J.J. Hickson

Hickson and Gooden have similar basketball IQ's (i.e., not very high), but they're not necessarily similar players. Gooden's a better rebounder, but Hickson's better at finishing around the basket. He's in the top 20 in the league in dunks, while Gooden was barely in the top 50.

When Gooden was 21, he was the best player and a near 20/10 player (19 and 11 to be exact) on a Final Four team. If Hickson was still in college, would he be leading N.C. State to the Final Four? He got 14.8 and 8.5 as a freshman. I wonder how his collegiate career would be panning out had he stayed. There were many who were saying that he would have been a top 10 pick had he stayed for another year.

Over the past month, JJ seems to me to have gotten sick of he constant yelling and criticism of the same defensive themes day in and day out ...and has begun to finally focus in on what will make him a viable starting caliber player in this league.

His defensive awareness has gotten much much better, and more consistent of late. Offensively, he has clearly taken a mental backseat. He's not looking to do much on that end and seems to really be focusing on the elimination of his weaknesses.

We don't want or need much from JJ offensively now, except for more consistent and proficient boxing out, and just a general better understanding of what we are looking to accomplish in each set, given the defensive set in place. Still, all too often he has to be coached into position instead of knowing instictively.

But, his maturity is showing in that he is now truly keeping better focus on the defensive end, and working harder on his weaknesses. Something he needs to continue to work on in the coming years.

He's not too happy to see me nowadays. I really jumped on him bad about three/four weeks ago and although it seems to have shaken him into a better mental state ...he's still pissed off at me. Oh well ..

For whatever reason I feel a driving force to try and see this kid fulfill his potential with us and will hurt if he moves on elsewhere. But, it a reality that may come to pass in the not too distant future. I'd say it's 50/50.

Soon and in the not too distant future is driving me nuts. I'm getting antsy. But thank you for the post. It is good to see him better himself defensively, as that will get him minutes, but some offensive production would be good.

So in other words.....he'll be traded at the deadline

Man.....I've been giving a pass to J.J. for his hands, basically equating his sloppyness to trying to do everything 100 miles per hour. But I just don't know. He's obviously incredibly young...he just needs to work on slowing down and catching the damn ball.

imahustla said:

Hickson and Gooden have similar basketball IQ's (i.e., not very high), but they're not necessarily similar players. Gooden's a better rebounder, but Hickson's better at finishing around the basket. He's in the top 20 in the league in dunks, while Gooden was barely in the top 50.

When Gooden was 21, he was the best player and a near 20/10 player (19 and 11 to be exact) on a Final Four team. If Hickson was still in college, would he be leading N.C. State to the Final Four? He got 14.8 and 8.5 as a freshman. I wonder how his collegiate career would be panning out had he stayed. There were many who were saying that he would have been a top 10 pick had he stayed for another year.

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Poeple always bring up that JJ is alot like Drew. They are two very different people. JJ is no where near the vacuum that Drew is. What JJ, to me has lacked is the maturity and discipline to keep his focus at the level it needs to be to grow and learn. Something that seems to be improving, but at times still slips back and forth.

When JJ first began working with the starting unit I'd have rated his "mean" level of production and functionability at about a 2 on the 10 pt scale. He's defintiely improved and have him up around a 3.5 ..even far exceeding that some nights. So, development is taking place. His understanding is coming along while he's gotten this opportunity.

If he remains a Cav, this offseason given good health offers a great opportunity to really grow physically, mentally, and from a skills standpoint.

I'd hate to see him leave us before seeing exactly what he can show us after this offseason of hard work that is planned for him. He could be one of the most improved players in the league if he applies himself.

I think the problem is we expect way too much out of him way too early in his career. People want to see the 15ppg 10rpg player that we believe he should be. Most young players with his talent arent drafted by teams that are aspiring to be NBA Champs. He came into a situation where the only way he sees court time is if he matures very quickly and does the little things. So far he has done an ok job of doing the little things but considering the off season he just had anything more than the little things is a plus.

While i understand JJ is young and has alot of potential, harsh words or not, right now hes simply garbage and shouldnt be starting for this team.

Start Jawad till we get a real stretch PF

JJ gets treated so unfairly by Mike Brown. Obviously, in most cases AV or another big should be out there over JJ at the end of the game...... But why does it have to be EVERY game NO MATTER WHAT. Z was playing like the old man that he is, Shaq was doing nothing, and Andy was running around like a fool and taking ridiculous shots and getting abused on the glass for the most part. And STILL JJ is not allowed to get in the game, even though he played very well in his time. It just doesn't seem fair to me.

JJ + 4
Andy -12

BigMar992 said:

So in other words.....he'll be traded at the deadline

Man.....I've been giving a pass to J.J. for his hands, basically equating his sloppyness to trying to do everything 100 miles per hour. But I just don't know. He's obviously incredibly young...he just needs to work on slowing down and catching the damn ball.

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No. Not what I said. That is what Ferry is trying to have to avoid having to do. If he can find way not to have to add him, he would rather take that course.

Ferry does not want to have to move any of our young prospects if he doesn't have to.

JJ looked real good in the first quarter of the Utah game which is all that I saw. He was rebounding, contesting shots, showing craftiness offensively around the basket. I still kind of think that he is dumb but maybe at some point this all clicks for him and if that happens he will be a monster. He's just so damn quick getting that ball to the hoop that he could give slower bigs absolute fits. He kind of reminds me of a young Kenyon Martin the way he would attack the basket so quickly that you couldn't even grasp what just happened. He really needs to iron out a midrange jumpshot though to really scare defenses.

Wine and Gold said:

No. Not what I said. That is what Ferry is trying to have to avoid having to do. If he can find way not to have to add him, he would rather take that course.

Ferry does not want to have to move any of our young prospects if he doesn't have to.

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If including JJ in a deadline deal is the difference between getting a Jamison-type player, Ferry better pull the trigger. Is the goal this year winning a championship or developing JJ Hickson? Do any other championship contenders have a player with this much a lack of situational awareness or stone hands in their starting lineup?

It just appears to me he is in a rush to get the ball and make a move..almost like he's moving too fast for the game..if he takes his time he'll get his shot off and/or get a foul...maybe he's afraid of taking a hit..I hardley ever see him do a pump fake..or anything to draw a foul..
I also wonder about his confidence in his leaping ability in the post when he has the ball away from the bucket..he can get up to block a shot or slam the ball in transition ..but to catch the ball,make a move and go up over a opponent ,he seems to hesitate..
I don't think he's Gooden..I think he needs to work on his game.

Hickson has to be the worst finishing around the rim and or going up strong.

bomber said:

Hickson has to be the worst finishing around the rim and or going up strong.

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Take it easy on the kid please. At least he isn't as bad offensively as Varajao who travelled I believe 3 or possibly 4 times last night on a simple turn around hook shot/jumper. JJ looked quite good last night, but just didn't get the minutes that he deserved. I would rather see JJ taking FTs at the end of a game than AV.

bomber said:

Hickson has to be the worst finishing around the rim and or going up strong.

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Totally disagree. He has been a fantastic finisher at the rim, especially of late.

3 months ago he had one move.... Jump straight up and dunk with 2 hands while showing the ball. Now he is patient, laying the ball in, making mid air adjustments, hanging a bit, making spin moves, and not letting himself get pushed around.

His big problem though is actually catching and controlling the ball on the initial part of the play and not always being in position.