I really like Garrison's athleticism, but what Pope is asking him to do might be too complicated for him. He is more like a Cal-style athletic but raw big man rather than the versatile big that Pope expects to initiate offense.
Many people compare him to Richards, but I don't think that's a great comparison. Richards has a significantly bigger frame and has always had solid fundamental skills, good touch, and decent footwork in the post. His feel for the game was poor, but he improved significantly in his junior year with training. On the other hand, Garrison clearly lacks technical skills and touch.
I don't think Garrison is the kind of passer that Pope ideally wants. His role should be simplified—he should focus on getting stronger, securing rebounds, and playing solid defense. On offense, he doesn’t need to be a playmaker. Instead, he should improve his ability to finish off pick-and-rolls and develop an useable catch-and-shoot three-pointer off pick-and-pops. His court awareness is poor and his technical skills and touch are mediocre. I believe he’s better suited to being a blue-collar player rather than a ball-distributing playmaker. Offensively, he just needs to excel at finishing inside and occasionally hitting open threes with his main focus being on improving his defense and rebound.
In short, I don't think Garrison should try to become a ball-handling center like Amari Williams. He should focus on simpler tasks—setting solid screens, finishing plays around the rim, developing a more reliable spot-up three-pointer, and improving his rebounding and defense as much as possible.
Many people compare him to Richards, but I don't think that's a great comparison. Richards has a significantly bigger frame and has always had solid fundamental skills, good touch, and decent footwork in the post. His feel for the game was poor, but he improved significantly in his junior year with training. On the other hand, Garrison clearly lacks technical skills and touch.
I don't think Garrison is the kind of passer that Pope ideally wants. His role should be simplified—he should focus on getting stronger, securing rebounds, and playing solid defense. On offense, he doesn’t need to be a playmaker. Instead, he should improve his ability to finish off pick-and-rolls and develop an useable catch-and-shoot three-pointer off pick-and-pops. His court awareness is poor and his technical skills and touch are mediocre. I believe he’s better suited to being a blue-collar player rather than a ball-distributing playmaker. Offensively, he just needs to excel at finishing inside and occasionally hitting open threes with his main focus being on improving his defense and rebound.
In short, I don't think Garrison should try to become a ball-handling center like Amari Williams. He should focus on simpler tasks—setting solid screens, finishing plays around the rim, developing a more reliable spot-up three-pointer, and improving his rebounding and defense as much as possible.