Our "one and done" player is just average

[Fighting Irish.sixpack]

I have not seen anything about Malik to show me he's the all world player he was hyped up to be.

This team is awful. I just hope next year is better once all of these senior clowns leave the program this year.

 

[Tin Cup Cowboy]

....and a perfect example of why the NBA changed the rule to protect itself.

nm

 

[Fighting Irish.sixpack]

In my opinion, college basketball has sucked since they changed the rule making high school players go to college for one year.

i miss the days of watching programs build themselves. Not the big boys just reload every year.

 

[esplanade91]

You're watching this from the perspective of a fan, not a scout.

If you're comparing him to Ben Simmons who's having a great season despite a bad team, well, he's not a center. That's why big men always go first.

I'm watching Malik and seeing him being able to create statistics by himself with no help from other players, which is really impressive for a guard. I'm also seeing him shoot jump shots with better form than most current NBA starters.

Some of you expected way too much out of this team. My only concern for Malik at this point is that NBA teams see that he played with such ****** teammates that they're concerned he can't play man defense.

 

[Fighting Irish.sixpack]

I agree with you, especially with the ****** teammates. Flat Top Freddie could not start for a SWAC school.

 

[rugbdawg]

Based on your "observation," Sword should be drafted ahead

Of Malik. Right?QUOTE=esplanade91;1176729]You're watching this from the perspective of a fan, not a scout.

If you're comparing him to Ben Simmons who's having a great season despite a bad team, well, he's not a center. That's why big men always go first.

I'm watching Malik and seeing him being able to create statistics by himself with no help from other players, which is really impressive for a guard. I'm also seeing him shoot jump shots with better form than most current NBA starters.

Some of you expected way too much out of this team. My only concern for Malik at this point is that NBA teams see that he played with such ****** teammates that they're concerned he can't play man defense.[/QUOTE]

 

[8dog]

But thats what i dont see. He cannot consistently create for himself even against mediocre comp He drives to the rim and hopes for a foul.

 

[esplanade91]

His first step inside the paint is also something you can't teach.

Stats don't tell everything. If they did, Westbrook might have been a mid-2nd round selection. Just appreciate what he's doing as an individual, thank him for starting a trend of Scout 100 players coming to MSU, and grin and bare it until November.

 

[esplanade91]

What? Where did Sword ever come in to this discussion?

 

[57stratdawg]

Newman still looks out of synch with his teammates. His shots are usually deep fires off a single pass.

We hardly ever get him looks out of set plays.

 

[esplanade91]

I'm not calling Malik a lottery pick. In order to be a lottery pick he'd need to be a PG, and at this point he's still a SG with average height and below average size. But I think he's a first rounder.

He's got an amazing jump shot. It's couldn't possibly be more lateral. His step to the basket is NBA quality, and if your objection is that the ball doesn't fall in, you'd think with any teammate playing the post that wouldn't be taken every time.

I watch more NBA than I do college basketball, so maybe I'm just watching something different. If he makes it to the NBA next year and averages 10-8 he'll keep his job for seasons. What are people wanting him to do? Shoot 30 and average 12 assists?

 

[rugbdawg]

It's clear that Sword is our best player at creating a shot for himself

And you think that is what is most impressive about Malik. Guess what? Team's best defensive guards defend Sword, not Malik. Coaches must agree. Hell, at one point today, Arkansas had that slow white guard defending Malik. The explosion isn't there. Let's hope he is hurt.

 

[esplanade91]

You've been watching MSU basketball this season and your first comment of ball hogging is about Malik Newman? IJ Ready might have the worst combination of ball hogging and decision making I've ever seen. He can't leave Starkville fast enough.

 

[rugbdawg]

And Sword's first step is more explosive. Look, I'm not

saying that Sword is a better player or NBA prospect than Malik. He clearly isn't. But, based on Malik's performance in college up to this point, he will DEFINITELY be back next year.

Btw, Sword turned the ball over 6 times today. His dumb play kills us at times. But he kept us in it today.

I know that Howland is hoping that something clicks for Malik soon because he needs to be our go to guard at this point, not Sword. But at this point, after Ware, Sword is our best option. Malik can't create.

 

[DesotoCountyDawg]

I still don't think he's 100 percent. I just think sometimes he's not very aggressive but he's far and away the best player on the team. Way better than Sword and I absolutely see what NBA scouts see in him. He's just not clicking and I don't know what the answer is for that.

 

[57stratdawg]

My comment had nothing to do with ball hogging. I assume you replied to the incorrect post.

 

[8dog]

Be able to create. He cant do that

If i had to have him or Q id take Q at this point.

 

[esplanade91]

How are you defining explosive? Sword lowers his shoulder and steamrolls to the basket, and he happens to have a knack for getting his guy to move his feet. That's awesome. Without that, I don't know if MSU would have won a game the last 3 years. But Malik turns on a dime and dances through the lane and somehow gets into position for a layup when he decides to turn it up.

"Runs to the basket" shouldn't be the first box you check for explosive. Malik has feet, and despite a toe injury I think he's put that on display.

I've heard stuff from people on whether he'd be back or not, that's obviously a personal choice he'll make, but he'd be a first rounder if he left. Fans shitting on him because they've brainwashed themselves that Stans/Rays' players are decent isn't productive or correct though. If he leaves in March, that's awesome. He was worth some wins.

If I was Malik, I'd come back, get IJ to transfer, and make it where Howland had to start me at the PG exclusively. That's me. Couldn't fault him for taking a signing bonus and 6 figures to go learn from the best coaches in the world instead though.

 

[rugbdawg]

Well, maybe the solution is more volume. Sit Sword for an extended period and make Malik be aggressive. Btw, as pointed out, his free throw shooting has been horrendous.

Unfortunately, it APPEARS to me that he is already a very polished product as a basketball player and that he is very close to his ceiling. BECAUSE he doesn't have NBA type athleticism. Hell, it APPEARS he barely has above average SEC guard athleticism. But maybe he is still hurt or maybe his lack of quickness and explosion is mental.

If he could borrow some Derrick Zimmerman type athleticism, just a little, he would be a lottery pick.

 

[KurtRambis4]

Bumbling

you're way to the basket while knocking everyone over in your way, and throwing up a junk layup is not "creating your own shot"

 

[Lawdawg.sixpack]

I'm excited to see Q in year 2 or 3. I think he will explode after a full year and off-season in a D-1 strength program. A strength program (hopefully) different than the one that brought you Rayvern Johnson...