Monday, May 20th, 2013
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Not all Syracuse fans want Nerlens Noel
I sincerely hope the ‘Cuse doesn’t land Nerlens Noel for the following reasons:
1. Nerlens will be a ‘one and doner’. With the exception of Carmelo Anthony, I believe that formula will fail in JB’s system. Remember Donte Greene?
2. Who will be the odd man out? My understanding is that Nerlens will play center. In such case, his backup will be either Keita, Xmas or Coleman. That means either Xmas or Coleman will be backup power forward to CJ Fair. In such case, one of the three (Keita, Xmas or Coleman) becomes the third string power forward or third string center. This will result in no playing time whatsoever or a redshirt. And do we really think any of those three (Keita, Xmas or Coleman) would agree to/or benefit from redshirting?
3. JB always says big men take the longest time to mature and develop (Fab Melo, etc.). I believe this is particularly true in JB’s system. That being the case, Nerlens will not have a tremendous freshman ‘one and done’ campaign.
4. Last year’s team and the 2009-10 team had excellent chemistry. There is a nucleus returning which can continue that momentum, particularly with a very deep and talented squad. Throwing Nerlens into the mix is a recipe for disaster in my opinion.
–Craig Weinstein
Fort Lee, New Jersey
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» What role do you think Coleman will play?
What role will DaJuan Coleman play?
This upcoming season, Syracuse fans will, for the third straight year, have the pleasure of watching a freshman big man work out the kinks as many freshman D1 big men do. Six-foot-nine, 275 pound DaJuan Coleman, a Syracuse native, will join the Orange as another highly touted recruit looking to fill the expectations. It will be interesting to see how Boeheim will use him. He is not a fan on playing freshmen big men many minutes, but there are plenty of reasons why we should be getting used to the name DaJuan Coleman.
When we do see Coleman on the floor, expect to see him out there with senior guard Brandon Triche. Why? Coleman and Triche played together at Jamesville Dewitt High School and won the New York State Championship. It has been a few years since they have been on the same court together, but I’m sure some of their chemistry still remains.
If I had to guess, Coleman would be one of the first guys off the bench giving Rakeem a break. However, with the experience Rakeem gained playing the wing the majority of the season, Coleman may play center, putting Christmas back at the wing. But we do need to remember, Christmas did play better under the basket in the NCAA Tournament filling in for Fab. Only time will tell.
–Zach Keller
@SyrBall
The views and opinions expressed by the writers are theirs alone, and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of The Juice Online or any employee thereof.
Tags: Basketball, Dajuan Coleman, Nerlens Noel, Voice of the Syracuse Fan
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Boeheim and ALL of Orange Nation want Noel! You’re 1 in a million- trust me!
We wanted Anthony Davis too… and you better believe Fab Melo would have backed up Davis with Keita behind him and so on. Had we landed the uni-browed freak, I’d have A LOT of 2012 National Championship merch hanging in my closet right now!
College basketball is not about catering to lesser skilled players or making consolations for incoming Freshman that committed to our program earlier than others. To be playing in Atlanta 50 weeks from now is Boeheim’s only.
Just for argument sake, If Noel had already committed to SU and it was hometown-Coleman that had yet to decide, what would your argument be then?
Noel is a “once-in-a-generation” defensive talent –YouTube him–. For once, SU can actually claim McDonald’s All Americans to their BENCH! Noel adds depth, talent and gives SU what is missed this March -a TRUE center to our back line in the 2-3.
And questioning chemistry? Noel-Grant-Coleman played together last week, they’re all friends, not to mention the AAU team (BABC) Noel and Carter-Williams played on together for 2 years.
His development under Boeheim? Are you serious? IF Noel could go pro, he’d be the 2nd or 3rd pick in the NBA Draft which takes place 2 months from now!
Happy Easter
@007_Devin
SU Class of 2002
In your argument against Noel, you have Christmas on the bench. In your argument for Coleman you move Christmas to the wing. There’s enough minutes on the back line to get all 3 significant PT. Gimme CJ at SF that can shoot backed by James and Grant. Kieta is the odd man out but if you can get a talent like Noel in you HAVE to. You’re crazy for saying otherwise. Please don’t compare to donte, he was never elite and I think we all knew he didn’t have what it takes to be a star at the next level. Sky’s the limit for Nerlens and I think he’d be successful and happy in orange.