AJ at the 4

[HuskyHawk]

I don't think one of them will be a transfer and he has a chance to be better than them right away IMO.

You're obsessed with height from the power forward position. Our guards were Webster tiny by basketball standards in 2014 and Giffey was matched up against Julius Randle. 2011 had a lot of length with Lamb and the frontcourt guys but Kemba and Bazz were tiny. You don't seem to realize the way the game is played is different than it was in the 90's and even just 10-12 years ago. The guards we're going to have our big and I think we're going to add another big guard who is going to play a bunch.

There's nothing you've seen from Johnson that should lead you believe he'll play next season like Daniels played as a junior, he'll obviously be starting if he's that good.

You and @AntG168 keep saying I don't understand it has changed. I do understand. The ideal PF in the modern game is probably still Jason Tatum sized or bigger. I do think you can get away with being 6'6", if you're 230 like Draymond Green. AJ doesn't have the body to defend the post against bigger guys. Against some teams that may be fine. Against others it won't be. Kalkbrenner would have dominated him.

If the one is Castle, maybe. I'm not sold on that happening. We will see what happens. Dan will either play the forwards he recruits or they will leave, and new ones may not come. I look at the teams that win and I do not see teams playing 4 guards and a center. I do see teams playing big men who can score from outside. My point continues to be that we have two of them now. So play them. I'm not advocating for the Celtic's offense from 1986. Our best lineup is almost certainly not going to have Jackson at the 4, although I can certainly see using late when protecting a lead.

The National Championship game had Brady Manek 6'9" 230 and Jalen Wilson 6'8" 225 at PF.

 

[navery12]

Kalkbrenner would have dominated him.

Well luckily we're discussing Jackson playing the 4 and not the 5 so he won't be guarding Kalkbrenner

 

[superjohn]

You and @AntG168 keep saying I don't understand it has changed. I do understand. The ideal PF in the modern game is probably still Jason Tatum sized or bigger. I do think you can get away with being 6'6", if you're 230 like Draymond Green. AJ doesn't have the body to defend the post against bigger guys. Against some teams that may be fine. Against others it won't be. Kalkbrenner would have dominated him.

If the one is Castle, maybe. I'm not sold on that happening. We will see what happens. Dan will either play the forwards he recruits or they will leave, and new ones may not come. I look at the teams that win and I do not see teams playing 4 guards and a center. I do see teams playing big men who can score from outside. My point continues to be that we have two of them now. So play them. I'm not advocating for the Celtic's offense from 1986. Our best lineup is almost certainly not going to have Jackson at the 4, although I can certainly see using late when protecting a lead.

The National Championship game had Brady Manek 6'9" 230 and Jalen Wilson 6'8" 225 at PF.

No, you still don't get it. He's not going to have to be guarding the majority of power forwards in the post. Again, that's not how the game is played now.

Kalkbrenner is a 7 foot center, he'll be guarded by Sanogo. When Sanogo isn't on the floor he'll be guarded by Clingan or Johnson.

Did you actually watch the National Championship game or other UNC and KU games this season? Manek bombs threes all game every game and Wilson slashes or shoots threes, he's not a banger.

 

[MexicoHusky]

Your definition is stuck in the 20th century. The game has changed. AJ's best NBA prospect is as a PG.

AJ is not a primary ball handler. Nor has Dan Hurley played him as a primary ball handler. Being a pretty good ball handler is not part of any PG definition. In any era. This is particularly true in college where teams press more frequently than the NBA.

I know Dan Hurley has made some comments that suggest AJs future is guard. Maybe even PG. I can't remember the exact quote. In this case I'm watching what Dan Hurley does. Not what Dan Hurley says. Dan Hurley does not play AJ in a PG capacity. When Dan Hurley starts to do so I will start taking the AJ is a PG talk seriously.

 

[HuskyHawk]

No, you still don't get it. He's not going to have to be guarding the majority of power forwards in the post. Again, that's not how the game is played now.

Kalkbrenner is a 7 foot center, he'll be guarded by Sanogo. When Sanogo isn't on the floor he'll be guarded by Clingan or Johnson.

Did you actually watch the National Championship game or other UNC and KU games this season? Manek bombs threes all game every game and Wilson slashes or shoots threes, he's not a banger.

I watched. And when somebody put a small guy on Manek they immediately posted him over and over. It's not worth arguing about. AJ will play some minutes there. If it's a lot of minutes, UConn will not be as good as they can be. We can see if I'm right or wrong in 11 months.

 

[BlueMAB]

AJ is not a primary ball handler. Nor has Dan Hurley played him as a primary ball handler. Being a pretty good ball handler is not part of any PG definition. In any era. This is particularly true in college where teams press more frequently than the NBA.

Just because you say he isn't a primary ball handler, doesn't mean he isn't being developed into a primary ball handler.

The best way to beat a press, especially a zone/trapping press, is by passing the ball, not dribbling. Giving the ball to your primary ball handler and telling him to dribble through the press is a great way to repeatedly turn the ball over. How often college teams press has nothing to do with AJ's development as an NBA PG.

It's not the point guard's job to beat a press. All 5 guys on the court need to be ready to beat a press, because you pass through a zone/trapping press, not dribble. In full court man defense (which isn't a press, it's just full court man defense) =, you give the ball to your most favorable mismatch and send everyone down the court to create space. Sometimes that was Andre, sometimes it was Martin, sometimes it was Cole. But it doesn't have to be the "PG".

I know Dan Hurley has made some comments that suggest AJs future is guard. Maybe even PG. I can't remember the exact quote. In this case I'm watching what Dan Hurley does. Not what Dan Hurley says. Dan Hurley does not play AJ in a PG capacity. When Dan Hurley starts to do so I will start taking the AJ is a PG talk seriously.

AJ handled the ball a ton last year, particularly when he rebounded it and started the break, but also when Cole was playing off the ball. And he can defend 1-4. We must be watching different games.

 

[Deleted at users request]

He's sort of the opposite of Draymond, no? Draymond is a (by NBA standards) sub-standard athlete who makes up for it with outrageously high b-ball IQ and positional awareness on defense. AJ is a phenomenal athlete but isn't quite at the same level of quarterbacking a defense (he's a great individual defender but nowhere near Draymond).

Offensively, AJ is a better passer, Draymond a better rebounder, Draymond a much, much better shooter (and he's not a good shooter).

Andre is more Andre Iguodala in their original death lineup. Great athlete, defender, not a reliable shot, and mostly a playmaker for the other scorers on the squad.

 

[mauconnfan]

One of the most important things a coach does at our level is prepare his best players for the next level. Contrary to popular belief on the Boneyard I will be very surprised if we see much of AJ at the 4. That is not a position AJ will play after his college experience. Playing AJ at the 4 would be a disservice to him I believe.

JC played KFree at the 3 his last year how’d that work out for the team and him as well? I mean I’m not sure on the 4 all the much as well but if at times it’s best for the team then that’s what is more important.

 

[KingAG]

Is this the same program that won a national title with deandre Daniels and Giffey manning the 4? What exactly are we talking about. There’s been a plethora of elite teams both collegiate and professional who have won with 4’s smaller than AJax lol. The warriors play draymond at the 5 in some lineups. Claiming we won’t be as good simply because AJax starts at the 4 is insane

 

[Candyman]

Is this the same program that won a national title with deandre Daniels and Giffey manning the 4? What exactly are we talking about. There’s been a plethora of elite teams both collegiate and professional who have won with 4’s smaller than AJax lol. The warriors play draymond at the 5 in some lineups. Claiming we won’t be as good simply because AJax starts at the 4 is insane

Daniels and Giffey are way way way better shooters than Jackson. In the tourny DD jumper was money and he ate. When Jackson can do that at the 4 then let’s talk.

 

[WhereistheDove?]

If he shot more threes that goes down he made 22 threes all year and you all know this and he does thats why he passed up sooo many open threes.

I’m not saying he’s a great shooter. I’m saying he’s good enough that defenders at least have to respect him and can’t sag to the interior when he’s off ball. That’s all he really needs to do. I also still genuinely don’t have any idea what that has to do with him playing the 4.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Daniels and Giffey are way way way better shooters than Jackson. In the tourny DD jumper was money and he ate. When Jackson can do that at the 4 then let’s talk.

Daniels was also, as I pointed out, physically a lot more like Johnson than like Jackson. I don’t know how anyone thinks it’s an example of a small 4 man. Giffey played very few minutes at the 4, I doubt more than 5% of his minutes.

 

[gtcam]

AJ could be a 4 but only with the correct compliment around him. I don't see him as a 4 but who knows what Dan Hurley has in mind. I would rather see Sanogo get his minutes at the 4 and if not him Karaban. That kid can shoot and his handle is not bad - dont know about the defense though. It's weird for AJ he is almost like a man with no real position. he isnt a PG, isn't a SG or 3 because of his offense. He will get his minutes, Dan Hurley will be sure of it - where is the mystery

 

[WhereistheDove?]

I would rather see Sanogo get his minutes at the 4

 

[KingAG]

Daniels and Giffey are way way way better shooters than Jackson. In the tourny DD jumper was money and he ate. When Jackson can do that at the 4 then let’s talk.

There’s no need to talk. He’ll be the starting 4. It’s only you and like 2 other people who are kicking and screaming against the inevitable. Rothstein didn’t call him a small ball 4 by accident.

 

[AZHuskiePop]

The "4" doesn't mean anything. As long as he can defend the second biggest guy on the other team the offense should be interchangeable and I'm sure he will handle the ball a lot.

4 is an offensive designation not defensive
He could play 1-2-3 and still guard their 4 in a MTM. We’re not in box of orthodoxy.
He could play anywhere in a Zone.
I agree with the OP the 4 the way Hurley has used it in the past doesn’t really take advantage of his strengths. Hurley could change that of course.
Calhoun played Nadev in point forward almost similar to the old high post to take advantage of his passing skills. Even with his back to the basket on occasion.
If your pegs aren’t completely round forcing them into round holes is ineffective. Modify the holes to fit the pegs.

 

[runner11]

I am having a hard time thinking about all the 4s in the Big East who would abuse Dre in the post. It's a lot easier for me to picture Samson getting blown away by 6'5/6'6 kids.

Hopefully Karaban is good so the debate is over. I think Samson will eventually be a 5. We need 3 shooters and it's easier to find a shooter at the 1-3 than 4 purely due to demographics. Sure, if SJ can shoot, we will play a bunch of big lineups.

 

[Hungryhusky99]

4 is an offensive designation not defensive
He could play 1-2-3 and still guard their 4 in a MTM. We’re not in box of orthodoxy.
He could play anywhere in a Zone.
I agree with the OP the 4 the way Hurley has used it in the past doesn’t really take advantage of his strengths. Hurley could change that of course.
Calhoun played Nadev in point forward almost similar to the old high post to take advantage of his passing skills. Even with his back to the basket on occasion.
If your pegs aren’t completely round forcing them into round holes is ineffective. Modify the holes to fit the pegs.

If it is a 4 out offense what difference does 1-4 make?

 

[BlueMAB]

4 is an offensive designation not defensive

Please explain how.

 

[MexicoHusky]

Just because you say he isn't a primary ball handler, doesn't mean he isn't being developed into a primary ball handler.

The best way to beat a press, especially a zone/trapping press, is by passing the ball, not dribbling. Giving the ball to your primary ball handler and telling him to dribble through the press is a great way to repeatedly turn the ball over. How often college teams press has nothing to do with AJ's development as an NBA PG.

It's not the point guard's job to beat a press. All 5 guys on the court need to be ready to beat a press, because you pass through a zone/trapping press, not dribble. In full court man defense (which isn't a press, it's just full court man defense) =, you give the ball to your most favorable mismatch and send everyone down the court to create space. Sometimes that was Andre, sometimes it was Martin, sometimes it was

Just because you say he isn't a primary ball handler, doesn't mean he isn't being developed into a primary ball handler.

The best way to beat a press, especially a zone/trapping press, is by passing the ball, not dribbling. Giving the ball to your primary ball handler and telling him to dribble through the press is a great way to repeatedly turn the ball over. How often college teams press has nothing to do with AJ's development as an NBA PG.

It's not the point guard's job to beat a press. All 5 guys on the court need to be ready to beat a press, because you pass through a zone/trapping press, not dribble. In full court man defense (which isn't a press, it's just full court man defense) =, you give the ball to your most favorable mismatch and send everyone down the court to create space. Sometimes that was Andre, sometimes it was Martin, sometimes it was Cole. But it doesn't have to be the "PG".



AJ handled the ball a ton last year, particularly when he rebounded it and started the break, but also when Cole was playing off the ball. And he can defend 1-4. We must be watching different games.

"Just because you say he isn't a primary ball handler, doesn't mean he isn't being developed into a primary ball handler"

The idea that we recruit a forward who developes into a primary ball handler is unlikely. I'm not saying it cannot happen. But it's never happened in my tenure as a UCONN fan. Maybe Jackson will be the first.

 

[BlueMAB]

"Just because you say he isn't a primary ball handler, doesn't mean he isn't being developed into a primary ball handler"

The idea that we recruit a forward who developes into a primary ball handler is unlikely. I'm not saying it cannot happen. But it's never happened in my tenure as a UCONN fan. Maybe Jackson will be the first.

Have you seen a player like him before? That combination of size, athleticism, vision, and god awful shooting form?

I haven’t.

it will be much easier for him to improve his handle than it will be to fix his shot.

 

[Kenny11]

Has anyone made the Draymond Green comp?

I think andre’s goal should be to be that type of player. Andre is a good and clever passer like draymond is but draymond is also very clever on defense, an attribute that is very rare and not even teachable.

 

[Get a Job]

4 is an offensive designation not defensive
He could play 1-2-3 and still guard their 4 in a MTM. We’re not in box of orthodoxy.
He could play anywhere in a Zone.
I agree with the OP the 4 the way Hurley has used it in the past doesn’t really take advantage of his strengths. Hurley could change that of course.
Calhoun played Nadev in point forward almost similar to the old high post to take advantage of his passing skills. Even with his back to the basket on occasion.
If your pegs aren’t completely round forcing them into round holes is ineffective. Modify the holes to fit the pegs.

Maybe not, but we're in a glass case of emotion.

 

[HuskyHawk]

If it is a 4 out offense what difference does 1-4 make?

Very little, but some. Contrary to what @AZHuskiePop said, I consider it primarily a defensive designation, not offensive.

On offense, when Whaley was a 4, he largely screened and handed off up top on offense. That's not the role we want. When Akok, Polley or Johnson were the 4, they played the right wing position, open for corner 3's or drives along the baseline. Martin and AJ switched roles to some extent. AJ played a SG/second PG role and Martin primarily played the left wing position. Obviously people move around. My expectation is that AJ will again be up top as a guard/second PG/facilitator in our offense along with Newton. That puts Hawk in the left wing spot and a player to be named in the right wing spot.

The two guys up top are the most likely to drive and kick or try to score. The wings might do that, but more likely need catch and shoot ability from the corner for the kicks, along with the ability to cut without the ball, catch and dunk/score at the rim. That's part of why I think Johnson/Karaban are the best fit, even on offense. This is what I expect to see the 4 do regularly on offense. While Jackson absolutely can do that, he won't, because his role is as a facilitator up top. He'd be the guy driving.

 

[BIIIG]

Whaley did a great job being able to play down to the 4, whether it was being able to get someone out a double team at the top of the key, playing perimeter defense off screens, or knocking down the occasional three. That being said I think having him and Sanogo play at the same time prevented each of them from maximizing their skill set. There were times were I think they clogged the paint up for each other, if Jackson is able to play the 4 type of roll I think it will open a more up for sanogo too

 

[WhereistheDove?]

Very little, but some. Contrary to what @AZHuskiePop said, I consider it primarily a defensive designation, not offensive.

This, especially in the system Hurley is going to run. There's very minimal impact on offensive role. The vast majority of the impact is getting another guard in the lineup by matching Jackson up on the opposing 4.

 

[Billy Bob]

Would rather Johnson at the 4, who Hurley says has wall potential, who also blocks shots, which we will be missing without Whaley.

Jackson has to learn how to score in a half court. He does so much else but we will need him to score as well, can't hide next year.

It will be very, very difficult for AJ to develop a consistent J in the off season after shooting like the way he has for his whole career. They will continue to lay off him and then we'll see how he shoots with someone in his face. And his lack of taking it to the hole. He is better suited at the 4 due to his atleticism and rebounding and lack of offense.

 

[Billy Bob]

4 is an offensive designation not defensive
He could play 1-2-3 and still guard their 4 in a MTM. We’re not in box of orthodoxy.
He could play anywhere in a Zone.
I agree with the OP the 4 the way Hurley has used it in the past doesn’t really take advantage of his strengths. Hurley could change that of course.
Calhoun played Nadev in point forward almost similar to the old high post to take advantage of his passing skills. Even with his back to the basket on occasion.
If your pegs aren’t completely round forcing them into round holes is ineffective. Modify the holes to fit the pegs.

But Nadav could stick the J from the outside. AJ, not.

 

[Kenny11]

Andre is going to handle the ball some and play on the wing some. He will guard whoever coach tells him to guard and will get rebounds no matter who he’s guarding. His position doesn’t matter. Will he initiate the offense? When he gets the rebound, yes. Off makes and dead balls that will probably be newton.

 

[AZHuskiePop]

But Nadav could stick the J from the outside. AJ, not.

That’s true but if you have a weak shooter your 4 out goes down the tubes regardless of were he plays except the 5.
We’re making an assumption Jackson’s shot is good enough to prevent his man from sagging.
He doesn’t need to be Ray Allen but he has to be better than Terrance Samuel