Mid year take on the transfers

**VeloClone** · 01-16-2012, 08:51 AM

Originally Posted by Cloned4Life

I've heard this too. But I will agree with a poster above that Freddy appears to be the "hardest" on Booker, giving him very little benefit of the doubt. Not sure why that is because in all the interviews Book seems to have a great attitude.

I can't believe I'm saying this but I was expecting Anthony to get MORE shots based on how smooth/sweet his stroke looked in capital city league. He's got great arch and great form. It really is buttery smooth for a guy his size. I think you gotta start getting him at least 5 looks from 3 a game. If he starts missing all 5, back off. But if he's making 2-3, or hell 4+, that is HUGE off the bench.

He really is a tremendous athlete too, I hope he continues to battle hard on D and work on his inside game offensively. I think he's got some "game" downlow but he seems reluctant to show it (at times).

I'm a big Anthony Booker fan and I think he needs a few more minutes.

Perhaps if Fred is hardest on him it is because he sees a huge potential; that he has almost the largest real room for growth. Or maybe he has just figured out that Booker responds best to that style of coaching. Or maybe Booker repeatedly makes the same mistakes and needs more vigorous reminding.

Or maybe Fred isn't harder on him, it's just some people's perceptions.

**St810s** · 01-16-2012, 08:58 AM

Originally Posted by Clone5

Very small disagreement but Chris Allen is not a + defender.

I think it is hard to judge Allen's defense because he is technically guarding off his natural position. Babb and Allen are both 2/3's, but Allen has to guard the smaller, quicker 1's while Babb gets to guard the other teams best 2/3. I think everyone would say Allen was the better defender if their roles were reversed.

**CycloneJames** · 01-16-2012, 09:10 AM

Originally Posted by St810s

I think it is hard to judge Allen's defense because he is technically guarding off his natural position. Babb and Allen are both 2/3's, but Allen has to guard the smaller, quicker 1's while Babb gets to guard the other teams best 2/3. I think everyone would say Allen was the better defender if their roles were reversed.

I think if Allen was our best defender he would be guarding the other teams best player, like Babb has been all season long.

**JJ4ISU** · 01-16-2012, 09:17 AM

Royce - His size is impressive, even in conference play he is overwhelming big time opponents. I thought his inside offensive game would be a little more developed, but I think he has shown improvement this season.

Babb - Better shooter than I thought, but not as good of an all-around scorer as he could be. He has decent size - he could be a more productive all-around scorer if he worked on it. Great defender - love how hard he works.

Allen - Not nearly the player I thought he would be. I thought he would be more explosive around the basket and a better ball handler. For a 5th yr senior, his decision making is pretty suspect, too.

Booker - Less of a post presence than I thought and a much better outside threat than I thought. His defense is improving, but still lets guys get too deep on the block on him.

**Clone5** · 01-16-2012, 09:21 AM

Originally Posted by St810s

I think it is hard to judge Allen's defense because he is technically guarding off his natural position. Babb and Allen are both 2/3's, but Allen has to guard the smaller, quicker 1's while Babb gets to guard the other teams best 2/3. I think everyone would say Allen was the better defender if their roles were reversed.

Babb has the much harder defensive job almost every night. Allen gets to guard guys his size. Allen struggles to get out and contest shots and he is awful against screen and rolls. His help defense has gotten better though. I'm sure Fred talked to him about that after the first few games.

**St810s** · 01-16-2012, 09:39 AM

Originally Posted by CycloneJames

I think if Allen was our best defender he would be guarding the other teams best player, like Babb has been all season long.

I agree. Just saying that I think Babb is guarding his natural position while Allen is not.

**Clone5** · 01-16-2012, 10:12 AM

Originally Posted by St810s

I agree. Just saying that I think Babb is guarding his natural position while Allen is not.

Defense is usually more about size and speed rather than position. That being said, Allen is guarding his natural position.

**Clonefan32** · 01-16-2012, 10:21 AM

Originally Posted by CycloneJames

To the poster who said they wouldn't expect Book to keep hitting them at a high level, I say why not? It is not like he has poor shot selection. He has probably shown the best shot selection of any of our shooters. If he continues to only take the wide open looks, I'm confident he will continue to knock them down. Maybe not at an 80% clip like I think he is now, but he can still hit over 50%, I think.

As far as his down low game, we seem to abandon it when Royce isn't in the game. If White is in, we will absolutely try to get him the ball. But if he's out and its either Booker or Gibson, it seems like we play around the perimeter a ton and rely on the drives. So while I expected more down low from Booker (especially with his body size) I think its more a product of our system than him not playing well. Just my 2 cents anyway.

Whoever said Fred doesn't want Booker shooting threes is way off. I saw Fred get after Booker a bit after he passed up a wide open three and traveled trying to drive.

**Wesley** · 01-16-2012, 10:36 AM

Our big point guard takes no prisoners.

**Cloned4Life** · 01-16-2012, 10:38 AM

Originally Posted by Clonefan32

Whoever said Fred doesn't want Booker shooting threes is way off. I saw Fred get after Booker a bit after he passed up a wide open three and traveled trying to drive.

Replay (in slow mo) showed he did not (by rule anyway) travel, although refs LOVE to call these situations travels. They literally don't even look at the feet, then just see the quick movement and they they are cool and call the travel. Frustrates the hell out of me.

Would have been a sweet drive and dunk by Booker.

**WhatchaGonnaDo** · 01-16-2012, 11:24 AM

"Playing out of position" is a poor excuse. While it may be true, his role on the team will not change. It is what it is. You have to accept it

**Wesley** · 01-16-2012, 11:33 AM

"Folks, we are looking for a new point guard volunteer. SC, you tried valiantly. CA, you must pass more and shoot less. Royce, you charge into the pile too much. Babb, it is your turn. Expect people to boo."

**ajk4st8** · 01-16-2012, 11:55 AM

Im shocked how well Allen has performed at PG after Tyrus failed to be good enough to play in the Big 12 at PG as planned.

Booker's shot blocking is much better than I expected.

Babb is a much better defender.

**Wesley** · 01-16-2012, 12:07 PM

I want screens and setups for Booker to shoot threes. We can have an inside out game. Put the big outside and send the guards inside for rebounds. Or play Booker at shooting guard.

Let it rain threes from the arc from the big man

We had Jamie V doing it last year.

**cyrobb** · 01-16-2012, 03:22 PM

Royce- there is not a better all around player in the Big XII, and even better is he is not a fit for the NBA. He could be here through his Senior season making him one of the best players in the nation. Can you imagine if Barnes would have come here?

Babb- I was not excepting a ton other than 3 point spot up shooter, his defense is awesome he will be almost impossiable to replace. He does the hustle plays the others won't go after. I think he is a leader on the floor through his tough play. He has impressed me the most of all.

Allen- Could be great, but trying to do to much. He's trying to score 40 every time out when all we need is 10 points, and 5 dishes. He gets this down and look out league.

Booker- This guy is tough, and has a sweet shot. Get him some more minutes.