Scotty Hopson

[Heebs]

Why do you think Pearl has hurt his development?

 

[KingNick865]

Why do you think Pearl has hurt his development?

I think it was the system and the style of play Pearl runs more than anything else.

I'm not saying Pearl did it on purpose, but I just don't know if Hopson was a good fit. Although those with more basketball knowledge than me, feel free to talk me down.

 

[zjcvols]

Scotty Hopson seems to have no confidence in himself whatsoever. I didn't watch the game last night, but I heard that all he did last night was run down the floor with his head down, kind of in a daze, or unaware of what he was doing.

You know, I think he really did have the potential to be a great, great basketball player. And he still might. But I just question how much that Bruce Pearl might have hurt his development. It might not be as much as I think it is, but I do think that playing under Coach Pearl has hurt him to an extent. That being said, he could definitely work a lot harder than he has.

I don't know why, but it just seems players don't develop like they should with Pearl. Now, players have made strides with him: Lofton, Chism, Bradshaw. But guys like Woolridge, Prince (until the last half), Crews, Childress, etc.

 

[zjcvols]

I think it was the system and the style of play Pearl runs more than anything else.

I'm not saying Pearl did it on purpose, but I just don't know if Hopson was a good fit. Although those with more basketball knowledge than me, feel free to talk me down.

I think that's more evident in football. Basketball, I believe, any player can play your style. Now maybe you don't want three 6'10, 250 lb guys playing a press/fastbreak system. However, it's not like Pearl is asking Hopson to do anything not above his game. He's ask to: Play good D, Hit outside jumpers, take it to the rack and finish strong, hit free throws. Hopson has the talent to do that.

 

[KingNick865]

I think that's more evident in football. Basketball, I believe, any player can play your style. Now maybe you don't want three 6'10, 250 lb guys playing a press/fastbreak system. However, it's not like Pearl is asking Hopson to do anything not above his game. He's ask to: Play good D, Hit outside jumpers, take it to the rack and finish strong, hit free throws. Hopson has the talent to do that.

I agree with that for the most part.

I don't know though. My thought has always been that just because somebody is a guard who can shoot doesn't mean that they're a correct fit for Pearl's offense.

I think he'd greatly benefit from a complete drop of the CC style of play though.

 

[LawVol13]

Not really. Yarbrough was about the same at this stage. Soft player who had the physical ability to dominate but didn't put forth the effort and just looked for the 3 point shot. I think they are very similar.

No, he wasn't. Yarbrough averaged 15 pts and 7 rebs a game as a Sophomore. He averaged 14 and 8 his Junior Year and 18 and 8 his senior year. I don't see Hopson doing that.

 

[zjcvols]

I agree with that for the most part.

I don't know though. My thought has always been that just because somebody is a guard who can shoot doesn't mean that they're a correct fit for Pearl's offense.

I think he'd greatly benefit from a complete drop of the CC style of play though.

It's funny though. Hopson has a nice jumper. Who were Pearl's three best players not named Weezy? Watson, Lofton, and J.Smith. What do all those guys have in common? They shot the lights out. I'm not saying Hopson can shoot like them, but I think Pearl's offense is meant for guys who can shoot.

And last year they didn't play C.C., and he was still Hopson.

 

[Heebs]

I don't know why, but it just seems players don't develop like they should with Pearl. Now, players have made strides with him: Lofton, Chism, Bradshaw. But guys like Woolridge, Prince (until the last half), Crews, Childress, etc.

Eh...I don't know if those are good examples.

Woolridge is not a good player; he, like Hopson, was just playing inferior competition in HS and are tall, athletic guys who dominated.

Prince was only here for 2.5 years and I'd say he reached his potential. It's not Pearl's fault he had the worst shooting form ever.

Crews was only here for 2 years and was woefully undersized for the position he was forced to play.

Childress? That guy blew. Period.

 

[Heebs]

It's funny though. Hopson has a nice jumper. Who were Pearl's three best players not named Weezy? Watson, Lofton, and J.Smith. What do all those guys have in common? They shot the lights out. I'm not saying Hopson can shoot like them, but I think Pearl's offense is meant for guys who can shoot.

And last year they didn't play C.C., and he was still Hopson.

They were self-motivated and the opposite of Hopson. They had doubters and worked to prove them wrong.

Hopson is still waiting for it to all fall into place.

 

[zjcvols]

Eh...I don't know if those are good examples.

Woolridge is not a good player; he, like Hopson, was just playing inferior competition in HS and are tall, athletic guys who dominated.

Prince was only here for 2.5 years and I'd say he reached his potential. It's not Pearl's fault he had the worst shooting form ever.

Crews was only here for 2 years and was woefully undersized for the position he was forced to play.

Childress? That guy blew. Period.

Well, then Pearl isn't a great evaluator of talent then?

I don't think JP reaches his potential for 2 years. He had a good 4 months, and that was it. He was the same player mostly.

Crews was 6'7/240. I don't think that's undersized to play the 4.

Childress not a good example.

But look at Weezy. There was a little improvement, but not anything drastic until the New Years Incident.

Tyler Smith actually got worse.

I don't think Pearl is a great developer of talent.

 

[zjcvols]

They were self-motivated and the opposite of Hopson. They had doubters and worked to prove them wrong.
Hopson is still waiting for it to all fall into place.

That's the biggest point of them all, but I was stating that I don't think Hopson not fitting the option is the problem.

 

[SeanJean]

Wow, some ridiculous analysis going on in here about Pearl's "development" skills.

Anyway, bottom line: Hopson is soft as all get out, and until that changes, the kid won't be a top player. When he decides to grow a pair, play with intensity, and attack the basket, he'll be a force. Also, he needs to learn how to handle the dang ball. He dribbles like a 7 foot center. I've never seen a kid get so many balls stripped.

 

[BasketvolsFan]

Hopson is Hopson. If he hasn't changed by now, he isn't going to.