Will Pons ever carve out an offensive role?

#26
#26
Pons is like a textbook illustration of a "project" recruit. Lots of potential, but it will be an absolute grind to improve on offense and Yves has to be the one doing the grinding. Based on Barnes track record, I have to think he's got a great chance to get better at the game. But how much better is a good question.
 
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#27
#27
How did he score when he was in high school?? From what he's shown on offense, it's hard to believe he has an offensive game to put up points even at the high school level. He was a highly touted recruit coming out of high school, so was it just based on his dunking ability and defense?
 
#29
#29
When I see Pons I always think JP Prince. A lot of athletic ability, but no jump shot. He, like JP can contribute, but he'll never be a prolific scorer against quality opponents.
 
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#30
#30
I kind of like Pons as a change of pace hatchet man. Give him time - he will get better just practicing against Admiral and the other Vols. 4 sophomores: Johnson, Pons, Walker and Fulkerson all came in and held their own. Pons is a disrupter and works hard. That was a terrific game minus Bowden. This has to be one of Barnes' all time favorite squads. The national media loves them as they are the opposite of the Diaper Dandy Bonus Baby one and done prima donna outfits.
 
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#31
#31
It takes my breath every time Fulky or Pons has the ball in their hands.Floor mistake in waiting!!
 
#32
#32
GBOplayer said:
How did he score when he was in high school?? From what he's shown on offense, it's hard to believe he has an offensive game to put up points even at the high school level. He was a highly touted recruit coming out of high school, so was it just based on his dunking ability and defense?
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I have noticed there are times he has the wide open shot and doesn't take it-- I'm thinking he sees Grant, he sees Admiral, Bone, etc and he feels like the team would do better if they shoot. Defensively, he gets confused on occasion but we often times dig ourselves out of holes when he is playing.
 
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#33
#33
He looks uncomfortable and stiff when he has the ball. He definitely has the athletic ability to do it so let's hope he practices a lot this summer.
 
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#34
#34
Voltopia said:
Pons is like a textbook illustration of a "project" recruit. Lots of potential, but it will be an absolute grind to improve on offense and Yves has to be the one doing the grinding. Based on Barnes track record, I have to think he's got a great chance to get better at the game. But how much better is a good question.
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You can tell Barnes is hoping Pons puts it together. He could be the next Armani Moore / Admiral Schofield or not progress at all. But like you said, he has Barnes in his ear. I think there’s still a ton of upside with Pons. Maybe I’m just being overly optimistic... we’ll see.
 
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#37
#37
I really believed he would be the breakout player this year subbing for AS and GW at the 3 and 4. Early on, that looked like a good bet, but he has hit a wall offensively, and he has lost confidence. It happens. Happened to Jordan Bowden last year, too. Pons just needs to stop overthinking. Make smart decisions and put himself in position to make plays around the basket, and keep playing defense. We don't need him to be a huge threat offensively, at this point. But there will come a day when we may.
 
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#39
#39
Pons lacks confidence on the offensive end and I agree with a previous posters thoughts about him needing to stop overthinking. He hesitates before shooting wide open jumpers and made some crappy passes that were fortunately caught last night close to the basket. It was nice to see him take a few dribbles into the lane yesterday to at least present the threat of slashing and then kick it out to a guard for a shot. Another problem is he's a crappy FT shooter, so he doesn't play a lot in late game situations. He may be able to get to the rim but he's a liability on the floor due to lack of FT shooting ability.

Would love to see him become Armani Moore. Forgot about that guy.
 
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#40
#40
Pons reminds me a lot of Armani Moore. Both very good athletes that were brought in as guards, but didn’t have the skill set their first couple of years. Armani really excelled when he transistioned to a stretch 4 role, more out of team necessity at the time. I think pons will develop into a similar player, with a slightly better jump shot in order to play the 3-4 role very effectively by the time he’s a senior.
 
#41
#41
I think that the hardest adjustment for Pons, Fulk, and Walker have to make might be going from playing 30-something minutes in high school games to 5-10 for UT. Sometimes it takes 5 minutes to get into rhythm, into the flow, break a sweat, knock off the rust, or whichever of your favorite clichés best fits.
 
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#42
#42
Pons was never intended to be the starter or sixth man this year. I’m just thankful he stepped up and helped us get to where we’re at while Turner recovered.
 
#43
#43
Barnes has proven he can mold good players out of projects. I bet we will see improvement in Pons from year to year.
 
#44
#44
Who knows what offensive skill he even has? He won’t demonstrate it.

So he has bad form imo on his 3 pt jumper. That much we know.

But when he grabs the ball on the wing, he makes only passive plays. Like if he takes it towards the basket, if a defender bodies him then he backs it out every time. Or he stops and picks up his dribble which is even worse.

Compare that to Schofield who will still make a move to shoot even if bodied or will make a good pass.

With his poor interior passing (because scouting report says slack off him) he is an offensive liability until he actually does something with the ball in his hands.
 
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#45
#45
A few weeks ago, I was watching video of former players under Barnes who Pons should emulate. Moore was one of the players and the other was Robert Hubbs. The big difference between those guys and Pons is that they could handle the ball well enough to create a shot or get to the rack. As other have mentioned, Pons is going to have to put in the time this offseason to work on his ballhandling.

 
#46
#46
The problem with Pons is that he has no jump shot at all. Players that guard him give him so much space basically allowing/daring him to shoot. It doesn't matter how well he can dribble or what moves he has, if the person guarding him is playing off him, it is impossible to get by or make a good pass.
 
#47
#47
wmcovol said:
I dont believe either Fulkerson or Pons will ever be consistent low double digits scorers. Both are practically one-arm guys, Fulkerson isnt strong enough to post up anyone other than a weaker version of him. Pons doesnt have good soft hands and has a terrible shot. I dont think even the shot doctor Rick Barnes can fix that shot.

Walker could be a decent scorer.
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Pretty much agree. Many on her complain about Fulk and he is the cause of some of that, however he is ADD and nobody out hustles him. Not as much talent but much desire. He is prone to accidents like tripping over the line at midcourt and passing where some one was instead of where he is now. Pons has regressed from the start and is soft in my opinion. Still learning the game and has to get stronger and gain confidence. Needs to take Walker to the gym and shoot all day long. Follow AS and see the results. JMHO as always!!! Love them BO boys!
 
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