Niang over Booker

[CYCLONECORY]

I like what Niang did last night @ Cap City league. I know, I know, little defense... He has a very high motor, can spot up from deep, has excellent hands can catch
anything, can play with either hand, and has a variety of post up moves. I'd like to see him play minutes over Booker? Who's with me?

 

[CyBer]

I'd like to see who ever is best out on the court. Niang is a freeman and is going to make freshman mistakes. Booker is a senior and is a very hard player. I doubt Niang is going to score this easily in big12 play.

 

[TyCy]

Agreed. Niang is a freeman.

 

[Cybeliever]

Hey I'm a Freeman too!

 

[Mesaclone1]

I think its more about putting the right guy in against the right matchups...and both will be in the rotation quite a bit I'd guess. They bring some different abilities to the table...and Fred will use them where they fit.

 

[clonedude]

May the best man win.

However.. I still think Booker will get the most minutes this year. He's just so much more experienced. He knows what it takes to get it done on this level.

With that being said though... Niang has a MUCH higher upside than Booker ever did. Niang is just a VERY skilled player. Has great post moves, can use both hands equally well, possibly a better shooter (debatable), better ball handler, and higher motor too. The sky is the limit for Niang IMO. He can be as good as he wants to be. I just think he will probably take a little time to adjust to this level of play, which Booker won't. But Niang is going to be very valuable for us this year IMO. He will play quite a bit. He's just too skilled not to.

 

[Rhoadhoused]

I think he will be able to score around 8-10 points a game with 15 or 20 minutes, but his defense will decide his playing time IMO. If he can be a decent defender his minutes will skyrocket.

 

[CYCLONECORY]

I really liked his post defense (Niang) displayed last night vs. Brackins, the few opportunities that took place he actually did very well. He did a great job of forcing him off the block and contested his shot. Brackins always had to go to the 2nd option/move, even though he hit a couple incredibly difficult shots. Booker brings a shot blocking ability and played very good post defense at times last year. I agree Niang can help us out a lot with limited minutes because of his motor. Competition, that's what great teams are made from!

 

[JimDogRock]

Booker isn't an upper 20s minutes type of guy, so Niang will get decent minutes. Unless he;s going to really change his play style, but I hope he doesn't. He plays so hard he burns himself out quickly.

 

[GMackey32]

Hey I'm a Freeman too!

I wish I were a freeman...:sad:

 

[rebecacy]

I'm a freemason,.... does that count??

 

[Cyclonepride]

Both are going to get quality minutes and be important to our success. I'm really excited about Niang, but also think Booker showed a ton of potential last year. Just needs to keep it under control and out of foul trouble.

 

[Three4Cy]

I think people need to not worry about what guys are doing in the no defense, score at will CCL as a gauge of a players ability in D1 college basketball. Niang has huge potential, but the guy hasn't played a minute of college basketball.

 

[WhatchaGonnaDo]

Hey you guys remember Tavon Sledge?

 

[Cybeliever]

Hey you guys remember Tavon Sledge?

Who is this Sledge person?

 

[CYCLONECORY]

It was apparent @ CCL last year, Sledge couldn't shoot. Niang can!

 

[CYcoFan]

For me the argument isn't so much Niang starting over Booker, but how much has Percy stepped up his game this offseason. I would have no problem getting Booker under the basket more playing the 5. Booker is our best shot blocker and I could see times where Niang and Booker are on the floor together against teams without a traditional 5.

With that said they may be times when Booker and Gibson are needed at 4 and 5 against bigger teams. I guess to sum it up I think it is a fluid situation.

 

[clonedude]

So, based off the photos someone posted on this website, Niang is an inch or two taller than Royce White. Royce was listed at 6'8" last year, but I don't think he was really that tall?

So how tall do you think Niang really is? My guess is that Royce is more like 6'6" or 6'7", so I'd guess Niang is probably close to a true 6'8". Would that be accurate to say?

 

[CyBer]

Niang is probably 6'8 or 6'9

 

[Rural]

May the best man win.

However.. I still think Booker will get the most minutes this year. He's just so much more experienced. He knows what it takes to get it done on this level.

With that being said though... Niang has a MUCH higher upside than Booker ever did. Niang is just a VERY skilled player. Has great post moves, can use both hands equally well, possibly a better shooter (debatable), better ball handler, and higher motor too. The sky is the limit for Niang IMO. He can be as good as he wants to be. I just think he will probably take a little time to adjust to this level of play, which Booker won't. But Niang is going to be very valuable for us this year IMO. He will play quite a bit. He's just too skilled not to.

You make it sound like he's coming in from 1A Iowa high school ball. He's been playing against (and with) the big boys for a while now.