Theo...

[gary-7]

http://www.goheels.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=3350&ATCLID=211160506

One thing to keep in mind is that because of previous leftover injuries, this is the first summer he's actually been able to work on his game the way he wants to.

 

[RoseHeel]

Love the quotes of confidence from his teammates. Hope to see him blow up just in time for that senior season

 

[trestyles]

http://www.goheels.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=3350&ATCLID=211160506

One thing to keep in mind is that because of previous leftover injuries, this is the first summer he's actually been able to work on his game the way he wants to.

I been saying that for a while now. This is his first summer injury free. However, a lot of people on this board think Nate or KW should start before him. They're going to be in for a surprise with Theo progress.

 

[Spacegrass]

I been saying that for a while now. This is his first summer injury free. However, a lot of people on this board think Nate or KW should start before him. They're going to be in for a surprise with Theo progress.

I am with you man. Play your best 5 players the most minutes. Now does that mean he starts? Maybe not..... But he should be top 5 on the team in minutes played.

 

[DSouthr]

I been saying that for a while now. This is his first summer injury free. However, a lot of people on this board think Nate or KW should start before him. They're going to be in for a surprise with Theo progress.

And as one of the very few that still want my starting 2 guard to be a solid jump shooter and believes that Kenny is the guy that will claim the spot, either just before or just after the ACC slate begins, my thoughts remain the same. I do suspect that Nate begins the year starting at the 2 and either one of the frosh or kenny wins the gig, I think it will be Kenny.

Actually, I think the majority here feel Theo will start at the 2, I just don't see it that way but that is just IMO.

 

[mikeirbyusa]

Meeks-6' 10" - 260
Hicks-6' 9" - 235
Justin- 6' 8" - 200
Theo- 6' 6" - 205
Berry- 6' - 195

Man that's a SOLID starting 5!

 

[gary-7]

I been saying that for a while now. This is his first summer injury free. However, a lot of people on this board think Nate or KW should start before him. They're going to be in for a surprise with Theo progress.

KW is a prototype 2, but unless I hear otherwise I truly believe Theo starts this season. The only way I see that not happening is if Roy wants him to be our secret weapon 6th man.

 

[dadika13]

Meeks-6' 10" - 260
Hicks-6' 9" - 235
Justin- 6' 8" - 200
Theo- 6' 6" - 205
Berry- 6' - 195

Man that's a SOLID starting 5!

There aren't 5 teams in the NCAA that can go better than those 5. Front court depth worries me after Tony but we have the talent for another FF run.

 

[gary-7]

There aren't 5 teams in the NCAA that can go better than those 5. Front court depth worries me after Tony but we have the talent for another FF run.

Luke will be more than fine... he's another player the other guys have been talking about this summer.

 

[Ozheelfan]

http://www.goheels.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=3350&ATCLID=211160506

One thing to keep in mind is that because of previous leftover injuries, this is the first summer he's actually been able to work on his game the way he wants to.

Nice share, thanks Gary.
I'm in the camp that says Theo likely starts.
If he doesn't start, I believe he'll still log 25-30min per game.

 

[trestyles]

And as one of the very few that still want my starting 2 guard to be a solid jump shooter and believes that Kenny is the guy that will claim the spot, either just before or just after the ACC slate begins, my thoughts remain the same. I do suspect that Nate begins the year starting at the 2 and either one of the frosh or kenny wins the gig, I think it will be Kenny.

Actually, I think the majority here feel Theo will start at the 2, I just don't see it that way but that is just IMO.

I rather kw be instant offense off the bench. Just like hicks was this past season.

 

[gary-7]

There aren't any teams in the NCAA that can go better than those 5. .

FIFY

 

[smooth as butter]

Theo will show how good he really is this season.

 

[DSouthr]

And as one of the very few that still want my starting 2 guard to be a solid jump shooter and believes that Kenny is the guy that will claim the spot, either just before or just after the ACC slate begins, my thoughts remain the same. I do suspect that Nate begins the year starting at the 2 and either one of the frosh or kenny wins the gig, I think it will be Kenny.

Actually, I think the majority here feel Theo will start at the 2, I just don't see it that way but that is just IMO.

Let me modify this just a little bit to say this is IMO what I prefer happens rather than say this is what I expect. Roy will tinker with Theo at the 2 early season, don't know if it will be game 1 but Roy always tinkers early on but that will not last long IMO, I do think Nate starts as a bow to his senior but by the ACC slate I hope and think it will turn to Kenny or 7th at the 2 and IMO that is more likely to be Kenny..

 

[jeans15]

Theo should start....he can make plays for your best shooters from the wing position......He will get Berry the open shots he needs.

 

[DSouthr]

Theo should start....he can make plays for your best shooters from the wing position......He will get Berry the open shots he needs.

The only problem with that and we all watched it with JP at the 2, what happens when your 2 guard is a weak jump shooter? It is easy, you drop off him and double someone else. PLEASE tell me how you get Berry open shots when you invite your 2 guard defender to double someone else, like Joel? Please explain to me how that works in a way that gives Joel more open looks?

I got to tell ya folks, unless Theo could show me that he can hit a solid % of those 2 guard jump shots in practice, I would not play him a single second at the 2 guard position.

 

[Archer2]

Theo will get plenty of burn, whether as backup to JJ at SF or as PF in our small ball lineup. Can he:

* become a lockdown defender?
* put the ball on the floor and create for himself and others without turning the ball over?
* improve his outside jumper?

How well he answers these questions will determine how much and where he plays.

 

[DSouthr]

Theo will get plenty of burn, whether as backup to JJ at SF or as PF in our small ball lineup. Can he:

* become a lockdown defender?
* put the ball on the floor and create for himself and others without turning the ball over?
* improve his outside jumper?

How well he answers these questions will determine how much and where he plays.

* become a lockdown defender?
I not only think he can do that, I expect it.

* put the ball on the floor and create for himself and others without turning the ball over?

Yes but I think it needs to be vs other wings and power forwards, 2 guards are quicker and harder to drive on for the most part.

* improve his outside jumper?

Now that my friend is the $64,000question !!!

 

[goheels653]

The only problem with that and we all watched it with JP at the 2, what happens when your 2 guard is a weak jump shooter? It is easy, you drop off him and double someone else. PLEASE tell me how you get Berry open shots when you invite your 2 guard defender to double someone else, like Joel? Please explain to me how that works in a way that gives Joel more open looks?

I got to tell ya folks, unless Theo could show me that he can hit a solid % of those 2 guard jump shots in practice, I would not play him a single second at the 2 guard position.

JP and Theo aren't the same player. JP thought he was Kobe and it felt like he constantly wanted to show off his isolation skills to help develop his NBA potential. Theo will work within the flow of Roy's system because he's not as selfish as JP was.

That said, I agree that Theo needs to hit some shots.

 

[gary-7]

JP and Theo aren't the same player. JP thought he was Kobe and it felt like he constantly wanted to show off his isolation skills to help develop his NBA potential. Theo will work within the flow of Roy's system because he's not as selfish as JP was.

That said, I agree that Theo needs to hit some shots.

Beat me to it, AND maybe the biggest difference --- the ball doesn't stick to Theo's hands. He makes plays within the motion/flow of the offense and doesn't muck up the Secondary Break.

As a poster said above, with JB being such a vital scoring cog from the Point, having a second play-maker in the backcourt is nothing but positive.

 

[mikeirbyusa]

Theo>JP at everything AND plays for THE TEAM.

 

[Ned Cota]

Theo Pinson is our starting SG. He'll get run behind Jackson at the 3, and could see some small ball 4 again.

Nate Britt is a career backup. An awesome one who will run the second team offense and occasionally play alongside Berry.

Kenny Williams will back up Pinson at the 2. He'll be expected to be instant 3ball offense in spurts throughout the game.

Seventh Woods will spend most of the season learning the PG position and will sit 3rd on the depth chart at both 1 and 2.

Brandon Robinson will backup Jackson at the 3 but won't see much time with JJ blowing up and Pinson sliding over when he does leave the court. Roy may see what he looks like at the 2 on occasion.

These are the players that will factor in at the SG position, but Theo Pinson will start. He may play somewhat inverted, with Berry increasing his shot attempts and Pinson distributing from the wing. He's a consistent jumpshot away from being first team all ACC.

 

[CarolinaBlue5]

Theo Pinson is our starting SG. He'll get run behind Jackson at the 3, and could see some small ball 4 again.

Nate Britt is a career backup. An awesome one who will run the second team offense and occasionally play alongside Berry.

Kenny Williams will back up Pinson at the 2. He'll be expected to be instant 3ball offense in spurts throughout the game.

Seventh Woods will spend most of the season learning the PG position and will sit 3rd on the depth chart at both 1 and 2.

Brandon Robinson will backup Jackson at the 3 but won't see much time with JJ blowing up and Pinson sliding over when he does leave the court. Roy may see what he looks like at the 2 on occasion.

These are the players that will factor in at the SG position, but Theo Pinson will start. He may play somewhat inverted, with Berry increasing his shot attempts and Pinson distributing from the wing. He's a consistent jumpshot away from being first team all ACC.

I think that is about as accurate as it gets for playing time next year

 

[heels05champs]

Theo will start at SG, go ahead and mark it down. No way I see Nate, Seventh or Kenny starting over Theo. I don't think it's fair to compare Theo to JP as they're very different in some respects. Theo is a great facilitator of the offense and things move very smooth when he's in the game. The exact opposite happened when JP was in the game. Theo will knock down some shots, but more importantly he will slash, draw fouls, defend and get everyone involved thru his great passing ability.

 

[Archer2]

I agree with those that say Theo isn't JP. Other than pure leaping ability, I think Theo's game is better in every other respect. As Gary said, the ball doesn't stick to Theo's hands, the offense is more fluid with Theo than it was with JP. He is a much better facilitator than JP and a better defender as well. Regardless of whether he starts at SG or not, he'll be an extremely vital part of this team. He's easily our most versatile player.

 

[DSouthr]

Theo will start at SG, go ahead and mark it down. No way I see Nate, Seventh or Kenny starting over Theo. I don't think it's fair to compare Theo to JP as they're very different in some respects. Theo is a great facilitator of the offense and things move very smooth when he's in the game. The exact opposite happened when JP was in the game. Theo will knock down some shots, but more importantly he will slash, draw fouls, defend and get everyone involved thru his great passing ability.

One of the bigger struggles JP had was the fact he was known as a poor jump shooter, opposing teams backed off and allowed him to jump shoot, they doubled away from him. Why were JPs passes so sketchy, because the other team had more ability to hawk passing lanes with the extra defender not having to worry about JP jump shooting. JP driving the ball had him do so vs quicker PG and not wings or power forwards.

Theo did a solid job putting the ball on the floor vs wings & power forwards but 2 guards are much quicker than wings & power forwards. I can only base Theo jump shooting off of the pretty large sample size I saw last season and from that opponents will invite him to jump shoot until he can prove he can knock them down consistently. WE can hide his jump shooting at the 3 and the 4, not so much at the 2.

You don't have to agree with me, not my first rodeo on the minority opinion side nor my last, but if ya begging for Theo to be our 2 guard and he still does not shoot any better than we have seen, you should not complain about the results when they come in not being what you thought. Shouldn't because you will have gotten exactly what you ask for.

This is not me dumping Theo, I love the kid, I love the way he plays, I just want him in a position to be able to play to his strengths rather than his weaknesses. I did NOT want JP at the 2, said it over and over while others disagreed and we know how that worked out, I would prefer not to have to go thru that again.

If Theo comes out this season dropping treys at 35% with even decent looking form, I will be glad to see him try the 2 but I have to see a radical change in his jump shooting to get on board with that and I have not seen that yet. I am not saying he can't, I am saying that I need to see it before I can believe it. The last I watched Theo, in the alum game early summer, he was still a JP level jump shooter, I hope that has improved but I have to see it fist.

If the game is on the line and we need a big time trey I want Joel, Justin, Kenny, Nate, BRob, or even 7th taking that shot before Theo. Who do YOU want taking that big trey with 2 seconds left on the clock?

 

[goheels653]

One of the bigger struggles JP had was the fact he was known as a poor jump shooter, opposing teams backed off and allowed him to jump shoot, they doubled away from him. Why were JPs passes so sketchy, because the other team had more ability to hawk passing lanes with the extra defender not having to worry about JP jump shooting. JP driving the ball had him do so vs quicker PG and not wings or power forwards.

Theo did a solid job putting the ball on the floor vs wings & power forwards but 2 guards are much quicker than wings & power forwards. I can only base Theo jump shooting off of the pretty large sample size I saw last season and from that opponents will invite him to jump shoot until he can prove he can knock them down consistently. WE can hide his jump shooting at the 3 and the 4, not so much at the 2.

You don't have to agree with me, not my first rodeo on the minority opinion side nor my last, but if ya begging for Theo to be our 2 guard and he still does not shoot any better than we have seen, you should not complain about the results when they come in not being what you thought. Shouldn't because you will have gotten exactly what you ask for.

This is not me dumping Theo, I love the kid, I love the way he plays, I just want him in a position to be able to play to his strengths rather than his weaknesses. I did NOT want JP at the 2, said it over and over while others disagreed and we know how that worked out, I would prefer not to have to go thru that again.

If Theo comes out this season dropping treys at 35% with even decent looking form, I will be glad to see him try the 2 but I have to see a radical change in his jump shooting to get on board with that and I have not seen that yet. I am not saying he can't, I am saying that I need to see it before I can believe it. The last I watched Theo, in the alum game early summer, he was still a JP level jump shooter, I hope that has improved but I have to see it fist.

If the game is on the line and we need a big time trey I want Joel, Justin, Kenny, Nate, BRob, or even 7th taking that shot before Theo. Who do YOU want taking that big trey with 2 seconds left on the clock?

Joel.

 

[DSouthr]

Joel.

ok... Joel what?

 

[Archer2]

We can hide his jump shooting at the 3 and the 4, not so much at the 2.

If Theo comes out this season dropping treys at 35% with even decent looking form, I will be glad to see him try the 2 but I have to see a radical change in his jump shooting to get on board with that and I have not seen that yet.

If the game is on the line and we need a big time trey I want Joel, Justin, Kenny, Nate, BRob, or even 7th taking that shot before Theo. Who do YOU want taking that big trey with 2 seconds left on the clock?

I agree. Heck, if Theo can hit 1/3 of his treys, I'll be elated. But like you, I'm of the mind that his poor form just isn't conducive to him being a consistent perimeter jump shooter. And like you and many others, I hope he proves me wrong. I want Theo to be put in a position where he can best utilize his various talents and be the most effective. Theo has many strengths, jump shooting just isn't one of them.

Who should play the two will be the hot topic of the season for UNC fans.

 

[DSouthr]

I agree. Heck, if Theo can hit 1/3 of his treys, I'll be elated. But like you, I'm of the mind that his poor form just isn't conducive to him being a consistent perimeter jump shooter. And like you and many others, I hope he proves me wrong. I want Theo to be put in a position where he can best utilize his various talents and be the most effective. Theo has many strengths, jump shooting just isn't one of them.

Who should play the two will be the hot topic of the season for UNC fans.

This kinda reminds me of going in to season before last, we got Justin and pretty much we all knew that he would start at the 3. And the clamor then was we have to start Justin and we have to start JP, only place to put JP was at the 2. Now dummy me, I screamed from the top of my lungs, we needed to start Joel Berry and move Marcus over to the 2 (which I always felt was his better position anyway) but by then folks were tired of me raving about Berry. And folks got what they wanted, JP at the 2 while Justin started. Those same folk that screamed for JP to start fussed about his play all season (and still do) and it was not until Joel got some solid PT late that season that I watched my band wagon for Joel begin to fill up. Now everyone claims to have had an early seat on that band wagon, funny that I don't recall a lot of folks on it when that season began. And then last season he as our point and finally Marcus at the 2, we play in the natty game?

And now going in to this season there is a similar situation, move a wing to the 2 that is a poor jump shooter or move to the 2 a solid jump shooter? Imagine me yet again screaming for a solid jump shooting 2 guard AND being the minority opinion? It is a funny world sometimes...

 

[Archer2]

Yep Dave, I think Theo should have every opportunity to win the last starting spot. And if one of Nate/Kenny/7th/Brandon doesn't show a consistent 3-pt shot, then perhaps Theo is our best option at SG. But I will be very disappointed of at least one of those guys doesn't prove capable of making treys because I believe that we're going to need perimeter scoring from that spot if we're to reach our potential. Otherwise, the pressure on JJ and Joel to make them increases exponentially.

 

[DSouthr]

Yep Dave, I think Theo should have every opportunity to win the last starting spot. And if one of Nate/Kenny/7th/Brandon doesn't show a consistent 3-pt shot, then perhaps Theo is our best option at SG. But I will be very disappointed of at least one of those guys doesn't prove capable of making treys because I believe that we're going to need perimeter scoring from that spot if we're to reach our potential. Otherwise, the pressure on JJ and Joel to make them increases exponentially.

I could not agree more!!!

I do feel VERY strongly we have 3 very good jump shooting 2 guards, couple of them are freshmen and the other a litely played soph but all 3 can shoot and shoot really well, Nate can to but can tend to fade a little once he has made a couple. I will be SHOCKED and disappointed if one of those 4 do not step up and own the 2 guard spot by the time we get in to ACC play.

 

[Ned Cota]

I could not agree more!!!

I do feel VERY strongly we have 3 very good jump shooting 2 guards, couple of them are freshmen and the other a litely played soph but all 3 can shoot and shoot really well, Nate can to but can tend to fade a little once he has made a couple. I will be SHOCKED and disappointed if one of those 4 do not step up and own the 2 guard spot by the time we get in to ACC play.

The difference is that JP was a terrible facilitator. Hardly ever looked to pass unless he was 2 hand overhead chucking the ball cross court out of bounds. Pinson is a phenomenal facilitator. Slash and kick. People want to play off of him bc he can't shoot. Fine, just opens up more passing lanes for him. I'd love it if he can shoot, but just because he can't doesn't mean he's JP.

And you can build your bandwagon for whoever you want at the 2, but what are you going to do with Pinson if you don't play him there?

 

[goheels653]

ok... Joel what?

I bolded it in your post, but you asked who WE want taking the last second 3. I said Joel.

 

[mikeirbyusa]

If the game is on the line and we need a big time trey I want Joel, Justin, Kenny, Nate, BRob, or even 7th taking that shot before Theo. Who do YOU want taking that big trey with 2 seconds left on the clock?

Don't think any of us knows the answer to that one just yet. Need to see who has really worked their tails off and improved now don't we?

 

[goheels653]

Don't think any of us knows the answer to that one just yet. Need to see who has really worked their tails off and improved now don't we?

Fair, but as of today, and if we're predicting, I'm still going with Joel.

 

[DSouthr]

The difference is that JP was a terrible facilitator. Hardly ever looked to pass unless he was 2 hand overhead chucking the ball cross court out of bounds. Pinson is a phenomenal facilitator. Slash and kick. People want to play off of him bc he can't shoot. Fine, just opens up more passing lanes for him. I'd love it if he can shoot, but just because he can't doesn't mean he's JP.

And you can build your bandwagon for whoever you want at the 2, but what are you going to do with Pinson if you don't play him there?

I play him where Roy played him last season, at the 3 and the 4. I can see starter minutes at those 2 positions but coming off the bench to get them. Energy off the bench is not a bad thing. You have to realize, opposing coaches are going to play Theo to pass the ball, they are going to know they have to stop his passing and not worry about him scoring.

I want to make sure folks realize, what you saw Theo play later part of the regular season and thru the NCAAT was at the 3 and the 4, he was taking big men up top in space where he had the advantage and it pulled that big man away from rebounding position. Theo out top with a big man defender is advantage Theo all day, Theo up top guarded by a 2 guard looking for Theo to drive is not advantage Theo. What you saw was Theo operating against wings and 4s, you are asking him to operate against 2s that are much quicker and have much better foot speed. Without the ability to sell a pump fake it and to do so out in space where the quicker guy has the advantage any time the ball is put on the floor and if ya can't shoot then your only other options are to pass or put it on the floor.

 

[DSouthr]

Fair, but as of today, and if we're predicting, I'm still going with Joel.

What I was asking or at least what I was trying to ask is would you rater any of that string of guards take that last second jump shot or Theo. I was not asking who of the entire list you would prefer, I would agree with Joel is that were what I was asking.

 

[Ned Cota]

I play him where Roy played him last season, at the 3 and the 4. I can see starter minutes at those 2 positions but coming off the bench to get them. Energy off the bench is not a bad thing. You have to realize, opposing coaches are going to play Theo to pass the ball, they are going to know they have to stop his passing and not worry about him scoring.

I want to make sure folks realize, what you saw Theo play later part of the regular season and thru the NCAAT was at the 3 and the 4, he was taking big men up top in space where he had the advantage and it pulled that big man away from rebounding position. Theo out top with a big man defender is advantage Theo all day, Theo up top guarded by a 2 guard looking for Theo to drive is not advantage Theo. What you saw was Theo operating against wings and 4s, you are asking him to operate against 2s that are much quicker and have much better foot speed. Without the ability to sell a pump fake it and to do so out in space where the quicker guy has the advantage any time the ball is put on the floor and if ya can't shoot then your only other options are to pass or put it on the floor.

Theo played backup 3 and 4 because it was his first full season on the team (no injuries), and more importantly, because there was an All American named Marcus Paige at the 2.

Who's your starting 5 Dave?

 

[DSouthr]

Theo played backup 3 and 4 because it was his first full season on the team (no injuries), and more importantly, because there was an All American named Marcus Paige at the 2.

Who's your starting 5 Dave?

Who I think it will be or who I want it to be? I will give both:

Who I think will start the season :Hicks, Meeks, Justin, Nate, Joel

What I prefer is Hicks, Meeks, Justin, Kenny (I believe we will see this season that Kenny and Joel are the 2 best shooters on the team, just my opinion), and Joel

Now it would not be shocked to see Theo start at the 2 but I will be shocked if he shoots well enough to keep that role as a 2. I just think Roy goes with his senior to start at the 2, Roy loves him some seniors. What I prefer could change, Tony could come out the gate strong so maybe him over Meeks is a better deal, have to see. Maybe it is 7th or BRob that comes out the gate strong at the 2 and Kenny struggles. We need to see how that plays out, Nate could begin games and other guys get more minutes.