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Summer School 2011: Josh McRoberts edition

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  • #16
    Re: Summer School 2011: Josh McRoberts edition

    Hedo Turkgulu...

    Developing Josh McRoberts into a Point Power Foward would be the best thing to do. His ball-handling is above average for PF. His court awareness is above average for PF. He has some 3PT range.


    Remember when we could have gotten 1-2 solid players and a possible Top 3 draft pick in the 2017 NBA Draft by trading away Paul George?

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    • #17
      Re: Summer School 2011: Josh McRoberts edition

      Originally posted by DrFife View Post
      Excellent thread, Strummer. Hiring McHale would make me giggle because it would seem to extend old rivalries (e.g., Celtics-Lakers) into the front office. Another play-like-I-did (early in my career, anyway) candidate from the Pacers family--one with head coaching experience--is Herb Williams. Not much of a 3-pt shooter (career 8/84 = 9.5%) ... but we don't want to emphasize that in our PF anyway, do we?
      Herb Williams? Oh, he's an interesting candidate. You're right, he had a physical build like Josh. He was thick and could block shots and intimidate in the middle. I'm trying to remember what kind of an offensive game he had. It's been a long time since I saw him play.

      It's interesting, Jeff Foster is a great rebounder but not a shock blocker. That makes me think he and Josh are different kinds of athletes.

      Dale Davis had the rebounding and shot blocking but no offensive game. He wasn't a skill player like Josh.

      I feel like Josh has many more dimensions to his game than Jeff or Dale. And therefore a lot more potential. Herb Williams earned his money inside and was definitely more well rounded than Jeff or Dale. Yeah, he might be an interesting tutor for Josh.

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      • #18
        Re: Summer School 2011: Josh McRoberts edition

        Originally posted by yoadknux View Post
        Maybe we can get Jeff to tutor Josh
        Exactly what I was thinking. Everyone agrees rebounding and post defense are high priorities. Foster seems like the right candidate to me.

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        • #19
          Re: Summer School 2011: Josh McRoberts edition

          Originally posted by beast23 View Post
          If McRoberts is retained, I think the Pacers would be looking at him to be a utility front court player... playing both positions off the bench.

          For a big man, Josh already has a "little of everything" in his game, although there is nothing tht he does exceptionally well. He is a very decent athlete for a big man with very good hops and overall quickness.

          If I were in charge I would encourage Josh to do three things this summer:

          1. Develop a consistent 15-18 foot mid-range shot (an absolute must).

          2. Develop one or two good "go-to" post moves.

          3. Develop efficient PnR capabilities. With his quickness/hops and a much-improved mid-range shot, Josh would be a perfect candidate to use in PnR situations. That is an ability that must be improved in the starting unit and in the second unit.

          We don't really need a coach to teach mid-range shooting... that is something Josh can do on his own. And, I would not be looking at a former center for being a developmental mentor, I would be looking for a former PF that can provide tips for getting shots off near the basket and who worked well in the PnR / PnP.
          I agree with your developmental goals. But I disagree that he doesn't do anything exceptionally well. I think his passing and ball handling skills are exceptional for a big man. It's those skills that make me think he has the potential to develop and improve his other skills.

          I wonder if Karl Malone is busy this summer. I bet Josh could learn a thing or two from him.

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          • #20
            Re: Summer School 2011: Josh McRoberts edition

            Originally posted by ksuttonjr76 View Post
            Hedo Turkgulu...

            Developing Josh McRoberts into a Point Power Foward would be the best thing to do. His ball-handling is above average for PF. His court awareness is above average for PF. He has some 3PT range.
            Oh that's interesting. You're accentuating his positives. But I was thinking more of elevating his lesser skills. I'm always a little scared of "special" players, guys who are outside the box for their position. If you rely heavily on a guy like that and he gets injured then you rarely have another on the bench that can step in and fill his shoes. Everything has to change while the player is out and that can be disruptive.

            Even though Josh does have offensive talents similar to Hedo, he strikes me as a different kind of player. He's got the size to go inside, block shots and intimidate. And I think we have a greater need inside.

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            • #21
              Re: Summer School 2011: Josh McRoberts edition

              Regardless if we keep Jmac or not I hope that he leaves Indianapolis for his summer workouts. Since he lives here and is from here, I think it might be too easy to slack off in the summer time. Friends calling you up and such. He needs to take a month and travel to some other NBA city and train there exclusively.
              You can't get champagne from a garden hose.

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              • #22
                Re: Summer School 2011: Josh McRoberts edition

                Mcbob should stop trying to be a conventional PF, I think he needs to work on his jumper and dribble, he is more like an SF than a PF and he should try to be that, who knows maybe he can play the 3 sometimes.
                @WhatTheFFacts: Studies show that sarcasm enhances the ability of the human mind to solve complex problems!

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                • #23
                  Re: Summer School 2011: Josh McRoberts edition

                  In all honesty the person who should probably tutor Josh is already here but he probably does not know how to teach the ability that he had.

                  Bird.

                  In some way's Josh is a destitute man's Larry Bird. In other words he has multi dimensions to his game, is not a traditional three or four and has an above average court awareness/vision.

                  I would be all for bringing in Dale, but not for Josh. They should make Roy do the drills he does now with Vitaley with Dale. Could you imagine having to dunk the ball every time on Dale, even as an old man? Roy would either come back as an MVP contender or wouldn't come back at all.

                  But that is not Josh's game, nor should it be. In a way that would be short changing Josh because his skill set is not the same. Josh is closer to Mark Jackson than Dale Davis, which is going to lead me to another post with a question.


                  Basketball isn't played with computers, spreadsheets, and simulations. ChicagoJ 4/21/13

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                  • #24
                    Re: Summer School 2011: Josh McRoberts edition

                    1. I want Josh to get stronger, and I want him to work on his mid-range shot. I find that, defensively, he struggles when he can get overpowered, some strength (I'm not sure where) would help him.

                    And a mid-range shot. This would help the PGs in a PnP, it would force opposing PFs to come out and guard him so he could use his handle to get around them as well. I think it's a staple he needs to have.

                    and speaking of, I'd also like him to work on his handle. It's really good for a PF, but if he wants to dribble as much as he does, it'll need to get better. I think that'll help him in the post too, because he'll have an even easier time making a move to the basket.

                    2. Lamar Odom is the obvious player that Josh is like, although Josh brings more energy. He's not so conventional though, that he needs a PF or C to tutor him. Maybe a rugged guy in the post (like Bill L...yea right..) to help with defense, but a point guard to help his his shot and handle wouldn't be a bad idea.

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                    • #25
                      Re: Summer School 2011: Josh McRoberts edition

                      Originally posted by Sookie View Post
                      and speaking of, I'd also like him to work on his handle. It's really good for a PF, but if he wants to dribble as much as he does, it'll need to get better. I think that'll help him in the post too, because he'll have an even easier time making a move to the basket.
                      I think they're good enough, I just think how he dribbles isn't.

                      He dribbles way too high, and I realize a big part of that is because he's 6'11, but he's got to get lower when he attacks off the dribble.

                      Dribbling with your body raised is okay when your dribbling to get the ball to another spot, but not for when you attack.

                      He stands up and it causes him to be slower and easier to knock off balance. He gets to the spot where he wants to go, but just a little bit of a forearm gets him off balance, so he picks up the ball and does that little half spin lay-up looking thing.

                      Get low Josh!! Get low and explode towards the basket with your first two steps.


                      Obviously he still needs to work on his jumpshot, but if he is able to take PFs off the dribble then that shot becomes easier. Most PFs will have to take away the drive which gives him more room and time for his jumpshot.
                      Just because you're offended, doesn't mean you're right.” ― Ricky Gervais.

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                      • #26
                        Re: Summer School 2011: Josh McRoberts edition

                        Originally posted by Peck View Post
                        In all honesty the person who should probably tutor Josh is already here but he probably does not know how to teach the ability that he had.

                        Bird.

                        In some way's Josh is a destitute man's Larry Bird. In other words he has multi dimensions to his game, is not a traditional three or four and has an above average court awareness/vision.

                        I would be all for bringing in Dale, but not for Josh. They should make Roy do the drills he does now with Vitaley with Dale. Could you imagine having to dunk the ball every time on Dale, even as an old man? Roy would either come back as an MVP contender or wouldn't come back at all.

                        But that is not Josh's game, nor should it be. In a way that would be short changing Josh because his skill set is not the same. Josh is closer to Mark Jackson than Dale Davis, which is going to lead me to another post with a question.
                        It's interesting that you consider Josh more of a SF/PF than a PF/C. I think in today's NBA Josh has the size and hops necessary to be an excellent backup C. I'm not sure he has the quickness to guard the SF position.

                        When I look at Josh's game I see someone who grew up learning small man basketball skills. He wanted to be a wing but out grew the position. That's certainly not his fault. I think he just needs to realize this and work harder on big man skills now that he's under the basket more.

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                        • #27
                          Re: Summer School 2011: Josh McRoberts edition

                          Originally posted by Strummer View Post
                          Last year Larry brought in Bill Walton to tutor Roy Hibbert. Based on Roy's improved play this year, I assume it was beneficial.

                          So let's pretend that the Pacers decide to do the same with Josh McRoberts.

                          And yes, assume that Josh will be re-signed and that the CBA situation allows for the Pacers to work with him over the summer.

                          Two questions:
                          1) What skills does Josh most need to improve?
                          2) What former PF/C had a style of play that would make him an ideal tutor for Josh?

                          Two skills that I'd like to see Josh improve on are:
                          1) Mid range shooting to match Tyler. It would be nice to have that skill available when either of them is on the court. It would make the offense more consistent.
                          2) Post up game. When Josh subs Roy, it would be nice to not lose the post up game. I'm talking scoring, not passing.

                          One obvious candidate (to me anyway) would be Kevin McHale. He and Larry are friends which helps. And McHale was a great scorer near the basket. But I'm not sure he and Josh are the same kind of athlete. McHale had long arms and average hops. Josh is probably more strength than finesse (scoring, not passing) and can jump out of the building.

                          So who should tutor Josh?
                          I haven't read any of the responses yet, but without a doubt, Josh needs to go to the Davis Boys Academy. In fact we might need to bring both of them back, have foster shoot jump shots, put jost in between them, and allow one of the Davis boys to punch Josh in the face everytime he misses a rebound.

                          This would probably end with Josh being dead. But if anything possibly ever could teach him to rebound or play with an ounce of toughness, that would be it.
                          Last edited by mattie; 03-30-2011, 03:35 AM.

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                          • #28
                            Re: Summer School 2011: Josh McRoberts edition

                            Let Magic tutor him. A 6'10" point guard would be fun.
                            "Look, it's up to me to put a team around ... Lance right now." —Kevin Pritchard press conference

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