Baker next year

[RUDead]

I think several replies to this thread are missing that Zappaa is talking about his development over the course of the year, not how he performed from day 1 this year. The past 2 games he's been a facilitator and picked his spots... if you dont see how his pg skills have developed, I dont think you're watching. Was there a lull earlier in the year? Yeah, I think that was part of development

Yes, and also factor in that Pike LOVES him and trusts him with the ball. He isn't going to be supplanted very easily.

 

[RUChow]

1-2 times a game? Ha.

Yeah Hah. Throwing a pass away because of a bad decision is one thing, getting picked is quite another. Great college PG's don't ever get picked. It also wasn't too long ago that Geo had played about six sub par games in a row.

 

[zappaa]

Considering we're one of the most improved teams in the country, some of you guys are tough.

IMO...No team improves to the extent we have without the point guard being a big piece of it.

 

[RUChow]

Considering we're one of the most improved teams in the country, some of you guys are tough.

IMO...No team improves to the extent we have without the point guard being a big piece of it.

Yeah, I guess so. I had pretty high expectations going into this year mostly because I knew Harper was going to be what you saw the other night, and I thought and still do think that Johnson's potential is through the roof.

 

[Scangg]

Paul doesn’t necessarily have to cover the opposing point guard.

Don't think he ever will. It wouldn't really make sense for him to match up with a PG

Paul is going to be so good for us. His game somehow reminds me a lot of Corey. Less agile, a little better with his left, a little better passing, taller. But there are definitely similarities IMO.

Paul is basically the exact opposite type of PG than Corey. Terrible player comp IMO. Only similarity is maybe they both aren't great 3 point shooters.

ive been told when mulcahy is in the game he'll run the point BUT on defense he'll guard the 3

Thisssss

 

[zappaa]

Yeah, I guess so. I had pretty high expectations going into this year mostly because I knew Harper was going to be what you saw the other night, and I thought and still do think that Johnson's potential is through the roof.

I agree with both of those guys

 

[whofrewdatmataRU13]

How so?

Corey came to RU not really knowing how to be a point guard, and it took him until year 3 to really get it. Paul comes in knowing and embracing the point

 

[zebnatto]

Right, so compare Corey at the end vs. Paul now.

I think they’re both gifted passers who struggle a bit with shooting, and can both wreak havoc on defense. Obviously there are pretty big differences between them. I should have said that in terms of value added to the team at a given time, I think they can be similar.

Never saw CS as a gifted passer.

 

[RUChow]

Right, so compare Corey at the end vs. Paul now.

I think they’re both gifted passers who struggle a bit with shooting, and can both wreak havoc on defense. Obviously there are pretty big differences between them. I should have said that in terms of value added to the team at a given time, I think they can be similar.

I thought that Sanders was actually a below average passer and didn't make anyone around him better except maybe Geo.

 

[RUChoppin]

Last 5 games for Baker: 29 assists (5.8/g), 13 turnovers (2.6/g), for a 2.23 ratio. And 14 steals (2.5/g)

 

[satnom]

I agree that CS came to RU without knowing what a true pg does and made significant improvements by his third year. RU had an incomplete roster when he was here, just like Mack, just like Rosario, just like [fill in the blank]. It’s crazy that CS was such a high level dribbler who could break a press on his own but rarely went to the basket with his left and that along with his lack of consistent outside shot are the main reasons why he’s not playing in the NBA.

Excited about PG because he is a true ball distributor and looks to have a strong dribble and can run the floor with a complete roster of ballers. Will be fun to see his development and to see Geo play minutes at the point and his more natural position at the two guard like when CS was here. I believe PG will eventually get the keys to the offense but he’ll have to adapt to the high level of play offered by Geo and Young before it happens.

GO RU

 

[RUinFla]

Wow zap I do not have as much confidence in him as you do. His play is spread out equally between being a Very good player at times, good player at times and average at times - Still making too many mistakes and putting himself in bad offensive positions for me to have ultimate confidence in him.

Of course, when you think of the youth of RU, you think of our freshmen. But Geo is only a soph. He is better this year than he was last year, and he will be better next year than he is this year. Heck, he is better now than he was earlier this year. Makes better decisions, does other stuff when the shots aren't coming or aren't falling, etc. But the key thing is that the other guys look to him.
TL

 

[Scangg]

How so?

Paul has amazing court vision and keeps his head up constantly scanning the court looking for the open man. When he drives he looks to dish. He can go right or left. Relies on crafty moves footwork and feel for the game. Uses his length and moves oile the eurostep to finish around the rim not jump over people and play above the rim.

Corey was always looking for his shot or to get to the basket to score. Passing was not his primary focus when got the ball... scoring was. He had no left. He relied on elite athletic ability to blow past defenders. Top level quickness explosion and vertical

2 completely different styles

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Paul has an amazing court vision in HS.

 

[BuggsyRU]

I know I could have posted this in the 2020 starting rotation thread, but I thought Baker deserves his own thread.

Gio Baker is one of the most improved point guard/ball defenders in the Nation at this point.

I don’t know how good Young is, and he may be very able to spell Gio...but I see no way Mulcahy can possibly play with enough speed and defend the way Gio is right now.

At this point in Gio’s career, outside of Phil Sellers I’ve never been more comfortable with a guy with the ball on his hands.

Gio is our point guard next year, and I’m extatic to be able to watch him for two more years

Earl Duncan! That guy was the best point guard we’ve had since my freshman year at Rutgers in 1988.

 

[willisneverrana43]

I think several replies to this thread are missing that Zappaa is talking about his development over the course of the year, not how he performed from day 1 this year. . . .

You have to be careful with these type of conclusions based on recent play with Geo. He can be a very streaky player, and a hot streak can appear to be vast development when in fact it was just a hot streak. For the year, his shooting percentages are all down, his assists are up and his turnovers are up. It’s a mixed bag.

 

[blockm2]

You have to be careful with these type of conclusions based on recent play with Geo. He can be a very streaky player, and a hot streak can appear to be vast development when in fact it was just a hot streak. For the year, his shooting percentages are all down, his assists are up and his turnovers are up. It’s a mixed bag.

I think the clearest possible improvement for Baker next season if he moved off the ball would be a chance to improve his shooting numbers. 43.7% eFG% is putrid (41.0% in conference play) and amongst the worst in the conference. If he didn't have to expend so much energy at PG and could have more of a chance to come off screens, it might help him be more efficient in his shooting.