Shawndre Jones

[Ulla1]

Since high school, Shawndre has been an outstanding point guard; first setting up Cameron Ridley, then Kelley Oubre, now with the Washington Wizards. Have a feeling that this will be a big year for Shawndre setiing up Terry, TJ and Marshall. Shawndre - point guard extraordinaire.
http://lonestarstatehoops.com/blog/bush-slips-past-travis-in-physical-contest

 

[SpiderTrap]

I agree Ulla. I think if Mooney uses Shawndre more as a facilitator to get Terry, TJ, and maybe even Wood going on offense - then I think we have good season ahead of us. And since all three of those guys are bigger guys who play off the ball, they need help getting their own since they are likely not going to break down guys off a ball screen or 1 on 1 play.

BUT - I think the big question is, can Mooney adjust his offense to do so. Ever since Kevin Anderson, our offense has centered on the point guard being our main scorer. But I don't think that fits next season. Not that ShawnDre can't score, but I think next year we are at our best if he is our 3rd scorer behind TJ and Terry. But since Anderson it has been Lindsay, and then Anthony, and does that continue with ShawnDre - where the offense relies on them to do everything?

 

[fan2011]

I agree Ulla. I think if Mooney uses Shawndre more as a facilitator to get Terry, TJ, and maybe even Wood going on offense - then I think we have good season ahead of us. And since all three of those guys are bigger guys who play off the ball, they need help getting their own since they are likely not going to break down guys off a ball screen or 1 on 1 play.

BUT - I think the big question is, can Mooney adjust his offense to do so. Ever since Kevin Anderson, our offense has centered on the point guard being our main scorer. But I don't think that fits next season. Not that ShawnDre can't score, but I think next year we are at our best if he is our 3rd scorer behind TJ and Terry. But since Anderson it has been Lindsay, and then Anthony, and does that continue with ShawnDre - where the offense relies on them to do everything?

A point guard has been our main scorer every year since KA because our point guard has been the best scorer on the team every year since KA. I don't think SDJ will be the best scorer on the team next year, and I think he will be a better facilitator than K0, so I expect either TJ or TA to be our main scorers.

 

[97spiderfan]

The end of game situations will be where this shows the most. Our PG's often have the ball in their hands at the end of games and often have not given that ball up as they have been charged with making a play to win/tie/sustain a lead.

 

[SpiderTrap]

A point guard has been our main scorer every year since KA because our point guard has been the best scorer on the team every year since KA. I don't think SDJ will be the best scorer on the team next year, and I think he will be a better facilitator than K0, so I expect either TJ or TA to be our main scorers.

Fan2011 - that is just my point. Our PG has been the best offensive weapon for us the past 5-6 years. So our offense under Mooney has centered around that option. But with our best offensive options probably now being TJ and Allen, that will require some changes by our coaches to ensure they put them in the best spot offensively to score. With the PG, its easy - he brings the ball up, you set a ball screen and let him create for himself or others. But with TJ, who is mostly a spot up shooter and has some low post moves, and Allen, who is probably a 1-2 dribble driver max - there are going to need to be some changes in order to get these guys the ball in positions for them to be effective. You can't just throw Allen or TJ the ball on the wing and expect them to score, they need help from ShawnDre or the coaches in designed plays to get them to spots they utilize their skills. And not having to do that the past 5 years or so, might be a difficult change to make for Mooney and staff.

 

[97spiderfan]

Another question is how will SDJ transition back to PG or will he transition back to PG full time? Or will Khwan/Jesse be good enough to bump SDJ over to the 2 guard. SDJ likes to push tempo which I like, but you can't always push tempo all of the time, which leads me to think that SDJ will be getting time at both the 1 and 2 next year and will not be just at PG, as I think many of us assume he will.

 

[fan2011]

Another question is how will SDJ transition back to PG or will he transition back to PG full time? Or will Khwan/Jesse be good enough to bump SDJ over to the 2 guard. SDJ likes to push tempo which I like, but you can't always push tempo all of the time, which leads me to think that SDJ will be getting time at both the 1 and 2 next year and will not be just at PG, as I think many of us assume he will.

I think PG is ShawnDre's natural position, he is a passer at heart. Last season some of our guys weren't ready for his passes, hopefully that won't be a problem this year.

I would be amazed if one of the freshmen usurp the PG spot from ShawnDre, that would probably mean A10 freshmen of the year honors.

 

[ur2K]

Based on seeing Fore get minutes early last year before his injury, you have to think Mooney thinks highly of him.

 

[mojo-spider]

this...but a lot of football to play before we get to November...



go ShawnDre'...

Go Spiders!

 

[MrTbone]

I would concur with fan2011. I see SDJ as our third option, although I expect all three guys will produce at a roughly equivalent level.

in my view, SDJ and the team play best when he's running point. He can score off the dribble or outside, and obviously passes very well, so I think he fits best there. I would not be surprised if he plays 2G at times, but I expect that will be more of an exception than rule, mostly because I think CM sees the defense challenge this has caused the last two seasons.

I'm excited to see how we line up for sure. Should be really fun.

 

[urmite]

He seemed to start out as a PG last season, with 16 assists and 1 turnover in the first four games...

 

[spider23]

I think we definitely see some sets with Fore at PG and ShawnDre at the 2 guard. Probably depends on how well Josh does, or if one or both of the freshman guards is good enough to earn decent minutes.

 

[97spiderfan]

I love SDJ at the PG position, not saying I don't. But I am saying we have the luxury of SDJ also being able to play the 2 guard position because he played a lot of 2 guard with Kendall running the point. And SDJ does have an awfully nice 3 point shot when he is set and fed the ball (much better than when he tries to create his own 3 point shot). Also, I don't think SDJ has to guard the opposing team 2 guard on defense like he did last year. If we have a bigger PG, I would assume they would then guard the bigger guard for the other team.

 

[MrTbone]

Yes, but the only other true PG is Khwan and he's only 6'. It's certainly less of an issue this year though.

 

[Not-A-Homer]

As stated weeks ago, I think SDJ will be much more effective as the # 2 guard.

I don't see it happening. I expect (did not say recommend) a lot of Trey Davis at # 2 guard spot.

 

[MrTbone]

As stated weeks ago, I think SDJ will be much more effective as the # 2 guard.

I don't see it happening. I expect (did not say recommend) a lot of Trey Davis at # 2 guard spot.

Why would he be more effective as a 2G? He's a PG who happens to be a strong shooter.

Is your theory predicated on us not having a proven SG?

 

[fan2011]

Why would he be more effective as a 2G? He's a PG who happens to be a strong shooter.

Is your theory predicated on us not having a proven SG?

I don't know what his theory is. Maybe that ShawnDre is not the best at creating his own shot? I think ShawnDre is much more a PG than a SG, he is a distributer.

 

[DukeDenver]

Mooney will use two ball handlers most of the time. This gives two guys to facilitate fast breaks and provides options in the half court, specifically being able pick which defender to exploit, either in isolation or the screen and roll.

There will be tons of lineups to try. Hopefully we get to see some variety.

 

[Ulla1]

Mooney will use two ball handlers most of the time. This gives two guys to facilitate fast breaks and provides options in the half court, specifically being able pick which defender to exploit, either in isolation or the screen and roll.

There will be tons of lineups to try. Hopefully we get to see some variety.

DukeDenver, I agree. In fact, I could see the Spiders using a three guard lineup at times featuring Josh or Trey as the third guard/small forward. Both are decent ball handlers and excellent defenders. It seems that "small ball" has arrived in the NBA and the Spiders are set to ride it in college.

 

[Not-A-Homer]

These comments are offered as a response to the questions asked above, certainly not as a bashing of SDJ. He only has barely more than 1 -year experience. I have said repeatedly that I think he is on his way to being an excellent player.

Based upon what we have seen thus far in his career (he could of course strengthen elements of his game going forward), SDJ has been most effective as a spot up (stand still) shooter. When the defense is overextended, he has had some success driving into the lane for short jumpers and floaters. Add to this his hutzpah, and his free throw shooting, we see some very positive aspects of his game.

It appears to me that he is much less accomplished at creating opportunities. He doesn't shoot nearly as well on the move, and other than the occasional floater in the lane, he hasn't been able to consistently create his own shot. This far, we have not seen him significantly involved in setting big men up for scoring opportunities (didn't say he never has). Many of his adventures driving into the lane have ended up in turnovers, blocked shots, and/or deflected passes. Because of his size (and since he is not as quick as Anthony), he gets overwhelmed by the defense a fair amount. Often times SDJ with the ball looks anxious, hurried, and harried as though he is in trouble.

With all that said, I think that we are most likely to see SDJ at the point this season because I do not see Mooney trusting a newcomer with the responsibility. Time will tell.

 

[fan2011]

These comments are offered as a response to the questions asked above, certainly not as a bashing of SDJ. He only has barely more than 1 -year experience. I have said repeatedly that I think he is on his way to being an excellent player.

Based upon what we have seen thus far in his career (he could of course strengthen elements of his game going forward), SDJ has been most effective as a spot up (stand still) shooter. When the defense is overextended, he has had some success driving into the lane for short jumpers and floaters. Add to this his hutzpah, and his free throw shooting, we see some very positive aspects of his game.

It appears to me that he is much less accomplished at creating opportunities. He doesn't shoot nearly as well on the move, and other than the occasional floater in the lane, he hasn't been able to consistently create his own shot. This far, we have not seen him significantly involved in setting big men up for scoring opportunities (didn't say he never has). Many of his adventures driving into the lane have ended up in turnovers, blocked shots, and/or deflected passes. Because of his size (and since he is not as quick as Anthony), he gets overwhelmed by the defense a fair amount. Often times SDJ with the ball looks anxious, hurried, and harried as though he is in trouble.

With all that said, I think that we are most likely to see SDJ at the point this season because I do not see Mooney trusting a newcomer with the responsibility. Time will tell.

Luckily we move the ball around a lot and have a lot of good passers on the team, so even if SDJ is at point there will be plenty of opportunities for him to spot up and shoot.

 

[keefusb]

I'd like to see SDJ get physically stronger, and bulk up a bit for this coming season. I think his lack of physical strength is part of what gets him into trouble when driving the lane. Kevin Anderson and Cedrick Lindsay were both strong, robust guards (albeit not very tall) who could drive the lane and score at the rim.

Kendall Anthony was short, but when you looked at him, he was a total wad of muscle, very strong and freakishly athletic for his size. With his body and athleticism, K0 would have been an amazing soccer player if he had played that sport.

 

[MrTbone]

I suspect that some of the evaluation/speculation on SDJ is that he's played in a two-guard set with Kendall for two years, and Kendall is often the primary ballhandler...he liked to run things.

I think SDJ will be that guy, but unlike Kendall, will be more apt to distribute first rather than shoot first.

I don't think ShawnDre looks timid or indecisive with the ball, but maybe I'm missing something that Homer is seeing. He's not the explosive player that Kendall was, but it took Kendall getting into that primary role before we saw the array of stuff that he brought. He got blocked a lot as a fresh/soph until he figured out how to score, I expect that SDJ is in a similar developmental state.

 

[ur2K]

SDJ's going to be fine. He's got stones and will make plays. Forward to 10 seconds in when he split 2 defenders and shot a floater over a big coming to help. That's a play not a lot of players can make.

He deferred to K0 in a lot of cases, now its his team.

 

[fan2011]

SDJ's going to be fine. He's got stones and will make plays. Forward to 10 seconds in when he split 2 defenders and shot a floater over a big coming to help. That's a play not a lot of players can make.

He deferred to K0 in a lot of cases, now its his team.

View embedded media

Not only does this video show SDJ creating his own shot multiple times, but it also shows our team finding SDJ with kick outs, which he then drains. These kick out shots will be available for him as a point guard. The video also showcases SDJ's passing ability. I am more excited than ever to watch him play PG next year.

 

[97spiderfan]

I agree with Not a homer. No one is ragging on SDJ, he is a great player and going to be even greater this coming year. He will play point guard for us, he will also play shooting guard for us in certain situations. He is not going to be like Ced or KA though, who exclusively ran the point guard, in my opinion though. There are several reasons for that, one of which involves an asset of his which is the ability to knock down the 3 ball when fed the ball, the other reason is a bit of negative is that he is not as good of a jump shooter when he has to create his own shot.

Yes, he can get into the lane and use his floater or little runner that he does, but unlike Ced and KA, he does not have a quick release and needs some space and time to get his shot off, so a defender can play off him around the perimeter when he has the ball.

 

[plydogg]

wasn’t really sure where to post this so dug up an old thread, but thought some may find it cool to see Shawndre lighting up the scoreboard in Greece

 

[spiderman]

he looks great. I think Blake can develop into the same kind of scoring PG in Europe.

 

[Gallipoli]

IMHO, Coach Mooney is really effective at identifying outstanding point guards. SDJ is a prime example.

 

[mojo-spider]

Spiders fans will remember Shawndre this way...it's a real shame he and his teammates just could not get to the Tournament.

Glad he's doing well! Thanks for sharing.

Go Spiders!

 

[Ferrum Spider]

 

[SFspidur]

Time to revive the SDJ thread...