Solo Ball is weekly Big East Player of the week

[RuffRuff]

Hawkins might struggle handling but when he can he attacks the rim with authority by some of his huge dunks even in NBA. We still haven't really seen that with Ball. I agree Ball has a better handle but he just doesn't seem to be a blow by your guy driver yet for some reason. He uses hesitation dribbles to get to his spots.

Hawkins getting to the rim was not a strength. Kid was drafted for one thing, to be a sniper. Was a pretty one dimensional player that fit perfectly into that teams roster. Unfortunately don’t know if he’s long for the NBA as it doesn’t appear to be translating, threw up another stinker tonight and down below 37% on the year. When you’re drafted to shoot, that ain’t gonna cut it.

Solo has a stronger frame than Hawk and room to put on more muscle.

 

[HuskyWarrior611]

Hawkins getting to the rim was not a strength. Kid was drafted for one thing, to be a sniper. Was a pretty one dimensional player that fit perfectly into that teams roster. Unfortunately don’t know if he’s long for the NBA as it doesn’t appear to be translating, threw up another stinker tonight and down below 37% on the year. When you’re drafted to shoot, that ain’t gonna cut it.

Solo has a stronger frame than Hawk and room to put on more muscle.

Unless you’re just the absolute best, you are not going to survive the NBA with your best and only skill being the hardest shot in basketball.

It is just not feasible. You’ll have times when you’re on and hot. But it’s not a recipe for consistency.

Being able to attack and be a three level scorer is something you can lean on when your shot may not be falling. Solo also has a BEAUTIFUL pull up jump shot that few times he’s gone to it. Him working on his handle would allow him to incorporate that more into his game as well.

The last level of out sensei guard training we used to do here would be learning how to use your elite midrange to draw fouls. But I won’t get carried away

 

[RuffRuff]

Unless you’re just the absolute best, you are not going to survive the NBA with your best and only skill being the hardest shot in basketball.

It is just not feasible. You’ll have times when you’re on and hot. But it’s not a recipe for consistency.

Being able to attack and be a three level scorer is something you can lean on when your shot may not be falling. Solo also has a BEAUTIFUL pull up jump shot that few times he’s gone to it. Him working on his handle would allow him to incorporate that more into his game as well.

The last level of out sensei guard training we used to do here would be learning how to use your elite midrange to draw fouls. But I won’t get carried away

Yup / so much more confident that a kid like Castle with such a good all around game can develop a shot than I am a great shooter like Hawkins developing an all around game.

Give me Solo with an offseason of 10lbs of muscle into next season and using his shoulder to draw contact in the lane and we may be talking lottery.

 

[HuskyWarrior611]

Yup / so much more confident that a kid like Castle with such a good all around game can develop a shot than I am a great shooter like Hawkins developing an all around game.

Give me Solo with an offseason of 10lbs of muscle into next season and using his shoulder to draw contact in the lane and we may be talking lottery.

Get him to 4 assists a game and I’m predicting top 10. Possibly 5

 

[3rdbass]

Hawkins getting to the rim was not a strength. Kid was drafted for one thing, to be a sniper. Was a pretty one dimensional player that fit perfectly into that teams roster. Unfortunately don’t know if he’s long for the NBA as it doesn’t appear to be translating, threw up another stinker tonight and down below 37% on the year. When you’re drafted to shoot, that ain’t gonna cut it.

Solo has a stronger frame than Hawk and room to put on more muscle.

I think you missed my point. When Hawkins gets to the rim he has more explosiveness than Ball. Ball hasn't shown that explosiveness going to the rim. I think Ball isn't too quick he is just a good jumper but he has trouble exploding when going to the rim and is using more hesitation dribbles to get by his man. He certainly isn't Ben Gordon good in penetrating who also had more explosiveness. It feels odd as that was what he was known for in High School. He seems more of a shooter and crafty dribbler.

 

[RuffRuff]

I think you missed my point. When Hawkins gets to the rim he has more explosiveness than Ball. Ball hasn't shown that explosiveness going to the rim. I think Ball isn't too quick he is just a good jumper but he has trouble exploding when going to the rim and is using more hesitation dribbles to get by his man. He certainly isn't Ben Gordon good in penetrating who also had more explosiveness. It feels odd as that was what he was know for in High School. He seems more of a shooter and crafty dribbler.

Hawkins advantage was size and lift around the rim, but like Solo, no power game.

Every scouting summary I saw on Ball was that he was a twitchy athlete, so this whole 3pt stuff feels like it blossomed while in Storrs.

 

[3rdbass]

Hawkins advantage was size and lift around the rim, but like Solo, no power game.

Every scouting summary I saw on Ball was that he was a twitchy athlete, so this whole 3pt stuff feels like it blossomed while in Storrs.

Yeah but where is that twitchy athlete? I will say at this point of his career is a lot more consistent 3 point shooter than Hawkins and a better dribbler. I like to see how his game develops. He could be an even greater player and a chance for the next level if he has an offseason to work on his deficiencies.

 

[caw]

Diff between being able to dribble penetrate and be a PG.

Duke for instance isn’t running a PG out there. Proctor is anything but a PG, not saying that is the right model.

Memphis is running Haggerty and Hunter out there, neither traditional PGs. I didn’t realize Haggerty is only a sophomore, what a get.

I don't think Solo is a PG but he can play the "PG" position at UConn, I do think Hurley would go with Ross before Ball though at the "PG" position. Just to bring the ball up and get the team into sets.

Yeah but where is that twitchy athlete? I will say at this point of his career is a lot more consistent 3 point shooter than Hawkins and a better dribbler. I like to see how his game develops. He could be an even greater player and a chance for the next level if he has an offseason to work on his deficiencies.

Some of his rebounds last game showed it, as well as his blocks against DePaul. He showed it earlier in the year last year actually with a putback (if I'm remembering correctly).