You also have to consider that Junior had Crowder and DJO alongside of him, Derrick has no one close to those two.
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You also have to consider that Junior had Crowder and DJO alongside of him, Derrick has no one close to those two.
But one of the reasons DJ-O and Jae had such good seasons that year is that Junior was not only able to drive and dish or drive and kick, but he also forced the defense to adjust to his drives to the basket.
The other thing about Junior was that he often delivered the ball to Jae or DJ-O at the right time in the right location for them to score. I used to marvel at how accurate Junior's passing was. He would see DJ-O come off a screen and the ball would be right there at just the right height, leading him just enough for him to be in rhythm and knock down the jumper. A little later or a little earlier, a little higher or a little lower, and DJ-O's job was more difficult. The same with Junior and Jae. Buzz even commented a few times publicly on Junior's ability to make the right pass at the right time.
Worthen had that ability; so did Walton.
Derrick doesn't seem to possess that ability. It's a gift. Some point guards have it; many don't.
I agree with this. Junior had a knack of being able to drive to the hoop and score in traffic. Derrick is not able to do that. Most of the time, his drives result in easy blocked shots. Add to that, Junior was one of the best passers in MU history. He could drive and score or drive and dish. I just don't see that ability from Derrick. Junior always attacked, Derrick is more methodical.
They are different players asked to do different things. Derrick is less likely to win a game for you with incisive passes or miracle shots, but he is also less likely to lose a game for you with turnovers in traffic and shoddy defense. I think right now the hope is that Dawson can maybe stay consistent enough to start getting 15 minutes or so because honestly Derrick will probably be better if he has someone that can legitimately spell him and the entire team should* be better if Jamil is playing the entire game at the 3/4 positions. I still think the problem is more one of surrounding cast. Jamil isn't Jae and Mayo isn't DJO.
*This assumes Jamil plays consistently well, which the jury is out on whether or not he is capable of doing this.
Junior didn't have Jae or DJO last year.......Obviously he did have Vander.
I just think a game manager at point guard is not what you want.....it is however what we have.
ps. At this point in the season I think people just need to get off of Derrick's back...he is what he is.....he isn't turning into somebody else anytime soon.
Yes, let's accept a level way south of mediocrity. No need to coddle the situation. He would be a perfect 7th-8th guy in the rotation but he is over his head. Hopefully Duane Wilson rides in on a white horse next year or you may as well write off next year as well.