Why Samson Johnson is primed for breakout year | Page 2 | The Boneyard

Why Samson Johnson is primed for breakout year

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.
 
...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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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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.
 
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.
 
Everybody else can learn not to foul--Samson may need to if Reid gets hurt.
 
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!
 
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.
 
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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.
 
Toward the end it turns into Edey versus Karaban.

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.
 
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
 
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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.
 

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.
 
Edey manhandled everyone including Clingan. The guy was complete beast.
What game were you watching? Im guessing you stopped watching the game with about 5 minutes left in the first half and never tuned back in lol!
 
What game were you watching? Im guessing you stopped watching the game with about 5 minutes left in the first half and never tuned back in lol!
This isn’t an argument that needs to be had.

Edey had 37 and 10, and had a great game. 1 v 5 was never going to to work for them. We handled Purdue even if that meant Edey handled UConn. Our gameplan worked.

I’m sure Edey would settle for 0 points if it meant he got a national championship ring.
 
What game were you watching? Im guessing you stopped watching the game with about 5 minutes left in the first half and never tuned back in lol!
You do realize Edey had 37 points on 15-25 shooting and 10 rebounds? By most accounts, that’s a pretty good game ;).

Edey got gassed because he was the only one on floor able to do anything, Cling shut him down for a few possessions to allow an ultra efficient offense to pull away and create space. Rest is history.
 

I think SJ could be a really good center if he simply adds two things 1. Set screens without fouling and 2. Rebounds at a much higher rate which can happen if he works on his boxing out. Think rebound first not put backs on offense and blocks on defense. Rebound, rebound, rebound. Those two things alone make him one of the better centers in the conference.
 
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I think SJ could be a really good center if he simply adds two things 1. Set screens without fouling and 2. Rebounds at a much higher rate which can happen if he works on his boxing out. Think rebound first not put backs on offense and blocks on defense. Rebound, rebound, rebound. Those two things alone make him one of the better centers in the conference.
Lot of the shortages I saw with him were above the neck.

One thing about SJ is he has a really really high center of gravity. He’s built like a track athlete. Guys who have any density below the waste can clear him out like road cone. I’d be curious how he’s doing in practice rebounding against Tarris.

Maybe enough practice reps work out some of the mental gaps now that he’s a focal point. We shall see, excited and hopeful to watch him figure it out. All I know is last year 95% of my WTF are you doing energy went at him.
 
You do realize Edey had 37 points on 15-25 shooting and 10 rebounds? By most accounts, that’s a pretty good game ;).

Edey got gassed because he was the only one on floor able to do anything, Cling shut him down for a few possessions to allow an ultra efficient offense to pull away and create space. Rest is history.
Edey's #'s were gaudy but that was him playing out of his arse in the first 14 minutes of the game and him overpowering Karaban in garbage time for dunks. Edey had 16 points with 6 minutes left in the first half and then didn't score a point until there was 14 minutes left in the game when he hit a ft, UConn was already up by 13 at that point. Edey scored 15 points when the game was a blowout and it was straight up garbage time where he was clearing Karaban out for dunks.

The whole team was great defensively but Clingan's defense on Edey made it all possible. Everyone else double teamed Edey all season and Edey got his while the rest of Purdue lit teams up from the perimeter. We never doubled Edey because of Clingan and we saw how the rest of Purdue performs against elite defense when they aren't left open and actually have to try and make some plays on their own.
 
Edey's #'s were gaudy but that was him playing out of his arse in the first 14 minutes of the game and him overpowering Karaban in garbage time for dunks. Edey had 16 points with 6 minutes left in the first half and then didn't score a point until there was 14 minutes left in the game when he hit a ft, UConn was already up by 13 at that point. Edey scored 15 points when the game was a blowout and it was straight up garbage time where he was clearing Karaban out for dunks.

The whole team was great defensively but Clingan's defense on Edey made it all possible. Everyone else double teamed Edey all season and Edey got his while the rest of Purdue lit teams up from the perimeter. We never doubled Edey because of Clingan and we saw how the rest of Purdue performs against elite defense when they aren't left open and actually have to try and make some plays on their own.
100%. It's like people didn't even watch the game.
 
I think SJ could be a really good center if he simply adds two things 1. Set screens without fouling and 2. Rebounds at a much higher rate which can happen if he works on his boxing out. Think rebound first not put backs on offense and blocks on defense. Rebound, rebound, rebound. Those two things alone make him one of the better centers in the conference.
100%
 
Edey's #'s were gaudy but that was him playing out of his arse in the first 14 minutes of the game and him overpowering Karaban in garbage time for dunks. Edey had 16 points with 6 minutes left in the first half and then didn't score a point until there was 14 minutes left in the game when he hit a ft, UConn was already up by 13 at that point. Edey scored 15 points when the game was a blowout and it was straight up garbage time where he was clearing Karaban out for dunks.

The whole team was great defensively but Clingan's defense on Edey made it all possible. Everyone else double teamed Edey all season and Edey got his while the rest of Purdue lit teams up from the perimeter. We never doubled Edey because of Clingan and we saw how the rest of Purdue performs against elite defense when they aren't left open and actually have to try and make some plays on their own.
He wasn’t playing out his arse, he was being Zach Edey, the two time national player of the year, and 9th pick of the draft. Let’s give the kid credit - he’s really good. He was the only player on the court for Purdue that made the game mildly close. Not sure why we are using him as a barometer for this conversation anyway, as he was miles ahead of the next best college big offensively.
 
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