I'm reading a number of posts regarding the team's performance and the lack of significant success over the past few years. I don't think it's that hard to understand.
Jamie believes first in defense, rebounding and a "structured offensive" scheme. He brought Robinson in four years ago to run his offense and continues to frustrated as to why this team can't play defense and rebound like teams have in the past. I'm no expert but Jamie needs to answer that question but I get frustrated when I hear fans talk about this team's lack of effort or drive to win. In my opinion this team is trying but the game continues to evolve. Every team now has good shooters and players who can create shots. I believe many high school kids are finding their way to D1 by focusing on shooting and especially the "3" point shot. Do you remember the kid from Purdue who came in and made 3 "threes" to put the game away. It's difficult to defend the three point shot with shooters in transition, high ball screens, driving to the basket and feeding back out, etc.... Even Virginia with it's tough defense doesn't win on Saturday without Bogdon. If you add in a good inside game then you have a top 10 or top 15 team.
So why don't we have the backcourt and the dominate presence in the middle that we need? Frankly, we had the right big men recruited with Taylor, Birch and Adams but didn't get the result needed. As it's been pointed out a number of times Jamies biggest misses have been in our guard recruiting. The biggest concern is that this has become a trend. He's not able to convince them that if they come to Pitt you'll have an opportunity to compete for the NBA. I know that he liked to recruit the tough kid and develop them over 4 or 5 years but not sure that's realistic anymore. Kids can either shoot or not, they can create their own shot or not. This has to be evaluated early on and recruited aggressively. However, this is also difficult with Jamie's reputation of ball control (no turnovers, etc) and the emphasis on post play whenever possible. His strategy may have reflected the talent he's had over the years but I'm confused when you have shooters like Artis, Smith, Slim, etc... that they look timid at times to take the shot.
So what do you do now? We don't need Robinson shooting but we need to work through Young and Artis as well as Smith, Slim and Jeter. Why Jones sees the floor I'm not sure. I am perplexed to see rotations at time. I think I remember Young, Atis, Smith, Robinson and Jeter were on the bench at the same time against Virginia. I don't dislike Robinson, he can help setup the offense and drive points without necessarily scoring. Also, i don't mind the energy Jeter brings on the offensive end... at least he can create a shot now and then. Frankly, Artis is our best shooter and should be taking more shots.
If you miss keep shooting. I'm not saying that we abandon the inside play with Young but teams know that if you stop him and Artis you stop Pitt. Let the kids go and we may be surprised what happens... remember the Notre Dame game? I guess it does come down to out scoring the other team or at least trying. Our methodical offensive scheme lately is creating why too many turnovers and hesitation.
Let them play and if you make them you win, you don't and you lose. That's basketball.
Jamie believes first in defense, rebounding and a "structured offensive" scheme. He brought Robinson in four years ago to run his offense and continues to frustrated as to why this team can't play defense and rebound like teams have in the past. I'm no expert but Jamie needs to answer that question but I get frustrated when I hear fans talk about this team's lack of effort or drive to win. In my opinion this team is trying but the game continues to evolve. Every team now has good shooters and players who can create shots. I believe many high school kids are finding their way to D1 by focusing on shooting and especially the "3" point shot. Do you remember the kid from Purdue who came in and made 3 "threes" to put the game away. It's difficult to defend the three point shot with shooters in transition, high ball screens, driving to the basket and feeding back out, etc.... Even Virginia with it's tough defense doesn't win on Saturday without Bogdon. If you add in a good inside game then you have a top 10 or top 15 team.
So why don't we have the backcourt and the dominate presence in the middle that we need? Frankly, we had the right big men recruited with Taylor, Birch and Adams but didn't get the result needed. As it's been pointed out a number of times Jamies biggest misses have been in our guard recruiting. The biggest concern is that this has become a trend. He's not able to convince them that if they come to Pitt you'll have an opportunity to compete for the NBA. I know that he liked to recruit the tough kid and develop them over 4 or 5 years but not sure that's realistic anymore. Kids can either shoot or not, they can create their own shot or not. This has to be evaluated early on and recruited aggressively. However, this is also difficult with Jamie's reputation of ball control (no turnovers, etc) and the emphasis on post play whenever possible. His strategy may have reflected the talent he's had over the years but I'm confused when you have shooters like Artis, Smith, Slim, etc... that they look timid at times to take the shot.
So what do you do now? We don't need Robinson shooting but we need to work through Young and Artis as well as Smith, Slim and Jeter. Why Jones sees the floor I'm not sure. I am perplexed to see rotations at time. I think I remember Young, Atis, Smith, Robinson and Jeter were on the bench at the same time against Virginia. I don't dislike Robinson, he can help setup the offense and drive points without necessarily scoring. Also, i don't mind the energy Jeter brings on the offensive end... at least he can create a shot now and then. Frankly, Artis is our best shooter and should be taking more shots.
If you miss keep shooting. I'm not saying that we abandon the inside play with Young but teams know that if you stop him and Artis you stop Pitt. Let the kids go and we may be surprised what happens... remember the Notre Dame game? I guess it does come down to out scoring the other team or at least trying. Our methodical offensive scheme lately is creating why too many turnovers and hesitation.
Let them play and if you make them you win, you don't and you lose. That's basketball.
