I think Ag did one of these threads last off-season, and I thought it was a good idea. I thought I'd start one up for this year.
Here's what I'd like to see each player - that played regularly - work on in the off-season:
Anthlon Bell - At this point, what we've seen with Anthlon is probably what we're going to get. I think everyone wants to see him become the 40%+ 3 pt shooter we thought he was going to be coming out of HS. That may not be realistic at this point. However, he still has the reputation as a shooter and defenders still run at him as if he's a knockdown shooter. He's developed a nice pump fake, and then take 2 steps inside the 3 pt line and shoot move. And, he's knocked it down at a decent rate. I'd like to see him develop a little runner from 8 ft and in during the off-season. He's not someone that's going to get all the way to the rim and score through contact. But, an 8 ft runner before he gets to the help defense would be a nice addition to his game. I would say he needs to improve on defense, but what are the odds?
Jacorey Williams - Where to begin? As of right now, Jacorey's probably our starting PF. My dream scenario for Jacorey is to consistently knock down that jumper from the elbow that defenses freely give him. That may be unrealistic on my part. But, it'd be nice if Jacorey developed any kind of offensive game. And, he needs to get back to shooting FT's at a 65% to 70% clip. The 42% he was at this year is a benchable offense. Among regulars, Jacorey had the worst offensive rating on the team. If he's going to get the minutes he's in line for, that's going to have to improve a lot.
Anton Beard - 2 things on Beard. 1. Keep working on that outside shot. Our offense was really clicking when Beard got hot during the middle of conference play. We'll need him to play more like that for a full season instead of just a 5 or 6 game stretch. And 2., he seemed to still have some baby fat on him last season. I think that affected his defensive play, and may have contributed to the wall he hit at the end of the season. If he gets in better shape, he'll stay in front of his man on defense better, and it'll help him get in the lane on offense. Among guards, he's our best finisher through contact (I know Manuale was better on 2 pointers, but that was shooting that push shot, not against contact). Having someone that gets in the lane, and create something, consistently would be a big boost to the offense (hopefully Whitt helps in this area too). Beard can be that guy.
Jabril Durham - Get stronger. Durham was AWFUL in the lane last year. He made only 20.8% of his 2 pointers last year. That is an unacceptable number. He couldn't finish a layup to save his life. Minimal contact threw him off. He needs to get stronger to help finish at the rim. He was actually one of better players at beating his man off the dribble. He just couldn't do anything after that. He was also a terrible defender. He finished last on the team in Defensive Rating (barely "beating" out Bell for that honor). He was just too weak to keep players in front of him. Gaining some strength would help there as well. He did quietly became a consistent 3 pt shooter the last half of the season.
Manuale Watkins - Develop a 3 pt shot. Watkins was 0-7 on 3's last season. Too many times last year we'd have the defense scrambling and the ball would rotate to Manuale and it'd kill the possession because the defense knew he wasn't going to shoot. We all know how good he is with that push shot in the lane. If he could turn into just a 35% 3 pt shooter that'd be a huge weapon for him. He'd have more guys running at him and would allow him to give a pump fake, and drive by them to get in the lane for that push shot.
Moses Kingsley - There's so much potential here it's hard to just name 1 thing I'd like to see him improve. Most of all, I'd like to see him work on 1 offensive move. A jump hook, being the most obvious option. It appears Moses will be, far and away, our best big (as scary as that sounds). He's in line to play close to 30 minutes a game. Right now he gets most of his points off rebounds, pick and rolls, etc...If he could develop a post move and approach 10 ppg next year that'd be huge. Also, he needs to play under more control. He was the team leader in fouls per 40 minutes at 5.7. He'll be much too important for us for him to be in foul trouble all year. That was an underrated part of Portis' game. He was never in foul trouble. A rare trait for a big man. I probably have higher expectations than most for Moses. His per 40 minute #'s were still pretty good (13 ppg and 9 rpg per 40 min) even though he tailed off from his freshman production (14 ppg and 11 rpg per 40). With a good off-season he could average 10 points and 8 rebounds, to go along with 2 to 3 blocks per game.
Babb - Sigh. I really wish he had stayed.
It's hard to have an opinion on Thompson and Miles since they played so little. From what I did see, though, Thompson needs to work on foot speed and strength.
Here's what I'd like to see each player - that played regularly - work on in the off-season:
Anthlon Bell - At this point, what we've seen with Anthlon is probably what we're going to get. I think everyone wants to see him become the 40%+ 3 pt shooter we thought he was going to be coming out of HS. That may not be realistic at this point. However, he still has the reputation as a shooter and defenders still run at him as if he's a knockdown shooter. He's developed a nice pump fake, and then take 2 steps inside the 3 pt line and shoot move. And, he's knocked it down at a decent rate. I'd like to see him develop a little runner from 8 ft and in during the off-season. He's not someone that's going to get all the way to the rim and score through contact. But, an 8 ft runner before he gets to the help defense would be a nice addition to his game. I would say he needs to improve on defense, but what are the odds?
Jacorey Williams - Where to begin? As of right now, Jacorey's probably our starting PF. My dream scenario for Jacorey is to consistently knock down that jumper from the elbow that defenses freely give him. That may be unrealistic on my part. But, it'd be nice if Jacorey developed any kind of offensive game. And, he needs to get back to shooting FT's at a 65% to 70% clip. The 42% he was at this year is a benchable offense. Among regulars, Jacorey had the worst offensive rating on the team. If he's going to get the minutes he's in line for, that's going to have to improve a lot.
Anton Beard - 2 things on Beard. 1. Keep working on that outside shot. Our offense was really clicking when Beard got hot during the middle of conference play. We'll need him to play more like that for a full season instead of just a 5 or 6 game stretch. And 2., he seemed to still have some baby fat on him last season. I think that affected his defensive play, and may have contributed to the wall he hit at the end of the season. If he gets in better shape, he'll stay in front of his man on defense better, and it'll help him get in the lane on offense. Among guards, he's our best finisher through contact (I know Manuale was better on 2 pointers, but that was shooting that push shot, not against contact). Having someone that gets in the lane, and create something, consistently would be a big boost to the offense (hopefully Whitt helps in this area too). Beard can be that guy.
Jabril Durham - Get stronger. Durham was AWFUL in the lane last year. He made only 20.8% of his 2 pointers last year. That is an unacceptable number. He couldn't finish a layup to save his life. Minimal contact threw him off. He needs to get stronger to help finish at the rim. He was actually one of better players at beating his man off the dribble. He just couldn't do anything after that. He was also a terrible defender. He finished last on the team in Defensive Rating (barely "beating" out Bell for that honor). He was just too weak to keep players in front of him. Gaining some strength would help there as well. He did quietly became a consistent 3 pt shooter the last half of the season.
Manuale Watkins - Develop a 3 pt shot. Watkins was 0-7 on 3's last season. Too many times last year we'd have the defense scrambling and the ball would rotate to Manuale and it'd kill the possession because the defense knew he wasn't going to shoot. We all know how good he is with that push shot in the lane. If he could turn into just a 35% 3 pt shooter that'd be a huge weapon for him. He'd have more guys running at him and would allow him to give a pump fake, and drive by them to get in the lane for that push shot.
Moses Kingsley - There's so much potential here it's hard to just name 1 thing I'd like to see him improve. Most of all, I'd like to see him work on 1 offensive move. A jump hook, being the most obvious option. It appears Moses will be, far and away, our best big (as scary as that sounds). He's in line to play close to 30 minutes a game. Right now he gets most of his points off rebounds, pick and rolls, etc...If he could develop a post move and approach 10 ppg next year that'd be huge. Also, he needs to play under more control. He was the team leader in fouls per 40 minutes at 5.7. He'll be much too important for us for him to be in foul trouble all year. That was an underrated part of Portis' game. He was never in foul trouble. A rare trait for a big man. I probably have higher expectations than most for Moses. His per 40 minute #'s were still pretty good (13 ppg and 9 rpg per 40 min) even though he tailed off from his freshman production (14 ppg and 11 rpg per 40). With a good off-season he could average 10 points and 8 rebounds, to go along with 2 to 3 blocks per game.
Babb - Sigh. I really wish he had stayed.
It's hard to have an opinion on Thompson and Miles since they played so little. From what I did see, though, Thompson needs to work on foot speed and strength.
