Just went back and watched today's Dayton vs Colorado game to get a look at Andre Roberson. I am a big fan of what Roberson can bring to a team at the next level, but his experimenting at small forward isn't showing off his game very well. He played almost exclusively on the wing in today's game and only finished with 6 points on 2-7 shooting. He also turned it over 6 times.
Roberson can try to make things to hard on himself on the perimeter and shy away from his strengths. If he wants to prove himself as a perimeter player thats fine (although I previously have written that I think he can play PF successfully in the NBA), but he needs to simplify what he is doing. Roberson mainly likes to attack when he has the ball with a defender closing in and almost always gives a pump fake before taking off on the dribble. He will get too fancy sometimes, trying to throw in one too many moves - say a hesitation move as he did today- and turn the ball over. This is really unnecessary as Roberson possesses a great first step and can get by just about anybody trying to close out on him.
Roberson isn't a great dribbler but can drive in a straight line with either hand and also has nice body control. He glides to the hoop in an effortless way and is a great finisher around the rim, able to handle contact with his wiry, strong frame. The problem is Roberson doesn't just stick to a basic drive. He hits the lane at 100 mph and can't control himself. He needs to gather himself by utilizing a jump stop move and allow himself either to make a pass from the position or finish at the rim.
Sometimes, Roberson can hit the lane at full speed and make a great pass. When he does, it looks great. Roberson is a pretty good passer on the move and regularly looks for his teammates. The jumpstop could show off this strength even more. Jay Williams said he needs to learn how to gather himself, take his time, and just make a solid move to the hoop and he is absolutely right. Roberson is thinking way too much before each move trying to string together the perfect compliment of moves to get the hoop. He doesn't need to do that.
It still is crazy too me though that a athlete of Roberson's caliber doesn't post up very often. He is dead set it seems on playing the small forward position. He would easily be a much better college player if he did this and Tad Boyle is too good of a college coach not to recognize this.
On top of his lack of feel for the perimeter, his shot also still remains very flat and somewhat of a push shot. He was 2-7 at the line today.
The bottom line is Roberson's biggest strengths are finishing at the rim, protecting the rim, and rebounding the ball. The best position to utilize these skills are at the power forward position. He has enough length and athleticism to play the position and should spent more time in the weight room instead of dangling around outside the arc. He doesn't need to prove to scouts he can handle the basketball better in order to get drafted. He needs to show that he can play one position and dominate at it. That position should be power forward.
Roberson can try to make things to hard on himself on the perimeter and shy away from his strengths. If he wants to prove himself as a perimeter player thats fine (although I previously have written that I think he can play PF successfully in the NBA), but he needs to simplify what he is doing. Roberson mainly likes to attack when he has the ball with a defender closing in and almost always gives a pump fake before taking off on the dribble. He will get too fancy sometimes, trying to throw in one too many moves - say a hesitation move as he did today- and turn the ball over. This is really unnecessary as Roberson possesses a great first step and can get by just about anybody trying to close out on him.
Roberson isn't a great dribbler but can drive in a straight line with either hand and also has nice body control. He glides to the hoop in an effortless way and is a great finisher around the rim, able to handle contact with his wiry, strong frame. The problem is Roberson doesn't just stick to a basic drive. He hits the lane at 100 mph and can't control himself. He needs to gather himself by utilizing a jump stop move and allow himself either to make a pass from the position or finish at the rim.
Sometimes, Roberson can hit the lane at full speed and make a great pass. When he does, it looks great. Roberson is a pretty good passer on the move and regularly looks for his teammates. The jumpstop could show off this strength even more. Jay Williams said he needs to learn how to gather himself, take his time, and just make a solid move to the hoop and he is absolutely right. Roberson is thinking way too much before each move trying to string together the perfect compliment of moves to get the hoop. He doesn't need to do that.
It still is crazy too me though that a athlete of Roberson's caliber doesn't post up very often. He is dead set it seems on playing the small forward position. He would easily be a much better college player if he did this and Tad Boyle is too good of a college coach not to recognize this.
On top of his lack of feel for the perimeter, his shot also still remains very flat and somewhat of a push shot. He was 2-7 at the line today.
The bottom line is Roberson's biggest strengths are finishing at the rim, protecting the rim, and rebounding the ball. The best position to utilize these skills are at the power forward position. He has enough length and athleticism to play the position and should spent more time in the weight room instead of dangling around outside the arc. He doesn't need to prove to scouts he can handle the basketball better in order to get drafted. He needs to show that he can play one position and dominate at it. That position should be power forward.
Not sure this is the case with Roberson, but a lot of times players of his caliber do not post up because they have a weaker lower body and are unable to establish position. Bigger players with a lower center of gravity can often chest out lengthy forwards like Roberson, which forces them to faceup a lot of the time. (or get creative moving in the lane)
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