Re: Keep it up Joey...
We can do better than Joey at PG. We very well may have already (Theus).
Look, J-Rod has a marketable skill set, but it's not running a team (at this level). The little guy struggled big time when given the keys to the car (against quality competition). He has proven he can hit open threes, hustle, make a few steals, hit some end-game FTs, and play a heady floor game. That's about it. Let's not go nuts here. I don't want him running the point. At best, he could help out w/ a possession here and there perhaps. Offensively, I would only want him in a corner or on the wing ready to catch and shoot, that's about it. I don't want him putting it on the deck, taking it to the rack, trying to break the press, bringing the ball up the court against pressure, etc. When pressured, Joey's handle is shaky at best.
I'll take my chances with Mr. Theus and any other candidate that Mr. Smart (and his staff) reels in.
J-Rod had the great fortune of sharing the court during his first two seasons with Maynor, Shuler, Burgess, and Sanders. TWO future NBA players, a 1st-team all-CAA SG, and a very accurate perimeter threat and solid all-around performer in Burgess. Few, if any, CAA starters will EVER be afforded this luxury during their careers. This allowed Joey to fly under the radar and play to his strengths. His deficiencies, and there are several, were largely masked.
Many of you are simply settling for the "devil you know." Personally, if I was Shaka, I'd move on. Having those two schollies still available is a powerful tool right now. Your collective impatience with this recruiting process is puzzling. Let it play out. There are many intriguing prospects still out there (not to mention transfer possibilities).
If Shaka does decide to retain Joey's services (assuming J-Rod has a change of heart), I hope it's primarily for his accuracy from the arc and line and for his leadership skills, not for his handle/playmaking skills. Perimeter shooters are always welcome/needed/in demand.
I think the perimeter "six-pack" we already have in-house (Gavin, Burgess, Ndongo, Rozz, Theus, Nixon) is sufficient however (assuming folks perform up to reasonable expectations).
I pretty much agree with Mozingo (or RK) on this one regarding Joey. Though I didn't want to say it publicly the thought of Joey running the point full time scared the heck out of me (especially after the UCLA game). He was an important part of the team, brings some positives to the table, but running the team made me very nervous.
Also, at this point I don't think you welcome Joey back and here's why. He already has a track record of wanting to leave and having to be talked into staying on more than one occasion. And if you throw in the UMass decommitment before signing with VCU, its kinda becoming a pattern.
You want people who want to be here and you want teammates you know are all in. As much as I like Joey I think you have to say its over whether he has a change of heart or not. I know he's young but you gotta learn in life you don't always get a "do over." Its sort of like the Grant situation. Once he's on video touring Bama's campus it's a wrap.
To be honest ....I don't think he is the answer. He did not do that well in the CAA finals and UCLA chewed him up ...they made him look silly to be straight with it ....that is why Grant sat him down. He is a nice kid but as far as basketball goes...I don't know if he really has the skills to handle the rock the way he needs . Yeah he can hit three pointers here and there but i am just not impressed with his handles. He tends to press too hard and then winds up turning the ball over which leads him to getting frustrated and making even more mistakes because he presses harder.
