Meeting of the minds

[GemParty]

Can we come to a consensus, on Giffey? How many shots do you want to see him taking a game, based on what you've seen thru 7 games? I read Mau, that he'd like to see the staff run some specific plays for him. I agree 100%. He didn't shoot much during the Indiana game. The staff needs to incorporate him more. I love balance, & he doesn't need to score 30. However, when he's hot, I'd enjoy seeing him fire away, til he cools rather than what we've been doing with his play. The way he's been shooting, after 7/8 shots he might not cool. Do you agree?

 

[bmayuc]

I wrote this in another thread, but I'm not sure we need to change anything with how we are playing him. He has not shown any ability to run off screens like Hamilton/Allen and have the balance and shot making skill to create offense.

He has shown this year that from a spot-up perspective he can really fire it, but to my eye he really has to be nice and balanced to be a consistent shooter. I think we should take his contributions this year and be over the moon about them rather than try to re-calibrate and demand more.

His scoring/shooting will be dependent on how the defense chooses to prioritize defensive strategy(help w/ guards or stick on Giff) and how well Napier/Boat are able to get in the lane and collapse the defense to begin rotations.

Love Giff, lets keep the momentum going

 

[mauconnfan]

He's averaging less than 5 shots a game shooting 70% from everywhere........he needs to get more open looks without a doubt. He looks confident and when he misses a couple he seems to always believe the next one is going in, and so do I.

Needs to get 10 shots a game I believe..........run him around some picks, set up some stuff but he needs to be seeing more opportunities. He is our best pure shooter!

 

[Krugs17]

It's tough to say what his given amount of shots should be as on any night we could have a hot hand of Shabazz, Deandre, Boat, Omar, ETC. But I think minimum 5 shots, and maybe 10 ideal.. He has clearly stepped into his own and has the confidence and belief he can contribute on the offensive end, so it would be nice to see some plays specifically drawn up for him. I am actually pretty happy with everybody getting him involved for the most part; when he has been hot Niels has been the first guy the others have been looking for on the perimeter.

 

[Tenspro2002]

I don't think we need to run plays specifically for Giffey. We do, however, need to run more plays in general with the goal of finding shooters, whoever they may be. Our half-court offense still isn't appreciably better than it has been over the last 4-5 years.

 

[mauconnfan]

Not sure why you wouldn't want to run plays specifically for a guy shooting 70% from the floor?

 

[caw]

Not sure why you wouldn't want to run plays specifically for a guy shooting 70% from the floor?

They run plays that have him as an option. It's the main reason they use him as a screener (that and he is pretty good at it). When the defense sticks with Giffey, they obviously don't pass it to him on the pick and pop because the guard usually has free access to the lane.

Giffey is shooting so well, because (disregarding the obvious, that he is a darn good shooter with confidence) he has fantastic shot selection. He is usually wide open when he shoots. He has started to add a pump fake the past two games also. The problem with the pump fake is that he doesn't have the tightest handle. The benefit is that he has a pretty good pull-up and can pass it pretty well.

As for screens on the baseline, he doesn't really have that kind of game. He's more Danny Green or Shane Battier than Ray/Rip.

 

[aceboon]

Not sure where this "we don't run plays for Giffey" stuff is coming from, the high ball screen/PnR is a play. You're not going to run Giffey off screens like our classic wings because he doesn't have the game for that.

 

[mauconnfan]

Not sure where this "we don't run plays for Giffey" stuff is coming from, the high ball screen/PnR is a play. You're not going to run Giffey off screens like our classic wings because he doesn't have the game for that.

he doesn't have the game for what...running off of screens? C'mon, he has shown plenty of quickness and athleticism and he doesn't need the dribble to get his shot off. It's crazy to think they can't do more than the high ball screen for him.........he needs to see more shots sorry you disagree on that. Anyone with a 70% shooter will get creative!

 

[aceboon]

he doesn't have the game for what...running off of screens? C'mon, he has shown plenty of quickness and athleticism and he doesn't need the dribble to get his shot off. It's crazy to think they can't do more than the high ball screen for him.........he needs to see more shots sorry you disagree on that. Anyone with a 70% shooter will get creative!

Yes, running off screens and then squaring himself up for a shot in a split second and then knocking it down. I've watched him now for 3 plus years at UConn, watched him in both the U20 Euro Championships and then in this summer's Eurobasket, nothing I've seen from Giffey indicates that the team can plug him into the Rip/Ray/BG/Lamb role and expect him to function on that level and knock down shots while off the move. Giffey can create more shots for himself by showing the ball and pumpfaking defenders when they close out hard on him. Giffey is now part of the opponent's game plan, get the defenders on their heels when they try to chase you off the 3 point line, he's more than capable of putting the ball on the floor for 2 dribbles and getting by a defender who is afraid of giving him a 3.

 

[Waquoit]

Giffey deserves more PT. He's producing. I though the UConn way was you earn your more time with good play.

 

[Gurleyman]

he doesn't have the game for what...running off of screens? C'mon, he has shown plenty of quickness and athleticism and he doesn't need the dribble to get his shot off. It's crazy to think they can't do more than the high ball screen for him.........he needs to see more shots sorry you disagree on that. Anyone with a 70% shooter will get creative!

He isn't fast running off of screens - he's very deliberate. When he squares up, he has a very high release point so he is good on those pick and pops (or spotting up) that don't require him to shed his man by running off of screens off the ball. He can stay square to the basket and use his high release to shoot over the D before it arrives. If he isn't square to the basket on the catch, it takes him forever to get his feet set and get a shot off - and he knows his limitations, so he doesn't shoot it. He would have more shots if he played outside himself with "heat checks", but he clearly isn't that type of player.

 

[mauconnfan]

Sorry guys but I also have never seen him dunk like has this year, in traffic - whole different athlete and confidence level. Say what you want but if he's as slow and deliberate as you say and can't do this or that then NOT running plays and screens for him will keep him averaging 5 shots per game........and if you're happy with that at a 70% clip then good for you - I'm not. GET HIM OPEN, it's basketball and there are ways for everyone to get open! If he drops to 60% on 10 shots we're a better team but get him looks!

 

[caw]

Giffey deserves more PT. He's producing. I though the UConn way was you earn your more time with good play.

The "problem" is that so have Kromah and Daniels.

Daniels is shooting 54% and 41% since the start of the second half versus Detroit. He's played pretty well since that halftime. Averaging about 19/5 during that time.

Kromah has played fantastic defense and is hitting open shots. Plus he has a slightly better handle and can help break pressure better.

I don't think Ollie wants to give up on Calhoun this early in the season.

EDIT: Boat and Bazz I was taking for granted. Even though Boat hasn't shot the ball well he has played a pretty solid floor game every game except maybe against IU where he started to let his emotions get the best of him.

 

[CTBasketball]

Giff needs more minutes. Omar needs less. Its pretty simple.