Point Guard

[doom]

So I'm reading about how Pullen is supposed to "solidify our point guard position" and was wondering what everyone thought.  Who is the starting point, Pullen or Stewart?  If it's Stewart will he keep it all year or trade off?  Will Young be SG or will he give some point minutes too?  Will Pullen mature quickly enough to take over or will we go with a senior?

[WildCatzPhreak]

Pullen is good.  He can drive, he has a decent jumper, I really have no idea about his defense or his passing ability.  I don't see him going off and scoring 20+ ppg ever in college, but that won't really be his role either.

The vague opinions I have are only from watching a few vids posted on various message boards.  I'm sure there are at least 20 people on this board that know better than I.

[ECN]

only vonfeldt knows the real answer

[catzacker]

I don't care who our point guard is, I just want whomever it is to be able to throw the ball up near or around the basket to a teammate who jumps, catches the ball in mid air and immediately scores a basket, usually with a slam dunk. I believe the kids call it an "alley oop".

[StayOutOfTrees]

I would guess Stewart will start at point at beginning of year, but as the season progresses I definately believe Pullen will take over the starting position at point guard.

From NBADraft.net:

Pullen has excellent speed for a point guard, and a winner's mentality. He is a deadly three-point shooter, but can also take the ball to the paint and dish. He changes directions extremely quickly, and is difficult to guard for opposing players. He does have a tendency to make sloppy plays, and this is an area he will have to improve. He's a little undersized, and this will also hurt his chances in the NBA, but he definitely plays with NBA energy.

From Rivals:

Best of the Big 12 - Class of 2007
Best perimeter scorer: LaceDarius Dunn, Baylor
Best low post scorer: Michael Beasley, Kansas State
Best passer: Michael Beasley, Kansas State
Best shooter: John Roberson, Texas Tech
Best rebounder: Blake Griffin, Oklahoma
Best shot-blocker: DeAndre Jordan, Texas A&M
Best defender: Bill Walker, Kansas State
Most versatile: Michael Beasley, Kansas State
Best in the clutch: Michael Beasley, Kansas State
Best basketball IQ: Michael Beasley, Kansas State
Best pro prospect: Michael Beasley, Kansas State
Best interview: Michael Beasley, Kansas State
Best speed: Jacob Pullen, Kansas State
Best hands: Michael Beasley, Kansas State
Best motor: Blake Griffin, Oklahoma
Best strength: Blake Griffin, Oklahoma
Best leaper: Bill Walker, Kansas State
Impact player: Michael Beasley, Kansas State
Biggest sleeper: Ibrahima Thomas, Oklahoma State
Sleeper class: Texas Tech
 
Jacob will add much needed speed to the point guard position. We might actually see something we haven't seen for a while at K-State basketball games, it's known as a Fast Break. Jacob is also supposed to be a real good defender. I do believe Pullen will need some time to settle in, it's just a matter of how long.

By the way, I really love how Beasley dominates that Rivals list.
 

[waks]

All he has to do is be able to pass..

[j-vonfeldt]

only vonfeldt knows the real answer

I'm still lurking.... lol.   I've watched a lot of tape on Pullen, and he looks very good.   It will be a hard fought spot for the starting job, but Stew is an extremely hard worker, and I expect him to step up to the plate and keep that starting job for a while.

With that said, the players are here because Frank has said he will play a very fast, up-tempo style, which Pullen will fit better in.  I still think he will come off the bench to do it, but he will get plenty of playing time.

That's my take, but I hope to be attending some early practices when the players arrive, and will have a much better idea at that point.

ECN, your pictures still freak me out.

[KSU4ME]

Blake Young is the odd man out.  Unless the injury really had lingering effects and he has made tremendous improvements.

[SUPERKSUFAN]

I think we will see more of Young than Stewart....Pullen will be our PG

[WildCatzPhreak]

Nobody loves Stew..

I think he'll be our best 3pt shooter not named Michael Beasley next year.

[doom]

I like Stew!  I think he'll start, but I don't know if he'll finish the year as PG.  I think he'll get more time than Young.  I love Young, but he did not have a great year last year.  I think we'll need Mr. Dependable and that's Stew.

[ksutwisted]

Who is this "Michael Beasley" all over that Rivals list?  And why is Kansas State written next to his name each time?

Must be a typo...

[SUPERKSUFAN]

I think Stewie will be used more as a SG not a PG - I have never thought he was fast enough to be a true PG.

I like Stewie...I just think he is out of place as a PG

[WildCatzPhreak]

I think Stewie will be used more as a SG not a PG - I have never thought he was fast enough to be a true PG.

I like Stewie...I just think he is out of place as a PG

I agree.  He'd make a good SG.  But we can't just throw Jake or Fred in at PG immediately and expect them to be able to lead a D-1 team.  Stew will have to start at PG at the beginning of the year until one of the frosh is ready to take the reigns.

[SUPERKSUFAN]

I think Stewie will be used more as a SG not a PG - I have never thought he was fast enough to be a true PG.

I like Stewie...I just think he is out of place as a PG

I agree.  He'd make a good SG.  But we can't just throw Jake or Fred in at PG immediately and expect them to be able to lead a D-1 team.  Stew will have to start at PG at the beginning of the year until one of the frosh is ready to take the reigns.

why not? Isn't that what we were planning on doing with Hannah?  I think Pullen will be our PG and Young will be the second PG.  But, I understand what you are saying and I agree, I just don't think Frank Martin and AHCDH will wait or if they do...they won't wait long to make the change and get things rolling the way that they want them....This is going to be so much fun.  I look forward to a faster game this year and more wins.

[waks]

Hannah came out of a Juco and was one of the best pg in the Juco ranks. Pullen is coming out of high school and isn't even ranked in the top 150. There's a big difference.

[WildCatzPhreak]

IMO Hannah is better than Pullen, and he had played in junior college, so he probably would have picked it up faster.

Not saying that Pullen isn't good by any means, just that Hannah's really good.  I'm still pissed we missed out on him.  How valuable would he be to next years team?

[WildCatzPhreak]

waks foiled me again.

[SUPERKSUFAN]

If we had Hannan, that would be a whole different matter....and we would have done better last year.

My bad - I forgot Hannan came out of Juco.  Still think we will see Stew as SG and Pullen/Young PG

[waks]

I don't. Young is terrible at point. He would do much better at SG and that is where I think we will see him the most. He played SG in Juco. I think we will start the season out starting Stew and we will gradually see more and more of Pullen. I'm not sure if Pullen will ever start this year but I'm almost positive that Stew will be the starter in the beginning.

[SUPERKSUFAN]

don't you think Stewie is slow for a PG?

[waks]

It doesn't matter. He'll be the most efficient. All he has to do is pass it. That's it. I'm sure we'll put Pullen in when we want to run the court but we aren't going to just start him right off the bat. He'll be too raw. Young will be much more efficient at SG than at the point. He won't have to bring the ball up the court and worry about bouncing it off of his foot if he's playing the 2.

[WildCatzPhreak]

don't you think Stewie is slow for a PG?

Stew may be slow, but he's got experience.  Just throwing Pullen out there without letting him adjust in a backup role first would be a mistake.  I agree with waks that Stew starts out the year as PG, with Jake playing backup role.  Maybe that changes towards the end of the year as Jake gets better and used to this level of basketball.

[SUPERKSUFAN]

It doesn't matter. He'll be the most efficient. All he has to do is pass it. That's it. I'm sure we'll put Pullen in when we want to run the court but we aren't going to just start him right off the bat. He'll be too raw. Young will be much more efficient at SG than at the point. He won't have to bring the ball up the court and worry about bouncing it off of his foot if he's playing the 2.

I remember Young doing that...he moves 100 mph and the ball moves 90 mph.  As long as
Stewie passes the ball faster and above ones knees...he will be acceptable.  I like Stewie, I just think that there are better PG than him.  IMO he doesn't look comfortable at the PG spot.  If he does start the season at PG - it won't be for all season.  Maybe he will be our 6th man this year....Who knows - it just can't get here fast enough

[ksuno1stunner]

I would guess Stewart will start at point at beginning of year, but as the season progresses I definately believe Pullen will take over the starting position at point guard.

From NBADraft.net:

Pullen has excellent speed for a point guard, and a winner's mentality. He is a deadly three-point shooter, but can also take the ball to the paint and dish. He changes directions extremely quickly, and is difficult to guard for opposing players. He does have a tendency to make sloppy plays, and this is an area he will have to improve. He's a little undersized, and this will also hurt his chances in the NBA, but he definitely plays with NBA energy.

From Rivals:

Best of the Big 12 - Class of 2007
Best perimeter scorer: LaceDarius Dunn, Baylor
Best low post scorer: Michael Beasley, Kansas State
Best passer: Michael Beasley, Kansas State
Best shooter: John Roberson, Texas Tech
Best rebounder: Blake Griffin, Oklahoma
Best shot-blocker: DeAndre Jordan, Texas A&M
Best defender: Bill Walker, Kansas State
Most versatile: Michael Beasley, Kansas State
Best in the clutch: Michael Beasley, Kansas State
Best basketball IQ: Michael Beasley, Kansas State
Best pro prospect: Michael Beasley, Kansas State
Best interview: Michael Beasley, Kansas State
Best speed: Jacob Pullen, Kansas State
Best hands: Michael Beasley, Kansas State
Best motor: Blake Griffin, Oklahoma
Best strength: Blake Griffin, Oklahoma
Best leaper: Bill Walker, Kansas State
Impact player: Michael Beasley, Kansas State
Biggest sleeper: Ibrahima Thomas, Oklahoma State
Sleeper class: Texas Tech
 
Jacob will add much needed speed to the point guard position. We might actually see something we haven't seen for a while at K-State basketball games, it's known as a Fast Break. Jacob is also supposed to be a real good defender. I do believe Pullen will need some time to settle in, it's just a matter of how long.

By the way, I really love how Beasley dominates that Rivals list.
 

Miami fans also describe Clemente as likely being one of the fastest in all of CBB.

[ChicoRodriguez]

We're going to play so fast it will be unbelievable.

In addition, be thankful the "Conceal and Carry" gun law passed in Kansas. We're going to be in all the inner city ballers top five lists nationwide. 

Kansas State is about to bring a new meaning to the "Run and Gun" style of play.  MCMW

[KSU4ME]

I think we will see more of Young than Stewart....Pullen will be our PG

Young would need to make a quantum leap (paging Dr. Sam Beckett) to beat out Stewart for PT.  Young was fast but sucky.  Stew was slow but dependable.  At least Stew could hit a shot.

[JTKSU]

I think we will see more of Young than Stewart....Pullen will be our PG

Young would need to make a quantum leap (paging Dr. Sam Beckett) to beat out Stewart for PT.  Young was fast but sucky.  Stew was slow but dependable.  At least Stew could hit a shot.

Some senior leadership will be very soothing when the game is close.  Of course Hoskins will be out there, but having someone to distribute the ball and keep the young guys from having to think too much is more beneficial than a few extra points that a Pullen may be able to bring to the mix.  We have to have someone who will keep Beasely and Walker from disappearing for stretches, ala Durant last year.  That said, when everything is firing on all levels, Pullen leading the break and creating more open shots for Beasley, Walker, Hokins, etc by creating penetration could be an awful lot of fun to watch.