ESPN Rumor Central - How Good is Steve Taylor?

[Otule's Glass Eye]

How Good is Steve Taylor?

Marquette is welcoming two recruits to the program this season. One is Jamal Ferguson, a lean small forward with impressive athleticism and notable defensive and rebounding skills. The other is Steve Taylor, an ESPN 100 prospect with considerable scoring ability.

Taylor is ranked No. 84 overall in the 2012 class. That usually makes for a good incoming talent, but not necessarily someone who is expected to step in and be great right out of the gate. Buzz Williams is very high on his newest weapon though. As Jon Rothstein points out, Williams recently suggested Taylor "could be the best high school player" he has signed since joining the Golden Eagles in 2008. Considering some of the names that have come through the program in the last few years, that's high praise for the incoming freshman. Taylor should get plenty of opportunities to prove his coach right and, if he does so, Marquette could be dangerous yet again.

Dave Telep

Taylor's significant upside

"Taylor's a sweet-shooting combo forward who rose in the national rankings last year when he discovered an appetite for rebounding. He has legit ability to face the basket and knock down shots on the baseline and from the corners. Taylor can be a strong rebounder, but Williams will need to encourage him and hold him accountable. At his best, he's a prototypical hybrid 4-man, and I wouldn't be surprised to see him in the starting lineup at some point."

[Dawson Rental]

Wow, maybe we don't need to dampen expectations for Steve as much as we thought.  That would be nice.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

Wow. That reads a ton like Jamil's scouting report.

Once Jamil committed to rebounding and playing more aggressively inside, he became a nice PF.

If Steve is good, Buzz is going to be mixing and matching a TON in the cupcake portion of the schedule.

[Clam Crowder]

The guys out of the program in the last 3 years have all been JUCO's with the exception of Zar. ESPN probably should have mentioned that. Either way I saw Steve this summer and I think he will be very very good. I am excited to see him in action.

[bilsu]

I assumed that Taylor would be no better as a freshmen than Buzz's typical top 100 recruits Williams, Anderson and Jones. The first time I watched him play in the Pro Am, I knew he was different. He was matched against Gardner. The first thing I notice was that he was physically strong enough to battle Gardner underneath. They are virtually the same height and Gardner probably has 30 pounds on him. Assuming Gardner is 6'8" 270 than Taylor is 6'8" 240. he did not back down against Gardner and seemed to relish the competition. Early on Gardner was winning the battle, but as the game wore on Taylor seemed to adjust and his game kept getting better and better. He showed the ability to play inside or take it outside. After watching him against Gardner I was posting that Taylor could start. He would give us good size in the front court with Wilson and Otule/Gardner. Taylor's team did beat Gardner's team. However, the reason for that was his point guard was Cadougan and Gardner was stuck with Blue. That same night I watched Lockett. Outside of his quick jumping ability, I was not impressed with him. Give Lockett the ball within 2 feet of the basket and he will explode for a dunk. At some point Lockett hurt his ankle and that may be why I was not that impressed with him. I think he played one more pro am game and then was done for the season. Given what I have seen you guys are overrating Lockett and underrating Taylor. However, Lockett with healthy ankles is probably a much better player than what I saw.

[ATWizJr]

Lockett has ankle problems?  Can you amplify?

[Goose]

I believe Taylor will be immediate help and be impact player by end of year. Freshman need to mature quicker every year and he has physical skills to be impact quickly.

[bilsu]

Lockett has ankle problems?  Can you amplify?

In August he was having trouble with both ankles. I believe ankle sprains.

[nycwarrior]

I'd imagine the competition that Taylor has played with and competed against at Simeon has prepared him to be both tough and versatile.

If you're playing with that many stars (Parker, Nunn, probably 5-6 other DI guys over the last three years), you can't just play on the block and shoot over people.

[DomJamesToTheBasket]

They are virtually the same height and Gardner probably has 30 pounds on him. Assuming Gardner is 6'8" 270 than Taylor is 6'8" 240.

Wow. Taylor has put some serious weight on even if he is closer to 230.  Athletic AND strong.  No wonder Buzz is making these flattering comments.

[MUfan12]

Wow. That reads a ton like Jamil's scouting report.

Once Jamil committed to rebounding and playing more aggressively inside, he became a nice PF.

They are incredibly similar players, but Taylor is a better rebounder than Wilson was early on. Jamil is the better shooter from what I've seen.

Really hope both of them are on the same page with Davante. If either is playing with Big Smoove, there is potential to really extend the defense and get some layups with the right cuts.

[RawdogDX]

The guys out of the program in the last 3 years have all been JUCO's with the exception of Zar.

Mayo, Gardner, Blue, Cadougan, Wilson, Anderson

[Dawson Rental]

The guys out of the program in the last 3 years have all been JUCO's with the exception of Zar. ESPN probably should have mentioned that. Either way I saw Steve this summer and I think he will be very very good. I am excited to see him in action.

Mayo, Gardner, Blue, Cadougan, Wilson, Anderson

I think that you missed on the meaning of "out of the program" which I took to mean "used up their eligibility or graduated".

[Goose]

I think Taylor will allow Jamil to play some 3 and utilize his athletic skills. Wilso can play almost any position and think when paired with Taylor things will open up big for him.

[RawdogDX]

I think that you missed on the meaning of "out of the program" which I took to mean "used up their eligibility or graduated".

Ok. i thought you were responding to:

"Williams recently suggested Taylor "could be the best high school player" he has signed since joining the Golden Eagles in 2008"

In that case I don't get why ESPN should have mentioned that many of our recent grads were jucos.  Seems like an unrelated detail but whatever.