James vs Jones

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

James looked like our best player.

[MU82]

Assuming James remains healthy, he will continue to start even after Jones returns.

He's the better player, and Shaka knows it.

All IMHO, of course.

[vogue65]

I don't think it matters that much who starts.

It might make sense to have Jones start and have him be aggressive on defense without worrying too much about fouls.

Shaka usually brings in a couple of subs about 4 minutes into the game and James could be one of those.

James can easily get 30 minutes without starting, and not having him start can avoid early foul trouble and keep him fresher for more minutes in the second half.

Why is it always either/or?
I think Buzz said, it's more important who finishes.

[Newsdreams]

Starting no Matta

[TSmith34, Inc.]

JTY has had some very good moments. Don't forget what he did in Honolulu vs Kansas/Self.  And he can cause havoc on the defensive end.  I understand he was brutal to start this season, and seemingly hasn't improved his J, but he's still an impact player that hopefully can help us. 

Judging a player by his one shining moment is fool's gold, otherwise Ryan Amoroso would have been a lottery pick after the Great Alaskan Shootout.

[The Sultan]

Yeah his best game was probably v. Creighton just a week or so before his injury. Between Kansas and Creighton, he had a number of outings where he was largely invisible.

I like Sean, but there really isn't evidence that he is a BE level starter right now.

[GoldenEagles03]

Yeah his best game was probably v. Creighton just a week or so before his injury. Between Kansas and Creighton, he had a number of outings where he was largely invisible.

I like Sean, but there really isn't evidence that he is a BE level starter right now.

My favorite Sean game was against Kansas. He quietly dominated his minutes. Wish we could've have seen him healthy in that Sweet 16 season. Could've been a very helpful player in March with his change of pace.

Unfortunately agree with your last point as of now too.

[79Warrior]

Assuming James remains healthy, he will continue to start even after Jones returns.

He's the better player, and Shaka knows it.

All IMHO, of course.

Would not be surprised if he goes with Jones.

[MU82]

Would not be surprised if he goes with Jones.

Would be totally surprised if he goes with Jones.

[JakeBarnes]

Id only be surprised if he goes with Tre.

[GoldenEagles03]

I'm leaning Sean.

Nigel has been clearly better but I don't see any way Sean returns next season if he's a backup behind a Freshman PG and I'm sure Shaka wants Sean back next year because we don't have another PG set to return or on the recruiting trail.

You can't go into next season with 1 PG and Shaka won't want to use the portal to find a backup for a Sophomore PG either. I'm leaning Sean when fully healthy.

[Johnny B]

I'm leaning Sean.

Nigel has been clearly better but I don't see any way Sean returns next season if he's a backup behind a Freshman PG and I'm sure Shaka wants Sean back next year because we don't have another PG set to return or on the recruiting trail.

You can't go into next season with 1 PG and Shaka won't want to use the portal to find a backup for a Sophomore PG either. I'm leaning Sean when fully healthy.

Let him go then . You start the clearly better guy and that's Nigel, plus may be better for Sean glass man jones to come off the bench next with all the injuries.

[The Sultan]

I'm leaning Sean.

Nigel has been clearly better but I don't see any way Sean returns next season if he's a backup behind a Freshman PG and I'm sure Shaka wants Sean back next year because we don't have another PG set to return or on the recruiting trail.

You can't go into next season with 1 PG and Shaka won't want to use the portal to find a backup for a Sophomore PG either. I'm leaning Sean when fully healthy.

OTOH, Nigel could transfer if he isn't starting next year as well.

Shaka shouldn't let that concern him at all.

[GoldenEagles03]

OTOH, Nigel could transfer if he isn't starting next year as well.

Shaka shouldn't let that concern him at all.

I agree but we can't go into next season with 1 PG and I think it is much more likely that Nigel comes off the bench than it is Shaka use the portal.

I'd rather see Nigel starting, no doubt.

[PointWarrior]

He single handidly stopped the unstoppable Radford as well, so he has that going for him as well. 

My favorite Sean game was against Kansas. He quietly dominated his minutes. Wish we could've have seen him healthy in that Sweet 16 season. Could've been a very helpful player in March with his change of pace.

Unfortunately agree with your last point as of now too.

[GoldenEagles03]

He single handidly stopped the unstoppable Radford as well, so he has that going for him as well. 

Incorrect.

That game was won with our frontcourt of Ighodaro/Prosper.

As I recall our bench was absolutely atrocious that day. Joplin couldn't hit water if he fell out of a boat.

[MU82]

I'm leaning Sean.

Nigel has been clearly better but I don't see any way Sean returns next season if he's a backup behind a Freshman PG and I'm sure Shaka wants Sean back next year because we don't have another PG set to return or on the recruiting trail.

You can't go into next season with 1 PG and Shaka won't want to use the portal to find a backup for a Sophomore PG either. I'm leaning Sean when fully healthy.

That's silly. If the only reason you hand a guy a starting spot is because you're afraid you'll lose him to the portal if you don't ...

1. Why would you be more willing to lose James than Jones?

2. You're not a very good communicator as a coach.

3. Why would you be more willing to lose James than Jones?

4. You probably should look for a job in a different profession.

5. Why would you be more willing to lose James than Jones?

[#UnleashNigel]

I'm leaning Sean.

Nigel has been clearly better but I don't see any way Sean returns next season if he's a backup behind a Freshman PG and I'm sure Shaka wants Sean back next year because we don't have another PG set to return or on the recruiting trail.

You can't go into next season with 1 PG and Shaka won't want to use the portal to find a backup for a Sophomore PG either. I'm leaning Sean when fully healthy.

Playing the worse player for more minutes then the better player because we're scared of losing the worse player probably isnt the best strategy.

[GoldenEagles03]

Playing the worse player for more minutes then the better player because we're scared of losing the worse player probably isnt the best strategy.

That's silly. If the only reason you hand a guy a starting spot is because you're afraid you'll lose him to the portal if you don't ...

1. Why would you be more willing to lose James than Jones?

2. You're not a very good communicator as a coach.

3. Why would you be more willing to lose James than Jones?

4. You probably should look for a job in a different profession.

5. Why would you be more willing to lose James than Jones?

I agree with all of the above.

[Big Papi]

They will both get lots of minutes if/when Jones comes back.  James has by far the bigger upside but he makes a ton of mistakes.  With Jones, any outside shot is a bad shot.  With James, I have confidence that his might go in.

[CountryRoads]

I tried hard but couldn't think of one practical reason why Jones would start over James when he returns. I think anyone who says Jones is more saying that because they think Shaka is too stubborn to adjust the starters once the season begins.

[rgoode57]

Truth is that both Sean and Nigel are going to struggle defensively sometimes just because of their size. If they cannot generate a turnover and have to guard in halfcourt, it's going to be hard for them against a bigger guy. But, the other truth is that Nigel James is a really, really good basketball player who is only going to get better. Offensively, he is light years ahead of SJ. With Sean, he hasn't really played enough for us to know what we have. It is interesting, however, that, as one poster noted, Shaka needs both of them next year so has to balance egos as well.

[MU82]

I agree with all of the above.

Good. It also means you agree that earlier post makes no sense.