I think you misunderstood. I was pointing out that he's not replacing Jacobson's roster spot, he's replacing Anderson or Griffin's roster spot. That's a clear upgrade.
Justin Smith
- Thread starter nallen34
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You could say the same thing that he is taking Haliburton's scholarship. Then it is a clear downgrade. We are talking about position in the starting 5 more than anything.
I understand those are the guys that were suppose to play the 4 but in the end MJ started their every game. His inability to defend that spot IMO was a major key in our defensive breakdown.
I'd say Johnson is our upgrade over Griffin and Lewis.
As for Anderson, leaving one spot open would be a push.
I made the comparison to Anderson and Griffin because Smith plays the same position.
Because Jacobson wouldnt be on the team next year regardless. The other two would have been if they hadnt transferred.
Sigh. Smith would replace Jacobson as the starting 4. Offense-only stats could be cherry-picked to make it seem like a wash, but my (ahem) strong suspicion is that if you broke it down and compared only minutes at the 4 vs. P6 opponents, and also evaluated defensive assignments and percentage of available rebounds, it would show that Smith is a much better 4. He also fills what, excluding freshmen, is the biggest hole on the team.
Smith and Johnson should provide, worst case, near-replacement-level minutes at the 3 and 4. The 19-20 team arguably had no one (Halliburton at 3?) that could do that. Stats are good, but fit is a critical thing too.
Smith and Johnson should provide, worst case, near-replacement-level minutes at the 3 and 4. The 19-20 team arguably had no one (Halliburton at 3?) that could do that. Stats are good, but fit is a critical thing too.
No, he’d be replacing Jacobsons starting spot.
Jacobson was the starter at the 4, not Leech or Anderson. Sure he’d replace their roster spot, but that’s irrelevant.
The only guys we had to play 3-4 last year were either --
too small, out of position, better as a 1-2 (e.g., Bolton and Jackson)
too slow, out of position, better as a 5 (e.g., Jacobson and Conditt)
just not very good at this level of ball (e.g., Lewis and Griffin)
I hope we have some guys for those spots who are natural there and talented enough to at least be viable Big 12 players there for the next season.
Losing Tyrese is going to hurt. No doubt. We take a step back at the 1.
But if we take a step forward everywhere else, and pretty huge steps at the 3-4 and with our bench guys, then maybe we can make up for it.
A team without athletic, rangy, and 3&D wings is just asking for it in 2020.
Good point, this year it could be Lands (1-3) and Johnson (3-4) with hoping a freshman could man the spot, Adding Smith (3-4) would allow Lands to focus on 1-2 and be insurance for Javian's transition to the P6 play. Foster will factor in the 4.
JCL isn't a 1 or primary ball handler. He'll be an off guard and used best as a spot up shooter. I think Smith would play almost only at the "4" but would be on the wing a lot in that spot. JJ probably will have some versatility as a "3" in our bigger lineup and a "4" in smaller lineups.
Smith's game reminds me (at least his highlights) reminds me a lot of what Fizer use to do. Freelance thru the lane then attack the basket when he gets an angle.
NO I'M NOT SAYING HE'LL PUT UP MARCUS TYPE NUMBERS!!!
So, even further in the past then Nebraska. Thanks for proving my point.
My comparison is more "does Smith make us better"? His scholarship comes directly from Anderson and Griffin transferring. That's why I'm comparing Smith to them. We are better off with the scholarship being used on him. We are getting better this off season by replacing players who transferred out with better players who are transferring in.
Comparing him to Jacobson for a prediction of whether or not next year's team will be better than last year's is valid.
We are comparing two different things.
I absolutely agree we're coming out on the plus side of the spring transfer season.