In this afternoon’s press conference Rick Pitino mentioned multiple times how important shot selection would be to his team’s success. In yesterday’s post, I mentioned shot selection being a minor concern for this team. To reiterate what I said yesterday, I don’t think anyone on this team is downright selfish. Russ Smith is averaging 15 field goal attempts per game. I think Russ will always lead the team in shots per game simply because that is just his style of play. He’s a natural scorer.
More often than not, Russ taking more shots than anyone else on the team has worked out for Louisville. However, there may be nights like we saw on Tuesday against Villanova that its simply not Russ’ night. There has been times this season where Russ is scoring at will, but no one else on the floor is able to get any offensive rhythm. Russ Smith is a legitimate candidate for National P.O.Y. and after one bad shooting night I’m not ready to say that his offensive aggressiveness is causing issues for the team. However, would the entire offense benefit if other players were getting more shots?
Earlier on Twitter I asked my followers who they’d like to see lead the team in field goal attempts per game. Here are the results.
Wayne Blackshear: 52%
Russ Smith: 22%
Chane Behanan: 20%
Peyton Siva:6%
52% of the fans that answered the question on Twitter wanted to see Blackshear lead the team in field goal attempts. I realize that with a team as deep as Louisville, someone different could lead the team in shot attempts each game, but overall who do you want to see taking more shots?
I went with Chane Behanan. Obviously he’s missed some easy buckets in recent games, but overall I think the offense should go through Chane. He’s a good enough passer to really get the inside-out game going. Chane has also done a great job this year at finding Gorgui from the high post. Establishing Chane as an offensive factor early on can only open up more for everyone else.
January 25, 2013 at 4:39 pm
Seems like most voters are based on the last game. For two years in most all games Russ Smith has been the only guy Wanting the basketball. He’s saved us So many times. But Im not choosing Russ. Its doesn’t matter to me. Share the ball and Win. Someone else please act like you want the ball. Be agressive. Once guys like ware and blackshear except roles and give 100 every second on the floor were better. Once we make free throws , rotate better in the zone and STOP putting the ball on the floor and just put it in the basket (behannon). I think were unbeatable. If one guy is hot all year we go pretty far. If we share well and the scouting report leaves you not knowing who to lock down, Were unbeatable……. Lets hang that banner together. 80*86*13
January 25, 2013 at 6:31 pm
I agree 100% that Chane and Gorgui need to stop putting the ball on the floor when they get a rebound under the basket. Seems like they do it every time. Just take it up strong and don’t give the defense a chance to steal/block/foul.
I also would like to see Chane and Gorgui taking more shots (not leading) because it means we are running better offensive sets where everyone touches the ball.
January 27, 2013 at 12:19 am
I think Rick .P… Need to gets some rest hes not thinking strait at all
January 27, 2013 at 5:48 pm
Everything should run thru Blackshear because his game, allows other teammates get open. He has length to shoot over guards and many forwards. Also he can take it in and bang with the big boys. Siva and Russ need to get hair cuts, cause when you look good you play good.. and when you play good, they pay good..
January 28, 2013 at 8:23 am
I don’t understand the hair cut comment; never had an issue with they way they look. But, I also believe that Wayne is the logical choice to make us more dynamic. Unfortunately, he can’t just decide to do it on his own, he’ll get yanked if he starts free-lancing. Pitino must have more offense to install, right now we are very limited in that way.