Will Nolen's Role Diminish?
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Section201
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not having seen the game...
Did Devoe light it up when he playing the point or the 2?
Did Devoe light it up when he playing the point or the 2?
PeanutButterGopherTime
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Devoe was lighting it up from the 2 so Al's role shouldn't diminish because of that. I think Tubby said he is trying to utilize Devoe as more of a shooter this year especially with the addition of Cobbs as an alternative at point.
A little early to make sweeping generalizations but I think the ball movement when Nolen has the ball has improved greatly. Last year the ball would sometimes just stop when it got in Nolen's hands. Now it keeps moving.
I am not sure much can be divined from these 2 exhibition games. But for two games in a row now I have come away with the thought that this was the worst opponent I have ever seen the Gophers play. First UMD then Moorhead (esp when it was 19-2) looked totally overmatched.
My initial thought is that the opponents are terrible - but just maybe the Gophers are getting that much better.
If Nolen keeps the ball moving I don't see his role diminishing much - if at all.
I admit I left a bit early but I thought most of Joseph's offense came from the 2 guard spot.
Cobbs 5 assists in 10 minutes IIRC. Looks to me like Joseph will spend most of his time at the 2 and we will see a lot of a 3 guard lineup.
PG Nolen - Cobbs
2G Westbrook - Joseph - Hoffarber
3G Joseph - Hoffarber
I am not sure much can be divined from these 2 exhibition games. But for two games in a row now I have come away with the thought that this was the worst opponent I have ever seen the Gophers play. First UMD then Moorhead (esp when it was 19-2) looked totally overmatched.
My initial thought is that the opponents are terrible - but just maybe the Gophers are getting that much better.
If Nolen keeps the ball moving I don't see his role diminishing much - if at all.
I admit I left a bit early but I thought most of Joseph's offense came from the 2 guard spot.
Cobbs 5 assists in 10 minutes IIRC. Looks to me like Joseph will spend most of his time at the 2 and we will see a lot of a 3 guard lineup.
PG Nolen - Cobbs
2G Westbrook - Joseph - Hoffarber
3G Joseph - Hoffarber
station19
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Al's role will diminish as Cobbs continues to improve. I think Cobbs will be the best option at the point come the midpoint of the year!
Assuming we have a full roster; best lineup come january:
1- Cobbs
2- Joseph/westbrook
3- Royce
4- Trevor
5- Ralph
Assuming we have a full roster; best lineup come january:
1- Cobbs
2- Joseph/westbrook
3- Royce
4- Trevor
5- Ralph
Gold Vision
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Nolen and Cobbs will probably split something like 30-10 to start and 25-15 could be possible later in the year. This is Al's team to lose.
Damian Johnson won't be pushed out of the 3 by Royce. I think we are much more likely to see Royce and Mbakwe splitting time at the 4 if they both were miraculously reinstated.
golfinggopher
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I hate to disagree, but our best line-up cannot be made without Damian Johnson...He's our best overall player right now IMO
This is nice... but definitely wishful thinking!
One way or another, it's going to be hard to keep Joseph off the floor. He may be our most talented perimeter player.
moonlightIII
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I have a hard time seeing tubby, who puts so much emphasis on defense, bench our best perimeter defender. If we are going to contend against teams like Michigan St. we are will need to stop players like Kalin Lucas, and i don't see Westbrook or Coobs being able to do that as well as Al can.
The-Real-Truth
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Very interesting post. I thought about the same thing when I watched part of OSU game last night. I kept thinking that the other team was very bad but OSU looked really good. I think that Big10 is the best conference this year. Winning it means automatic NC???
I am not sure of how the players fare against better defenders/defense. We’ll find that out soon enough. I do like Joseph as a viable second or third option at the 1 because a PG with perimeter game and therefore a flexible lineup can add another dimension to the team. I think and hope Nolen will be alright playing around 25 minutes or better as a starting PG.
ShowinGoldyLove
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Al only played 26 min/game last year without a viable backup. Considering we have a more talented and deeper team this year than last, I doubt anyone will get more than 25 min/game this year (Nolen & Johnson led the team in min/played at 26 & 27 last year).
It's like Tubby said last night get it done outside to open things up inside ( in so many words ). If Devoe can play decent defense and hit outside Al's minutes are going to do down. I would have a hard time believing Tubby would tolerate a repeat performance of last year.
Rick Mons
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Maybe it's just me ...
... but did anyone else feel that Nolen was too hesitant to make the pass on transition to the Gopher that was further downcourt? Seemed like he had some opportunities to push the pace up and get more team penetration by making the pass.
Last year I tended to think the same thing but figured we didn't have the athleticism to make it work. This year I think the athleticism is here but we're not taking advantage of it.
... but did anyone else feel that Nolen was too hesitant to make the pass on transition to the Gopher that was further downcourt? Seemed like he had some opportunities to push the pace up and get more team penetration by making the pass.
Last year I tended to think the same thing but figured we didn't have the athleticism to make it work. This year I think the athleticism is here but we're not taking advantage of it.
Mikie S
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Al Nolen
The Good:
1. Pretty good defense, although I don't rank it as high as some other posters.
2. Very good at protecting the ball.
The Bad:
1. Does not shoot the ball well enough to keep defenses honest.
2. When he drives, he a) does not look to dish off and b) does not finish at the rim.
3. Does not consistently get the ball into the right hands, at the right time on offense. He doesn't fed the post nor pass the ball well up court on potential fast breaks.
The Good:
1. Pretty good defense, although I don't rank it as high as some other posters.
2. Very good at protecting the ball.
The Bad:
1. Does not shoot the ball well enough to keep defenses honest.
2. When he drives, he a) does not look to dish off and b) does not finish at the rim.
3. Does not consistently get the ball into the right hands, at the right time on offense. He doesn't fed the post nor pass the ball well up court on potential fast breaks.
Haven't been able to actually see any of either game but this is what I was thinking as well. For those who were able to see, was Devoe on the ball at all during either game?
Nolen's a good defender, but I think he's a little overrated there... he has fantastic hands, he's quick and he's certainly a good defender, but he doesn't get his hands up to contest shots very well... from what I've seen so far in the 2 exhibition games, Cobbs has looked great defensively. While he may not be as good a defender overall as Nolen this year, he is stronger and contests shots better, so it's not like we're missing a ton of defense when Nolen goes out.
Nolen will be solid for this team. He is experienced, and while Cobbs is talented, let's not get over-excited about his prospects. Remember how Al played at the beginning of last year? When Tubby was comparing him to Rajon Rondo? While he is not at that level (clearly), he is a solid PG despite his shortcomings, and will be a floor leader for this team.
Also, Devoe at the point is not taking advantage of his abilities. He is a scorer and a shooter. Put him on the wing and let him come off screens and make plays, that is his strength.
Also, Devoe at the point is not taking advantage of his abilities. He is a scorer and a shooter. Put him on the wing and let him come off screens and make plays, that is his strength.
Yeah, Nolen has many dificiencies. I am not assuming that he has improved much into the season. If Cobbs can play the way many of you believe he can against better opponents, good for him and us. If Joseph gets a go from Tubby and starts knocking down perimeter shots while moving the ball well, it will be great.
Nolen is just what he is. he got what he got not because he was a great player but because he was the best option available for Tubby. I think Nolen still is the best overall option available this season.
And, it may well be right that nobody will play more than 25 minutes this seaon.
Nolen is just what he is. he got what he got not because he was a great player but because he was the best option available for Tubby. I think Nolen still is the best overall option available this season.
And, it may well be right that nobody will play more than 25 minutes this seaon.
sec105
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I said it before and I'll say it again...
Devoe Jospeh = Stephen Curry (when he played the 2 guard).
We have him and we should use him.
Curry started out as a 2 and that's where Joseph should play.
Let Nolen and Cobbs share the point. JMO
Devoe Jospeh = Stephen Curry (when he played the 2 guard).
We have him and we should use him.
Curry started out as a 2 and that's where Joseph should play.
Let Nolen and Cobbs share the point. JMO
Tend to agree. I would rather not have Devoe lugging the ball up the court if he absolutely doesn't have to. I'm sure there will be times he may rotate a few possessions at the point. But he's a natural two and will almost certain start in that spot next year when Westbrook graduates. Therefore, the more time we can have him come off picks and spot up on the outside, the better.