Stephon Castle & Tristen Newton

[Storrs South]

Entire game is here, if I have time later I will post the highlights

 

[Ricker]

@Storrs South, you can really get a huge number of plays for a highlight package. I don't know how much time it takes you to do this, but I hope you can find the time. It isn't a highlight per se, but the discussion of Castle at about 1:14:56 to 1:16:05 is drool worthy for UConn fans if you could include it. Also, because he moves so deliberately, the play at 1:16:05 he is fouled before he gets to the rim, his explosion to the rim after the foul shows big time athleticism and force even though the basket was waved off. He did this on cue while they were talking about him. Stewart is similar in the sense that you only periodically see the athleticism, so that there is worth in seeing particular plays that show what they are capable of athletically. The refined games of Castle and Stewart with bulk for their positions, the high flying dunkathon of Solomon Ball, and the 7' speed, aggressiveness, will, and determination of Singare, gives Hurley a ton of special talent to work with. Ross is a solid player. These other guys each have a dominant characteristic to build from.

 

[husky429]

I'm getting some of my notes down now, but I watched this game yesterday, and it really wasn't one of Castle's better games... believe it or not. The kid is uber talented, just needs to tighten up the mental side of the game.

 

[eos91]

Duncanville is ranked #2 by MaxPreps and Newton led the entire way until Castle fouled out (on a charge then block within a short time in the 4th quarter). Lots of NBA 3’s and bully-ball drives by Castle. Very impressive.

 

[Storrs South]

Highlights:

 

[Brandon86]

You're in the industry?

No I’m just African American man damn lol. I just grew up in a predominantly urban neighborhood. I’m pretty sure it’s a lot of stuff people talk differently in different places lol. I’m from Western Kentucky, a town called Mayfield. I’m 36, and all my life we’ve used that to describe damn near anything that we viewed as good.

 

[husky429]

No I’m just African American man damn lol. I just grew up in a predominantly urban neighborhood. I’m pretty sure it’s a lot of stuff people talk differently in different places lol. I’m from Western Kentucky, a town called Mayfield. I’m 36, and all my life we’ve used that to describe damn near anything that we viewed as good.

In basketball, raw means unskilled. Always has been that way. Speak how you want, but no one is going to know what you mean if you say someone is "raw" on the court, and you mean there good. That goes for black, white, or whatever other race happens to be watching the game with you.

 

[husky429]

Alright folks... this is the block that sent Castle to the bench. Did the ref have it right?

 

[husky429]

Overall: Has a ridiculous scoring package. Making tough 3s left and right. Strong at the rim, but still has finesse. Developing a left hand which we didn’t see a year ago. Good passer, but didn’t show it as much tonight because he was so hot. Live-ball turnovers and incredibly lazy defense are goingto be unacceptable on this team. I’m not too worried about the defense–most recruits look that way. 7 live ball TOs in a single game is god-awful. His team wins this game by 10 if he cuts the stupid TOs and plays a bit harder on defense in the first half.

42 PTS
5 REB (0 offensive)
2 AST

8 TO
2 STL
0 BLK

8/15 2FG
6/8 3FG
8/13 FT

• Looks like he has stopped growing. Probably around 6’6… distcintly taller than Newton for us. Just a monstrous PG. I think this will make a REALLY nice pairing with Solo Ball, a smaller SG. Let Solo guard the PG on defense and play off the ball on the other end.. Great versatility with the lineup.
• He plays like a scoring guard and less PG than I remember for this game. He needs to make more passes TO SCORERS rather than just running the offense until he plays 1v1… I think he’ll probably be an off-guard for us until he develops that more. 2 assists and 8 TOs is not PG material.
• Doesn’t play very hard on defense. He’s actually pretty terrible. I have 0 worries about this considering Hurley is our coach. 90% of our recruits are terrible on defense on high school. Andre even was if you look at my old notes. But yeah… he is awful at it.
• Needs to learn a bit more handle with his off hand. Too right hand dominant still. That will get schemed against in a scout at the D1 level.
• I like his ability to post-up as a huge PG. Very nova-esque.
• He isn’t very explosive at the rim… uses strength and finesse.
• He and Newton could put on a clinic together on drawing fouls at the rim. Would like to see Castle continue to develop that for us.
• His usage is ridiculously high. Only a handful of plays he DIDN’T touch the ball.
• He actually plays a lot like Rahsool did in HS… he’s just bigger, stronger, and better.
• Generally protects the ball well vs pressure.
• A year ago he had absolutely 0 left hand. He was making and taking them in traffic now. This is a huge point of development.
• His 3 point shot continues to evolve. Sophomore year his shot was awful. It improved throughout his juior and AAU season… will be interesting to see his %s by the end of the season, but this game was GREAT.
• He would be an incredibly effecient player if he stopped with the mid-range pull-up crap. It’s not a good shot, and it won’t be allowed on our team nearly as much as we’re seeing here. Make it a 3 or pass the dang rock kid.
• Live ball TOs are not going to fly at our level at this rate. Carry’s and just losing the ball are bad bad bad basketball. It’s one thing to lose the ball passing to a teammate (he had one TO that wasn’t a live ball TO)... very different problem to just lose the ball dribbling or carry vs light pressure or toss it away on a drive.
• Biggest difference in that amazing 3Q and start of the 4th?? Didn’t take a stupid mid-range shots. Rim and 3s and foul shots. I HATE bad shots.
• Between Castle and Stewart we’re going to have a late-shot clock scorer available most of the time.
• He’s really strong and tough getting to the rim, with some finesse and skill to complement. He’s going to be called for a lot of offensive fouls if he isn’t careful… a lot of pushoffs and such.
• Not in love with his rebounding… coach will need to work with him on finding a body before jumping. It’s a “want it” thing, not a skill thing IMO.

Probably should have been a foul… but forces the TO.


Ugly 1v1 drive
Red River Hoopfest 2022: Duncanville vs. Newton

Terrible shot. Didn’t make a single pass in a half-court set and bricks a low % contested long 2.
Red River Hoopfest 2022: Duncanville vs. Newton

Coast to coast. Misses the layup but gets to the line. 1/2
Red River Hoopfest 2022: Duncanville vs. Newton

Easy potential assist
Red River Hoopfest 2022: Duncanville vs. Newton

Yeesh. Tough pull up 3, nothing but net.
Red River Hoopfest 2022: Duncanville vs. Newton

Unacceptable live ball TO. Just loses the ball trying to throw his head to get a foul. He is relying on that little head throw too much. Refs don’t respect it if you do it 3x every play.
Red River Hoopfest 2022: Duncanville vs. Newton

Another potential assist to a 3 point shooter in transition.
Red River Hoopfest 2022: Duncanville vs. Newton

Another really stupid shot. No pass in the half court, bunch of dribbles into a long, contested 2. That is literally the worst shot in the game of basketball. Hurley will not allow this.
Red River Hoopfest 2022: Duncanville vs. Newton

Pretty hockey assist
Red River Hoopfest 2022: Duncanville vs. Newton

Pretty pass but his teammate traveled. No potential assist since he didn’t get a shot off.
Red River Hoopfest 2022: Duncanville vs. Newton

He didn’t really do the work, but this is a steal.
Red River Hoopfest 2022: Duncanville vs. Newton

Assist to the post high-low.
Red River Hoopfest 2022: Duncanville vs. Newton

Bad defense followed by a rebound
Red River Hoopfest 2022: Duncanville vs. Newton

Transition 2–and one. Makes the FT.
Red River Hoopfest 2022: Duncanville vs. Newton

Forces a steal, but doesn’t end up with it.
Red River Hoopfest 2022: Duncanville vs. Newton

Another transition 2. Left hand.
Red River Hoopfest 2022: Duncanville vs. Newton

Another foolish long 2 off the dribble. How is his coach allowing this?
Red River Hoopfest 2022: Duncanville vs. Newton

Missed pull up 3. Not a great shot, but I’ll take this every day over a contested mid-range.
Red River Hoopfest 2022: Duncanville vs. Newton

Pick and roll look at the rim. Bricked it, but I like the look. Snaked his way through a pick and roll–high level stuff.
https://youtu.be/3K3VK3p7uLo?t=1321

Mid-range 2 out of a BOB. I don’t hate the shot, but it still isn’t a great look.
https://youtu.be/3K3VK3p7uLo?t=1366

Dump off in the post using his height. Love it.
https://youtu.be/3K3VK3p7uLo?t=1405

Cherry picking 2. Nice to get the bucket, but he needed to play defense here. Also acted like an pretending to heave the ball at the opponent after.
https://youtu.be/3K3VK3p7uLo?t=1412

Carry. Good call.
https://youtu.be/3K3VK3p7uLo?t=1455

Rebound foul shot.
https://youtu.be/3K3VK3p7uLo?t=1529

Another live ball TO. Lost it going to the rim. Terrible decision.
https://youtu.be/3K3VK3p7uLo?t=1570

Back rims a 3
https://youtu.be/3K3VK3p7uLo?t=1624

Steal and fouled
https://youtu.be/3K3VK3p7uLo?t=1629

Nothing came out of it… but this is a really nice cross court pass. Recognized the defender wasn’t looking and put it right over his head.
https://youtu.be/3K3VK3p7uLo?t=1757

Fouls defending in transition. Not a bad foul in my book.
https://youtu.be/3K3VK3p7uLo?t=1765

Draws foul. In the bonus… 2/2 from the line.
(sorry forgot to paste the link lol)

This is an NBA-level and-1. Period. Spins, euros, hangs… just a gorgeous moves.
https://youtu.be/3K3VK3p7uLo?t=2829

Draw the charge… might’ve sold it a bit lol
https://youtu.be/3K3VK3p7uLo?t=2876

Tough 2.. Little half-euro rip over.
https://youtu.be/3K3VK3p7uLo?t=3205

A couple of hesi’s to get the foul 2/2
https://youtu.be/3K3VK3p7uLo?t=3235

Transition dunk off his teammates steal
https://youtu.be/3K3VK3p7uLo?t=3322

Another live ball TO… 5 second call.
https://youtu.be/3K3VK3p7uLo?t=3376

LONG pull-up 3… beautiful.
https://youtu.be/3K3VK3p7uLo?t=3431

Draws the foul
https://youtu.be/3K3VK3p7uLo?t=3552

Bad pass TO
https://youtu.be/3K3VK3p7uLo?t=3579

Tough 2 on the move at the rim. Pretty.
https://youtu.be/3K3VK3p7uLo?t=3723

Another pretty pull up 3
https://youtu.be/3K3VK3p7uLo?t=3830

ANOTHER 3… this one just isn’t even fair.
https://youtu.be/3K3VK3p7uLo?t=3927

Good D and a rebound.
https://youtu.be/3K3VK3p7uLo?t=3941

Another live ball TO. Loses it in the post.
https://youtu.be/3K3VK3p7uLo?t=3952

Just a selfish TO here. Stop with the heat check BS and play basketball. Your team isn’t up 35.
https://youtu.be/3K3VK3p7uLo?t=3995

Loses the ball vs a double team.
https://youtu.be/3K3VK3p7uLo?t=4207

Lazy touch foul… I wouldn’t have called it as a ref. But it’s legit.
https://youtu.be/3K3VK3p7uLo?t=4216

Fouled. 0/1 in the bonus
https://youtu.be/3K3VK3p7uLo?t=4354

Another just ridiculous 3… deep, contested. Wow.
https://youtu.be/3K3VK3p7uLo?t=4418

Missed up and under in transition
https://youtu.be/3K3VK3p7uLo?t=4440

Long 2, missed and fouled. Not the worst because he wasn’t pulling up, and was seeking the foul.
https://youtu.be/3K3VK3p7uLo?t=4638
Charge… wasn’t under control when he drove to the rim.
https://youtu.be/3K3VK3p7uLo?t=4776

Pull up contested 2 he makes. Not in love with the shot, had two teammates open.
https://youtu.be/3K3VK3p7uLo?t=5084

Another just ridiculous 3. What on earth are they feeding this kid? Refs called it a 2… not correct.
https://youtu.be/3K3VK3p7uLo?t=5200

Defense and the board.
https://youtu.be/3K3VK3p7uLo?t=5246

 

[CardiacAndre7]

In basketball, raw means unskilled. Always has been that way. Speak how you want, but no one is going to know what you mean if you say someone is "raw" on the court, and you mean there good. That goes for black, white, or whatever other race happens to be watching the game with you.

Raw can also mean what he is saying. Saying “That was so raw” when someone makes a really nice play. It’s kinda like saying “That was cold” in a similar circumstance. Obviously cold in typical basketball speak is not a good thing.

 

[husky429]

Raw can also mean what he is saying. Saying “That was so raw” when someone makes a really nice play. It’s kinda like saying “That was cold” in a similar circumstance. Obviously cold in typical basketball speak is not a good thing.

"that was raw" =/= "he is raw." Different contexts and different meanings. Always been clear to me what someone meant playing pickup.

 

[superjohn]

Jimmy Butler.

 

[AntG168]

In basketball, raw means unskilled. Always has been that way. Speak how you want, but no one is going to know what you mean if you say someone is "raw" on the court, and you mean there good. That goes for black, white, or whatever other race happens to be watching the game with you.

I understood exactly what he meant.

 

[Waquoit]

No I’m just African American man damn lol. I just grew up in a predominantly urban neighborhood.

FWIW, the guy who asked that question is really old.

 

[SportsFan88]

I cannot tell if you're serious, but that is not what raw means.

I get what you sayin in basketball terms but he meant jalen was nasty asf lol

 

[storrsroars]

FWIW, the guy who asked that question is really old.

He also has a sense of humor.

 

[CardiacAndre7]

"that was raw" =/= "he is raw." Different contexts and different meanings. Always been clear to me what someone meant playing pickup.

What i’m saying is, the word raw can mean both. It doesn’t matter if it is “he is raw” or “that was raw”. I understand its not as common in the way he was saying, but it’s said enough.

 

[superjohn]

Ooh baby, I like it raw...

 

[Gurleyman]

Overall: Has a ridiculous scoring package. Making tough 3s left and right. Strong at the rim, but still has finesse. Developing a left hand which we didn’t see a year ago. Good passer, but didn’t show it as much tonight because he was so hot. Live-ball turnovers and incredibly lazy defense are goingto be unacceptable on this team. I’m not too worried about the defense–most recruits look that way. 7 live ball TOs in a single game is god-awful. His team wins this game by 10 if he cuts the stupid TOs and plays a bit harder on defense in the first half.

42 PTS
5 REB (0 offensive)
2 AST

8 TO
2 STL
0 BLK

8/15 2FG
6/8 3FG
8/13 FT

• Looks like he has stopped growing. Probably around 6’6… distcintly taller than Newton for us. Just a monstrous PG. I think this will make a REALLY nice pairing with Solo Ball, a smaller SG. Let Solo guard the PG on defense and play off the ball on the other end.. Great versatility with the lineup.
• He plays like a scoring guard and less PG than I remember for this game. He needs to make more passes TO SCORERS rather than just running the offense until he plays 1v1… I think he’ll probably be an off-guard for us until he develops that more. 2 assists and 8 TOs is not PG material.
• Doesn’t play very hard on defense. He’s actually pretty terrible. I have 0 worries about this considering Hurley is our coach. 90% of our recruits are terrible on defense on high school. Andre even was if you look at my old notes. But yeah… he is awful at it.
• Needs to learn a bit more handle with his off hand. Too right hand dominant still. That will get schemed against in a scout at the D1 level.
• I like his ability to post-up as a huge PG. Very nova-esque.
• He isn’t very explosive at the rim… uses strength and finesse.
• He and Newton could put on a clinic together on drawing fouls at the rim. Would like to see Castle continue to develop that for us.
• His usage is ridiculously high. Only a handful of plays he DIDN’T touch the ball.
• He actually plays a lot like Rahsool did in HS… he’s just bigger, stronger, and better.
• Generally protects the ball well vs pressure.
• A year ago he had absolutely 0 left hand. He was making and taking them in traffic now. This is a huge point of development.
• His 3 point shot continues to evolve. Sophomore year his shot was awful. It improved throughout his juior and AAU season… will be interesting to see his %s by the end of the season, but this game was GREAT.
• He would be an incredibly effecient player if he stopped with the mid-range pull-up crap. It’s not a good shot, and it won’t be allowed on our team nearly as much as we’re seeing here. Make it a 3 or pass the dang rock kid.
• Live ball TOs are not going to fly at our level at this rate. Carry’s and just losing the ball are bad bad bad basketball. It’s one thing to lose the ball passing to a teammate (he had one TO that wasn’t a live ball TO)... very different problem to just lose the ball dribbling or carry vs light pressure or toss it away on a drive.
• Biggest difference in that amazing 3Q and start of the 4th?? Didn’t take a stupid mid-range shots. Rim and 3s and foul shots. I HATE bad shots.
• Between Castle and Stewart we’re going to have a late-shot clock scorer available most of the time.
• He’s really strong and tough getting to the rim, with some finesse and skill to complement. He’s going to be called for a lot of offensive fouls if he isn’t careful… a lot of pushoffs and such.
• Not in love with his rebounding… coach will need to work with him on finding a body before jumping. It’s a “want it” thing, not a skill thing IMO.

Probably should have been a foul… but forces the TO.


Ugly 1v1 drive
Red River Hoopfest 2022: Duncanville vs. Newton

Terrible shot. Didn’t make a single pass in a half-court set and bricks a low % contested long 2.
Red River Hoopfest 2022: Duncanville vs. Newton

Coast to coast. Misses the layup but gets to the line. 1/2
Red River Hoopfest 2022: Duncanville vs. Newton

Easy potential assist
Red River Hoopfest 2022: Duncanville vs. Newton

Yeesh. Tough pull up 3, nothing but net.
Red River Hoopfest 2022: Duncanville vs. Newton

Unacceptable live ball TO. Just loses the ball trying to throw his head to get a foul. He is relying on that little head throw too much. Refs don’t respect it if you do it 3x every play.
Red River Hoopfest 2022: Duncanville vs. Newton

Another potential assist to a 3 point shooter in transition.
Red River Hoopfest 2022: Duncanville vs. Newton

Another really stupid shot. No pass in the half court, bunch of dribbles into a long, contested 2. That is literally the worst shot in the game of basketball. Hurley will not allow this.
Red River Hoopfest 2022: Duncanville vs. Newton

Pretty hockey assist
Red River Hoopfest 2022: Duncanville vs. Newton

Pretty pass but his teammate traveled. No potential assist since he didn’t get a shot off.
Red River Hoopfest 2022: Duncanville vs. Newton

He didn’t really do the work, but this is a steal.
Red River Hoopfest 2022: Duncanville vs. Newton

Assist to the post high-low.
Red River Hoopfest 2022: Duncanville vs. Newton

Bad defense followed by a rebound
Red River Hoopfest 2022: Duncanville vs. Newton

Transition 2–and one. Makes the FT.
Red River Hoopfest 2022: Duncanville vs. Newton

Forces a steal, but doesn’t end up with it.
Red River Hoopfest 2022: Duncanville vs. Newton

Another transition 2. Left hand.
Red River Hoopfest 2022: Duncanville vs. Newton

Another foolish long 2 off the dribble. How is his coach allowing this?
Red River Hoopfest 2022: Duncanville vs. Newton

Missed pull up 3. Not a great shot, but I’ll take this every day over a contested mid-range.
Red River Hoopfest 2022: Duncanville vs. Newton

Pick and roll look at the rim. Bricked it, but I like the look. Snaked his way through a pick and roll–high level stuff.
Red River Hoopfest 2022: Duncanville vs. Newton

Mid-range 2 out of a BOB. I don’t hate the shot, but it still isn’t a great look.
Red River Hoopfest 2022: Duncanville vs. Newton

Dump off in the post using his height. Love it.
Red River Hoopfest 2022: Duncanville vs. Newton

Cherry picking 2. Nice to get the bucket, but he needed to play defense here. Also acted like an pretending to heave the ball at the opponent after.
Red River Hoopfest 2022: Duncanville vs. Newton

Carry. Good call.
Red River Hoopfest 2022: Duncanville vs. Newton

Rebound foul shot.
Red River Hoopfest 2022: Duncanville vs. Newton

Another live ball TO. Lost it going to the rim. Terrible decision.
Red River Hoopfest 2022: Duncanville vs. Newton

Back rims a 3
Red River Hoopfest 2022: Duncanville vs. Newton

Steal and fouled
Red River Hoopfest 2022: Duncanville vs. Newton

Nothing came out of it… but this is a really nice cross court pass. Recognized the defender wasn’t looking and put it right over his head.
Red River Hoopfest 2022: Duncanville vs. Newton

Fouls defending in transition. Not a bad foul in my book.
Red River Hoopfest 2022: Duncanville vs. Newton

Draws foul. In the bonus… 2/2 from the line.
(sorry forgot to paste the link lol)

This is an NBA-level and-1. Period. Spins, euros, hangs… just a gorgeous moves.
Red River Hoopfest 2022: Duncanville vs. Newton

Draw the charge… might’ve sold it a bit lol
Red River Hoopfest 2022: Duncanville vs. Newton

Tough 2.. Little half-euro rip over.
Red River Hoopfest 2022: Duncanville vs. Newton

A couple of hesi’s to get the foul 2/2
Red River Hoopfest 2022: Duncanville vs. Newton

Transition dunk off his teammates steal
Red River Hoopfest 2022: Duncanville vs. Newton

Another live ball TO… 5 second call.
Red River Hoopfest 2022: Duncanville vs. Newton

LONG pull-up 3… beautiful.
Red River Hoopfest 2022: Duncanville vs. Newton

Draws the foul
Red River Hoopfest 2022: Duncanville vs. Newton

Bad pass TO
https://youtu.be/3K3VK3p7uLo?t=3579

Tough 2 on the move at the rim. Pretty.
Red River Hoopfest 2022: Duncanville vs. Newton

Another pretty pull up 3
https://youtu.be/3K3VK3p7uLo?t=3830

ANOTHER 3… this one just isn’t even fair.
https://youtu.be/3K3VK3p7uLo?t=3927

Good D and a rebound.
https://youtu.be/3K3VK3p7uLo?t=3941

Another live ball TO. Loses it in the post.
https://youtu.be/3K3VK3p7uLo?t=3952

Just a selfish TO here. Stop with the heat check BS and play basketball. Your team isn’t up 35.
https://youtu.be/3K3VK3p7uLo?t=3995

Loses the ball vs a double team.
https://youtu.be/3K3VK3p7uLo?t=4207

Lazy touch foul… I wouldn’t have called it as a ref. But it’s legit.
https://youtu.be/3K3VK3p7uLo?t=4216

Fouled. 0/1 in the bonus
https://youtu.be/3K3VK3p7uLo?t=4354

Another just ridiculous 3… deep, contested. Wow.
https://youtu.be/3K3VK3p7uLo?t=4418

Missed up and under in transition
https://youtu.be/3K3VK3p7uLo?t=4440

Long 2, missed and fouled. Not the worst because he wasn’t pulling up, and was seeking the foul.
https://youtu.be/3K3VK3p7uLo?t=4638
Charge… wasn’t under control when he drove to the rim.
https://youtu.be/3K3VK3p7uLo?t=4776

Pull up contested 2 he makes. Not in love with the shot, had two teammates open.
https://youtu.be/3K3VK3p7uLo?t=5084

Another just ridiculous 3. What on earth are they feeding this kid? Refs called it a 2… not correct.
https://youtu.be/3K3VK3p7uLo?t=5200

Defense and the board.
https://youtu.be/3K3VK3p7uLo?t=5246

I dunno. I mean, he’s a high school kid. Not every decision is going to be perfectly thought out or work out as planned - he’s still in the early phases of learning the game. You have to think about this stage of an athlete’s career as more about skills development and being just at the beginning of a learning curve than about looking like a finished product. I mean, the NBA euro move against two defenders worked and you called it beautiful, and then when something didn’t work and the defense stopped him, you called it selfish heat check BS. Trying to create plays against a defense loaded to stop you results in some bad possessions and you won’t always make the right read quickly enough like you will with more coaching and more experience.

Handling the ball at 6-7 as an 18-year old, when you are still growing into your body (he probably only stopped growing a year or two ago), also sometimes means that a smaller defender will get the better of you. But you get better by doing and learning rather than hiding off the ball. And high school kids still working on all facets of the game should be content with shooting some long twos. That same rhythm 16-18 footer he shoots now will develop into a rhythm 21-footer with more practice and reps and strength training. He’s still young and still developing skills and mechanics, and just shooting 3s and layups at his age would stunt his development. To be a complete scorer, you need to develop the ability to create your own space and that’s hard to do from 20-feet plus every time. Better to work on the skill, then incrementally add range.

Also a “live ball turnover” means the other team picks up a live ball with a chance to get a transition bucket. Not when the whistle blows for 5 seconds or you lose the ball out of bounds and you can reset your defense.

 

[husky429]

Also a “live ball turnover” means the other team picks up a live ball with a chance to get a transition bucket. Not when the whistle blows for 5 seconds or you lose the ball out of bounds and you can reset your defense.

I meant "live dribble" TO. I stand corrected on that--wasn't really thinking.

I mean, the NBA euro move against two defenders worked and you called it beautiful, and then when something didn’t work and the defense stopped him, you called it selfish heat check BS.

I call it as I see it regardless of whether the shot goes in or it doesn't. You don't have to agree with me, but what you're saying is patently false. There's plenty to criticize here without making things up.

I rarely have a problem with an on-balance and in-rhythm 3 or some kind of shot at the rim, even when they miss. They are good shots, exactly what Hurley's offense is looking for. I do have a problem with multi-dribble mid-range shots because they are historically terrible %s and something we are actively avoiding on our team. I even give credit for good mid-range 2s like late shotclock situations or attacking a closeout or if someone is seeking contact like Tristen Newton does from that spot. Examples:

• "Mid-range 2 out of a BOB. I don’t hate the shot, but it still isn’t a great look."
• "Cherry picking 2. Nice to get the bucket, but he needed to play defense here."
• "Long 2, missed and fouled. Not the worst because he wasn’t pulling up, and was seeking the foul."
• "Pull up contested 2 he makes. Not in love with the shot, had two teammates open."
• "Pick and roll look at the rim. Bricked it, but I like the look. Snaked his way through a pick and roll–high level stuff."

Good shots are good shots. Bad shots are bad shots.

Trying to create plays against a defense loaded to stop you results in some bad possessions and you won’t always make the right read quickly enough

Duh. 8 TOs is still unacceptable for a kid ranked #20 in the country with NBA aspirations. Do you think Stephon himself isn't aware of that, or that his coach and future coaches aren't in his ear about cleaning up his decision-making? It's an obvious flaw. If he expects to be the big dog on campus next year and get to the league (that should be his goal), then he has to clean it up. He has 3 months more HS games to work on it and get better.

Handling the ball at 6-7 as an 18-year old, when you are still growing into your body (he probably only stopped growing a year or two ago), also sometimes means that a smaller defender will get the better of you. But you get better by doing and learning rather than hiding off the ball.

Yes. What's your point? This is obvious. I said that he's a scoring guard, not a wing... and I meant it. Do you think teams aren't going to throw smaller, bigger, stronger, faster defenders on him at UConn, or even during his high school season?

I'm not personally insulting the kid. I'm pointing out what he needs to do to get better. This is part of it.

And high school kids still working on all facets of the game should be content with shooting some long twos.

Not in a 2 possession game versus the #3 high school team in the country. And he isn't working on "all facets of the game"--he's developing a pretty niche skillset as a big lead scoring guard. He isn't learning to post up, or practicing footwork coming off of screens like Hawkins... he's developing his skills for a role that will make him millions in the league.

That same rhythm 16-18 footer he shoots now will develop into a rhythm 21-footer with more practice and reps and strength training. He’s still young and still developing skills and mechanics, and just shooting 3s and layups at his age would stunt his development.

He can shoot 3s, and did shoot 3s in this game. It has nothing to do with strength or his mechanics. He is a strong 6'6 guard, and already has solid mechanics. He has more than enough skill, strength and mechanics to shoot from 3. And he DID shoot from 3 extensively in the second half of this game.

The point is not to take mid-range shots ever. The point is that your mid-range shot is a counter or a last resort shot. That is how our UConn team works. It's how most college teams work. And it's certainly how the NBA works. If Stephon expects to be in the NBA in 18 months (he should), he needs to develop his game from 3... and has been. For at least the past 2 years.

Notice how he took (I think) 1 mid-range shot the entire second half? That would be because his coach told him to knock it off and get back to the game plan. Notice how he went off for 28 points in about 12 minutes of game play before he fouled out? That would be because he stopped taking low % shots and drew fouls, and took 3s.

And fwiw--the college 3 point line is a hair over 22 feet now, not 21.

To be a complete scorer, you need to develop the ability to create your own space and that’s hard to do from 20-feet plus every time. Better to work on the skill, then incrementally add range.

This would be true if he was still 15 and didn't have a 3-point shot developed yet. Or if he didn't have the requisite skillset to score from range. This might be news if you haven't watched 20 of his games as I have, but he does have that skillset and has had it for quite some time. His biggest strength is shot creation from beyond the arc and his passing ability for his size.

This isn't some kid who doesn't know how to create space from range we're talking about. This is possibly the best guard in the 2023 class who will probably be in the NBA in 18 months.

 

[husky429]

Jimmy Butler.

With Hurley and co. to teach him defense for a year, absolutely has that potential. I imagine him as never quite reaching all-defensive team level like Butler, but he could end up a better scorer because of how much of his game is built around making tough 3s.

A lot of "ifs" here, but he's the only recent recruit of our that has a prototypical nba skillset and size.

 

[Brandon86]

Raw can also mean what he is saying. Saying “That was so raw” when someone makes a really nice play. It’s kinda like saying “That was cold” in a similar circumstance. Obviously cold in typical basketball speak is not a good thing.

Where I’m from if somebody say “ He cold as He**” that mean the player good as heck. That’s my point lol. No matter it’s football, basketball. You dead on my guy.

 

[Brandon86]

In basketball, raw means unskilled. Always has been that way. Speak how you want, but no one is going to know what you mean if you say someone is "raw" on the court, and you mean they’re good. That goes for black, white, or whatever other race happens to be watching the game with you.

Naw my guy lol. It don’t matter what sport it is. If somebody come to you and tell you how good somebody plays, and tells you “He Raw as Hell” just know he ain’t talking about unskilled lol. At least where I’m from. They ain’t bragging about how unskilled they are lol.

 

[I Bleed Blue]

I think Castle could move into the Top 10 of his class by season end. His game is getting better and better!

 

[husky429]

I think Castle could move into the Top 10 of his class by season end. His game is getting better and better!

I believe he should. Not being a freak athlete is the thing holding him back, but his production is better than most 5* players on the court.