(08-18-2014 08:45 AM)MemphisCanes Wrote:  I'm interested to see how Kedren will mesh with the current lineup. Apart from some absolutely dreadful perimeter defense over the past 2 scrimmages, the guards have played solidly. Pookie has seemed in control and has limited TOs. Magee has played extremely well in all aspects. Crawford seemed explosive, and shot well.

How will Kedren's addition change the rotation at the 1 and 2? He's a great scorer and distributor, but I've not known him to be a defensive stopper per say at his time at Vandy.

This and I'm also wondering how Burrell will factor in. Also, if Cunningham gets qualified (like Burrell), will he still stay as viable backup at PG and allow Kedren to play more at SG along with Avery. Does Burrell get more minutes at SF now? Pastner will have some much needed flexibility in the backcourt now.

If these guys can play and contibute as many say they can then I don't know how josh can divide all the minutes up which is a good problem to have. Grant Milner just said that one of the Canadian coaches saw Burrell play and said that that he's a stud. Then you got Calvin who has proven to be a very good rebounder and a big physical presence against good competition and then you got Kedren who could start immediately as our PG if he comes here. All of this is before we haven't seen our best post player in Austin play yet or from what we have heard of the growing development of Iverson and the leadership of Nick King. This team may surprise folks

(08-18-2014 09:08 AM)BigTigerMike Wrote:  If these guys can play and contibute as many say they can then I don't know how josh can divide all the minutes up which is a good problem to have. Grant Milner just said that one of the Canadian coaches saw Burrell play and said that that he's a stud. Then you got Calvin who has proven to be a very good rebounder and a big physical presence against good competition and then you got Kedren who could start immediately as our PG if he comes here. All of this is before we haven't seen our best post player in Austin play yet or from what we have heard of the growing development of Iverson and the leadership of Nick King. This team may surprise folks

I'm wary of bringing Kedren in and immediately allowing him to assume the starting PG spot. One of the more optimistic spots in the tweets about last night came when both Grant and Jason mentioned the "chemistry" on the bench and how these guys were pulling for one another.

(08-18-2014 08:33 AM)MemTGRS Wrote:  This is from the Columbia TN newspaper (nearby to Lewisburg) and the headline is "reportedly to Memphis" and confirms that our staff contacted Vanderbilt.

http://columbiadailyherald.com/sports/co...ng-memphis

You gotta love the caption under the photo and the mention of "Memphis University."

It also states it's a pic of Johnson in action against South Carolina and it's clearly against Villanova.

Hacks….

(08-18-2014 09:15 AM)MemphisCanes Wrote:  

(08-18-2014 09:08 AM)BigTigerMike Wrote:  If these guys can play and contibute as many say they can then I don't know how josh can divide all the minutes up which is a good problem to have. Grant Milner just said that one of the Canadian coaches saw Burrell play and said that that he's a stud. Then you got Calvin who has proven to be a very good rebounder and a big physical presence against good competition and then you got Kedren who could start immediately as our PG if he comes here. All of this is before we haven't seen our best post player in Austin play yet or from what we have heard of the growing development of Iverson and the leadership of Nick King. This team may surprise folks

I'm wary of bringing Kedren in and immediately allowing him to assume the starting PG spot. One of the more optimistic spots in the tweets about last night came when both Grant and Jason mentioned the "chemistry" on the bench and how these guys were pulling for one another.

Leadership would be the key component of what Kedren can bring.....also, one of his most glaring stats is that he went 10-10 from the foul-line. Which equates to getting there(which is key) and also delivering (which is also very key). We seem to have omitted the value of getting to the foul-line from being a systematic component of our attack.... However, the experienced coaches value this asset wholeheartedly, as it is a weapon....

So focus there from the PG position can be a key component in beating teams such as UCONN; Wichita State; SMU; CINCY ETC

(08-18-2014 09:15 AM)MemphisCanes Wrote:  

(08-18-2014 09:08 AM)BigTigerMike Wrote:  If these guys can play and contibute as many say they can then I don't know how josh can divide all the minutes up which is a good problem to have. Grant Milner just said that one of the Canadian coaches saw Burrell play and said that that he's a stud. Then you got Calvin who has proven to be a very good rebounder and a big physical presence against good competition and then you got Kedren who could start immediately as our PG if he comes here. All of this is before we haven't seen our best post player in Austin play yet or from what we have heard of the growing development of Iverson and the leadership of Nick King. This team may surprise folks

I'm wary of bringing Kedren in and immediately allowing him to assume the starting PG spot. One of the more optimistic spots in the tweets about last night came when both Grant and Jason mentioned the "chemistry" on the bench and how these guys were pulling for one another.

I think as far as Pookie goes; the Canada trip was the best thing that could have happened to him on a couple of levels. First, getting experience running a D1 team is obviously a good thing. Second; I think that the fact that he is not dominant has been a good thing. If Pookie was dominating games and Johnson started taking most of his minutes; maybe it would have an adverse effect on him.

If Johnson plays 25 minutes and Pookie plays 15; I would hope that Pookie would be disappointed in not playing more, but would understand that it's his first year, and 15 minutes isn't a bad thing. I wouldn't automatically assume that Pookie isn't going to get 20 minutes per game. He is going to be a really good player.

(08-18-2014 09:15 AM)MemphisCanes Wrote:  

(08-18-2014 09:08 AM)BigTigerMike Wrote:  If these guys can play and contibute as many say they can then I don't know how josh can divide all the minutes up which is a good problem to have. Grant Milner just said that one of the Canadian coaches saw Burrell play and said that that he's a stud. Then you got Calvin who has proven to be a very good rebounder and a big physical presence against good competition and then you got Kedren who could start immediately as our PG if he comes here. All of this is before we haven't seen our best post player in Austin play yet or from what we have heard of the growing development of Iverson and the leadership of Nick King. This team may surprise folks

I'm wary of bringing Kedren in and immediately allowing him to assume the starting PG spot. One of the more optimistic spots in the tweets about last night came when both Grant and Jason mentioned the "chemistry" on the bench and how these guys were pulling for one another.

Me wary too. Surely letting Kedren assume the starting PG spot is not going to happen. Kedren didn't play last year either and he's 'slower' so it is said.

(08-18-2014 10:44 AM)Stammers Wrote:  

(08-18-2014 09:15 AM)MemphisCanes Wrote:  

(08-18-2014 09:08 AM)BigTigerMike Wrote:  If these guys can play and contibute as many say they can then I don't know how josh can divide all the minutes up which is a good problem to have. Grant Milner just said that one of the Canadian coaches saw Burrell play and said that that he's a stud. Then you got Calvin who has proven to be a very good rebounder and a big physical presence against good competition and then you got Kedren who could start immediately as our PG if he comes here. All of this is before we haven't seen our best post player in Austin play yet or from what we have heard of the growing development of Iverson and the leadership of Nick King. This team may surprise folks

I'm wary of bringing Kedren in and immediately allowing him to assume the starting PG spot. One of the more optimistic spots in the tweets about last night came when both Grant and Jason mentioned the "chemistry" on the bench and how these guys were pulling for one another.

I think as far as Pookie goes; the Canada trip was the best thing that could have happened to him on a couple of levels. First, getting experience running a D1 team is obviously a good thing. Second; I think that the fact that he is not dominant has been a good thing. If Pookie was dominating games and Johnson started taking most of his minutes; maybe it would have an adverse effect on him.

If Johnson plays 25 minutes and Pookie plays 15; I would hope that Pookie would be disappointed in not playing more, but would understand that it's his first year, and 15 minutes isn't a bad thing. I wouldn't automatically assume that Pookie isn't going to get 20 minutes per game. He is going to be a really good player.

This. I just want him to be a good player at Memphis. He'll be good this season, but his real potential lies a year or two down the line. I don't want him to get discouraged by an older player eating up the starter's minutes. He needs to have patience and the coaches need to make sure that they've conveyed that they trust him.

We seem to be assuming that Kedren is so much better that he will get the starting PG position and Pookie will be relegated to off the bench back up...which does still have potentially alot of mins.

Some of you guys have seen K play. But dang, I would like to see both of them in action first. I haven't even seen Pookie yet.

(08-18-2014 11:18 AM)snowtiger Wrote:  We seem to be assuming that Kedren is so much better that he will get the starting PG position and Pookie will be relegated to off the bench back up...which does still have potentially alot of mins.

Some of you guys have seen K play. But dang, I would like to see both of them in action first. I haven't even seen Pookie yet.

In fairness Kendren lead an SEC team in scoring and assists and Pookie has never played a D1 game and was not considered an elite level recruit (simply meaning he was not top 15ish). So, it is not really a stretch to expect Kendren to be the better player at this point.

(08-18-2014 10:44 AM)Stammers Wrote:  

(08-18-2014 09:15 AM)MemphisCanes Wrote:  

(08-18-2014 09:08 AM)BigTigerMike Wrote:  If these guys can play and contibute as many say they can then I don't know how josh can divide all the minutes up which is a good problem to have. Grant Milner just said that one of the Canadian coaches saw Burrell play and said that that he's a stud. Then you got Calvin who has proven to be a very good rebounder and a big physical presence against good competition and then you got Kedren who could start immediately as our PG if he comes here. All of this is before we haven't seen our best post player in Austin play yet or from what we have heard of the growing development of Iverson and the leadership of Nick King. This team may surprise folks

I'm wary of bringing Kedren in and immediately allowing him to assume the starting PG spot. One of the more optimistic spots in the tweets about last night came when both Grant and Jason mentioned the "chemistry" on the bench and how these guys were pulling for one another.

I think as far as Pookie goes; the Canada trip was the best thing that could have happened to him on a couple of levels. First, getting experience running a D1 team is obviously a good thing. Second; I think that the fact that he is not dominant has been a good thing. If Pookie was dominating games and Johnson started taking most of his minutes; maybe it would have an adverse effect on him.

If Johnson plays 25 minutes and Pookie plays 15; I would hope that Pookie would be disappointed in not playing more, but would understand that it's his first year, and 15 minutes isn't a bad thing. I wouldn't automatically assume that Pookie isn't going to get 20 minutes per game. He is going to be a really good player.

IMO, a very important and good point made in bold text.

(08-18-2014 10:50 AM)MemphisCanes Wrote:  

(08-18-2014 10:44 AM)Stammers Wrote:  

(08-18-2014 09:15 AM)MemphisCanes Wrote:  

(08-18-2014 09:08 AM)BigTigerMike Wrote:  If these guys can play and contibute as many say they can then I don't know how josh can divide all the minutes up which is a good problem to have. Grant Milner just said that one of the Canadian coaches saw Burrell play and said that that he's a stud. Then you got Calvin who has proven to be a very good rebounder and a big physical presence against good competition and then you got Kedren who could start immediately as our PG if he comes here. All of this is before we haven't seen our best post player in Austin play yet or from what we have heard of the growing development of Iverson and the leadership of Nick King. This team may surprise folks

I'm wary of bringing Kedren in and immediately allowing him to assume the starting PG spot. One of the more optimistic spots in the tweets about last night came when both Grant and Jason mentioned the "chemistry" on the bench and how these guys were pulling for one another.

I think as far as Pookie goes; the Canada trip was the best thing that could have happened to him on a couple of levels. First, getting experience running a D1 team is obviously a good thing. Second; I think that the fact that he is not dominant has been a good thing. If Pookie was dominating games and Johnson started taking most of his minutes; maybe it would have an adverse effect on him.

If Johnson plays 25 minutes and Pookie plays 15; I would hope that Pookie would be disappointed in not playing more, but would understand that it's his first year, and 15 minutes isn't a bad thing. I wouldn't automatically assume that Pookie isn't going to get 20 minutes per game. He is going to be a really good player.

This. I just want him to be a good player at Memphis. He'll be good this season, but his real potential lies a year or two down the line. I don't want him to get discouraged by an older player eating up the starter's minutes. He needs to have patience and the coaches need to make sure that they've conveyed that they trust him.

Agree. I believe it's imperative for players not from Memphis to have a certain level of success, as this will continue to help with recruiting on a national level and build and or build upon talent pipelines elsewhere.

(08-18-2014 11:29 AM)Tygrys Wrote:  

(08-18-2014 11:18 AM)snowtiger Wrote:  We seem to be assuming that Kedren is so much better that he will get the starting PG position and Pookie will be relegated to off the bench back up...which does still have potentially alot of mins.

Some of you guys have seen K play. But dang, I would like to see both of them in action first. I haven't even seen Pookie yet.

In fairness Kendren lead an SEC team in scoring and assists and Pookie has never played a D1 game and was not considered an elite level recruit (simply meaning he was not top 15ish). So, it is not really a stretch to expect Kendren to be the better player at this point.

Gr8 point +4.......Competition, when utilized effectively can take this team to new and unforeseen heights!!!!! Think there may be a little competition @ UK????? It's the perfect storm to get effort out a team from whistle to whistle....And the team that capitalizes in this area, wins the majority of the time.....And that's what we're striving for here!!! So,If this addition comes to fruition, Let's embrace it, cause it only makes us better.....questioning our team;players & coaches loyalty and commitment level, obviously sets us back....let's embrace and chase the "Championship Dream"

This guy Kedren was a very integral part in beating a NC Kentucky team....We can obviously use his type of character and effort/toughness in any way, shape or form!

(08-18-2014 11:38 AM)thagr82008 Wrote:  

(08-18-2014 11:29 AM)Tygrys Wrote:  

(08-18-2014 11:18 AM)snowtiger Wrote:  We seem to be assuming that Kedren is so much better that he will get the starting PG position and Pookie will be relegated to off the bench back up...which does still have potentially alot of mins.

Some of you guys have seen K play. But dang, I would like to see both of them in action first. I haven't even seen Pookie yet.

In fairness Kendren lead an SEC team in scoring and assists and Pookie has never played a D1 game and was not considered an elite level recruit (simply meaning he was not top 15ish). So, it is not really a stretch to expect Kendren to be the better player at this point.

Gr8 point +4.......Competition, when utilized effectively can take this team to new and unforeseen heights!!!!! Think there may be a little competition @ UK????? It's the perfect storm to get effort out a team from whistle to whistle....And the team that capitalizes in this area, wins the majority of the time.....And that's what we're striving for here!!! So,If this addition comes to fruition, Let's embrace it, cause it only makes us better.....questioning our team;players & coaches loyalty and commitment level, obviously sets us back....let's embrace and chase the "Championship Dream"

This guy Kedren was a very integral part in beating a NC Kentucky team....We can obviously use his type of character and effort/toughness in any way, shape or form!

Agree with this 100%. LeBron and many other NBA players along with elite schools continually getting high end players year after year goes to show that good players WANT TO play with other good players. They do not shy away from competition. I actually think having Johnson on the roster would be fantastic for helping Pookie develop since he was not able to play or even participate in practice with JJ last season.

And yes, I believe I saw Kentucky has 9 McDonald All Americans on their roster this season...

(08-18-2014 11:38 AM)thagr82008 Wrote:  

(08-18-2014 11:29 AM)Tygrys Wrote:  

(08-18-2014 11:18 AM)snowtiger Wrote:  We seem to be assuming that Kedren is so much better that he will get the starting PG position and Pookie will be relegated to off the bench back up...which does still have potentially alot of mins.

Some of you guys have seen K play. But dang, I would like to see both of them in action first. I haven't even seen Pookie yet.

In fairness Kendren lead an SEC team in scoring and assists and Pookie has never played a D1 game and was not considered an elite level recruit (simply meaning he was not top 15ish). So, it is not really a stretch to expect Kendren to be the better player at this point.

Gr8 point +4.......Competition, when utilized effectively can take this team to new and unforeseen heights!!!!! Think there may be a little competition @ UK????? It's the perfect storm to get effort out a team from whistle to whistle....And the team that capitalizes in this area, wins the majority of the time.....And that's what we're striving for here!!! So,If this addition comes to fruition, Let's embrace it, cause it only makes us better.....questioning our team;players & coaches loyalty and commitment level, obviously sets us back....let's embrace and chase the "Championship Dream"

This guy Kedren was a very integral part in beating a NC Kentucky team....We can obviously use his type of character and effort/toughness in any way, shape or form!

I know. I've seen his stats, and highlight videos and his after game interview about beating kensucky, but let's not throw Pookie out with the bathwater.

(08-18-2014 01:41 PM)Tygrys Wrote:  

(08-18-2014 11:38 AM)thagr82008 Wrote:  

(08-18-2014 11:29 AM)Tygrys Wrote:  

(08-18-2014 11:18 AM)snowtiger Wrote:  We seem to be assuming that Kedren is so much better that he will get the starting PG position and Pookie will be relegated to off the bench back up...which does still have potentially alot of mins.

Some of you guys have seen K play. But dang, I would like to see both of them in action first. I haven't even seen Pookie yet.

In fairness Kendren lead an SEC team in scoring and assists and Pookie has never played a D1 game and was not considered an elite level recruit (simply meaning he was not top 15ish). So, it is not really a stretch to expect Kendren to be the better player at this point.

Gr8 point +4.......Competition, when utilized effectively can take this team to new and unforeseen heights!!!!! Think there may be a little competition @ UK????? It's the perfect storm to get effort out a team from whistle to whistle....And the team that capitalizes in this area, wins the majority of the time.....And that's what we're striving for here!!! So,If this addition comes to fruition, Let's embrace it, cause it only makes us better.....questioning our team;players & coaches loyalty and commitment level, obviously sets us back....let's embrace and chase the "Championship Dream"

This guy Kedren was a very integral part in beating a NC Kentucky team....We can obviously use his type of character and effort/toughness in any way, shape or form!

Agree with this 100%. LeBron and many other NBA players along with elite schools continually getting high end players year after year goes to show that good players WANT TO play with other good players. They do not shy away from competition. I actually think having Johnson on the roster would be fantastic for helping Pookie develop since he was not able to play or even participate in practice with JJ last season.

And yes, I believe I saw Kentucky has 9 McDonald All Americans on their roster this season...

+7 And we are gonna kick their arse......One Day!

(08-18-2014 11:29 AM)Tygrys Wrote:  

(08-18-2014 11:18 AM)snowtiger Wrote:  We seem to be assuming that Kedren is so much better that he will get the starting PG position and Pookie will be relegated to off the bench back up...which does still have potentially alot of mins.

Some of you guys have seen K play. But dang, I would like to see both of them in action first. I haven't even seen Pookie yet.

In fairness Kendren lead an SEC team in scoring and assists and Pookie has never played a D1 game and was not considered an elite level recruit (simply meaning he was not top 15ish). So, it is not really a stretch to expect Kendren to be the better player at this point.

Pookie has the benefit of an extra year, and probably would have been a top 40-50 recruit if he would have spent that year at prep school instead of Memphis.

I think it's not impossible to believe that Kedren Johnson and Pookie could be on the court together. Besides Johnson, we still won't have another guard with D1 experience, and Pookie is 6'4". Pookie maybe is not the best choice as a 2 guard, but he can drive and rebound, so he could get minutes beyond just replacing Kedren.

(08-18-2014 03:08 PM)TripleA Wrote:  I think it's not impossible to believe that Kedren Johnson and Pookie could be on the court together. Besides Johnson, we still won't have another guard with D1 experience, and Pookie is 6'4". Pookie maybe is not the best choice as a 2 guard, but he can drive and rebound, so he could get minutes beyond just replacing Kedren.

I was thinking that Johnson is probably our best option at the 2; given that he is tall and supposedly not lightning fast. Easterwood says that he has always been a point guard, has a good feel for the game and should have the ball in his hands. I think there is good potential for having both of them on the court at the same time.

(08-18-2014 01:56 PM)snowtiger Wrote:  

(08-18-2014 11:38 AM)thagr82008 Wrote:  

(08-18-2014 11:29 AM)Tygrys Wrote:  

(08-18-2014 11:18 AM)snowtiger Wrote:  We seem to be assuming that Kedren is so much better that he will get the starting PG position and Pookie will be relegated to off the bench back up...which does still have potentially alot of mins.

Some of you guys have seen K play. But dang, I would like to see both of them in action first. I haven't even seen Pookie yet.

In fairness Kendren lead an SEC team in scoring and assists and Pookie has never played a D1 game and was not considered an elite level recruit (simply meaning he was not top 15ish). So, it is not really a stretch to expect Kendren to be the better player at this point.

Gr8 point +4.......Competition, when utilized effectively can take this team to new and unforeseen heights!!!!! Think there may be a little competition @ UK????? It's the perfect storm to get effort out a team from whistle to whistle....And the team that capitalizes in this area, wins the majority of the time.....And that's what we're striving for here!!! So,If this addition comes to fruition, Let's embrace it, cause it only makes us better.....questioning our team;players & coaches loyalty and commitment level, obviously sets us back....let's embrace and chase the "Championship Dream"

This guy Kedren was a very integral part in beating a NC Kentucky team....We can obviously use his type of character and effort/toughness in any way, shape or form!

I know. I've seen his stats, and highlight videos and his after game interview about beating kensucky, but let's not throw Pookie out with the bathwater.

My comments were not meant to be negative toward Pookie, just that it makes since why people are assuming Johnson is ready to have a bigger impact right now. The experience, stats, and seemingly learning curve are all there with Johnson and are all an unknown with Pookie. I think Pookie has great upside and could be a Shabaz Napier type guard for us down the road.