I Think Garrison's Role Should Be Simplified

[chasingwildcat]

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.

 

[know1]

OK.

 

[Farsight]

OK.

Why are you always a dick dude? Like nearly every post you have on this forum. You act like you're better than others. So much substance in your response. 🙄

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.

I think Garrison has massive potential in Pope's system, but I think the question is, does Garrison want to succeed in his system? I think Garrison can pass but his decision making has been bad. I think if he cleans up his decision making his plus/minus would improve. He can finish strong around the rim when he wants to. In essence, I do see your point. He could be uncomfortable in his role right now.

 

[Fox2monk]

Why are you always a dick dude? Like nearly every post you have on this forum. You act like you're better than others. So much substance in your response. 🙄





I think Garrison has massive potential in Pope's system, but I think the question is, does Garrison want to succeed in his system? I think Garrison can pass but his decision making has been bad. I think if he cleans up his decision making his plus/minus would improve. He can finish strong around the rim when he wants to. In essence, I do see your point. He could be uncomfortable in his role right now.

Garrison had a beautiful assist from about the three point line last game. He threw a bounce pass thru traffic to Brea I think. Can’t remember who got the basket but it was a beautiful pass. Unfortunately he tries those hard passes when they aren’t there a lot too.

 

[HYTCHYE ISLAND]

I’m in the minority here I’m sure but I’m of the opinion that Garrison is not playable for any significant time rn. I think he’s very average and even poor at most aspects of the game today. He has zero skill offensively and isn’t a much better defender. I think he’s will improve over time but I just don’t see it this year.

 

[BlueWorldOrder74]

Make the easy play. That’s what he needs to do. I do think Pope is misusing him slightly, as I do think he wants BG to be a version of Amari, which he just can’t do yet. I agree with a lot of what OP said. But I think he can get much better. You are correct, his decision making is suspect.

 

[pauled]

Garrison had a beautiful assist from about the three point line last game. He threw a bounce pass thru traffic to Brea I think. Can’t remember who got the basket but it was a beautiful pass. Unfortunately he tries those hard passes when they aren’t there a lot too.

He can’t handle the ball like Amari, I think he’s better playing more of a traditional center role, he scores pretty good around the rim, Amari is inconsistent shooting 6-8 feet around the rim.

 

[Catfanlou]

For this year only in special situations I like Garrison playing to sub for Carr . I’m talking only in the second half if neither he or Williams are in foul trouble. Maybe if Carr needs a rest or is in foul trouble. I just think the short time Pope tried it it worked well and he brings more to the table rebounding wise than Almonor who just doesn’t like to play defense or rebound .

 

[billoliver40]

Garrison will go as gar as his work ethic will take him. The question will be how much of a price he is willing to pay.

And yeah....this system Mark pope runs is definitely not for every player. And with him, it's all about the system not the individual.

 

[YardCat]

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.

I agree that Garrison should be our Power Forward but not handling the ball like Williams. Garrison is a black hole when he is in the paint, he isn’t passing the ball, he is trying to score.

 

[SemperFiCat]

IMO, Garrison is very talented but young. I think next year, or as Junior, we'll see one heck of a player. I never have an issue with his effort.

I do agree with the OP. BG shouldn't try to be forced into this top of the key, point center like Williams.

EDIT; but maybe Pope thinks he's found something in this point center Williams experiment. And wants to explore it further.

 

[kats23]

I've often wondered if he sticks around next season will he be moved to the 4. Neither he or Williams exhibits great back to the basket skills

 

[Tampa_cat54]

We've seen glimpses lately (with the Carr injury) of Garrison and Williams playing together.

Normally I would hate that, BUT it might come in handy on Saturday against Auburn. Broome plays primarily the PF spot for Auburn, Ansley won't be able to do anything at all to slow him down and Carr can only do so much. Might have to have stints of Garrison and Williams playing together where Garrison can combat Broome for a while.

 

[Bluesnky]

I don’t think Garrison’s basketball IQ will allow him to improve that much. I’ve never seen someone allow so many plays to happen two feet away from him while he is looking in the wrong direction. Not an intuitive player at all, and has slow reactions. Hence the poor defense and rebounding.

 

[Tampa_cat54]

I don’t think Garrison’s basketball IQ will allow him to improve that much. I’ve never seen someone allow so many plays to happen two feet away from him while he is looking in the wrong direction. Not an intuitive player at all, and has slow reactions. Hence the poor defense and rebounding.

I've said since November that if we are counting on Garrison to be a big contributor next year, we're in trouble.

Definitely still believe that's the case.

Moreno needs to be our backup 5 man, and we need to go get a big in the portal who can hold that spot down for 25 MPG.

I feel the same about Kriisa.

Acaden Lewis should be our backup PG, and go get a stud in the portal to hold down that starting role.

 

[yoshukai]

I’m in the minority here I’m sure but I’m of the opinion that Garrison is not playable for any significant time rn. I think he’s very average and even poor at most aspects of the game today. He has zero skill offensively and isn’t a much better defender. I think he’s will improve over time but I just don’t see it this year.

I don’t think you are in the minority.

 

[yoshukai]

I've often wondered if he sticks around next season will he be moved to the 4. Neither he or Williams exhibits great back to the basket skills

It is unfathomable to me how a kid can grow up playing basketball and have practically ZERO low post skills.