Why Samson Johnson is primed for breakout year

[Palatine]

Watching him get totally manhandled by Edey in the championship game, I have my doubts about his strength to battle effectively in the paint against large 5s, and his inability to stay out of foul trouble (not to mention that one of his 5 fouls was an illegal screen, a foul that he was called for numerous times during the season....why can he not get that what he does when setting a screen while continuing to move is a foul!?)

Edey manhandled everyone including Clingan. The guy was complete beast.

 

[imno1]

Edey manhandled everyone including Clingan. The guy was complete beast.

And has a good chance of being the NBA rookie of the year

 

[EZPass]

Not a mic drop but a nice compilation of stops against Edey…

 

[Kenny11]

Samson is our most violent dunker since Stanley right?

 

[mauconnfan]

every pro samson post inevitably turns into this. I'll never understand.

Put some respect on his name.

I think everyone respects who he is and what he’s brought to the program. If you’re going to talk basketball and about each player the only inevitable thing is you will discuss strengths and weaknesses right? Otherwise why have the Yard?

 

[WhereistheDove?]

every pro samson post inevitably turns into this. I'll never understand.

Put some respect on his name.

On the other hand, anyone suggesting that SJ has some question marks to his game draws out folks like you that seemingly can’t admit he has any flaws. His ability to defend well and without fouling is absolutely fair game to discuss and very likely our largest question mark as a team. We all know he can be a huge mismatch off the pick and roll already.

 

[Waquoit]

...almost every pro Samson thread there is a portion of our fanbase who seemingly would think he does nothing but step on the court and foul out while trying to set screens and not covering anyone.

I'm with you. I concede he needs to foul less but only a couple unicorns do everything well. He's a big part of the team's success to date; his pros outweigh his cons by a ton. So why harp on them? We heard you the first couple of times.

 

[Husky68]

Cautiously optimistic and commendable that he’s stuck it out here when I’m sure he had offers elsewhere. But my expectations are about what they were before last season. He’s a valuable role player. It’s year 4, not year 2 or even 3. Ya kinda know what you’re getting…some highlight dunks, good rim protection and some incredibly dumb fouls/plays mixed in.

Wasn't Diarra year 4 last year? Seemed like a pretty good improvement to me.

 

[Kenny11]

I'm with you. I concede he needs to foul less but only a couple unicorns do everything well. He's a big part of the team's success to date; his pros outweigh his cons by a ton. So why harp on them? We heard you the first couple of times.

He’s best skills are so unique and drive opponents crazy. He rolls to the rim so fast and with such explosion that he draws an incredible amount of attention. Newton, spencer, castle and diarra got a lot of layups because defenders are paranoid about Samson getting a lob.

 

[uh-no]

On the other hand, anyone suggesting that SJ has some question marks to his game draws out folks like you that seemingly can’t admit he has any flaws. His ability to defend well and without fouling is absolutely fair game to discuss and very likely our largest question mark as a team. We all know he can be a huge mismatch off the pick and roll already.

Agree x100. I hate this "no shades of grey" crap.

He fouls like the dickens, but is ALSO a valuable asset to the team. He was an amazing complement to clingkong last year, but would have been even better if he could stay on the floor. If you're picking up a foul every 5 minutes on average, not only will you likely be unable to play 20 minutes most nights, but you're ALSO putting the other team on the line (or at least closer thereto).

SJ has a ton of value...has got two rings....but he can't best utilize that value if he can't stay on the floor...and at his current foul rate, Reed is going to be the premier big on the team.

 

[RuffRuff]

I'm with you. I concede he needs to foul less but only a couple unicorns do everything well. He's a big part of the team's success to date; his pros outweigh his cons by a ton. So why harp on them? We heard you the first couple of times.

Pros out weigh the cons in a bench role, not sure yet in a primary minutes role. One of his advantages was that we could build massive leads with Cling that made SJs minutes more of a breather. He had a lot of games with net negative even when we won big. That can’t happen in a primary role.

 

[JustbrewitMan]

Samson is gonna shut up a ton of his critics this year. I can’t wait. Bookmark it.

 

[pj]

samson had 7.4 fouls per 40 on the year.....It wasn't just edey...he really couldn't guard anyone without fouling.

Fortunately he only has to play 20 minutes per game, and he should be able to do that.

 

[ec33]

A lot of yapping to say "if he can stay on the floor, he is going to have a monster year."

Hopefully a year of experience at the position and some added strength will allow him to get there.

 

[Lambeau]

Everybody else can learn not to foul--Samson may need to if Reid gets hurt.

 

[AllHusky]

Not a mic drop but a nice compilation of stops against Edey…

I don’t know, I’m looking for a microphone, just haven’t found it yet. Gonna miss Dan Clingan!

 

[awy]

the idea that samson's limited role hid his weakness also works in reverse, that because he was a role player last season he was able to gamble and foul more and play more as an energy guy.

if he's being counted on to play minutes and instructed that way he could play differently. it's fair to be skeptical that this could happen this fast but one should still be open to the possibility.

 

[alphasigko]

Not a mic drop but a nice compilation of stops against Edey…

Looks like DC did some manhandling of his own on Edey! Thx for posting that!

 

[TheChamps990411]

Far from fits remember he had 17 points until basically garbage time and he started fast. The middle of the game DC gave him fits actually. There was a major difference in what DC did and SJ did physically on he and a couple others defensively no denying that. But I have faith he’ll improve somewhat he looks stronger. The staying out of foul trouble is worrisome though as he engages physically more.

If Reed becomes what he can we may not have to worry about foul trouble they will just share the position as required. And I think Reed will be very good.

Ive rewatched the title game several times and Edey got off to a great start but after starting 5-7 against DC Edey ended up 6-15 including two turnovers during a 10 minute stretch he just couldnt score on DC. I think DC took time to adjust and once he did he handled Edey pretty well.

 

[Palatine]

Toward the end it turns into Edey versus Karaban.

clingan versus edey - Search Videos

www.bing.com

 

[alphasigko]

Toward the end it turns into Edey versus Karaban.

clingan versus edey - Search Videos

www.bing.com

Yes, and you know why... SJ fouled out in 5 mins of court time and DC had 4 fouls. Note that Edey was not called for a flagrant when he hit him in the head with a forceful left elbow on one drive. Yes, Edey could not help but manhandle the much smaller AK.

 

[navery12]

Yes, and you know why... SJ fouled out in 5 mins of court time and DC had 4 fouls. Note that Edey was not called for a flagrant when he hit him in the head with a forceful left elbow on one drive. Yes, Edey could not help but manhandle the much smaller AK.

I get the skepticism on Samson, and for the most part I agree that there's some uncertainty about his foul issues. But backup centers often have that "problem" until they become starters, because they know they're in for limited minutes. Whether he can make the adjustment is an open question, but it wouldn't be unheard of

 

[RuffRuff]

 

[uconnfan68]

Was not an Edey problem it was an overall problem. His fouling issues as a junior were well beyond Clingan’s as a frosh, Clings primarily due to being over-aggressive blocking shots. Many of Samson’s were WTF fouls due to poor position and inability to body up, and really tied into a general lack of awareness. Hope the light bulb goes on and the added strength/size make a difference.

Jr, but missed a full year, and only part-time last year. And everyone knew he wasn’t at DC’s level, so he was the attack point. We all hope he had a great offseason and will be up to the challenge.

 

[awy]

just straight up delirious analysis again. they somehow interpreted "expanding samson's passing game" into "UConn needs samson to be the point guard". just amazing.