The first time since '86 (D. Coleman & Stevie Thompson) that the Cuse are going to get two highly touted big time McDonald's All Americans and I was pleased with what I saw. Johnny Flynn and Donte Greene right off the bat made a nice connection as teammates with a little three-point line lob toss from Flynn to Green who threw it down with authority. A little reminiscent of a "BRING YOUR LUNCH" throw down with authority (although not nearly as good as the Warrick dunk but a nice start to the Flynn/Greene Connection that we are hopefully going to see a lot of next year and in the years to come)
Breakdown: Greene is gifted there is no doubt about it, he can put up big numbers if he tries and he is a high riser. At 6'9' if he can bulk up a bit and work down low at the 4 and gather an outside touch we he definitely has as he can shoot the trey, this may be a nice addition to Syracuse (could be the best player since Melo).
Cons: At 6'9' he plays more like a guard than a big man, as I witnessed at the DWI and even last night, he is always trailing, rarely down low, and doesn't seem interested in playing defense. That's gonna have to change in the zone D and with a more all around offensive type game in college. You can pull of running the floor to create the razzed dazzle and trailing when you are not involved in the fast break, but I don't want to see that BS at the college level. He also needs to get big and play big, he just does not seem like a 4 rather a 3 and we have that position already full.
Breakdown: Flynn, I like this kid, he is what I call a UNC-type PG (IE similar ability in his quickness, court command, and tenacity as the Felton's, and the Cota's, of the world). Its about damn time Syracuse got a PG that can become an asset with his passing and speed and to couple that he can hit a three here and there as he did last night. He also stood in to take a charge down low something you never see in an all-star game so the fact he does the intangibles is going to be a big plus. I hope this guy is the best PG Syracuse has had since Sherm. Also he too had a nice dunk at the end of the half when I saw that I immediately text Davoli and said lets get these season tickets boy...
Cons: Didn't see enough of him playing last night so I am not certain what he lacks, at times he was quiet on the floor and would rather partake in the razzle dazzle but that's the way these all-star games work, it was a high flying dunk fest.
In all I was pleased with the performance of both players and I believe they will help to spark the Cuse back into the tournament and if they can stick around it might be a special bunch that can get back to the Final Four (I am not using the word championship but its possible if all of these guys including Harris and the rest coming in prove there hype)
Your thoughts, synopsis, breakdown of the Cuse recruits and the game in general...
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3 comments:
Actually the "BRING YOUR LUNCH" dunk was from Jonny (not Johnny) Flynn...he got up and threw down boy!!!
Signed,
Otto
Okay well, here are my thoughts. I personally did not see the game, but I do know that Syracuse had the two aforementioned players. Even though I am a UNC fan first, I hope everyone here knows that I route for Syracuse all the way. I am a fan and I own Syracuse gear, and I have been to plenty of games.
With that being said, I hope Syracuse doesn't fall into the "Duke" trap. What I mean is Duke has had a thousand McDonald's All Americans go through their program, but never have any depth. Duke played 6 guys this year, come on! I think Syrcause needs some serious depth this coming year. These two guys coming in will help for sure, along with Devo, Harris, and Routins. What is beyond the starting 5?
Remember the 2003 year: Carmello, McNamara, Warrick, Duaney, and Forth were the starters. Coming off the bench that year was Edelin, Pace, and McNeal. That was outstanding depth. You could have mixed any combination of those 8 players to start any given game. Where was the depth this year? First off thier starting 5 was shaky, and Harris gave them a spark off the bench. After that, there was nothing. Mike Jones transfered, Goreman has been nothing but garbage, and Josh Wright...umm yeah nuff said about him.
These "great" players that come in year in and year out at Duke and Syracuse need to be contributers to their teams. Weather it's as starters or solid role players. Of course you're hearing this from a UNC fan who watched UNC consistently play 12 guys all year. So there is a little jab that i'm making here.
My point is i'm very sick of the "Top 5 incoming class" hype. Produce already!!!
Greene: I don't see any way he's not a starter next year. I liked what I saw. He didn't ball hog like O.J. "the ball hog" Mayo. He threw down on some nice oops and he also hit a deep three with relative ease. He missed on one or two more but the stroke was nice and smooth. But you're looking at a guy who is really a 3 who will probably be forced to play the 4 next year due to the fact that Cuse has no PF to speak of. If Boehiem was smart he would let Greene (who has a much more polished offensive game but doesn't seem to be able to bang and body yet) play the 3 and let Harris (unpolished but a banger/rebounder/garbage scorer) play the 4. This would allow these two to play to their strengths instead of being so typecast by their heights. There is no "rule" that the 6'9" guy has to play PF and the 6'5" guy has to play SF, when if you look at their strengths and weakness, it should be the other way around. IMO, Greene would be a 12-14 ppg player at the 3 next year without question.
Flynn...well I have to say I am more impressed than I thought I would be. These all star games don't mean much but I am so impressed first off with the dishing ability. Flynn was playing under control, looking to dish and WOW WHAT UPS! His dunk was the highlight of the game. I am so impressed with this guy. Josh Wright may not be playing much next year if he is as good as he looks. Story I heard was that Flynn wasn't suppose to start the game but he impressed the coaches so much at the practices they decided to start him. How impressive do you have to be in order to win a starting job at that game?!?!
Next year's staring lineup should be:
1)Devo
2)Rautins
3)Greene/Harris
4)Harris/Greene
5)Arinze Onuaku
First off the bench: Flynn for Rautins, devo moves up to 2. Then you have Wright and Scoop still on the bench as well.
For the forwards: Jackson or DMB in for AO, Jackson in at PF sometimes as well. He is a 4/5 player.
Cant' wait boyyyyys. Season tickets next year.
Peace.
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