Rocket Watts?

[SeattleHoop]

kemba from yr 2 to yr 3;
40% to 43% on overall fgs.
34% to 33% on 3s.
he also went from 370 to 740 attempts.

Got it, I would have thought his 3p percent shot up a lot more or does that not count tournament play?
My point is that improvement is definitely possible still because he is young with potential.
Though to your point, it may not be enough to be the impact we are looking for.
If Hurley believes in him, than I do.

 

[Hurleyman216]

Rocket's struggles at Michigan State this year because he got forced into playing PG which was not his natural position. He was much better as a shooting guard his freshman year. The reason they moved him to PG is because he doesn't shoot good enough to be a shooting guard. I still see Cole as our primary ball handler and Diggins will handle the point for probably 10-15 mins/game as needed. If we brought in Rocket, he'd be competing with Gaffney. By all accounts Gaffney is a better shooter and has higher upside (in my opinion). Rocket has a better build and is stronger. The only way it would benefit the team is maybe it would push Gaffney to step up and play to his potential. I'd personally rather sign up a 6' 3"-6' 6" who can shoot the lights out and play either the 2 or the 3. Cole showed a nice mid-range pullup game and I expect that will continue. Gaffney is actually pretty good getting to the rim when he decides to, we're still working with him on that. I can confirm the rumors that we may be pulling in someone from overseas, but nothing firm as of right now. I'm not hating on Rocket, just don't think he's exactly the fit we need.

 

[huskyblooz]

No it’s not. Cole and Gaffney really aren’t that good.

you know nothing.

 

[Gurleyman]

Got it, I would have thought his 3p percent shot up a lot more or does that not count tournament play?
My point is that improvement is definitely possible still because he is young with potential.
Though to your point, it may not be enough to be the impact we are looking for.
If Hurley believes in him, than I do.

He was taking more much high degree of difficulty threes as a junior. Sophomore year people were going under screens and giving him the open 3 as much as he wanted. Junior year nobody was giving him anything and he had to have a quick trigger. He also slumped a bit in February as he wore down a bit and BE defenses were swarming him. Lamb becoming a bonafide No. 2 wing man down the stretch was really huge to take some attention elsewhere.

 

[Dean Wormer]

Rocket's struggles at Michigan State this year because he got forced into playing PG which was not his natural position. He was much better as a shooting guard his freshman year. The reason they moved him to PG is because he doesn't shoot good enough to be a shooting guard. I still see Cole as our primary ball handler and Diggins will handle the point for probably 10-15 mins/game as needed. If we brought in Rocket, he'd be competing with Gaffney. By all accounts Gaffney is a better shooter and has higher upside (in my opinion). Rocket has a better build and is stronger. The only way it would benefit the team is maybe it would push Gaffney to step up and play to his potential. I'd personally rather sign up a 6' 3"-6' 6" who can shoot the lights out and play either the 2 or the 3. Cole showed a nice mid-range pullup game and I expect that will continue. Gaffney is actually pretty good getting to the rim when he decides to, we're still working with him on that. I can confirm the rumors that we may be pulling in someone from overseas, but nothing firm as of right now. I'm not hating on Rocket, just don't think he's exactly the fit we need.

All these transfers and we’re looking to pull someone from overseas? Not sure what that means but, Ok.

 

[UCSouth]

Rocket's struggles at Michigan State this year because he got forced into playing PG which was not his natural position. He was much better as a shooting guard his freshman year. The reason they moved him to PG is because he doesn't shoot good enough to be a shooting guard. I still see Cole as our primary ball handler and Diggins will handle the point for probably 10-15 mins/game as needed. If we brought in Rocket, he'd be competing with Gaffney. By all accounts Gaffney is a better shooter and has higher upside (in my opinion). Rocket has a better build and is stronger. The only way it would benefit the team is maybe it would push Gaffney to step up and play to his potential. I'd personally rather sign up a 6' 3"-6' 6" who can shoot the lights out and play either the 2 or the 3. Cole showed a nice mid-range pullup game and I expect that will continue. Gaffney is actually pretty good getting to the rim when he decides to, we're still working with him on that. I can confirm the rumors that we may be pulling in someone from overseas, but nothing firm as of right now. I'm not hating on Rocket, just don't think he's exactly the fit we need.

Not trying to be a wise guy here, but what qualifies you to be able to confirm rumors about possibly getting a player from overseas? Just curious.

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

I'm all for anyone who can create their own shot, make the shots they take, find teammates in good position to take (& make) good shots, or any combination of those three.

Quite a few posts here read like little more than competitive hot take equivalents of hero ball being played with adjectives.

 

[dennismenace]

Who? It doesn’t really seem we have that many options. Stand pat means stay as we are. No way.

Rocket Watts has skills that none of our players have. Fatts Russell wasn’t good enough for this board either. He’s headed to Maryland, a team that thumped us. We’ve got to get real. We need a dynamic player. Rocket is dynamic. He needs to be coached to choose shots more wisely, but he’s a natural slasher and creator. I watched MSU this year and I actually wished we had him. He’s a young player that needs coaching and practice. Rocket is by no means a finished product. He isn’t a grad transfer, he’s a kid.

He's entering his junior year.

 

[tzznandrew]

He's entering his junior year.

Don't you get it? Our rising juniors are what they are. Other people's need coaching and will grow.

 

[dennismenace]

No he’s just a more fluent basketball player, with significantly better guard skills than Gaff. I think he was misused at Mich St. Gaffney is not a primary ball handler, Watts is

The reason he is leaving MS is because Izzo wanted him to be the primary ball handler (point guard) and he doesn't want that. He wants to be the primary shooting guard and he can't shoot. This reminds me of Vance Jackson (and his father) or Roscoe Smith (who I loved as a rebounding machine) who fancied themselves as perimeter 3's or stretch 4 popping threes and they couldn't shoot from distance or drive. Kid is like so many others who seem to have all kinds of potential because of athletic ability but never seem to realize their potential due to one or more factors. When you think you know more than the coach your getting warm as to where the problem is.

 

[Hoophound]

He's entering his junior year.

Exactly. Not a finished product. Half way there.

 

[KingAG]

The reason he is leaving MS is because Izzo wanted him to be the primary ball handler (point guard) and he doesn't want that. He wants to be the primary shooting guard and he can't shoot. This reminds me of Vance Jackson (and his father) or Roscoe Smith (who I loved as a rebounding machine) who fancied themselves as perimeter 3's or stretch 4 popping threes and they couldn't shoot from distance or drive. Kid is like so many others who seem to have all kinds of potential because of athletic ability but never seem to realize their potential due to one or more factors. When you think you know more than the coach your getting warm as to where the problem is.

Primary ball handler doesn’t mean pg. Boatright was a primary ball handler

 

[CallMeBruce]

Primary ball handler doesn’t mean pg. Boatright was a primary ball handler

and a point guard

 

[upstater]

It is very true this team needs a serious upgrade at the guard position. It's the only place we're really lacking.

UConn has had a history of great guards, and we don't have those guys right now.

Yes, I can go through all the greats, Smith, George, Ollie, Sheffer, KEA, Moore, Taliek, M Williams, AJP, Kemba, Napier, Boatright, etc. Gaffney and Cole are not at this level. They are good players, but this school has a history at that position--and I'd argue that except for the 2004 team, this strength is what has accounted mostly for the team's success.

 

[Hoophound]

It is very true this team needs a serious upgrade at the guard position. It's the only place we're really lacking.

UConn has had a history of great guards, and we don't have those guys right now.

Yes, I can go through all the greats, Smith, George, Ollie, Sheffer, KEA, Moore, Taliek, M Williams, AJP, Kemba, Napier, Boatright, etc. Gaffney and Cole are not at this level. They are good players, but this school has a history at that position--and I'd argue that except for the 2004 team, this strength is what has accounted mostly for the team's success.

Even with 2004, Taliek could penetrate at will, was an elite defender and had size. Ben Gordon was just an incredible basketball player. I wouldn’t say the backcourt was any less important to that team than the others. That team could’ve made a FF run without Okafor.

 

[Hoophound]

Don't you get it? Our rising juniors are what they are. Other people's need coaching and will grow.

He was replying to me and I’m absolutely not saying that.

 

[KingAG]

and a point guard

Boatright was not a pg.

 

[WhereistheDove?]

Boatright was not a pg.

Were Kemba or Shabazz point guards? Is your definition of point guard solely limited to a completely pass-first lead guard? This feels unnecessarily pedantic.

 

[BGesus4]

What is the difference between a primary ball handler who’s running offensive sets and a point guard?
Asking for a friend

 

[djct1999]

It is very true this team needs a serious upgrade at the guard position. It's the only place we're really lacking.

UConn has had a history of great guards, and we don't have those guys right now.

Yes, I can go through all the greats, Smith, George, Ollie, Sheffer, KEA, Moore, Taliek, M Williams, AJP, Kemba, Napier, Boatright, etc. Gaffney and Cole are not at this level. They are good players, but this school has a history at that position--and I'd argue that except for the 2004 team, this strength is what has accounted mostly for the team's success.

Not if you listen to some of the guys on here. The grass is perfectly green w Cole and Gaffney. Well, according to them.

 

[tzznandrew]

He was replying to me and I’m absolutely not saying that.

I didn't really mean to target you specifically. It's just the entirety of the attitude our fanbase has.

 

[KingAG]

Were Kemba or Shabazz point guards? Is your definition of point guard solely limited to a completely pass-first lead guard? This feels unnecessarily pedantic.

When I say primary ball handler I’m referring to skill set. For example, RJ Barrett is a primary ball handler, he isn’t a pg. We differentiate between pgs and cgs here all the time. Julius Randle, primary ball handler, not a pg. I can continue but it’s dumb. Gaffney doesn’t handle the ball well enough to be one of our primary ball handlers. That’s the point. Ryan Boatright almost NEVER played pg for us , even when Bazz left lol. Why? He was better off ball as a scoring guard. Doesn’t mean he isn’t a primary ball handler. He just didn’t have the mindset to run an offense

 

[WhereistheDove?]

I can continue but it’s dumb.

Agreed.

The idea that he almost never played PG for us even after Shabazz left is an... interesting notion. He played PG quite a bit even when Shabazz was here and allowed him to play off ball. We played two PGs. You can make an argument that both were CGs, but it's a pedantic distinction. When Shabazz left, both Boatright and Hamilton shared a lot of the point responsibilities. I just don't get why you're so invested in such a meaningless distinction you're trying to make.

 

[KingAG]

Agreed.

The idea that he almost never played PG for us even after Shabazz left is an... interesting notion. He played PG quite a bit even when Shabazz was here and allowed him to play off ball. We played two PGs. You can make an argument that both were CGs, but it's a pedantic distinction. When Shabazz left, both Boatright and Hamilton shared a lot of the point responsibilities. I just don't get why you're so invested in such a meaningless distinction you're trying to make.

It’s not a meaningless distinction. Primary ball handler has ZERO to do with position. Hamilton was the more of the pg on that team IMO. Boatright looked to score 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. His main job was to get open and create space. Not facilitate the offense. But that’s still irrelevant to my point. He was still a primary ball handler. Gaffney is not. Period

 

[WhereistheDove?]

It’s not a meaningless distinction. Primary ball handler has ZERO to do with position. Hamilton was the more of the pg on that team IMO. Boatright looked to score 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. His main job was to get open and create space. Not facilitate the offense. But that’s still irrelevant to my point. He was still a primary ball handler. Gaffney is not. Period

Hamilton and Boatright had negligibly different assist numbers. Again, you seem to be defining the criteria in an unnecessarily small way so that you can be right here. It's bizarre. Also, not sure where Gaffney came into this discussion. Wasn't the beginning of this you taking exception with someone saying Watts played PG at MSU?

 

[Chin Diesel]

Even with 2004, Taliek could penetrate at will, was an elite defender and had size. Ben Gordon was just an incredible basketball player. I wouldn’t say the backcourt was any less important to that team than the others. That team could’ve made a FF run without Okafor.

2004 basically had two NFL type bodies at starting guard in Gordon and Brown. Fast and powerful. Brown couldn't shoot at all- from the field or FT line but he would cut the head off the opposing team defensively. Gordon was obviously elite in speed, jumping and shooting from anywhere.

2014 had two lithe, slender guards in Napier and Boatright. They had the heart of a lion and both were very athletic. Napier might not have had the vertical of a Boat or Gordon but he could move and adjust on the run and in the air to get the space he needed.

Two different styles of guards, two championships.

The similarity between 04 and 14 and the difference between them and current team is athleticism. None of the guards on UConn's teams have shown they have the speed or vertical jumps to make plays offensively or defensively.

 

[KingAG]

Hamilton and Boatright had negligibly different assist numbers. Again, you seem to be defining the criteria in an unnecessarily small way so that you can be right here. It's bizarre. Also, not sure where Gaffney came into this discussion. Wasn't the beginning of this you taking exception with someone saying Watts played PG at MSU?

Sort of. Izzo did play him at pg at mich st but that was a mistake. He’s more of a combo guard, which is how I think Hurley would use him. My point was pg cg is sort of irrelevant. We need another primary ball handler because Gaffney isn’t that(at least not yet) and I don’t like relying on freshman(diggins). We sort of got off track when I brought up Boatright. Which is admittedly my opinion not fact. But my overall point I believe still stands. Watts fills a need as a primary ball handler, not the pg Michigan state tried to make him. Because ball handler and pg/cg/g are not mutually exclusive. Any position on the floor can be a primary ball handler dependent upon skill set

 

[BuffaloHusky]

Regardless of Watts and I haven't seen it mentioned but it feels like either Hurley likes two (and maybe 3) combo guards running the offense simultaneoulsy or we just haven't recruited a pure point guard. I actually prefer the two combo's myself but I've also seen plenty of great teams with pure point guards as well. Regardless, Rocket appears to fit the multiple combo offense.

As a side note... Rocket's free throw shooting has actually been very good. That gives me more confidence he can improve his 3 point shooting especially if he doesn't have to focus on exclusively running the offense.

 

[7774]

What is the difference between a primary ball handler who’s running offensive sets and a point guard?
Asking for a friend

Reading what's happening on the court before anyone else, knowing you're making the pass that leads to the pass that leads to a bucket, having vision of the entire court even when you're driving into the lane, always looking for your teammates, knowing who needs to get the ball regularly to stay engaged in the game, setting up your defender in a way that big men won't get called for moving screens on the perimeter, making sure everyone else is in the right spot on the court, etc.

 

[7774]

He had three bad shooting games against Creighton (x2) and Nova (x1) where he went 4 for 19.

But it wasn't endemic against good teams. From 3, he shot 1 for 1 against Creighton in the BET and 3 for 7 against Maryland. He was also 2 for 5 against USC. So in those other three games he shot 6 for 13 (46%). Seems to me more the randomness of a season than some suggestion he couldn't get his shot off.

Even if you want to say he was decent from 3 in those games, which I would disagree with, he was 5-27 on 2s, and when you combine those it's just not good.