Derek Simpson Video Clips from Exhibition Game
- Thread starter MadRU
- Start date
I don’t think you can ask for much more in his very first game. Future looks bright.
Too early to call him Geo Baker 2.0? Just from those few clips, I see a comparison can be made.
Thought I was watching Geo. This kid has the goods.
Geo never had lightning quick speed.
He had tremendous quick twitch and body control, but never elite speed
True, so this could be an improvement. He’s just pretty smooth and seems to flow to the ball, the ball is his friend. Its encouraging. I’m sure there will be games where he is all over the place and pressing. But when it all settles down then we have something.
Is anyone else getting a bit tired of the constant Geo talk when Derek comes up.
Geo was an all time great for the program with a special legacy here. Derek shows a ton of promise but will have his own story here.
I must imagine if it’s tired for some of the hoi polloi like me then it must be for the kid.
Geo was an all time great for the program with a special legacy here. Derek shows a ton of promise but will have his own story here.
I must imagine if it’s tired for some of the hoi polloi like me then it must be for the kid.
It may be annoying and the smart answer is always this kid will create his own legacy and story.
BUT,
Comparing new players to all time greats is the highest form of flattery.
The kids best answer is to be honored by it, not annoyed
I agree, but would add that there’s a certain effortlessness about Simpson’s release that makes me guess that he will be a more consistent perimeter shooter. Geo was a terrific clutch shooter, but not a great shooter. I loved Geo in an RU uniform, but I think we have a higher ceiling athlete here.
Last edited:
People will think I'm blasphemous, but Derek is going to be better than Geo.
Geo would probably acknowledge that he shot better off the dribble and contested than he did wide open 3s off the pass.
as somebody who is a catch and shoot kind of guy, I can’t fathom how his percentage went up on the contested step back, but it did. This is what made him so clutch in big moments throughout his career.
It's all about rhythm. Some guys can find their rhythm better off the bounce. Doesn't matter if it's contested. If you're in rhythm, it's in. Geo could probably close his eyes on a rhythm 3 off the bounce.
Simpson has a higher ceiling than Geo. He just has that elite elite level speed, quickness, and hops. Pike is great at developing players and Simpson seems hungry and driven with the right attitude. Its a recipe for success
If Simpson really didn't want the Geo comparisons, he wouldn't have taken the number 0
If Simpson really didn't want the Geo comparisons, he wouldn't have taken the number 0
He was 2/3 from 3 in the exhibition game
Fair take. I'm just excited to watch him play and succeed. If he is successful as we think he can be then the narrative should reflect those events (to come) anyway.
Admittedly I might be being a bit grumpy about the all the baby Geo talk.
Everyone good reminds you of someone else good.
I remember my dad telling me he argued vehemently with George over playing Mattingly….He wanted Roy Smalley or Steve Kemp.
Dad threw a pick of matches at George and told him “Mattingly is another f’n Stan Musial” I can’t help it if you can’t see it…I’m playing him.
That was 1984 and he won the batting title.
Just a fun story, hope nobody minds
I was impressed. Fairfield is a decent team too. You need bench guys to log quality minutes and contribute. Love that he’s number 0
That's priceless, zappaa.Everyone good reminds you of someone else good.
I remember my dad telling me he argued vehemently with George over playing Mattingly….He wanted Roy Smalley or Steve Kemp.
Dad threw a pick of matches at George and told him “Mattingly is another f’n Stan Musial” I can’t help it if you can’t see it…I’m playing him.
That was 1984 and he won the batting title.
Just a fun story, hope nobody minds
It's our first real "look" at Simpson, so I think we're all still just struck with how similar they look and play. I'm sure the comparisons will die down after a while.
I think the thing for us fans to avoid early on is comparing 5th year Geo to 1st year Derek. Geo had his growing pains and adjustments to make during his freshman year and it will be the same for Derek. But the early performance and reports are promising.
I bet Geo hopes so too. I always wondered about Geo's lingering ankle injury problems that I believe started in his senior (not super senior) year. I don't think he had the same pop and hops his last couple of years.
Last edited:
It just shows you have to trust our staff with recruiting as 5 star guys are not everything and they have a keen eye for talent
Peak Geo athleticism was the dunk over Indiana. It was so crazy bc we never really saw something like that from him. It's one of my favorite plays of all time
yeh my mistake that all-time RU dunk was his jr year, so it was his "regular" senior year he started having the ankle injuries iirc...
Nobody wanted to win more than George but he knew nothing about baseball and thought he knew everything. I only wish Hal had a fraction of the desire to win that his father hadEveryone good reminds you of someone else good.
I remember my dad telling me he argued vehemently with George over playing Mattingly….He wanted Roy Smalley or Steve Kemp.
Dad threw a pick of matches at George and told him “Mattingly is another f’n Stan Musial” I can’t help it if you can’t see it…I’m playing him.
That was 1984 and he won the batting title.
Just a fun story, hope nobody minds
Mattingly was my favorite as a kid.Everyone good reminds you of someone else good.
I remember my dad telling me he argued vehemently with George over playing Mattingly….He wanted Roy Smalley or Steve Kemp.
Dad threw a pick of matches at George and told him “Mattingly is another f’n Stan Musial” I can’t help it if you can’t see it…I’m playing him.
That was 1984 and he won the batting title.
Just a fun story, hope nobody minds
Btw got any stories from your dad from the Copa?
My grandfather was maitre d there back in the day with Tony Lip.
I said he’d be a baller as soon as I saw his film last year. He’s just got that “it” factor along with the athleticism.
No matter that he wasn’t heavily recruited, he’s gonna be a player for us who blows right through the eye test.
Yeah, and from everything we read, others agreed. I wonder if the ratings didn’t come because he didn’t really go all in on the AAU thing or want to find a landing spot at a private school for his senior year.
Yea, my take wasn’t disbelief that he was being compared. It was more of a feeling of the commentary being played out already.
It’ll die down and he’ll make his name. When Geo first started everyone was saying he was the next Corey Sanders.
Yeah i see it but i meant in real conference games and does he have a pure shot has shown in HS? .
The dude from Senegal that pulled knife on gfriend lit up exhibition and trash teams early on.
By end of the season he will be candidate for BIG freshman of the year. Remember Pike can’t recruit, but he can find hidden gems. Derek will quickly become a fan favorite. He won’t say it, but overall “this may be Pike’s best team at RU” I believe this season will be special and successful.
Latest
-
01
The Knight Report
2026-27 Rutgers Basketball Schedule: Dates, Opponents, & TV
-
02
The Knight Report
Join The Knight Report TODAY and get it for 60% off!
-
03
The Knight Report
Rutgers Women's Basketball talks Big Ten Media Days on BTN
-
04
The Knight Report
The Knight Report - Ask The Experts Chat: October 7th Edition
-
05
The Knight Report
Rutgers Basketball Practice Notebook: Pre-preseason takeaways