I agree with the floor, I would like to think your correct on the ceiling, but I think the absolute key is the performance of the defense. Particularly the difference of having a defensive frontcourt that allows the backcourt to operate.
Illini Basketball 2019-2020
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blackdog
- Champaign
What would give you the impression that GB is a close to a finished product. First he played last year with and injured thumb that really affected his shooting and ball handling. Second though he may be very skilled he still has a lot to learn about reading defensive coverages and double teams (something he struggled with toward the end of the year. Third and most obviously is improving his defensive reads and coverages, which includes limiting his fouls.
It's a weird idea to think that just because someone has a great skill set they are never going to improve more. Nobody has said that Ayo and Trent aren't going to ever get any better because they're already good players.
Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
illini80
- Forgottonia
Gio
Giorgi said last year was the first time he has ever payed the 5. Idk what his 3% will be, but he is actually back to his more natural position.
I dont think Meyers skill set sucked. Weber never ever used him properly so we just disagree. As for those you listed I dont consider Cook as a big. He played on the perimeter. Skill wise Imo i think GB is more skilled than marcus.. Deon Thomas I maybe overlooked but GB has handles, can pass, shoot with either hand over either shoulder so i think he is ahead of the others. I guess He has a lot more skill than most still dont recognize. He did break Deons single game record for a freshman this past season scoring with both hands vs a quality opponent.
pruman91
- Paducah, Ky
James Augustine
Born February 27, 1984 (age 35)
Midlothian, IllinoisNationality AmericanListed height 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)Listed weight 238 lb (108 kg)
If Giorgi gets more athletic, he could be JA 2.0, I thought he would coming in and he hasn't dissappointed at all. The kid has a bright future and represents the school perfectly. Great find for more many reasons for BU and staff.
Just to add to that. Not only was Giorgi playing with a thumb injury but he was the ONLY decent option at the 5. I don't think he really had a chance to show what he could do on the perimiter bassed on the role they needed him to play, including and especially rebounding. Kofi and Giorgi will get plenty of time together if they can stay out of foul trouble.
skyIdub
Winged Warrior
There's still plenty of tickets left for the Giorgi NBA Train. The catch is, this train isn't stopping, so if you want to get on....better jump on now while it's pulling out of the station. By this time next year y'all will be bouncing off left and right trying to jump on!
There is absolutely no way that GB wont start. I expect both him and Kofi to start every game. GB can play as a 4 with his back to the basket. He was guarded by bigger men last year but with Kofi on the floor he will cause major problems from in the paint. 4s can still play with there back to the basket and I assure BU is gonna feed GB in th he post as a 4 or a 5. I know he isnt Karl Malone but he can be very effective in that type of role and be a headache for our opponents. He also can shoot well enough inside the arch to do so whether his 3 ball improves or not. I cant believe you think there is anyway GB wont start.
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Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
QFT. Giorgi's going to get gobs of minutes and he's going to be a load (as in all BIG caliber). Am fully expecting major improvement in his mid-range and long-range jumper. In case it isn't obvious, am expecting a pretty good soph leap.
No way in my mind that either Kofi or Giorgi starts the game on the bench.
BMoreIllini
- Baltimore, MD
As someone who is living in Baltimore, Coppin State would be a huge change in scenery from C-U. Coppin State is far from the best part of Baltimore and a team that went 8-25 overall and just 7-9 in a weak MEAC conference is a huge fall for a fringe Top 100 recruit had he not reclassified to 2018. I know it's extremely unlikely to happen, but I'm hoping he sees the schools that are interested aren't what he thought they'd be and he returns to UI (as I highly doubt we fill both scholarships and I'd have to think BU would welcome him back). MO State would be a better fit strictly in terms of scenery compared to C-U, but I'm not sure about basketball fit.
I wouldnt mind if Samba stayed. I feel he still needs a lot of development to play meaningful minutes this year but he hasnt played basketball long and if we dont fill the scholly him sticking around should only be a plus. I wish he has redshirted last year and had 4 years remaining to develop and play. I wish him nothing but the best either way. Doesnt sound like has had much interest so far from a program like ours. He is a big guy and just needs time more than anything currently to be a B10 caliber big man coming off the bench on a good team. I think he could get there in a year or two if he is willing to be patient and work hard maybe he could be more than just a bench player on a top 20 team. If he doesnt want to do that then those other programprobably were he should go.
Deleted member 746479
D
Guest
Good question, I am glad you asked. There are basically three reasons I believe GB is close to being a finished product. He was an old frosh and old frosh tend to be more college ready and peak sooner than younger frosh. GB is also very smart and a fast learner so there is less for him to learn than younger frosh going forward, kind of a diminishing returns thing . I also believe that his numbers were a little inflated due to not being the focus of the offense. Going into the season most teams defensive game plans were designed to stop the returning players and Ayo not Gb. In fact it seemed to me several teams decided to let him get his. That will change going forward.
Don't get me wrong, I love me some GB but his size and natural strength and jumping ability are not elite so he has to rely on all the things that everyone has pointed out already to compensate.
As far as him dramatically improving his outside game and becoming a solid four, I will just say, old habits are hard to break.
I hope I am wrong.
On the topic of "old frosh" and "young frosh", do the "young frosh" peak once they become "old frosh"? Or is there is a learning curve after getting to be an "old frosh"?
I happen to think there are two factors that will make GB better: OA, he will provide better coaching and GB's intelligence, if not skills set too. I think there is ample room for GB's growth. In fact, not just this year, but next one too.
IF he has gone as far as he can go - growth-wise - then I very much doubt he plays at the next level.
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Bartovik had GB's analytics at #43 in conference last year, so yes plenty of room for improvement. Category that had the most room for improvement---3 pt %, he was at 5-30 for .167%
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The question, then, is, does he have the ability (skills) to improve.
The deficiency is identified - you have provided one stat, there should be others.
The coaching is also identified.
And, IF he does have the skills, which I believe he does, then, theoretically, how far does he go? #43 to .....?
Assist %--he only had 26 assists for the whole year. GB has to learn to pass out of the double team better. I think we will all be disappointed if he is not in the low to mid 20"s and at the least makes the all B!G HM team.
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blackdog
- Champaign
Im sorry but being an "old frosh" is not a good reason for him to be a finished product. Like I said in my original post he has a lot to learn with making reads both offensively and defensively that would make a huge impact on his efficiency. I mean do you think when players finish college and go pro that they just stay at whatever skill level they are at forever? That once a player hits 21 they are never going to get better? Because that's absolutely not how it works.
Guys that are smart and have a high work ethic don't have diminishing returns because there are always things to improve on both skills wise and in terms of bball IQ
As long as any players ability to physically play the game doesnt diminish and for most athletes that happens in the early 30s.. Then I'd say players can always improve and work on their skill sets even beyond college . GB or any of the players can improve. It may be more difficult the better you become at a skill but you can get better.
I agree that him having an extra year to develop before college made GB a better freshman but it doesnt mean he wont be improved as a sophomore. That makes no sense to me he is very young and capable of improvement.
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TwoElevenEastDaniel
- Cochrane's-Orchid-Tonic
Howard and Norfolk State could be better MEAC choices. It would be a great conference for someone with Samba's size and raw talent to develop against a level of competition that won't expose his still evolving (see: raw) skill set.
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