White

HawkfaninWA

HawkfaninWA

Well-Known Member
Ok, this is totally on impression lately (I haven't looked up his stats) so bear with me. But what is up with Aaron White? After last year and with his skill set I thought he was going to light it up this year. He's had moments but what is the issue here? I'm thinking especially of games like MSU where he just seems to fade into the background.

Too much other talent on the court?
No leadership ability?
No development from the coaches?
Too unselfish?
Was overrated from last year?
 
"with his skill set":

* shaky handle
* mediocre jump shot
* lacks strength for the 4, lacks quickness for the 3

he's superb at moving without the ball and at drawing contact, and a is good rebounder

he's still the tweener that he was when he came in, and is a good player, maybe 3rd team all B1G good, but is not the kind of kid that can carry a team. he's a very nice complimentary piece. anyone who expects him to be more -- and questions his play as a result -- needs a reality check.
 
Even if he plays the 4 position mostly next year I think AW needs to work on driving with his left hand. He will most often be catching the ball closer to the basket and needs to keep defenders from overplaying his right hand.

And it is no secret he needs to work on his jump shot. Lately AW has taken some jump shots off the dribble and he looks smooth doing it.
 
eveningnewsteam said:
What exactly is his skill set?
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Can run the floor, be on the receiving end of an occasional ally-oop, slip in for a put-back when not blocked out, occasional shot blocker, when the stars are aligned make Zach McCabe's unexpected trey. But he lacks the strength and weight to battle down low.
 
I think he will do very well at the 4 next year. He is not a 3. Also think is 3 t shot will be better next year JMO
 
LASBUR said:
I think he will do very well at the 4 next year. He is not a 3. Also think is 3 t shot will be better next year JMO
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Agree with your first point. He will be better as a 4 because his first step will be a bit quicker than most guys at that position, and his strength is getting to the basket for a dunk/layup/foul.

I think your second point is kind of obvious. His 3ball can't get much worse so I would like to think after another year of work it would improve. However, I'm not really sure what has happened there. He started at Iowa shooting quite well, but over time he seems to have lost his long distance touch completely.
 
As someone else said...he is kind of a guy without a position...a step slow for the three position, and not bulky enough for the four. But he is money in transition...and is a great complimentary player.
 
DP5555 said:
Agree with your first point. He will be better as a 4 because his first step will be a bit quicker than most guys at that position, and his strength is getting to the basket for a dunk/layup/foul.

I think your second point is kind of obvious. His 3ball can't get much worse so I would like to think after another year of work it would improve. However, I'm not really sure what has happened there. He started at Iowa shooting quite well, but over time he seems to have lost his long distance touch completely.
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Those guys will be playing several feet off of him since he can't hit a jumper so that will negate any first step advantage White has over them.
 
I'm not gonna give up on whitey yet. If he hits the weights hard off season, he can be a decent 4 player.
 
I really belive its a confidence issue. I think he and MG and Woody will be our leaders next year. I think you will see whole different team from mental approach
DP5555 said:
Agree with your first point. He will be better as a 4 because his first step will be a bit quicker than most guys at that position, and his strength is getting to the basket for a dunk/layup/foul.

I think your second point is kind of obvious. His 3ball can't get much worse so I would like to think after another year of work it would improve. However, I'm not really sure what has happened there. He started at Iowa shooting quite well, but over time he seems to have lost his long distance touch completely.
Click to expand...
 
HawkeyeMike23 said:
Those guys will be playing several feet off of him since he can't hit a jumper so that will negate any first step advantage White has over them.
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What you are insinuating is ludicrous. In a perfect scenario a defender has the opportunity to "D-up" the offensive player with the ball in his hands. At the B10 level it takes a very good offensive player to get to the basket in that situation. So I suppose in that instance you are correct. The defender's will likely back off of White a bit and give him the jump shot.

However, that kind of offense is not the goal of any decent team. It certainly isn't what Fran wants the Hawks to run. You're basically talking about isolation plays. The Hawks will not consistently run isolation plays with Aaron White. They run he floor, set picks, and hit guys open who are in motion. That's how White usually gets to the basket. In these instances White will absolutely be able to utilize his first step quickness against other 4's who are guarding him. Right now he's usually matched up against 3's and it's more difficult for him to create separation.
 
After having met him, AW is a pretty quiet guy and if Fran gets in his face on the court like I've seen, I can only imagine what happens behind closed doors. I don't know if that's the issue, but tell me how many of us regardless of our personality likes to be yelled at???? It's pretty bad when our coach is the spotlight on every visitors court.... students shouting "HEYY HEEYYYYY" . This is a coaching issue ... period. This isn't the NBA.
 
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