It appears, from reading the story in The Advocate, that Temple is the point guard and Martin is the heir apparant. Brady "Added Terry Martin, who is 6-6 and can also play point guard, 'He’s one of the best point guards I’ve seen because he doesn’t think about scoring. He thinks about doing what he needs to do to get everybody else involved. He’s very unselfish and knows what to do at the right time. “ Maybe that is why we backed of the point guard, Luca, and decided to give the scholarship to a big man. If TM can play the point and we get the big guy from New Orleans this team, in a couple of years, would be on the level of some of the Duke and UConn teams of the past.
Not to dispute your points, but I read that quote in the article to read as Terry Martin, adding his thoughts on Garrett Temple as a point guard, not Brady speaking about Martin. True, however, that Martin is doing a lot of practicing probably as a point and may play some at point. To other points in the thread about players, I think some interesting sideline stories are going to be: 1. Big Baby. Certainly he's the star and main attraction. Assume he'll get his points and rebounds, but what is his weight loss really going to mean for his game, AND, as I'm sure he's thinking--how is he going to position himself for the draft? Will he become selfish and want his pts/rbs or will he drive the team for success? Sometimes I wondered whether Lloreda and Bass were more self-motivated. Big Baby is a leader, and I think since he's come back, he's regarded in the top 3 big man category by most accounts, and his draft status is fairly secure. 2. Tasmin. Noone's really talking about him, but quietly everyone's expecting him to be the second highest scorer on the team. He's lost weight (about 15 pounds) so I'm expecting to see a quicker more aggressive Tas' and he's improved his outside shooting. He could be positioning himself to go to the NBA more as a big SG, so watching how he asserts himself in games will be interesting. 3. Mason, Tack and Martin. Not a whole lot more needs to be said here. They're going to be new players in the fold and how they play will determine our season. 4. Temple. I sort of see him as the steady influence. Whatever offense we get out of him is gravy. 5. Rolle. I sort of see him as potentially a break out player, but perhaps not as much as Brady does, the rationale here is that you had T-Train at such a high level. Perhaps Rolle and Lazare keep status quo there--but I'm assuming there will be a drop off. Both players will benefit from playing with Big Baby, b/c defenses will focus on him. So, Rolle has the chance to really elevate his scoring just getting the garbage points like Tyrus did. But, again, I think that's a given--Rolle hopefully has improved his FT%. 6. Then, you've got the sideline of all of the developing role players, who honestly may not play alot, but one of them may make a big play at some point in a game--Voogd, Farrer and Johnson. It's going to be interesting to see if any of them break out, maybe in a way, like how Ross moved up a little between his Frosh and Sophomore years. I think of the players, Voogd will continue provide spot duty and will be a valuable back-up--but will he assert himself on defense or offense in any way? Farrer may be used as a zone buster if Mason, Martin, Temple or Minor are not hitting, but I'm not sure whether he's going to see a lot of time. Johnson, now he's an enigma. I do think he's got more of a chance of seeing the floor this year, but the kid didn't put on much weight. You could see him playing some against the weaker schedule, but unless he is showing more hustle, hitting the glass and using his jumping and reach on d or hitting the glass, hard to see where he fits in. He's in a tough spot, is he quick enough to spell Tas' on the perimeter, or does he go down low and bang around with the big boys? He's an athletic guy and tall, but I think he's got to really expend some serious effort to get noticed. All in all, I'm psyched about the possibilities... :geauxtige :bball: :champs: LSU IS A BASKETBALL SCHOOL. PACK THE PMAC.
I will be very surprised!!! If that is eventually the starting five. The only change that will be made eventually is Rolle for Lazarre. Temple is going to start all season, b/c he brings so much to the table. The average fan doesn't see what a guard like a Temple can do. True we have a lot of guards this year, but there is only one guard that has been tested against some REAL HEAT and delivered. Temple is not a scoring guard so he will fit best at the point. Seems like people have such high hopes for Tack, but he is not a stable and consistent guard. When you have a guard like Tack you have to spot play him, b/c 25% of the time he can do things on the court that nobody else can do but the other 75% of the time you will be saying to yourself what was he thinking? You can't have that from your point guard. He will be a good change of pace sub, but for long term you will want a guard like Temple. Keep in mind Martin is going to be out for the 1st part of the season, but once he gets back Tack is going to have a hard time getting some PT. Temple, Mason, and Martin that is going to be the best 3 guard rotation that we have. They are all over 6'2 and they all can play. :geauxtige
You make solid points, and I have the same questions of Tack. But, if Tack finds his shooting touch, and doesn't rush the game and make silly turnovers, he brings a different element to the floor than Temple. He can break down defenses with his speed, and we have to remember, % wise, he's still a better 3 point shooter than Temple. Temple's a better defender and I do trust him to make passes first in the team role, but will he be able to keep up with certain guards at point--like Steele or Green--defensively, and can he create offense like DMitch did at point? Tack if he's hustling, matches up better against the quick guards, and he's our best penetrating guard (I haven't seen Mason play yet). So, I think Tack does have to prove himself, but if he's playing well, he could start.
im not sure if the difference will be seen in pts and rebounds. he should not fade at the ends of games (not that he has much before), and hit more fts at the end. but i think the big difference will be in turnovers- on both ends. a quicker tas might mean tons more steals. with him and gt and an improved gd with more steals, you dont need outside shooting as much, especially against average teams.
