The Go-To-Guy Argument

Jay Williams tweeted last night something along the lines of “I hate when people say Syracuse doesnt have go to guys, they have MULTIPLE, and Dions draft stock is RISING”

Isn’t necessarily a top scorer. I prefer the term “playmaker”, because it’s a guy whose hands you want the ball in to make a play when you need it. This might be contradictory but, to me, it’s Dion and Scoop, depending on the situation. Both have an uncanny ability to get into the lane pretty much at will. To me, that’s the key thing that a go-to guy needs to have, the ability to put pressure on the opposing D by being a threat in the key area. But then, the two split. Dion has the size, skill and demeanor to get off (and often make) clutch shots in the lane. Scoop has much better vision and is more adept at passing out of that situation, though he can make a tough layup as well.

I’m prolly gonna get murdered for this, but I’m going with Scoop as my preference. When it comes to making difficult shots in the lane, I think both Scoop and Dion are on a par. Dion is more poweful and athletic, but Scoop finishes around the rim very well for a more earthbound player. And I like the added dimension of Scoop’s willingness to pass. It’s something I noticed about him from his freshman year. His game is to drive with the intent to pass. In the past, he’s hoisted shots because there were few options for real finishers around him. And, in a way, that’s helped him. He’s accustomed to taking and making big shots. But the improvement of everyone else around him has given him the opportunity to dish instead, making him that much more dangerous. I know most will disagree, but I like Scoop in that situation.

Who is the guy that you WANT to have the ball down the stretch.

Consider JS. I don’t even want him shooting now. I definitely don’t want him shooting in a big moment. He is just not good when there is something on the line. He is the opposite of that guy among the guards-small forwards.

Down the stretch of a game, I am almost thinking Scoop too. We saw last night two or three chances where Waiters could have just made a pass to get a bucket, but he wanted to score himself and the result was free throws. Scoop at least is willing to pass, especially this year. Sometimes that is the best play. We just need him to keep avoiding the terrible decisions of last year. I can live with missed results… it’s the decision-making that he needed to work on.

In any event, Joseph, Dion, and Scoop all made big baskets last night at various points though. Triche has had some big moments this year. And Fair has had his moments too.

I think that the ESPN commentary is a legit point though. We do not have a McNamara or Melo that you most definitely want to shoot when the money is on the line. Remember 1996 where Wallace hit that huge shot to keep us alive? You need that in March. It is entirely possible that nobody on the team has the make-up to be that person… not only wanting to take it… but the near certainty that (a) they will make the right decision; and (b) will convert it.

Nobody really knows the answer. We’ll know when the season is over though.

I took it a step further since points per game is directly impacted by minutes played (as you show). The top five in points per 40 minutes?

Harrison Barnes 25.8
Jared Sullinger 24.7
Dion Waiters 23.4
Thomas Robinson 23.3
Marcus Denmon 21.8

Add in the fact the only guards in the top five are Dion and Demon and Waiters averages 5.0 assists per 40 to Denmon’s 3.3.

Dion is dynamite with the ball in his hands and is among the best players in the league. IMO, the only thing keeping him out of POY consideration is that he’s a reserve and doesn’t get the minutes.

If you’re expecting the other team to foul a guy and send him to the line, I want Triche 8 days out of the week to be the guy. If you need a 3, I want Scoop to drive the lane and kick it out to KrisJo as the first option Triche as the second option and Dion as the third option. If you want a 2 pointer, I want the ball in Dion’s hands, with an option to kick it to CJ. If you need a guy to run the length of the floor and take a circus shot, I’d want Scoop or Dion to do it.

The lack of go-to talk is bullshit. You know why? You can double team the other team’s go to guy because you know he’s going to take the shot in that situation. Who are you going to double team at Syracuse when it comes down to the final minutes? Dion or KrisJo, but in that situation, I have complete confidence in a wide open Scoop OR Triche OR CJ OR whatever Dion/KrisJo wasn’t double teamed. And in a one-on-one situation — fugghedabout it. Nearly all of those players are really good at creating their own shot (I wouldn’t want to totally open the floor up to CJ or KrisJo to drive the lane because they’re not the best ballhandlers, but you get the idea).

is less about whether or not we have a player who meets the requirements of a GTG, but more about the idea that “having a go-to guy” is REQUIRED to be a great basketball team. That’s what’s behind the criticism.