MUScoop
MUScoop => Hangin' at the Al => Topic started by: Marcus92 on March 07, 2017, 01:24:01 PM
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Good article on one element of Isaiah Thomas' success in the NBA, where he gives up 9 inches to the average player (and 5 inches to the average point guard).
It'll be interesting to see how Markus and Andrew continue to develop their games. Bigger isn't always better.
https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/isaiah-thomas-is-using-the-rim-to-outsmart-tall-defenders/ (https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/isaiah-thomas-is-using-the-rim-to-outsmart-tall-defenders/)
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It can be done. They just have less margin for error. They have to be very quick, very strong with the ball, very creative in how they create space, as they need more of it. Very technically sound defensively. In other words, if you are that small, every part of your game has to be solid to succeed in the league.
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I didn't post the article as any kind of prediction. Merely that smart, quick, athletic players can find a way to succeed in a game that's driven to a large degree by height.
NBA-bound or not, Markus and Andrew will be central to Marquette's backcourt — and largely define who we are both offensively and defensively — for at least one more season. Every part of their game has to be solid to compete at the the very highest level of Big East basketball.
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the first Isaiah Thomas (Pistons), though 6ft, had a perfect teardrop and high glass touch...and was incredibly quick with the ball. He also had a take-no-prisoners drive to win (which got him in trouble later in life).
for Howard, we will see about that drive to win...he also needs help with the handle (that's why he needs to stay 4 yrs right? :) ). But his touch around the rim is pretty impressive.
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On other comment. two great tiny guards that come to mind are mugsy bogues and spud webb...both had unusual physical gifts besides being good basketball players...mugsy was a brick and spud a flyer. Markus Howard's gift is that eye-hand coordination similar to Curry's.