Jake Thomas at Arizona State: Sit 'em or Bench 'em?

[Newsdreams]

Jamil should easily be a leader on this team..... hes playing like a frosh

That is what is scary no leader and no one wants it. They seem to be afraid of the responsibility, but Mayo seems to be stepping into it . Do not know if the team will accept him as leader.

[MUSF]

I like Jake as a starter IF he can consistently knock down shots. He fills Trent's role as a mature calming presence that hustles, plays within the system, and rarely makes critical mistakes. That said, he has to contribute offensively or defensively to warrant starters minutes, IMO.

Regardless, I have zero problem with Buzz giving him time in Nov/Dec to gain confidence, while the Freshmen progress. If Jake is shooting consistently come Jan, then I would expect him to start and play typical starter minutes.

[MUSF]

That is what is scary no leader and no one wants it. They seem to be afraid of the responsibility, but Mayo seems to be stepping into it . Do not know if the team will accept him as leader.

It's November guys! This team is going to take some time to build chemistry and figure out their roles. Losing Junior, Vander, and Trent is significant in terms of leadership and chemistry. Give the team some time.

[GGGG]

nm

[GGGG]

Good luck getting Brew to back off his continued praises of Derrick Wilson - it's almost comical...now Derrick is the only point guard who can "put the ball in a place where guys can stay in motion???"  I mean where does Brew come up with this crap?? 

And he doesn't make bad passes??  Well, it's pretty easy to deliver a safe cross court pass over and over and over and over again.  Let me see Derrick break someone down off the dribble and create a good look for a teammate...or hell even run an effective fast break.  This team has ZERO transition game with Derrick at the point....he's not confident with the ball moving at an ultra fast pace....that's what I loved about Dawson...he played with a lot more pace, acceleration, decisiveness than Derrick has.  It's easy to never commit a turnover, when you never force the action or create anything for teammates, and only make safe pass after safe pass after safe pass.

Derrick may not be the guy, but Dawson isn't yet either.

Again, Dawson hasn't done anything that Derrick hasn't done.  He certainly might have a higher ceiling, but all it is in potential right now. 

[CTWarrior]

It's easy to never commit a turnover, when you never force the action or create anything for teammates, and only make safe pass after safe pass after safe pass.

Agree 100%.  DeWilson doesn't turn the ball over, but he doesn't do ANYTHING positive to help us score. 

Derrick may not be the guy, but Dawson isn't yet either.

Again, Dawson hasn't done anything that Derrick hasn't done.  He certainly might have a higher ceiling, but all it is in potential right now. 

Unfortunately, I also agree 100% with this.  The only thing you can say about Dawson is you have to figure he is more likely to improve whereas DeWilson has basically spent 2+ years demonstrating this is the player he is.

[teddycoke]

The lineup that I'd love to see is:

PG Jamil
SG Mayo
SF Juan
PF Steve
C Gardner/Otule

I completely agree that lineup gives us best option...we are a sinking ship with Thomas and de Wilson logging big minutes against high level competition...

[bilsu]

I want you to think about this. We would of lost, if Jake did not hit those two threes. As I said before Thomas is a streak shooter, Get him the ball right back, if he hits one. Two straight tonight and 3 of 4 the other night. There is no one else on the team that can hit back to back threes.

[🏀]

I want you to think about this. We would of lost, if Jake did not hit those two threes. As I said before Thomas is a streak shooter, Get him the ball right back, if he hits one. Two straight tonight and 3 of 4 the other night. There is no one else on the team that can hit back to back threes.

I've been saying keep reloading the rifle. Spray and pray, Jake.

We're going to need the sniper as ASU packed into the 2-3 all game against UNLV.

You're our only hope Jake Thomas.

[4th and State]

Good luck getting Brew to back off his continued praises of Derrick Wilson - it's almost comical...now Derrick is the only point guard who can "put the ball in a place where guys can stay in motion???"  I mean where does Brew come up with this crap??  

And he doesn't make bad passes??  Well, it's pretty easy to deliver a safe cross court pass over and over and over and over again.  Let me see Derrick break someone down off the dribble and create a good look for a teammate...or hell even run an effective fast break.  This team has ZERO transition game with Derrick at the point....he's not confident with the ball moving at an ultra fast pace....that's what I loved about Dawson...he played with a lot more pace, acceleration, decisiveness than Derrick has.  It's easy to never commit a turnover, when you never force the action or create anything for teammates, and only make safe pass after safe pass after safe pass.

This is so true.  He never tries to push it up the court for the quick basket off a board or turnover.  That is one area I really miss Junior and his ability to score and push the ball in transition.

[Nevada233]

This is so true.  He never tries to push it up the court for the quick basket off a board or turnover.  That is one area I really miss Junior and his ability to score and push the ball in transition.

Dawson will be good..... once given a legit opportunity...

[brewcity77]

And 'that is patently false' is a more insightful answer? 

Yes, unquestionably.

[NersEllenson]

This is so true.  He never tries to push it up the court for the quick basket off a board or turnover.  That is one area I really miss Junior and his ability to score and push the ball in transition.

Agree - Junior was very good at getting us transition points - and from the little I've seen of Dawson (when he was given 5-6 minute stretches of playing time (and not the 2 minute spurts last night) Dawson showed me he can be great in transition...great vision, acceleration, yet under control.

Dawson will be good..... once given a legit opportunity...

Agree....and sure hope Buzz gives him that legit opportunity sooner than later...

[melissasmooth]

Agree - Junior was very good at getting us transition points - and from the little I've seen of Dawson (when he was given 5-6 minute stretches of playing time (and not the 2 minute spurts last night) Dawson showed me he can be great in transition...great vision, acceleration, yet under control.

Agree....and sure hope Buzz gives him that legit opportunity sooner than later...

wow, it is amazing you can see that and Buzz can't - and Buzz even has the advantage of seeing him in practice. I hope Buzz can somehow see how great Dawson is soon so he can play him more.

[brewcity77]

wow, it is amazing you can see that and Buzz can't - and Buzz even has the advantage of seeing him in practice. I hope Buzz can somehow see how great Dawson is soon so he can play him more.

Buzz's only mistake as a coach since he stepped off Lake Michigan to come to Marquette was not hiring Ners. Our coach may walk on water, but he doesn't have 1/10th the basketball knowledge Ners does.

[Boone]

Whatever you say, Brew. Then again, you're the same dreamer whose posted that Derrick has improved offensively this season. What a joke.

[brewcity77]

Whatever you say, Brew. Then again, you're the same dreamer whose posted that Derrick has improved offensively this season. What a joke.

You said that he only touches the ball when he brings it upcourt and never again in the possession. My response was that your statement was factually inaccurate. Your response was to swear at me while making no discernible point. So yes, mine was more insightful as it actually pertained to the game, the topic, and the purpose of this board.

[NersEllenson]

wow, it is amazing you can see that and Buzz can't - and Buzz even has the advantage of seeing him in practice. I hope Buzz can somehow see how great Dawson is soon so he can play him more.

Buzz is a loyal guy - extremely loyal - which is why Derrick is being given every chance to take the PG position by the horns and own it.  Derrick continues to "perform" as he's been - eventually Buzz will have no choice but to go to Dawson or Jamil.

But hey melissasmooth.....nice effort on the sarcasm.....but can't help you if you can't see Derrick Wilson is not the answer for MU at point guard....and I'm pretty sure Buzz is starting to realize it too...as much as he is holding out hope that Derrick will turn a corner somehow.  At this point, it legitimately cannot get any worse going to either Dawson or Jamil.  

[Boone]

Get your facts straight! I said he rarely touches the ball again, NOT 'never' again. I didn't swear AT you, either. Just said your point was B.S.

[melissasmooth]

Buzz is a loyal guy - extremely loyal - which is why Derrick is being given every chance to take the PG position by the horns and own it.  Derrick continues to "perform" as he's been - eventually Buzz will have no choice but to go to Dawson or Jamil.

But hey melissasmooth.....nice effort on the sarcasm.....but can't help you if you can't see Derrick Wilson is not the answer for MU at point guard....and I'm pretty sure Buzz is starting to realize it too...as much as he is holding out hope that Derrick will turn a corner somehow.  At this point, it legitimately cannot get any worse going to either Dawson or Jamil.  

I didn't say Derrick Wilson is the answer. I'm saying Dawson is not the answer at this time either, otherwise Buzz would be playing him more. And it can get worse if Dawson can't play defense.

[bilsu]

Buzz is a loyal guy - extremely loyal - which is why Derrick is being given every chance to take the PG position by the horns and own it.  Derrick continues to "perform" as he's been - eventually Buzz will have no choice but to go to Dawson or Jamil.But hey melissasmooth.....nice effort on the sarcasm.....but can't help you if you can't see Derrick Wilson is not the answer for MU at point guard....and I'm pretty sure Buzz is starting to realize it too...as much as he is holding out hope that Derrick will turn a corner somehow.  At this point, it legitimately cannot get any worse going to either Dawson or Jamil.  

I think Derrick is still playing like he is the backup guard who does not want to make a mistake. The question is whether he will always be like this or if he can change his game to be more agressive. Having an extra 1 or 2 turnovers along with more Cadougan like play might be better than no mistakes.

[brewcity77]

I didn't swear AT you, either. Just said your point was B.S.

You have an interesting definition of not swearing at someone 

[bilsu]

Dawson will be good..... once given a legit opportunity...

Do you think Dawson will play at all, if Duane comes back this year?

[WarriorFan]

Jake needs the start and he needs the minutes and the team needs him.  His D is outstanding.  Buzz needs to let him shoot from 25 feet or wherever he's comfortable. 
I've convinced myself that the problem is that he's been too close to the basket.  He's more accurate from 25 than from 22 and yesterday's shots were from farther out.  The problem is, that if the coach is in your head saying a 25 footer is a bad shot, when the shooter knows he's more accurate from 25 than 22... the shooter will miss no matter what. 

Jake needs to fix what's going on in his head... and just shoot when he's open.

[brewcity77]

Do you think Dawson will play at all, if Duane comes back this year?

As for Nevada, I'm sure he thinks that the team would be best if Dawson were playing 48 minutes per game.

Personal opinion -- I fully expect Dawson will continue as the guy behind Derrick in the pecking order if Duane comes back. If for no other reason than because we've seen how missing even a few games can set a freshman back (Juan) in their early development.