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Thursday, July 10, 2008

Could a Wingman Help Us Soar to the Top? by 005


Small Forward

Small forwards, in the conventional sense, have been in short supply over recent MSU basketball history. Small lineups have prevailed and we've grown accustomed to an extra guard making the lineup extremely quick but without a genuine scoring threat on the wing. Though some are infatuated with young combo forwards like Kodi Augustus and Romero Osby sliding out to the perimeter. One only needs to consider defensive liabilities to perish that thought.

By all appearances, Ravern Johnson is poised to take over the bulk of the minutes at small forward. He showed flashes of play making brilliance as a true freshmen but obviously lacked the strength to go from 2A Coahoma County to the SEC in a year's time. In watching him perform late in the season, he obviously has the lateral quickness to excel on the perimeter. Strength and instinct also played a factor and Ravern wasn't used to defending the way his veteran teammates were accustomed to. Like Dee Bost at point guard, he now has inherited a great deal of playing time by default. Competition at small forward will come from transfer Jaquiese Holcombe and the smaller and faster Antiquawn Beckham. Guard oriented lineups will feature Phil Turner and possibly Riley Benock in smaller capacities.-005

10 comments:

Unknown said...

When I watched RAvern in Jackson playing against Lafayette College, he looked like Dr. J on offense.

He drove the base-line and punched in a windmill dunk that dazzled the coliseum.

He looked confused on defense, though. Hence, riding bench so much that he couldn't even stay in a game long enough to break a sweat for the rest of the season.

Will his basketball IQ prove to be his weakness? Or will he think the game better as he gets consistent playing time? I'm hoping for the latter.

Tom said...

So, I'm a little unclear as to who you see as the starters. Are you saying we are going to be looking at a 3 guard line-up with "Swat" at the 5 and Bailey/B. Johnson at the 4?

Is Romero not suited to the 4?

Anonymous said...

Lots of wing types on team.

Unknown said...

Did anyone see Charles Rhodes in the first summer league game with the Mavs?

He looked good to me. He had 10 points on 5-8 shooting. 6 Boards in 20 minutes.

That is great considering everyone on the floor was out for themselves and he had to earn EVERYTHING!!!

Anonymous said...

Rhodes is very talented, and has come a long way. Rhodes-wing/power forward. Quickness(offense, defense) work can really help his effort. Also, Wings....Romero Osby(tweener), Kod Augustus...(tweener potential)

Anonymous said...

Osby, Augustus(Tweeners)- wing/power forward

Anonymous said...

Also- Combo Forwards

Unknown said...

Charles Rhodes summer league second game - 12 pts on 4-5 shooting 4-4 from free throw line.

6 boards 2 assists 1 block 1 steal.

Downside 5 to's.

Chuckie is getting down.

Unknown said...

http://ca.sports.yahoo.com/nba/photo?slug=951b03c65ed290d2e31a9068bc4f1aa3-getty-81648633ge049_summer_league&prov=getty

Tom said...

From the NBA Summer League:

"Charles Rhodes had a double-double for Dallas with 13 points and 10 rebounds to fuel the team’s second win in the summer meet."

Gordon had 10 points to go with 4 rebounds, 7 assists and only 2 turnovers in the Sixer's win over the Wizards.