Al vs. Devoe debate

Donate To GopherHole
G

Goldy in da house

Member
Joined
Nov 21, 2009
Messages
79
Reaction score
0
Points
6
Theres been a number of posts on this topic in other threads, so here's my 2 cents on the al vs. devoe debate:

Al is an elite defensive player when he puts forth 100% effort (see Ohio State game last year). Many times, however, he slacks with his man-to-man defense and just goes for steals. Even when he slacks, though, he is still a good defender because of his quickness and ability to recover. He is great to have on the floor when we run the press. On offense, he has a great first step to get by his man but rarely converts with a basket or assist in the paint. He had a couple of finishes monday against winona st. so maybe he's improving there. We all know his shooting form is horrid. Also, he tends to really slow down ball movement when he is running the point.

Devoe is a very good offensive player. He can create his own shot, has a great dribble pull up midrange jumper. Good outside shooter. Much better than al at finishing in the paint. Not a great passer, but usually makes ok decisions. His shooting really spreads the defense, which helps the offense as a whole. On defense he isn't a liability, but his defensive quickness leaves something to be desired.

Honestly, I would rather have Devoe start because the offense is more efficient when he is running the point. It would really be an asset to bring Al off the bench and run the pressure defense on the opposing teams 2nd string PG. That could really change the tone of the game if we are losing. I am ok with al starting as well. I also wouldn't mind an al, devoe, rodney/blake lineup if maverick shows that he can not screw up running backup point (he looked better against winona state)
 

+1M

I have always felt the Nolens D was overrated. You stated it very well.
 

Goldy in da house said:
I also wouldn't mind an al, devoe, rodney/blake lineup if maverick shows that he can not screw up running backup point (he looked better against winona state)
Click to expand...

Blake is a lock, Al is a 90% lock to start. Devoe will have to earn Rodney's spot if he is going to crack the starting line-up. I thought for sure he would do just that, but him pissing Tubby off in the last couple weeks isn't helping.

Al can finish and will finish at the rim this season. He blows by guys easy, including Devoe during practice.
 

I agree completely with GitH's analysis. While Nolen is an elite defender, he's a liability on the offensive end for a gopher team that needs scoring. It goes beyond just missing his own outside shots. Opponents now know that they don't need to guard Al on the perimeter and thus can pay closer attention to Blake and our big men. Just having Devoe on the court is a big boost on the offensive end.

This isn't exactly saying Devoe is a better player than Al, just that he is better for this team. With Westbrook and DJ gone, there is no one else who can create his own shot. Devoe will be the clear MVP of this team by the end of the year and needs to play 30+ minutes a night IMO.
 

Devoe should be the one to start, while he isn't as good as a defensive player, he far exceeds Nolan's offensive ability.
 


Al is overrated. His defense is solid, but hardly a shut down defender. His ball handling is ok, but his creativity and finishing ability is zilch. Terrible shooter. Pretty good rebounder for a guard. Devoe is average defensively, but can create a shot (who else in our half court offense can?) has a solid outside game, and is a below average ball handler.

All in all, pg position is weak at MN. Weakest in the Big Ten next to Iowa IMO. I would trade Al for Jordan Taylor easily. Devoe will be starting by conference opener.
 

I know it's the nature of this forum, but I'm not sure why this is such a debate especially at this point. Each has his strengths and each has his weaknesses. We're a significantly weaker team if we don't have both Al and Devoe. It's a long season and things will work themselves out. That's why Tubby is here: to develop these guys and to use them according to the situation in a way that gives us the best chance to win. Obviously, a lot of who should be out there will be based on the opponent and the what's happening in the game. Too many people make it sound like either/or.
 

I haven't been to this board much. Is this the same as the Weber vs. Gray thing where each side is so over exaggerated that one person is the greatest and the other person would be benched if they were on the local high school team?
 

monk10 said:
I haven't been to this board much. Is this the same as the Weber vs. Gray thing where each side is so over exaggerated that one person is the greatest and the other person would be benched if they were on the local high school team?
Click to expand...

Well, you have read the thread. You tell us.
 





I know this would likely mean less time for Hoffarber, but I think Devoe and Al need to be on the court together. Better yet, maybe have all three on the floor at one time. I know some people will say we'll be at a size disadvantage and we will to some extent. But this isn't the NBA with 6-foot-7 wings and 2-guards. At 6-foot-4, I think Hoffarber can match up with MOST 3's in the Big Ten and at 6-foot-3, Joseph should be able to handle just about any 2.

At the very least, get a rotation going where they are on the floor together for 5-10 minutes every game. I think the offense will be very good with those three combined with our bigs.
 

I love Rodney, but unless he's a whole new player, I think Al, Devoe, and Blake should all start. I have no idea what Devoe has done to get in trouble, but in terms of bball, no way that Rodney should be starting and he shouldn't. We also are going to have zero spacing on the floor with a lineup of Al, Blake, Rodney, Colton, and Sampson. That's only one outside shooter.
 



Nolen-better defender and better at bringing to ball up the court.
Devoe-better in the half court offense.

Last year Tubby ran a lot of 3 guard offense. This year with only 3 experienced guards I can see less 3 guard offense with the Al, Blake and Devoe spliting time at the 1 and 2.

This leaves Rodney and Hollins to handle the 3 spot at most times. As underground said our outside shooting is not real strong with this line-up. We could sure use Paul Carter. The development of Rodney and Hollins could be a key factor this year.
 

I would like to see them both start bring Hoffarber off the bench as the sixth man and an explosive scorer to give us a lift when needed.
 

If Al learned how to shoot a layup he is has All Big Ten potential.
With all the Bigs on the gopher roster Devoe's shooting ability is huge.
Al runs the offense better than Devoe, Devoe ad-libs better than Al.

Lucky for the gophers it is not an either-or thing. The both should, and will, get significant time.
 

If i was coach it would be nolen, joseph, hoff, trevor, and colt. This might light a fire in the two talented players of Ralph and Rodney to be aggressive when they do come off the bench. You need to have 2 outside shooters on the court as much as possible. Plus i think both could come in and play some nice defense if someone is going off.

On another note if Trevor cant make the NBA could he become the next Antonio Gates?
 

gopher the gold said:
I would like to see them both start bring Hoffarber off the bench as the sixth man and an explosive scorer to give us a lift when needed.
Click to expand...

Blake will start every game this year, unless he gets hurt. Bank on it.
 

I would trade Al for Jordan Taylor easily.
Click to expand...

Amen to that, and Jon Leuer at Rodney's spot would be an upgrade as well, or at Ralph's or Colt's spot for that matter. But I have to admit, I had no clue Leuer would be this good. Taylor OTOH yeah, it was obvious he could star in the Big 10. I guess he signed with the Badgers before Tubby came on board. Crappy timing.
 

Keep in mind that Al shot 39% from 3 point land last year, so it's not like he is completely irrelevant.
 

You must log in or register to reply here.



Top Bottom