Hawkins defense has really improved

[Waquoit]

I can live with Hawkins defensive liabilities if he continues to hit open threes. If he can consistently score 8-10 points a game we will be a very tough out.

But it's OK if he keeps D-ing up like that. He was great at not sticking his hands in there.

 

[jibsey]

Hawkins- it’s a total crapshoot when he’s handling the ball but I’m glad he’s playing with more confidence. Smooth stroke.

 

[Dooooooomed]

I can live with Hawkins defensive liabilities if he continues to hit open threes. If he can consistently score 8-10 points a game we will be a very tough out.

 

[jibsey]

We all see him as that if we can keep him on the floor. Also would like to see him take it to the rack (without getting stripped) and go to the line.

 

[ThabeetDown]

I thought Hawkins had his best game last night on defense by far this season. You are seeing the first hand the improvement on a game-by-game basis. I think the difference at least I saw last night is he started taking pride in his defense. Getting as excited on contributing to big stop as he would on a made 3.

Also, worth noting that he's had 13 rebounds his last 3 games...he had 13 rebounds in his previous 12 games! Clearly making the extra effort on the non-scoring aspects of his game, which in theory will open up his tremendous offensive skillset which we have seen flashes of.

 

[3rdbass]

I thought Hawkins had his best game last night on defense by far this season. You are seeing the first hand the improvement on a game-by-game basis. I think the difference at least I saw last night is he started taking pride in his defense. Getting as excited on contributing to big stop as he would on a made 3.

Also, worth noting that he's had 13 rebounds his last 3 games...he had 13 rebounds in his previous 12 games! Clearly making the extra effort on the non-scoring aspects of his game, which in theory will open up his tremendous offensive skillset which we have seen flashes of.

He has been doing that for the last 4-5 games. I'm guessing Hurley has instilled in him that even if he is missing shots on the offensive side of the ball if he plays good and rebounds he will get minutes. This has seemed to work as he is athletic to compete on that side of the ball.

 

[Umami Zen]

Great to see for Hawk.. Those boards will be valuable come Tournament time . Glad he's starting to take after AJ/TM vs Tyler on the boards.. LOL

 

[8893]

I thought Hawkins had his best game last night on defense by far this season. You are seeing the first hand the improvement on a game-by-game basis. I think the difference at least I saw last night is he started taking pride in his defense. Getting as excited on contributing to big stop as he would on a made 3.

Also, worth noting that he's had 13 rebounds his last 3 games...he had 13 rebounds in his previous 12 games! Clearly making the extra effort on the non-scoring aspects of his game, which in theory will open up his tremendous offensive skillset which we have seen flashes of.

I could see the difference in his composure last night. It remains the case that progress is not linear, but you can literally see his development into a more complete and confident player almost every time he runs up and down the court.

I still feel like Hurley takes him out too soon after he does good things and doesn't let him ride a wave of good play for longer periods. If he had half the leash that AJax has I think he would be more fully developed by now, but the recent defensive improvement may be the key to extending his leash.

 

[Huskybass]

I could see the difference in his composure last night. It remains the case that progress is not linear, but you can literally see his development into a more complete and confident player almost every time he runs up and down the court.

I still feel like Hurley takes him out too soon after he does good things and doesn't let him ride a wave of good play for longer periods. If he had half the leash that AJax has I think he would be more fully developed by now, but the recent defensive improvement may be the key to extending his leash.

To Hurley's credit, it is readily apparent that Hawkins has improved in many ways. He is definitely staying in front of his man much better on defense, he is crashing the boards, he is looking for his shot, and even his confidence with the ball seems a bit better.

When this kid really gets his confidence, that jump shot is going to be deadly. I'm guessing next year is when we will see that.

 

[6xChamps]

The sequence last night where he played 1on1 D for like 15 seconds straight and made the guy he was defending throw a cross court pass out of bounds was maybe the play of the night for me. Hawk and Hurley were both amped.

 

[MuchoDogYears]

I could see the difference in his composure last night. It remains the case that progress is not linear, but you can literally see his development into a more complete and confident player almost every time he runs up and down the court.

I still feel like Hurley takes him out too soon after he does good things and doesn't let him ride a wave of good play for longer periods. If he had half the leash that AJax has I think he would be more fully developed by now, but the recent defensive improvement may be the key to extending his leash.

I seem to recall that Hurley had a shorter leash on AJ last year as a frosh than he does with Hawkins.

 

[olehead]

The sequence last night where he played 1on1 D for like 15 seconds straight and made the guy he was defending throw a cross court pass out of bounds was maybe the play of the night for me. Hawk and Hurley were both amped.

Same!

 

[RichZ]

I could see the difference in his composure last night. It remains the case that progress is not linear, but you can literally see his development into a more complete and confident player almost every time he runs up and down the court.

I still feel like Hurley takes him out too soon after he does good things and doesn't let him ride a wave of good play for longer periods. If he had half the leash that AJax has I think he would be more fully developed by now, but the recent defensive improvement may be the key to extending his leash.

Ajax did not have a very long leash as a freshman, either.

 

[8893]

I seem to recall that Hurley had a shorter leash on AJ last year as a frosh than he does with Hawkins.

Ajax did not have a very long leash as a freshman, either.

That's true and a fair point, but I guess my point of reference were the preseason reports I heard, from people in a better position to know, that Hawkins and AJax were both in contention for a starting spot this season, until Hawkins had the ankle injury. And we need what Hawkins has to offer this season more desperately than we needed AJax last season.

 

[usedtoberats]

He has certainly improved defensively, despite some ups and downs his shot is pure and will eventually be depended upon to make. my observations are that he seems to play TOO FAST, every motion and move is performed with such a swift, almost jerky motion. this results in my nickname for him TOM ( Turn Over Machine ). Once this game slows down for him ( it will ) , he should be fine, but now he is TOM Hawkins to me.

 

[Waquoit]

I seem to recall that Hurley had a shorter leash on AJ last year as a frosh than he does with Hawkins.

Hawkins can hit the three.

 

[8893]

He has certainly improved defensively, despite some ups and downs his shot is pure and will eventually be depended upon to make. my observations are that he seems to play TOO FAST, every motion and move is performed with such a swift, almost jerky motion. this results in my nickname for him TOM ( Turn Over Machine ). Once this game slows down for him ( it will ) , he should be fine, but now he is TOM Hawkins to me.

I think confirmation bias is very strong with Hawkins.

He had no turnovers last night.

 

[Umami Zen]

Great to see Hawk grab a few defensive boards and start to dribble up court ala AJax.. Confidence is growing every game -esp. with ball in his hands. Provides Dan Hurley with a lot of rotational flexibility if he can continue to build on being reliable with the ball. His shot is money once he's got his footwork set.

 

[Hoops91]

No doubt that everyone was please with Hawkins scoring, but what really stuck out to me was his defense. He played stronger, bodying-up his man and fighting for loose balls and rebounds. While he was much was much more aggressive overall, I like how he anticipated where the opposing player was going, and beat him to the spot.

100% correct

 

[Khal Drogo]

Hawkins can hit the three.

For some unknown reason I think he will eventually avg 20 points a game. Still waiting for that breakout game. Maybe I’m just crazy

 

[NotADime89]

I have a feeling Hawk goes crazy tomorrow and plays his best game of the season

This will be me in Gampel tomorrow

 

[dennismenace]

Also, working on getting that handle tighter. It has helped Jackson for sure and he looks a lot better dribbling this year than last.

I noticed that Jackson moving out of the backcourt in transition looks like Bouk when he dribbles so low to the floor and yet he, like Bouk, gets great acceleration out of this. Amazing to see these long guys get down so low and move so fast. This keeps the handle tight too.

 

[husky429]

He has certainly improved defensively, despite some ups and downs his shot is pure and will eventually be depended upon to make. my observations are that he seems to play TOO FAST, every motion and move is performed with such a swift, almost jerky motion. this results in my nickname for him TOM ( Turn Over Machine ). Once this game slows down for him ( it will ) , he should be fine, but now he is TOM Hawkins to me.

I think confirmation bias is very strong with Hawkins.

He had no turnovers last night.

Better yet, in the last TEN GAMES he has only averaged 0.9 TOs.

1.1 isn't bad on the season either.

I wouldn't really call his TOs a problem. He just doesn't have the handle or passing ability to take the risks setting up his teammates that cause TOs--like Jackson.

 

[Giddyup5]

Feel free to provide an ounce of evidence that Cole often passes to Hawkins and we can have a chat

Dude you initially made the claim that Cole doesn’t pass to him. It’s on you to prove that.

 

[Khal Drogo]

Dude you initially made the claim that Cole doesn’t pass to him. It’s on you to prove tha pretty obvious if you watch.

No he needs to prove I’m wrong

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

Another sterling addition to the Boneyard. Thanks for signing up.

 

[Khal Drogo]

No he needs to prove I’m wrong

First half one pass

 

[Khal Drogo]

First half one pass

Three passes the entire game includes one in the weave offense.

 

[UConnSwag11]

Hawk is getting better on defense. He’s getting good looks on offense. They’ll start falling soon. His handle needs a lot of work

 

[HooperScooper]

His handle needs a lot of work

When he dribbled at the top of the key and just lost the ball I did this: