Solo's performance last night after watching replay

[RuffRuff]

First off McNeeley is the dude, the star, Thor who refused to lose and willed us a curse-breaking win for Hurley and the team. Credit where credit is due.
But I'm not sure if anyone noticed or brought up in the post game thread: while playing with injured wrist and shots off at the arc, Solo started mixing it up inside, shooting mid-range jumpers, and relentlessly attacking the rims more and more... Along with that, he also logged 5 rebounds, 3 dimes, 1steal, and 1 impressive block at the rim...

My impression: we got ourselves another special kid, smart, skillful, and tough as nail. We are going to be a force to reckoned with when everyone is healthy.

Kid had a number of nice takes that he couldn’t finish. He’s still learning, but it’s getting better. During the game I kept yelling to use the rim to shield Kalk, it’s 101 against a rim guy his size. He finally did and it worked, but something he needs to be able to read in advance more often. His game has developed nicely.

 

[gtcam]

You’re gonna die like 5x on this hill, that’s fine. Everyone else and theur mom can see that you’re simply wrong.

FYI - Solo came out of HS/AAU known as an effective slasher who had a questionable shooting style but could be very good scoring in streaks. He was lauded for his athletic metrics.
It's good to see him wanting to get to the hoop again because he can't simply survive as a 3pt threat at the next level (wherever that is).
I'm not anyone's Mom but I do follow and know quite a bit about HS/Prep hoops

 

[CardiacAndre7]

Kemba and Shabazz had a close to 20% turnover rate their freshman years.

For comparison, Castle had 13%, Newton had 15%, Cam had 8%, and Alex had 7%. You can find these numbers in the advanced stats category of basketball reference.

Do you think Hurley would’ve allowed them to make the mistakes they did on last years team as freshmen?

Solo could slash. But like any freshman that’s not a ready made NBA prospect, giving him the freedom to do that would’ve naturally came with mistakes that Hurley was not going to allow with the stacked roster we had and won with.

One more thing. Absolutely hilarious that the first time Solo is the “guard” on the floor that he leads the team in assists. Almost like he could do it if that was his role and what he was asked to do.

If he could do it consistently, he would. We have a serious lack of playmakers on this team, nothing is holding Solo back. Please understand this.

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

That was his comp coming out of HS when he was known more as a slasher. We’ve turned him into more of a shooter here and he’s in the process of relearning the slashing part.

Will note that Westbrook also was the secondary guard at UCLA because he played next to Collison or Holiday (can’t remember). OKC took a risk on drafting him with the plan of developing him into a PG.

He’s “relearning” the slashing part because he “took a year off from it.” Man, I don’t even think you believe your own bs at this point.

 

[CardiacAndre7]

FYI - Solo came out of HS/AAU known as an effective slasher who had a questionable shooting style but could be very good scoring in streaks. He was lauded for his athletic metrics.
It's good to see him wanting to get to the hoop again because he can't simply survive as a 3pt threat at the next level (wherever that is).
I'm not anyone's Mom but I do follow and know quite a bit about HS/Prep hoops

He was always a shooter. All high recruits are slashers in high school, college is a different beast. He’s an elite shooter who is developing playmaking. Even in High School where its easy to rack up stats he barely averaged 2 assists.

 

[boog204]

I was very encouraged by the way we looked when both Diarra and Mahaney were not on the floor. Samson/Reed , Karaban, Stewart, Liam and Solo looked pretty good if the bigs could stay out of foul trouble.

Pretty sure, though, that we came back, took the lead, and ultimately won the game with Karaban/Stew as the five. It changed our offense and more importantly Creighton's defense. Kalk actually had to guard someone outside of the paint. That's why there were so many more penetration/pull-up J options in the second half.

 

[Hoophound]

Solo is learning to take the ball to the rim at this level. He's improving. Nobody stopped him from driving last year, he just wasn't ready yet. It is no different than any one of us playing high school basketball and then going to college and seeing that it is harder to blow by men than boys. You want to, but you can't. Eventually, you get stronger and better and start doing it.

 

[CONN78SEJ]

First off McNeeley is the dude, the star, Thor who refused to lose and willed us a curse-breaking win for Hurley and the team. Credit where credit is due.
But I'm not sure if anyone noticed or brought up in the post game thread: while playing with injured wrist and shots off at the arc, Solo started mixing it up inside, shooting mid-range jumpers, and relentlessly attacking the rims more and more... Along with that, he also logged 5 rebounds, 3 dimes, 1steal, and 1 impressive block at the rim...

My impression: we got ourselves another special kid, smart, skillful, and tough as nail. We are going to be a force to reckoned with when everyone is healthy.

After watching McNeeley the other night, I’m not so sure Flagg is the best freshman in the country, he still could be but it’s awfully close IMHO. Both players have their strong points. As to the nagging injuries to Solo and Diarra, once they are 100% things will come together for this team.

 

[RuffRuff]

That was his comp coming out of HS when he was known more as a slasher. We’ve turned him into more of a shooter here and he’s in the process of relearning the slashing part.

Will note that Westbrook also was the secondary guard at UCLA because he played next to Collison or Holiday (can’t remember). OKC took a risk on drafting him with the plan of developing him into a PG

I tossed out the RW comp early in the season based on their size/metrics.

RW sized out at 6’ 2.25 at the combine. He’s not a tall guy, but really strong with the ball. I’d think Solo out of shoes is probably around 6’ 1.5 to 6’1.75.

There are some readings out there of Solos vert being 43” with a wingspan of 7 feet. RW is 36.5” and 6’8”. Massive advantage Solo if accurate.

You’re right their games are a lot different. Where I think RW would kill it is in the quickness drills, shuttles. He’s just a stronger, quicker, twitchier athlete in game.

Been my view that if Solo can put on some muscle, play around 200 (like RW) and learn to finish strong through contact, that’s what gets him there. He’s not an NBA player as a 6’2” exclusive off the ball sharpshooter. A kid like Reed last year who around the same size and shot it at 52% from 3 got drafted high based on his projection as a PG.

You look at a kid like Haggerty this year, about the same size as Solo, lighting it up, and he’s not on mock draft boards anywhere. Size is the issue. Meanwhile a Jeremiah Fears is getting lottery hype because he’s a multi dimensional dynamic scorer, even through its ghastly bad efficiency as a freshman.

 

[HailUConn]

As a few others also noticed, his slashes/scores at the rims is not as efficient/effective yet. He needs to continue to learn how to finish thru the contacts, how to use the rim as protection, and how to read/see the play before it happens. He will get there with more games under his belt.
But he's already expanded once viewed one trick pony into mid range game (one two quick dribbles and pullups) and penetration/scoring at the rim in traffic from both sides of basket. He has the physical tools and BBIQ to perfect them.

That's the take.

 

[Deleted at users request]

I tossed out the RW comp early in the season based on their size/metrics.

RW sized out at 6’ 2.25 at the combine. He’s not a tall guy, but really strong with the ball. I’d think Solo out of shoes is probably around 6’ 1.5 to 6’1.75.

There are some readings out there of Solos vert being 43” with a wingspan of 7 feet. RW is 36.5” and 6’8”. Massive advantage Solo if accurate.

You’re right their games are a lot different. Where I think RW would kill it is in the quickness drills, shuttles. He’s just a stronger, quicker, twitchier athlete in game.

Been my view that if Solo can put on some muscle, play around 200 (like RW) and learn to finish strong through contact, that’s what gets him there. He’s not an NBA player as a 6’2” exclusive off the ball sharpshooter. A kid like Reed last year who around the same size and shot it at 52% from 3 got drafted high based on his projection as a PG.

You look at a kid like Haggerty this year, about the same size as Solo, lighting it up, and he’s not on mock draft boards anywhere. Size is the issue. Meanwhile a Jeremiah Fears is getting lottery hype because he’s a multi dimensional dynamic scorer, even through its ghastly bad efficiency as a freshman.

Don’t get me started. I’ve been saying the Westbrook comp since his HS tape. All the way down to being a late bloomer in the same way.

Solo Ball on Hudl

Watch Solo Ball's videos and highlights on Hudl. More info: Brewster Academy - Brewster Academy National / SG, PG / Class of 2023 / Wolfeboro, NH

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I do wonder if Solo was more confident in his handle if it would unlock another part his athleticism in game. It’s kind of hard to show how athletic you are if you can’t go anywhere with the ball.

 

[PAHusky]

After watching McNeeley the other night, I’m not so sure Flagg is the best freshman in the country, he still could be but it’s awfully close IMHO. Both players have their strong points. As to the nagging injuries to Solo and Diarra, once they are 100% things will come together for this team.

Flagg is better than Liam. I don't like Duke as much as the next guy and I think Liam is underrated in the national conversation/mock drafts after playing on the same loaded HS team and then being injured, but Flagg is a lock for first pick. Liam definitely moving up in the lottery if he keeps this up though.

 

[Excalibur]

He’s “relearning” the slashing part because he “took a year off from it.” Man, I don’t even think you believe your own bs at this point.

It's amusing, though, you have to admit it.

Ignores the simple explanation (he struggled to drive and finish vs. the bigger and more athletic defenders he encountered in college and is taking time to adjust to that) with "he forgot how to drive because the coaches were telling him not to"

 

[Deleted at users request]

It's amusing, though, you have to admit it.

Ignores the simple explanation (he struggled to drive and finish vs. the bigger and more athletic defenders he encountered in college and is taking time to adjust to that) with "he forgot how to drive because the coaches were telling him not to"

Okay so stay right here.

If he needed an adjustment period, don’t you think it would’ve been better for his development to get that out the way as early as possible? And not wait until it was absolutely necessary once Liam went down?

You’re unknowingly making my point.

Would’ve been nice if those times Hurley told him to keep shooting when his 3 point shot was off his freshman year that he put that same level of emphasis on using his athletic ability to drive and adjust to this level of basketball.

 

[CardiacAndre7]

Okay so stay right here.

If he needed an adjustment period, don’t you think it would’ve been better for his development to get that out the way as early as possible? And not wait until it was absolutely necessary once Liam went down?

You’re unknowingly making my point.

Would’ve been nice if those times Hurley told him to keep shooting when his 3 point shot was off his freshman year that he put that same level of emphasis on using his athletic ability to drive and adjust to this level of basketball.

How many times do we need to spell this out for you. IT WASNT IN HIS BAG. Not at the college level, not yet. End of story. Please, for everyone’s sake, stop this madness.

 

[Excalibur]

How many times do we need to spell this out for you. IT WASNT IN HIS BAG. Not at the college level, not yet. End of story. Please, for everyone’s sake, stop this madness.

But if he's not doing something it must be because the coach is telling him not to, not that he can't.

 

[Deleted at users request]

But if he's not doing something it must be because the coach is telling him not to, not that he can't.

I mean he’s doing it now and getting better already.

Almost like if someone had to, they could.

 

[pj]

I mean he’s doing it now and getting better already.

Almost like if someone had to, they could.

Players commonly need to master a role that gets them on the court, then they can expand their bag.

Solo didn't have a mastered role that could take time away from Stephon, Tristen, etc, but over the summer he grew his game and he's had a major role all year. Now we're seeing him grow his game.

"If he had to, he could" -- well, yes, but not necessarily at the level that the coach believed would help the team win. If other people are better, you want them to do it.

 

[DogMania]

As a few others also noticed, his slashes/scores at the rims is not as efficient/effective yet. He needs to continue to learn how to finish thru the contacts, how to use the rim as protection, and how to read/see the play before it happens. He will get there with more games under his belt.
But he's already expanded once viewed one trick pony into mid range game (one two quick dribbles and pullups) and penetration/scoring at the rim in traffic from both sides of basket. He has the physical tools and BBIQ to perfect them.

That's the take.

I've noticed a lot of improvement the past few games driving into the paint for midrange and attacking the rim. He went from pretty much staying out at the perimeter to now driving it towards the basket.

As for finishing, he's a mixed bag. He knocked down a couple middies and a couple drives, but short armed a couple of open shots and got snuffed out on some of his layups.

As I posted earlier, he needs to downshift when he gets to the rim and explode to the rim, getting some elevation and drawing contact. He tends to have too much vertical speed where he's not getting the elevation he's capable of. He's a more explosive athlete than he's often showing.

As for his D, I'm surprised he struggles as much as he has, but has been showing improvement. I think it's a lack of anticipation and lateral movement, which I think he can work on and improve. Sometime he's not in good defense position when his man receives the ball and simply can't get the right angle. Again, he's starting to show improvement.

 

[3rdbass]

Don’t get me started. I’ve been saying the Westbrook comp since his HS tape. All the way down to being a late bloomer in the same way.

Solo Ball on Hudl

Watch Solo Ball's videos and highlights on Hudl. More info: Brewster Academy - Brewster Academy National / SG, PG / Class of 2023 / Wolfeboro, NH

www.hudl.com

I do wonder if Solo was more confident in his handle if it would unlock another part his athleticism in game. It’s kind of hard to show how athletic you are if you can’t go anywhere with the ball.

Solo has a pretty good handle. His issue is he isn't a twitchy athelete who can just blow by people at will. He needs to use hesitation dribbles and his elevation to get his shot off at the rim. He is learning that and it will get better in time and also with a little more muscle.

 

[mauconnfan]

I’ll go a step further… When we had Karaban playing center and Liam running the point, we looked the best against Creighton.

Only because it was Creighton in all respects they don’t turn teams over. All of this changes against teams who can turn you over. Creighton didn’t shoot it well and they don’t have great defenders hell they don’t even foul lol, this will all change. And Alex and solo will need to make shots or Liam won’t have any space.

 

[CONN78SEJ]

Flagg is better than Liam. I don't like Duke as much as the next guy and I think Liam is underrated in the national conversation/mock drafts after playing on the same loaded HS team and then being injured, but Flagg is a lock for first pick. Liam definitely moving up in the lottery if he keeps this up though.

Flagg is better around the rim, but Liam is a better shooter, either long range or closer in. As for passing and defense I think they’re even.

 

[jibsey]

Flagg is better around the rim, but Liam is a better shooter, either long range or closer in. As for passing and defense I think they’re even.

Flagg is taller with longer reach it appears.Amazing they were on the same team,

 

[CardiacAndre7]

Flagg is better around the rim, but Liam is a better shooter, either long range or closer in. As for passing and defense I think they’re even.

Flagg is 100000% a better defender. Defense was/is his main calling card.

 

[Gurleyman]

Kemba and Shabazz had a close to 20% turnover rate their freshman years.

For comparison, Castle had 13%, Newton had 15%, Cam had 8%, and Alex had 7%. You can find these numbers in the advanced stats category of basketball reference.

Do you think Hurley would’ve allowed them to make the mistakes they did on last years team as freshmen?

Solo could slash. But like any freshman that’s not a ready made NBA prospect, giving him the freedom to do that would’ve naturally came with mistakes that Hurley was not going to allow with the stacked roster we had and won with.

One more thing. Absolutely hilarious that the first time Solo is the “guard” on the floor that he leads the team in assists. Almost like he could do it if that was his role and what he was asked to do.

Well, he tied for the team lead with our backup center. With three. Just as a comparison, Rip Hamilton was forced to play point guard as a freshman against No. 1 Kansas with Ricky Moore suspended and had eight assists. But Solo didn’t really play point guard - it was more Liam as point forward and then into our offense - so that isn’t apples to apples.

We all saw Kemba’s elite quickness, handling, and finishing at the rim over bigger players on a stacked team coming off the bench. He couldn’t shoot, but he could attack the basket. We all saw Bazz’s savviness and court awareness. He didn’t necessarily have elite quickness or athleticism, but he was smart and crafty and made great reads. Those were their primary skills. And yeah, they made mistakes a lot as they cut their teeth and learned what they could get away with, but you could see their upside.

We haven’t seen much in that vein yet from Solo. Elite shooter obviously - and he has developed a very nice pull up midrange game to complement his three point shot when he’s run off the line. He can finish on straight drives to the rim when he has an angle and can try to explode to the basket. He’s gotten better at all those things and is a more complete scorer than he was at the start of the year. But his creativity off the bounce is limited and will have to expand a lot for the next level. Other than an exception here or there, I haven’t really seen him show the ability to make a great slip pass or lob to a big off the bounce after drawing the shot blocker, or find a teammate on a kickout after the defense collapses. Or use deception to score on an up fake, or fadeaway, or using his body to seek contact and finish. His bag is sort of either a straight athletic drive, a reverse, or a floater over the shot blocker.

 

[CTBasketball]

The guy makes one block and then we say he’s improved defensively.

He still gets beat off the dribble and loses guys in transition, he is not improving. It’s about living with his mistakes, not fixing at this point in time.

 

[Deleted at users request]

We all saw Kemba’s elite quickness, handling, and finishing at the rim over bigger players on a stacked team coming off the bench. He couldn’t shoot, but he could attack the basket. We all saw Bazz’s savviness and court awareness. He didn’t necessarily have elite quickness or athleticism, but he was smart and crafty and made great reads. Those were their primary skills. And yeah, they made mistakes a lot as they cut their teeth and learned what they could get away with, but you could see their upside.

With those turnover percentages do you think they get the opportunity to showcase their upside in that way on last years team?

Especially when it comes to putting the ball on the floor and making a play happen.

Also I’m not sure if Solo is improving or just showing he is capable of doing more the more we ask of him to do. That’s the main thing I disagree on with most of the board.

For instance, that mid range jumper you talk about has always seemed to be there. I watched him in pregame warm ups against Georgetown and he was easily the best on the team and he hardly hit rim on his reps. But it took Liam going down and certain game plans for him to be asked to actually go to it.

 

[aceboon]

Flagg is better around the rim, but Liam is a better shooter, either long range or closer in. As for passing and defense I think they’re even.

nope

 

[AllHusky]

The guy makes one block and then we say he’s improved defensively.

He still gets beat off the dribble and loses guys in transition, he is not improving. It’s about living with his mistakes, not fixing at this point in time.

He has improved. His effort and attention has improved. I'm sure somehow the metrics gang can prove or disprove that, but he certainly is getting after it with more intensity and focus than he was a month ago. I realize you don't win trophies for trying hard, but it starts with effort and awareness.

 

[mauconnfan]

Flagg is taller with longer reach it appears.Amazing they were on the same team,

Have you seen Derick Queen play for the Terapins? He was on that Montverde team as well, crazy!