MBB Post-Game Comment -- Florida State (Coach Golden)

No, actually, he is

 

Is he playing as one of our top guards through these last few games?

 

Yes, but that’s beside the point. He is our best perimeter defender, which is the point I was making.

 

Well, then agree to disagree.

No way I'm trading Pullin, Clayton, or Richard minutes in for Kugel minutes over the last three games.

I don't think that will be the case in the future, but right now that's the reality. Ergo: my point.

 

At least we're good in basketball.

 

I am surprised by Kugel’s defensive numbers. Kugel does lead the team in turnovers with 12 but only 7 assists. Clayton is next at 11 turnovers but he does have 20 assists.

 

Who’s Ergo? Is he a walk-on.

 

Euro kid. Should be ready by SEC play.

 

The kid sounds like he’s Latin.

 

It is all about the "typical" rotation. But if we need a pure 3-shooter, I can't see where Rishwain sits on the bench. If he shows he is prepared to hang around the perimeter and play team defense (a la Humphries) there is no way he is going to be denied. But we shall see where this is all heading. BTW, Pullin was THE difference between a UVa loss and a FSU win, with a nod to the freshmen bigs.

 

And as an aside, I am not saying this IS the way it will work, but the odd man out under the current situation is...Kugel. He is pressing and not into the flow of THIS team. It all depends on whether gets into a funk or not. Reeves Disease is real.

 

You're saying we beat FSU because of Pullin? Sorry, but it was a rout before he even entered the game.

 

I would argue that, the difference between the UVa game's ebb and flow and the FSU game was that Clayton and others knew they weren't isolated and the only defense towards a loss. Clayton is WAY better as a 1.5 than THE 1. It may be a coincidence, but we shall see moving forward.

 

Pullin added a stabilizing presence that was refreshing. It wasn’t a Nembhard or Lofton style. Nembhard’s style was I’ll take care of the ball since you all don’t know how to. Lofton’s style was slow it down and let’s be very careful. Pullin’s style was I’m going to get the best out of all of you. I hope that is what we see for the rest of the season.

 

You are completely wrong about Nembhard’s style. He gives up the ball to his teammates about as quick as anyone in the NBA. He is a true facilitator who has helped his teammates going back to his days at Montverde. He did get stuck playing the Mike White style of ball, which is why he got the hell out of town.

 

I did say Nembhard’s style “was”… as in, while he “was” at UF. I will concede that it was likely influenced by Mike White and his teammates. They were afraid to push the ball.

 

I go back and forth here. Clayton had two rough games at the one, then two really good ones. It just so happened that one of those bad games came against possibly the best defensive point guard in the country, if not the single best defender. Jury is still out on Clayton as a one, to my mind. Fortunately, he has a reinforcement with Pullin so he can be more of a combo guard.

I also think we need to put Pullin's play into perspective. His +/- was actually among the worst on the team (+7). Clayton was tied for best (+25). We were already up 11-4 when Pullin came in. But then we went on an insane 22-4 run with Pullin on the floor. He didn't light it up or anything (5 points, 2-4 from the floor, 1 assist, 1 rebound), but the team's productivity was outstanding and he was such a heady, effective presence.

Going to be fun watching these kids learn to play off each other--and the staff figuring out how to play them together--the rest of the season.

 

In one of the "really rough games," against UVA, CTG said Clayton actually played pretty well up until the last minute.
Watching Pullin and Clayton on the court together against FSU, it looked like we had two point guards on the floor. Lots of good reads and passes.

 

I agree. Think of it this way: which Gator point guard of the last few seasons would he not be an upgrade over?

Even better: how does he stack up against any of our backup PGs from last few years?