Orton and Cousins

by Laird on Apr 9, 2009 11:01 PM EDT

This was a question posted to Jerry Meyer from rivals.com

Two's a crowd?

IQuestion: f DeMarcus Cousins comes to UK and Daniel Orton honors his LOI, would they simply share playing time or could they be used effectively playing at the same time? -- Gary from Flatwoods -----

Answer: Cousins is coming to Kentucky. Now the question is whether Orton is coming to Kentucky. Regardless of how this plays out, I just can't see Cousins and Orton on the court at the same time for any significant amount of time under Calipari. For one, it would be extremely difficult to play man-to-man defense and impossible to play pressure man-to-man. On top of that, neither has the foot speed nor motor to play significant minutes on the perimeter as a "4" man in the dribble-drive offense. Now if the system is a high/low attack or a typical high ball screen attack, then they could play together on the offensive end. Neither of these offensive attacks, though, are what Calipari is going to employ. As I've been saying. The game is getting quicker and stronger and not taller. Calipari fully understands this, and that is why a potential departure by Orton is not a cause for panic for the Kentucky staff. Don't get me wrong, the Kentucky staff would love to have Orton on the roster next year, and he would be a major contributor. It just would be difficult for he and Cousins to be on the court together.

Tweet Comment 12 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Mistake

The word Question was in the wrong place. The question starts out: If Demarcus….. The word “if” got seperated, may bad.

Lane

by Laird on Apr 9, 2009 11:02 PM EDT reply actions

Hey, Lane......

……if it really bothers you, you can go into your profile and on the top right you will notice a “manage fanshots and fanposts” option — you can make changes to your fanpost from there if you want. : )

by BigSkyCat on Apr 9, 2009 11:12 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm not sure I totally agree with that statement above.

I’m not expert, but my understanding is that Cousins is very fast with good foot speed. I’ve read he’s very capable of beating his man off the dribble.

This tells me he’d be fine playing the 4 man in the DDO consistently—leaving Orton for the 5.

I think the major issue is whether Orton is willing to see less time next season for big time the following season. I also think whether Patterson returns is a major issue. W/O Patterson, Orton likely starts at the “5,” and Cousins at the “4.” With Patterson, that becomes less clear, as Patterson and Cousins would assumedly share time at the 4 and 5 spot, with Orton coming off the bench.

Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
--O.W.

by blbskue on Apr 10, 2009 9:45 AM EDT reply actions

not = no

Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
--O.W.

by blbskue on Apr 10, 2009 9:45 AM EDT up reply actions

Cousins

Ive heard he is more of a 3/4 hybrid. He has been termed " a small forward in a center’s body". If this is true he will play small or power forward in the NBA. There are tons of 6-10 small forwards in the NBA and I believe Cousins could play that position in college to prepare himself for the league.

Line up could look like this only if reports of Cousins game are true and he is sutiable to play the three

Wall
Meeks
Cousins
Patt
Orton

Bench
Miller
Harris
Hood
Pilrim
Galloway
Stevenson

DEEETROIT BASKETBALLL!!!

by davw83 on Apr 10, 2009 10:15 AM EDT up reply actions

i know cousins could play the 3 on offense

but how about defense. Could he defend a guard for teams like mississippi st last year who played 4 guards and a center? That is the million dollar question. If he would be a defensive liability guarding a small forward or guard, then he would definitely have to play the 4. And being a freshman, chances are he won’t be a great defender anyway

by idigl7220 on Apr 10, 2009 1:02 PM EDT up reply actions

Valid question

That is a valid question. One I cant answer.

DEEETROIT BASKETBALLL!!!

by davw83 on Apr 10, 2009 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions

ku can keep henry

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hD2a-MpXd8&feature=related

He’s pretty good, but that short-armed motion on layups and short jumpers will not stand in D1

by bschoen on Apr 10, 2009 10:24 AM EDT reply actions

No offense...

but if his shooting motion doesn’t scare away Cal, Self and others, I think I’d have to go with their opinion on that.

by Mahatma on Apr 10, 2009 12:50 PM EDT up reply actions

Orton has seemingly never been a one and done type player

I would assume that he can see himself as the foundation for the future at Kentucky. He could play some good minutes as a freshman and then be a dominant force for the next few years.

Of course its difficult, its a shortcut... if it was easy it'd just be "the way."

by chirop1 on Apr 10, 2009 3:40 PM EDT reply actions

plus

Orton coming off the injury his Sr year…can give him time to not be the focal point at UK while Cousins (assuming one-and-done) and Patterson (Junior year then hello NBA) shoulder the load at the 4-5 positions…Orton will see minutes…I think the posturing is purely based on where Henry ends up…I have heard that it’s a package deal for the Henry’s (CJ wants to play with his lil’ bro)…my assumption is that if CJ cannot successfully petition the NCAA to transfer to a D1 school without having to sit out a year, and both UK and KU can’t clear the scholarships for both…that Pastner may surprise and get Henry at Memphis (which has now resurfaced on Xavier’s list)…then Stephenson goes to KU (which has the one scholarship available after their two transfers) and Orton stays…purely subjective of course…and totally my opinion from what i have gleaned from reading everything available on the subject….plus…I think Coach Cal is REALLY focusing on JWALL…the offense needs a catalyst

by fincity on Apr 11, 2009 4:00 AM EDT reply actions

also

I think everyone is delaying their decisions partly because some of the recruits really would prefer to play for coach Cal..but without the scholarships available, don’t want to say or commit before the proper time…everyone is really being tight about what they are saying…(the recruits other than Nolan Dennis)…and even he has started to say that he is Wide Open in his recruitment…but I have to admit…this is exciting…and I can’t remember when there were this many stud recruits still available this late with UK on all of their tongues…yippee

by fincity on Apr 11, 2009 4:04 AM EDT reply actions