Topic: Hoops Guard A. Taylor

[herd1990]

He has had a very slow start these first 3 games.  He seems really out of sorts and not getting into
the flow on the offensive end.  I think his improvement would make us even more dangerous moving forward.   We are going to need him to step his game up.  George, West and Kinsey have been really good.  Need Williams, Taylor and Beyers to do what they are capable of and we could have a very nice season.

[svherd]

Don’t see what the hype is about him. I’d put West at PG and start George at the 3 and move Kinsey to the 2. Taylor is a liability at this point. Jmo

[carolinaherdfan]

I agree Taylor is about to bring it..Williams lead us tonight, and of course with the steady West; we will have our Hands full vs Ohio...I’m anxious to see where we are...,

[herdfan129]

Taylor shows flashes. If nothing else he has been another solid ball handler. If he ever gets going offensively then we are going to be dangerous.

[coalherd]

Taylor shows flashes. If nothing else he has been another solid ball handler. If he ever gets going offensively then we are going to be dangerous.

Taylor seems tentative at times.  Could possibly be that West and Kinsey are so fluid and more experienced working with each other, and other vets like Williams and George, that I believe Andy doesn't want to, or is afraid to, mess up their chemistry.  If he plays a steady floor game, hits enough shots in spots that the D has to be aware of him, and account for him, he will be an asset.  He does rebound ok for a guard, IMO, and if he doesn't become a liability on D, gets 5 to 8 pts. a game, and is steady with the ball, he will be ok and an asset IMO.

[wasbarryb]

Taylor seems tentative at times.  Could possibly be that West and Kinsey are so fluid and more experienced working with each other, and other vets like Williams and George, that I believe Andy doesn't want to, or is afraid to, mess up their chemistry.  If he plays a steady floor game, hits enough shots in spots that the D has to be aware of him, and account for him, he will be an asset.  He does rebound ok for a guard, IMO, and if he doesn't become a liability on D, gets 5 to 8 pts. a game, and is steady with the ball, he will be ok and an asset IMO.

I agree with your assessment that Taylor is tentative at times.  Your theory as to why leaves me a little baffled.  He was here for all of last year and at least the second semester the year before. I'd think after almost two years around the team he'd have a little better handle on where he fits. 

[herdorbust]

He has had a very slow start these first 3 games.  He seems really out of sorts and not getting into
the flow on the offensive end.  I think his improvement would make us even more dangerous moving forward.   We are going to need him to step his game up.  George, West and Kinsey have been really good.  Need Williams, Taylor and Beyers to do what they are capable of and we could have a very nice season.

Agree with you 100%. George, Kinsey and West have been bringing it. Jannson played really well tonight. If we can get Taylor and Jannson both playing steady every night with 10-12 points consistantly and then get The 2 freshman comfortable and improving every game we can be really good by tournament time. I really thought Goran played a nice game and shows a lot of promise. I just wish we could cut down on so many foolish plays and lack of focus. It’s like they go on a really nice run and then just totally get out of control and lose the “team” concept. If we can somehow get by Ohio U and that won’t be easy, then we could possibly go 7-0.

[Big City]

Agree with you 100%. George, Kinsey and West have been bringing it. Jannson played really well tonight. If we can get Taylor and Jannson both playing steady every night with 10-12 points consistantly and then get The 2 freshman comfortable and improving every game we can be really good by tournament time. I really thought Goran played a nice game and shows a lot of promise. I just wish we could cut down on so many foolish plays and lack of focus. It’s like they go on a really nice run and then just totally get out of control and lose the “team” concept. If we can somehow get by Ohio U and that won’t be easy, then we could possibly go 7-0.

Just told my wife. Beat OU and watch out.

I see nothing wrong with Taylor. I think he’s solid.

[sardistim]

Taylor is underperforming.  But he will continue to play his minutes until someone steps up.  Early has aways to go before he takes Taylor's minutes.  Sarenec has slipped behind Early. 

This team clearly revolves around Kinsey and West.  We just need at least 2 role players to pick up it each game.  Williams and George did the damage tonight.

Tonight we took better 3's and it showed.  We shoot them better on kick-outs when the shooter is facing the basket, rather than from passing around the top.

[herdorbust]

Just told my wife. Beat OU and watch out.

I see nothing wrong with Taylor. I think he’s solid.

He is solid. But we need him to be about a 2/3 of a John Elmore Type. Aggressive, attack, confident!!!

[carolinaherdfan]

Taylor is underperforming.  But he will continue to play his minutes until someone steps up.  Early has aways to go before he takes Taylor's minutes.  Sarenec has slipped behind Early. 

This team clearly revolves around Kinsey and West.  We just need at least 2 role players to pick up it each game.  Williams and George did the damage tonight.

Tonight we took better 3's and it showed.  We shoot them better on kick-outs when the shooter is facing the basket, rather than from passing around the top.

Taylor has been solid...watch out if he takes a jump..l

[herdorbust]

It isn’t that Taylor can’t be a great player. For some reason he is just in a shell so to speak. He just doesn’t seem to have that swagger and confidence Jon had. Taylor is extremely talented but seems to just go with the flow instead of taking charge. If he ever does then look out because it would really set this team to a different level. Question is when?

[Herdalum83]

Something that is perhaps undervalued about Taylor is his ability to get the ball up the floor and get us into our offense without turning it over. So far through 3 games, Taylor has played 91 minutes (that's an average of 30 mins a game) and has just 5 turnovers on the season. He's also an underrated defender, he plays solid defense and is an excellent rebounder for his position. I think if and when he needs to be more assertive offensively he will be, but to this point, he hasn't had to be.

Kinsey had a "slow" night last night and still finished with 13 points and 9 assists.

[svherd]

It isn’t that Taylor can’t be a great player. For some reason he is just in a shell so to speak. He just doesn’t seem to have that swagger and confidence Jon had. Taylor is extremely talented but seems to just go with the flow instead of taking charge. If he ever does then look out because it would really set this team to a different level. Question is when?

Jon was a rare gem. I'd love to see Taylor cut from the same cloth, but doubt that happens. Hopefully so, but he needs to be much more assertive, quit over thinking, and just play.

[herdfifteen]

It isn’t that Taylor can’t be a great player. For some reason he is just in a shell so to speak. He just doesn’t seem to have that swagger and confidence Jon had. Taylor is extremely talented but seems to just go with the flow instead of taking charge. If he ever does then look out because it would really set this team to a different level. Question is when?

In some respects I like the idea initially he is willing to go with the flow as opposed to thinking much of it revolves around him. He is a solid player and with the veteran leadership we have on this team he has time to develop into the player we know he can be.

[allgood]

i think the problem is some of yall are trying to compare him to Jon Elmore which is unfair to Taylor. how bout we look at it like this, the reason Jon was so effective is the offense was based around him and guys like west , peneva, williams played a role which allowed Jon to be super aggressive and dominate the ball, which in return led to alot of productivity for Jon. when Taylor gets his time as the primary "guy" im sure he will be just fine

[herdorbust]

i think the problem is some of yall are trying to compare him to Jon Elmore which is unfair to Taylor. how bout we look at it like this, the reason Jon was so effective is the offense was based around him and guys like west , peneva, williams played a role which allowed Jon to be super aggressive and dominate the ball, which in return led to alot of productivity for Jon. when Taylor gets his time as the primary "guy" im sure he will be just fine

I’m not saying he needs to be another Jon. I’m just saying he misses that attitude. Jon didn’t back down from anyone and believed in his mind that he was the best player on the floor even if he wasn’t. Anything you do in life is about confidence. AT just needs that mindset to be the best “HE” can be is all I’m saying. You should never just go with the flow. All five guys on the floor need to bring it and be the best they can be. That is what separates top 25 teams from a lot of other “good” teams.

[whf]

Maybe he doesn't see it as his time yet?

[allgood]

herdorbust i totally understand what youre saying. confidence is key. this team doesnt need AT to force and try to be a dominant scorer at this time. we have Kinsey and West doing that. every team is built on people embracing their roles.  IMO when this team struggles it is due to lack of people knowing their roles. I think you are unfairly stating AT lacks killer instinct like Jon and i disagree. when jon arrived the ball and the keys to the program were immediately given to him so he was allowed to play FREE. no worries, never a worry of being subbed out or yanked for a bad shot or a TO. when someone is given that type of freedom, theyre going to be super effective. AT is the 3rd option rite now so if he tried to force things it would stick out like a sore thumb. i think he has plenty of confidence and will eventually show it when it is his time to be the "GUY" and not a role player is all im saying. 

[herdorbust]

herdorbust i totally understand what youre saying. confidence is key. this team doesnt need AT to force and try to be a dominant scorer at this time. we have Kinsey and West doing that. every team is built on people embracing their roles.  IMO when this team struggles it is due to lack of people knowing their roles. I think you are unfairly stating AT lacks killer instinct like Jon and i disagree. when jon arrived the ball and the keys to the program were immediately given to him so he was allowed to play FREE. no worries, never a worry of being subbed out or yanked for a bad shot or a TO. when someone is given that type of freedom, theyre going to be super effective. AT is the 3rd option rite now so if he tried to force things it would stick out like a sore thumb. i think he has plenty of confidence and will eventually show it when it is his time to be the "GUY" and not a role player is all im saying.

I also understand what you are saying. But we can not be a bigtime legit team without more guys stepping up and being the best they can be. West and Kinsey can not lead us to the promised land by themselves. Great teams will shut them down to an extent. AT can be much better than he is showing. Just like Jannson needs to give us that consistent 10-14 points a game. If you have 4-5 guys coming at you every game producing it’s hard to stop. You cant have the attitude we can get by with a west and Kinsey leading us and the rest just go with the flow. If AT comes on and Williams And or Beyers is giving us consistent games AND OAK and Early improve every game then we will have something. But we have still got to improve to be special imo.

[allgood]

I also understand what you are saying. But we can not be a bigtime legit team without more guys stepping up and being the best they can be. West and Kinsey can not lead us to the promised land by themselves. Great teams will shut them down to an extent. AT can be much better than he is showing. Just like Jannson needs to give us that consistent 10-14 points a game. If you have 4-5 guys coming at you every game producing it’s hard to stop. You cant have the attitude we can get by with a west and Kinsey leading us and the rest just go with the flow. If AT comes on and Williams And or Beyers is giving us consistent games AND OAK and Early improve every game then we will have something. But we have still got to improve to be special imo.

totally agree with you. we do need AT and all of the other guys to maximize themselves in their roles and ik we cant win with only west and kinsey. yes we need the others all to step up but thats a different statement to make.  you cant compare the 3rd guard on a team to jon elmore and the freedom and mindset that jon had. thats comparing apples and oranges. AT has to maximize what he is doing and be the best he can be in this role. play good D, rebound, make open shots, limit TOs and if he does those things i think he will be fine. i just think hes getting an unfair shake because everyone compared him to the next jon elmore, which isnt fair to him is all im saying. 

[parshall2marshall]

Something that is perhaps undervalued about Taylor is his ability to get the ball up the floor and get us into our offense without turning it over. So far through 3 games, Taylor has played 91 minutes (that's an average of 30 mins a game) and has just 5 turnovers on the season. He's also an underrated defender, he plays solid defense and is an excellent rebounder for his position. I think if and when he needs to be more assertive offensively he will be, but to this point, he hasn't had to be.

Kinsey had a "slow" night last night and still finished with 13 points and 9 assists.

That is inline with my post of a couple of days ago, saying (1) protecting the ball ( blew all of a 14-point 1st half lead with 2-3 subs in ) and (2) our spacing ( with another post above about shooting treys better off of a kick-out ).

Danny knows where his bread is buttered ( our top 6 or 7 ) and that includes Taylor. Didn't hurt that Miljovic had a great game too.

[Herdmeister]

Maybe he doesn't see it as his time yet?

Valid point. I know he felt that way last year. He is a very polite quiet kid. Not that he lacks confidence he just acts like he doesn't want to step on any toes

[MicDrass1]

Could someone else provide more production.  I would say Taylor needs to be able to hold off Early for minutes?  But I do like the way Taylor rebounds the ball for a guard.  Needs to be a better passer and scorer.  Solid player.

[coalherd]

Right now, this early in the season, we are 3-0, including TWO road wins in a row over better than average teams, so it just may be a tad "premature" to start throwing any HERD players under the bus!