5150, I want to talk more about what and why JWash needs to do and what RJ needs to do. IN a way they kind of fit together.
JWash, he is such a key to making us so much better, not because he is a future NBA all star but rather as a first domino that causes other things to happen. Common thing we see, JWash sets the high pick to give our ball handler a step on his defender, watch what JWash does AFTER setting that pick, the majority of the time he does exactly what Bacot did, rolls down the lane as a lob threat, the defending big man peels down with him between JWash and the driver, effectively allows that big man to defend both Jalen as well as the driver unless there is an exceptional pass in traffic. Typically that defending center will not step all the way out to JWash because he expects Jallen to peel back and he does not want to give his chaser the problem of having to fight thru both Jalen and himself when he goes under the screen. I know that is a bit to absorb but it is a situation we constantly see. What I want to see is JWash mix it up, yes of course peel back in the paint at times but it is really important that he pops up maybe past the trey but maybe just to the foul line extended. In either event, he is in PERFECT position for a hook pass back to him, his big man defender is trapped deep paint, who they gonna shoot at him, a wing to defend a guy with a high release and 7'5" reach? The big man defender is forced to step out on Jalen when he hits a couple of those, same defender has to at least consider Jalen may pop out so he is not as quick peeling back to help on our driver.
So the pay off when that center defender follows Jalen up, our driver has a step on his chaser and the defending center is up top with Jalen and Cadeau has the ball? LOL The defense has no choice, they either have to come off RJ to slow Cadeau or they crash the guy defending our 4, say JWit. THey are forced to give up either the clean open look to RJ or the short corner hard cut to the rim from JWit, else give Cadeau a warm up line lay up. THIS should be a staple of our offense, a look I would look to force EVERY time we go in to half court offense.
RJ, RJ is a really good HARD shot maker to a fault, to the point he tends to rely on that to much. I would like to see RJ start out his offense more going to the rim, maybe floaters or just hard drives, get to the free throw line. A kid that can shoots needs to see the ball go thru the hoop, when he does his lights go off. Before going to those harder looks, see the ball go in 2 or 3 times on easier looks, get to the foul line. Did ya notice against Elon, RJ gets fouled on a trey attempt and hits all 3, from that point his shots seemed way more accurate? That is how you get a good shooter off, not by the Caleb Love method of shoot enough shots that eventually you will shoot yourself hot because along the way you will shoot your team out of the game.
To me, maybe the most UNDER APPRECIATED aspect of the game is shot selection. Ask yourself why is Seth scoring so well this season, it is his shot selection has been outstanding. I do not recall a single bad shot from his so far this season and notice when he takes treys, it is after he has seen the ball go in several times and there is not a hand in his face, does not need to rush anything. Contrast that with the shot selection we have seen from RJ and there is no need to ask why RJ's start so far has been off.
JWit, folks, don't look now but JWit is doing a heck of a Ingram impersonation. Notice, Ingrams jump shot was a bit slow release, it was a modified set shot, started out low and rose up, when you get wide open looks you can have a slower release. JWit has a slower release as well, that jumper starts anywhere from his belly button to his chest. JUst hitting those shots does the same thing it did for us with INgram, his defender has to stay closer to him, they are going to still give him a solid look but they will have to stay closer to him, makes it harder to double way off to another threat. Honestly, if I am coaching against us, I am STILL going to dare JWit, Cadeau, Seth, and Lubin to shoot jump shots and take the results. Because if RJ and Jalen both get hot jump shooting this game is over anyway.
Folks, all these things allow us to spread the court with good balance, opens up driving lanes for guys like Cadeau, Seth, RJ. Seth's or catch in the deep corners and a pump fake drive by, all great things for us.
