What's right with Jamil Wilson

[tower912]

Has he finally turned the corner for good?    Some thought he lacked the physical tools, some thought he just lacked the warrior mentality.    He has really brought the warrior mentality lately and shown off the elite physical skills that he has.    Well played today, young man. 

[Lennys Tap]

Made some really big plays today in the second half when our offense was struggling.

[forgetful]

Was aggressive and played well.

I'd like to see us run some isolation plays for him in the wide post, he has a nice turnaround/fade away from the wings.

[CrazyEcho]

to be fair, I don't think anyone has said he doens't have the physical tools.

[radome]

Has he finally turned the corner for good?    Some thought he lacked the physical tools, some thought he just lacked the warrior mentality.    He has really brought the warrior mentality lately and shown off the elite physical skills that he has.    Well played today, young man. 

I don't know what it was but he is one of the keys to our success or failure. Glad to have him playing well.

[chapman]

  Some thought he lacked the physical tools

If anyone thought that they're an idiot.  

He can shoot and can create his own shot.  Has a good rhythm going in the offense now.  Not a banger, but doing well with what he's comfortable doing.

[ATL MU Warrior]

pretty sure some on here thought he lacked lateral quickness or something like that.  I could be confused with a thread about somebody else though.

[NotAnAlum]

Someone said that he played well last year because he had to play the 5 and he could "keep up" with 5s because they are slow.  I think that idea is nonsense.  Jamil has the tools and the body to be a great college player and an NBA prospect.  It just seemed he wasn't 100% into the game.  The last few games he has been 100% in and he is showing the kind of player he can be.  Of course he elevated his game at this time last year only to regress early this season.  But I'm not worried about next year right now I'm thinking this year and hope the switch has been turned on.
I thought today we almost went to Jamil a little too much in the 2nd half.  It became give the ball to Jamil and everybody else stand back and watch what he can do.  Can't have that either.

[Stretchdeltsig]

It was great to see that Jamil wanted the ball and when he caught it, would create his shot and scored repeatedly.  He had the "go to player" mentality today.  Love it!

[GGGG]

pretty sure some on here thought he lacked lateral quickness or something like that.  I could be confused with a thread about somebody else though.

No that was about Jamil.  And he does lack lateral quickness - he's an explosive leaper, but not particularly fast. 

And he isn't scoring by "creating his own shot."  He is scoring by hitting mid-range jumpers, curling off picks and spot shooting.  When is the last time you have seen him put the ball on the floor and take it to the basket?  When is the last time you have even seen him take two dribbles before shooting?

[Goose]

He has NBA physical tools. It probably comes down to just much Jamil wants it. Watching him on the court yesterday he looked like a man against boys. He is long, quick, great leaping ability and skilled. He was a joy to watch yesterday.

[GGGG]

Goose, sorry, but Jamil isn't quick.  When is the last time you saw him take his guy off the dribble?  He has an NBA body, and great leaping ability, but think about what JFB did and how he played versus how Jamil plays.  They are pretty much the same exact size, but Butler was much better at staying in front of his guy on defense and taking his guy off the dribble.  This is exactly why I don't think Jamil has an NBA game, unless he keeps improving on his outside shot - and can serve a spot shooter type role. 

And I love the guy.  I love how he plays now and how smart he is.  I just don't think he has some of the tools that people think he does.

[hairy worthen]

Goose, sorry, but Jamil isn't quick.  When is the last time you saw him take his guy off the dribble?  He has an NBA body, and great leaping ability, but think about what JFB did and how he played versus how Jamil plays.  They are pretty much the same exact size, but Butler was much better at staying in front of his guy on defense and taking his guy off the dribble.  This is exactly why I don't think Jamil has an NBA game, unless he keeps improving on his outside shot - and can serve a spot shooter type role. 

And I love the guy.  I love how he plays now and how smart he is.  I just don't think he has some of the tools that people think he does.

I am not sure. I think he does have quickness. Just because he doesn't take his guy off the dribble doesn't mean he can't. I not sure he has tried that much. To me it is a matter of desire and aggressiveness not lack of ability

[MarquetteDano]

Jamil is really our only true zone buster.  He shined in the second half when ND went zone.  He did a great job yesterday finding the seams in the zone and taking mid-range shots.

[Lennys Tap]

Goose, sorry, but Jamil isn't quick.  When is the last time you saw him take his guy off the dribble?  He has an NBA body, and great leaping ability, but think about what JFB did and how he played versus how Jamil plays.  They are pretty much the same exact size, but Butler was much better at staying in front of his guy on defense and taking his guy off the dribble.  This is exactly why I don't think Jamil has an NBA game, unless he keeps improving on his outside shot - and can serve a spot shooter type role. 

And I love the guy.  I love how he plays now and how smart he is.  I just don't think he has some of the tools that people think he does.

Agree 100%.

[brandx]

I am not sure. I think he does have quickness. Just because he doesn't take his guy off the dribble doesn't mean he can't. I not sure he has tried that much. To me it is a matter of desire and aggressiveness not lack of ability

I agree, Hairy. I think he lacks the agressiveness to go one-on-one. But, it's coming. Watching him on defense, he shows great quickness. He's also started to take a leadership role on defense that I think will translate to both ends of the floor next year.

[MU82]

Jamil has been more willing to take advantage of opportunities to score. He hasn't been hesitant. He is scoring more and playing more, which makes him more confident, which lets him score and play more, which makes him more confident, lather, rinse, repeat.

He is at his best as a catch-and-shoot guy when open and as an alley-oop dunker.  The few times he has tried to go one-on-one and take fadeaway jumpers from the baseline or key have been unsuccessful and result in misses that lead to opportunities for the opponent -- almost the same as turnovers.

I love him catching when he is open and firing the 3, and I really like his open 15-footer from either baseline. He obviously likes those shots, too!

I agree with Sultan that, to date, he hasn't shown the ability to stay in front of his man and take over stretches of games with his defense (as Butler used to). Given his physical tools, it's a little disappointing that he is at best a mediocre defender.

[77ncaachamps]

Jamil is probably the only guy who plays end-to-end, sideline-to-sideline with speed and tenacity.
His ability to get from the FT line to the hoop defensively is uncanny.

He needs to be confident and have more of a takeover attitude.

But it is mind-boggling when a player of his caliber and ability disappears in games.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

Jamil is a freaky athlete, but he does not have elite quickness.

BUT...

A good jumper can make you "quicker" because players have to guard you tight.

On defense, a good scouting report and anticipation can make you "quicker".

If Jamil can continue to shoot a good percentage and increase his usage, the sky is the limit. He has some physical traits that make him a very good player.

[MUSF]

Goose, sorry, but Jamil isn't quick.  When is the last time you saw him take his guy off the dribble? 

Yesterday against Notre Dame. He got fouled but still had a nice drive.

I remember this, because it was the first time that I saw a glimpse of that NBA quickness to go with his NBA body and hops. I think I still agree with your assessment of Jamil, but I started doubting that assessment a little bit yesterday.

[Goose]

Guns

I agree. In addition, him being so long helps in quickness. I think he has the tools in the world. The way he is playing now is hopefully great sign for next season from him.

[forgetful]

Goose, sorry, but Jamil isn't quick.  When is the last time you saw him take his guy off the dribble?  He has an NBA body, and great leaping ability, but think about what JFB did and how he played versus how Jamil plays.  They are pretty much the same exact size, but Butler was much better at staying in front of his guy on defense and taking his guy off the dribble.  This is exactly why I don't think Jamil has an NBA game, unless he keeps improving on his outside shot - and can serve a spot shooter type role. 

And I love the guy.  I love how he plays now and how smart he is.  I just don't think he has some of the tools that people think he does.

You may be right about his quickness, but I disagree.  I think he is very quick, but lacks good footwork (hence him almost traveling every time he catches the ball.  The lack of good footwork manifests as not being quick.  I think if they work on his footwork over the summer, he could be elite.

[GGGG]

You may be right about his quickness, but I disagree.  I think he is very quick, but lacks good footwork (hence him almost traveling every time he catches the ball.  The lack of good footwork manifests as not being quick.  I think if they work on his footwork over the summer, he could be elite.

Well, he might not be quick because of bad footwork...but in the end it means he's not quick.  I hope it is something he can work on. 

[forgetful]

Well, he might not be quick because of bad footwork...but in the end it means he's not quick.  I hope it is something he can work on. 

When I wrote that I though we might really be agreeing with each other.  My big point is that quickness can't be taught really, but if it is a footwork issue that is something he can work on.  I agree, though, lets hope it is something he gets together by next year.  If so, I really like this team.

[GGGG]

When I wrote that I though we might really be agreeing with each other.  My big point is that quickness can't be taught really, but if it is a footwork issue that is something he can work on.  I agree, though, lets hope it is something he gets together by next year.  If so, I really like this team.

Yeah we agree.

Maybe it's a "stride" issue too.  He can be "fast," in that he can cover a lot of space.  But perhaps he can trouble with acceleration because of the length of his stride and his footwork.