Samson Johnson

[Kenny11]

Samson is going to be great at the 5 whether he starts or not. Foul trouble happens so even if Reed and Samson split the minutes almost evenly be design, there will be plenty of games where Samson gets around 30 minutes or so.

 

[alphasigko]

I hope this summer that he learns how to turn his foul machine off and how to rebound.

 

[Tiamat7]

remember the posts from last summer arguing samson could play stretch 4? fun times.

Right. We love Samson, but I suppose the "wall potential" and "stretch 4-- good 3 pointer stroke" talk was to light a fire and suggest the absolute ceiling, not the likely outcome.

 

[DMIL]

Does he have those skills? Does he have an inside game other than flushes? It wasn’t asked of him but I hope he does.

We are about to find out and I think he is going to exceed expectations. It's a next step for him and the ground work has been laid for him to be an effective starter. It's a different mindset.

 

[Hunt for 7]

Samson needs to focus on his defense. He has the ability and athleticism to guard multiple positions. I know he was late to start playing the game. When he was 14 or 15 years old not sure he was playing a lot of basketball. I am not going to get into the offensive discussion.

What I will say is he just might get up when he jumps as fast as anyone I have ever seen. That type of ability can be honed. I still stand by my prediction that in two years or so he will make an nba roster.

The only thing that gives me pause is Sticks who might have been the greateast athlete we ever had but never played at the next level. But Samson is a bit longer and rest his soul Sticks had other issues he was dealing with. Samson seems more grounded.

I really am looking forward to see what he brings to the table next year. Will remain optimistic until then.

 

[Drame]

This is just laughably dumb. It didn't fit the system? The same system that had Sanogo put up 52 3's the year before? If Clingan was capable of consistently making 3's he would have been taking them, Hurley is not going to actively limit the offense

This is just laughably dumb. It didn't fit the system? The same system that had Sanogo put up 52 3's the year before? If Clingan was capable of consistently making 3's he would have been taking them, Hurley is not going to actively limit the offense

Read Ruff Ruff in the above post. Yes sometimes a system might limit what a player is good at. Every year is different. Just because Sanogo took a certain amount doesnt mean that Clingan would. Sanogo wasnt the shot blocker that Clingan is. Hes 6'8" verus 7' 2.5. This is from the most recent ESPN draft analysis "Clingan appears to be Risacher's main rival at No. 1. His workout -- where he shot the ball extremely well"

 

[Palatine]

Samson Johnson did exactly what Hurley asked him to do.

So did Clingan.

So did Castle.

What's not to get? He prepares them for the NBA every day. That's not necessarily how they play games. Clingan rarely shot a three in games. He worked on them every day in practice. In games, Clingan, like everyone else, performed his role as dictated by the game plan. When someone says, Samson can not do this or that. It simply means that Hurley is not asking him to do this or that in games. It does not mean Samson is incapable of something. We should all be aware of this by now.

 

[7774]

Samson Johnson did exactly what Hurley asked him to do.

So did Clingan.

So did Castle.

What's not to get? He prepares them for the NBA every day. That's not necessarily how they play games. Clingan rarely shot a three in games. He worked on them every day in practice. In games, Clingan, like everyone else, performed his role as dictated by the game plan. When someone says, Samson can not do this or that. It simply means that Hurley is not asking him to do this or that in games. It does not mean Samson is incapable of something. We should all be aware of this by now.

Why would Hurley prevent a player from doing something that would help us win games?

 

[JustbrewitMan]

I'm so happy that all the yarders are chipping in & doing their parts to make a ton of fun bulletin board material to help Samson reach his full potential this year!

Dude is gonna be a monster in 2024-25!

 

[WhereistheDove?]

Samson Johnson did exactly what Hurley asked him to do.

So did Clingan.

So did Castle.

What's not to get? He prepares them for the NBA every day. That's not necessarily how they play games. Clingan rarely shot a three in games. He worked on them every day in practice. In games, Clingan, like everyone else, performed his role as dictated by the game plan. When someone says, Samson can not do this or that. It simply means that Hurley is not asking him to do this or that in games. It does not mean Samson is incapable of something. We should all be aware of this by now.

Or he just has a limited but specific offensive skill set that the staff maximizes. Maybe he improves and adds some perimeter or back to the basket offensive game but in the few times we’ve seen it, it’s been very clear why we don’t see it more. Don’t mean that as a knock on him, that’s just not his game.

 

[KingAG]

Why would Hurley prevent a player from doing something that would help us win games?

Because we clearly didn’t need it to win games…….

 

[7774]

Because we clearly didn’t need it to win games…….

lol

 

[navery12]

Yeah and if he took more shots his percentage would have increased to way more than Castle's. Clingan is a naturally better shooter than Castle. That is the point. You should try providing statistical facts to back up your point. Clingan has shot up the draft board because of his shooting. From ESPN this morning" Clingan appears to be Risacher's main rival at No. 1. His workout -- where he shot the ball extremely well". Also thumbs down on the personal insults.

Clingan shot 58% on his free throws last year, he was objectively a bad shooter in game. I have no doubt he's been working hard on it and will develop into a capable 3 point shooter in the NBA, but he was not last year. If he was Hurley would have had him shooting 3's because it would have helped UConn immensely and it also would have benefitted Donovan in showcasing him for the NBA

 

[jibsey]

Speculation running rampant on Samson. By Dec 15th we’re gonna pretty know what the 24-25’ version is. I would bet on him.

 

[KingAG]

Clingan shot 58% on his free throws last year, he was objectively a bad shooter in game. I have no doubt he's been working hard on it and will develop into a capable 3 point shooter in the NBA, but he was not last year. If he was Hurley would have had him shooting 3's because it would have helped UConn immensely and it also would have benefitted Donovan in showcasing him for the NBA

His shooting is not a secret to NBA scouts. It’s why he rumored to potentially go #1. He’s shot the crap out of the ball in workouts. He hasn’t made THAT much of an improvement in 2 months.

And again 3’s and fts are not the same especially for big men. Some bigs find shooting from deep easier than figuring out the touch from the line. Even with that DC’s ft percentage was weighed down by his slow start early on. He shot much better from the line late in the season.

Our staff hunts the highest percentage shot available in our offense. A DC 3 was way down that list even if he was capable of making it.

 

[mets1090]

• UConn had the most efficient offense in the country in 7 years playing the way they did. They averaged around 1.25 points per possession, meaning you would need to shoot around 38-40% from 3 to be considered as good as their average possession depending on how many offensive rebounds you get.
• To justify putting a shot up in the first 15 seconds of the shot clock, you probably want to be gunning for considerably more than the average 1.25 points. Spencer or Karaban taking an open 3 at 50%+, anyone attempting a layup or dunk, etc. will reasonably be worth 1.5+ points.
• Clingan was a menace on the offensive boards, so anyone else taking a 3 is relatively better as long as they shoot better or even slightly worse percentages. e.g. Newton shooting 30% on his late clock 3s with Clingan planted in the paint is probably just as efficient as Clingan shooting 38% with no big man inside, and they could get that whenever they wanted.
• When Clingan was open at the top of the key, it is because the other team's center was around the free throw line while UConn would have 4 or 5 guys at or near the 3 point line, meaning the relative advantage UConn has on the offensive glass would more than likely not exist with Clingan shooting.

He could have shot 38% on open 3s and it likely would be a net negative, considering the sacrifice they'd be making on the offensive glass, the ease with which they generated open 3s for Karaban or Spencer, and the number of open lay ups and dunks they got. It is reasonable to think that if Clingan played for the 30th best offense, he would have been given the opportunity to try taking more open 3s and get a bigger sample than 8 shots. But instead he played on the number 1 offense, so we really have no way of knowing how good he is in a game setting.

 

[KingAG]

• UConn had the most efficient offense in the country in 7 years playing the way they did. They averaged around 1.25 points per possession, meaning you would need to shoot around 38-40% from 3 to be considered as good as their average possession depending on how many offensive rebounds you get.
• To justify putting a shot up in the first 15 seconds of the shot clock, you probably want to be gunning for considerably more than the average 1.25 points. Spencer or Karaban taking an open 3 at 50%+, anyone attempting a layup or dunk, etc. will reasonably be worth 1.5+ points.
• Clingan was a menace on the offensive boards, so anyone else taking a 3 is relatively better as long as they shoot better or even slightly worse percentages. e.g. Newton shooting 30% on his late clock 3s with Clingan planted in the paint is probably just as efficient as Clingan shooting 38% with no big man inside, and they could get that whenever they wanted.
• When Clingan was open at the top of the key, it is because the other team's center was around the free throw line while UConn would have 4 or 5 guys at or near the 3 point line, meaning the relative advantage UConn has on the offensive glass would more than likely not exist with Clingan shooting.

He could have shot 38% on open 3s and it likely would be a net negative, considering the sacrifice they'd be making on the offensive glass, the ease with which they generated open 3s for Karaban or Spencer, and the number of open lay ups and dunks they got. It is reasonable to think that if Clingan played for the 30th best offense, he would have been given the opportunity to try taking more open 3s and get a bigger sample than 8 shots. But instead he played on the number 1 offense, so we really have no way of knowing how good he is in a game setting.

This is basically what I was just trying to say haha. With Karaban and Spencer on the court you want them taking the VAST majority of 3’s. It’s a numbers game. It doesn’t mean Clingan couldn’t shoot

 

[navery12]

His shooting is not a secret to NBA scouts. It’s why he rumored to potentially go #1. He’s shot the crap out of the ball in workouts. He hasn’t made THAT much of an improvement in 2 months.

And again 3’s and fts are not the same especially for big men. Some bigs find shooting from deep easier than figuring out the touch from the line. Even with that DC’s ft percentage was weighed down by his slow start early on. He shot much better from the line late in the season.

Our staff hunts the highest percentage shot available in our offense. A DC 3 was way down that list even if he was capable of making it.

Free throws are by far the #1 predictor of 3 point shooting ability translating from college to the NBA. And he did improve a bit but he was still in the 60s for the latter half of the season, it was a weakness. And he's always been able to shoot 3's in workouts and warmups, but in game it's never really shown up

I'm gonna stop because I'm not trying to downplay Donovan, but some posters (not you) are just living in a fantasy land with their posts in this thread

 

[JonnyRI]

Why would Hurley prevent a player from doing something that would help us win games?

Hurley asks them to do the MOST helpful thing to win games.

We should all know by now this by no means showing off what a player can do. Just the most helpful thing to make the team win a championship.

They are very different things.

 

[NJHusky]

This is basically what I was just trying to say haha. With Karaban and Spencer on the court you want them taking the VAST majority of 3’s. It’s a numbers game. It doesn’t mean Clingan couldn’t shoot

He said it waaaay more eloquently..

 

[KingAG]

He said it waaaay more eloquently..

Way more haha

 

[Palatine]

Why would Hurley prevent a player from doing something that would help us win games?

Because Hurley puts the team ahead of the players in games.

In practice, he develops players to their fullest potential. What a player is capable of is different from how he can best help the team.

 

[7774]

Because Hurley puts the team ahead of the players in games.

In practice, he develops players to their fullest potential. What a player is capable of is different from how he can best help the team.

lol

 

[Palatine]

lol

Insightful.

 

[7774]

Insightful.

I asked why Hurley would prevent a player from doing something that increases our chances of winning, and your answer was essentially he wouldn’t because he prioritizes winning over individual players.

So I’m not sure what I’m supposed to do but laugh at that.

 

[Iluvsuebird]

How do we know hes that far behind offensively? Hurley doesn't always let players show their full repertoire i.e. Castle running the offense, Clingan taking threes. And that could just be because they haven't coached and practiced those things for the offense they want to run. It may not be because they don't have those skills or potential for those skills. I still see Samson doing more, like at the T pick and pops and one dribble drives. We'll see.

40 games last year informs me that he is far behind offensively. But seriously, who cares about that? If all he does is dunks and ally oops, that would be fine, SO LONG AS he stays out of trouble!!!! That little change would make all the difference in the world. May I remind us all that Adama after his first year had the same problem, and he came back sophomore year a new man!!! I have trust in this coaching staff to help these young men get better.

 

[Iluvsuebird]

Now you're adding a qualifier to justify your smear? You are out of line. Thumbs down.

smear???? did you watch the damn games??? SJ was good for the same three fouls every game: an illegal screen 18 feet from the basket, a push 7 feet from the hoop while fighting for position, and a touch foul due to his failure to keep his arms up. EVERY GAME!!!! if this is not low basketball IQ I don't know what is.

 

[Iluvsuebird]

I'm so happy that all the yarders are chipping in & doing their parts to make a ton of fun bulletin board material to help Samson reach his full potential this year!

Dude is gonna be a monster in 2024-25!

That's fine. I hope that he becomes a monster! We are all rooting for the same team dude. But it is ok to point out that SJ's failure to stay on the court due to foul trouble has to stop. Pointing that out does not make one a bad fan. If you are right and he becomes a monster, this team may be better than last year's team.

 

[mets1090]

As for Samson, it's pretty simple. In my opinion, it's unlikely he's good for much beyond easy buckets but on a team with 4 other threats, 4 easy buckets per game is just as good or better than a more complete offensive player who gets you 5 hard earned buckets on 9 post plays. Transition/pick and roll dunks will suffice out of UConn's center on offense.

His necessary improvement begins and ends with playing defense without fouling. He needs to be able to stay on the floor. He needs to be strong enough to at a minimum not get rag dolled and pick up fouls at an astronomical rate. On average, this past season he would have picked up 5 fouls in 27 minutes. In conference play it was 23 minutes. He's not going to be an elite rim protector like Clingan or an elite 1 on 1 post defender like Sanogo, but he's rangy and athletic enough to inherently be a disruptor as long as he can stay on the court.

As a follow up, I hope Singare shows enough in practice that he can give you 5 minutes if Samson has not solved his fouling issues. That would prevent ever playing Karaban at the 5, and also hopefully indicate they have their Center tandem set up for the following season.

 

[Samoo]

Because we clearly didn’t need it to win games…….

Or we needed his rim protection, which no one else provided at that high of a level, more than we needed his mediocre three points shooting on a team with high level shooters.