground. Everything and everyone is the best of all time, or the worst in 30 years.
 
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#57
#57
The longer term posters to the bball forum appeared to have more realistic expectations from my memory? Mostly the drive bys that are so manic
 
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#58
#58
JJJ got off to a slow start. But he’s been significantly better in league play. The other freshmen you see in the league that are better... Edwards, Watford, Maxey, Scottie Lewis... all of whom were rated higher. Okoro and maybe Shackelford are playing better but they were highly touted recruits too. Buts that’s probably it. JJJ is doing fine.

For perspective, check out Tre Mann
 
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#59
#59
golfballs said:
JJJ got off to a slow start. But he’s been significantly better in league play. The other freshmen you see in the league that are better... Edwards, Watford, Maxey, Scottie Lewis... all of whom were rated higher. Okoro and maybe Shackelford are playing better but they were highly touted recruits too. Buts that’s probably it. JJJ is doing fine.

For perspective, check out Tre Mann
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And who knows how is health and missing all of preseason affected JJJ’s start.
 
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#61
#61
Chris4Vols22 said:
I don't think it's even that. We've had long time posters who were/are off their rockers.
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A few yes, but not the majority from my recollection. I think the board as a whole is placing too high of expectations on the immediate impact of the incoming class. I may be wrong though if they all show up as effective as SV
 
#63
#63
I think people expected more from the young guys, because we needed them to be good for us to have a shot. Santi has adjusted pretty well overall, and brings a flair to the game we haven't seen here in a long time. JJJ is the jack of all trades, but master of none. I think most people, myself included, just look to him and think he can be giving you more on offense. He just needs to improve his handle and be able to attack the basket. That probably doesn't happen this year, but just look at how drastically different his jumpshot is as compared to the early part of the season. I said he'd never be a consistent shooter here, but I've never seen someone make as much progress on a jumper as he did in 3 months. Let him have a whole summer to improve and watch what he could become. Uros is just big right now, he has no other real skills. Those are things he can learn, just look at how much better Fulkerson, Pons, and Alexander became the longer they were here. He's got the physical tools, just needs to learn how to use them.

There's also clearly upside with Gaines, Pember, Nkamhou, and they'll be very nice to have over the next 3 seasons. Most teams that are competing for conference and national championships aren't playing 6 freshmen like we are. Think about us next year with 3 impact freshman, to go along with 6 experienced sophomores, one junior (Bailey) and 3 seniors. Most likely, we can redshirt somebody like Gaines and/or Pember. The year after that we'll have probably very experienced 5 juniors and at least one senior and sophomore, plus any freshman. We're set up very well for the next 2-3 years.
 
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#64
#64
rdk4121 said:
I think people expected more from the young guys, because we needed them to be good for us to have a shot. Santi has adjusted pretty well overall, and brings a flair to the game we haven't seen here in a long time. JJJ is the jack of all trades, but master of none. I think most people, myself included, just look to him and think he can be giving you more on offense. He just needs to improve his handle and be able to attack the basket. That probably doesn't happen this year, but just look at how drastically different his jumpshot is as compared to the early part of the season. I said he'd never be a consistent shooter here, but I've never seen someone make as much progress on a jumper as he did in 3 months. Let him have a whole summer to improve and watch what he could become. Uros is just big right now, he has no other real skills. Those are things he can learn, just look at how much better Fulkerson, Pons, and Alexander became the longer they were here. He's got the physical tools, just needs to learn how to use them.

There's also clearly upside with Gaines, Pember, Nkamhou, and they'll be very nice to have over the next 3 seasons. Most teams that are competing for conference and national championships aren't playing 7 freshmen like we are. Think about us next year with 3 impact freshman, to go along with 7 experienced sophomores, one junior (Bailey) and 3 seniors. Most likely, we can redshirt somebody like Gaines and/or Pember. The year after that we'll have probably very experienced 6 juniors and at least one senior and sophomore, plus any freshman. We're set up very well for the next 2-3 years.
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I was watching the replay from last night and thinking the same thing.Should be a very competitive practice environment also.
 
#65
#65
rdk4121 said:
I think people expected more from the young guys, because we needed them to be good for us to have a shot. Santi has adjusted pretty well overall, and brings a flair to the game we haven't seen here in a long time. JJJ is the jack of all trades, but master of none. I think most people, myself included, just look to him and think he can be giving you more on offense. He just needs to improve his handle and be able to attack the basket. That probably doesn't happen this year, but just look at how drastically different his jumpshot is as compared to the early part of the season. I said he'd never be a consistent shooter here, but I've never seen someone make as much progress on a jumper as he did in 3 months. Let him have a whole summer to improve and watch what he could become. Uros is just big right now, he has no other real skills. Those are things he can learn, just look at how much better Fulkerson, Pons, and Alexander became the longer they were here. He's got the physical tools, just needs to learn how to use them.

There's also clearly upside with Gaines, Pember, Nkamhou, and they'll be very nice to have over the next 3 seasons. Most teams that are competing for conference and national championships aren't playing 6 freshmen like we are. Think about us next year with 3 impact freshman, to go along with 6 experienced sophomores, one junior (Bailey) and 3 seniors. Most likely, we can redshirt somebody like Gaines and/or Pember. The year after that we'll have probably very experienced 5 juniors and at least one senior and sophomore, plus any freshman. We're set up very well for the next 2-3 years.
Click to expand...
Barnes cant recuit tho...
 
#67
#67
therickbol said:
Above-average athleticism is generous. Comparing him to every person in the world that is 7ft, ok he is about the average of that group. Comparing him to 7ft males that compete in something athletically, he is probably better classified as average. Now that is not to say he can't be successful. He can. But he has very heavy feet, does not get off the floor quickly when he jumps, not much vertical and lacks the strength to hold his spot. He can improve in all those areas with strength and agility training. He does have good length though which helps him. Long arms compensate for some of those things. But he needs to strength and skill to be able to utilize that on offense.
Click to expand...
You've obviously not seen many NBA games there are lots of 7 footers in the NBA and G-league.. most of them are a lot heavier of foot then he. The difference is we remember the few that stand out not realizing they are outliers.
 
#69
#69
pimo1 said:
You've obviously not seen many NBA games there are lots of 7 footers in the NBA and G-league.. most of them are a lot heavier of foot then he. The difference is we remember the few that stand out not realizing they are outliers.
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Agree to disagree.
 
#71
#71
VEKZY said:
Santiago Vescovi
View attachment 261020

Josiah Jordan James
View attachment 261021

They are performing very similarly in conference despite JJJ being injured. Yet JJJ is somehow disappointing. JJJ is also much better on defense.
Click to expand...

It should also be stated that one of them has been here since June and played and lived his entire life in the States while the other came over six weeks ago, English is his second language and doesn’t have the athleticism of the other player. Yet watching them you would think Vescovi was the 5*
 
#73
#73
zjcvols said:
It should also be stated that one of them has been here since June and played and lived his entire life in the States while the other came over six weeks ago, English is his second language and doesn’t have the athleticism of the other player. Yet watching them you would think Vescovi was the 5*
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All fine things to make note of, but none of them point to JJJ registering as a disappointment, which was the point he was trying to contend.

It should also be pointed out that Vescovi may have just arrived in the states 7 weeks ago, but he was pretty much participating in an extended preseason camp playing in the NBA Global Academy. It’s not as if we picked him up from the marketplace fish stand in a 3rd world country, either. He was being groomed for this kind of role, early on.

Both guys are great players and both are outperforming many other 5* players from the 2019 class.
 
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#74
#74
Pons is an elite shot blocker, but not the best defender on our team. TBH, I think Fulkerson is our best defender
 
#75
#75
golfballs said:
Pons is an elite shot blocker, but not the best defender on our team. TBH, I think Fulkerson is our best defender
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Fulkerson is our best defender with Bowden next.

As for how people are so fickle with players it reminds me of back home

The first ground ball hit to you is your legacy. Catch it and you are Brooks Robinson forever. Miss it and the rest of your career matters not. It was comical
 
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