FanPost

In Defense of Antonio Jardine

In light of today's tweets that Jade Scorpion will be returning, I thought I would take this opportunity to offer my rebuttal to the negative comments and stupidity that will surely follow this announcement. First, let me state my opinion clearly. In no way, shape or form would Syracuse be a better team next year without Scoop Jardine. Now for the why. Let's look at the typical Scoop-bashing comment one may hear on the radio or read on many a blog:

"Syracuse would be a better team if Scoop would just run the point! He tries to do to much! He makes such idiotic decisions! He is Scooooopid!!!"

Yes. Syracuse would be a better team if Scoop would just run the point. However, this Orange squad is not put together in such a way that allows him to do that. This year, Scoop was asked to keep his dribble for up to 20 seconds at the top of the offense while KrisJo and Triche ran off screens trying to get open. If they failed, Scoop's next option was to dribble to one side of the court and try to dump it down to RIck Jackson who was double teamed because the Orange have no other inside threat. Once options a and b fail, Scoop is then was asked to penetrate and get to the rim where he could dump it off to ...I'm not sure who. If all else fails, Scoop can always jack up a deep three as the shot clock goes off.

The Orange simply do not have another player who can keep their dribble against pressure while remaining a scoring threat. "But Yoda", you say, "Brandon Triche played point guard last year. Give him the ball". Yes- Brandon Triche can hold his own against pressure, but he hasn't proven that he can consistently break down defenders with the dribble and get to the rim (without charging, landing on his hip and sitting out the rest of the biggest game of the year). "But Yoda", you say, "Give Kris Joseph the ball". Yes- Kris Joseph can break down defenders off the dribble, but he hasn't proven he can handle the ball against pressure while creating for others. In fact, he had fewer assists than Rick Jackson and committed the second most turnovers on the team.

Lastly, you stay classy Syracuse. Like it or not, Scoop is the face of the Orange right now. He has been the most accessible Orange Man for the past three years and, by all accounts, bleeds Orange more than any one of us on this blog does. He is not DeShaun Williams, Eric Devendorf or even Paul Harris. Criticize his play if you wish. Mock his propensity for cheesesteaks and Chipotle if you must. But let him play ball- he has earned that much.