Johnny Jones has gotten the most out of his highly rated players

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I'm glad you're back on Team Jones.

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I believe in his talent, and ability to get players better overall (that have the talent)...but the fact is he is still a below average, at best, in game coach. He does have to get better there. Losing to several bad teams simply cannot be overlooked, or the choke job in the tournament, which surely wasnt entirely his fault, but it was a total team/coach failure.

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I saw a vine of the team walking out to practice for the NCAA's, and I was honestly very impressed with Elbert Robinson as far as the eye test is concerned. I hope whatever benched him after beginning the year as a starter has been alleviated.

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I really think the severe weight loss threw him off his game. Not to say he is worse at 250 than 310, but at 310 in high school he could just bully everyone around and at 250 in college he suddenly had to use his skills he rarely ever had to use previously. ERIII has the skills (he wasnt rated highly or coveted by so many schools for simply being 7 feet), he just has to learn to use them.

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Point being, I hope the assistant he hires has at least some pedigree of developing post players. Jones and Patrick clearly know how to develop our guards. LSU already has its post questions answered if Victor, Robinson, and Epps properly develop this off-season...maybe Malone and Bridge too. LSU already has 3 high ceiling post players on campus. It's interesting that tennessee feels good about Kasongo suddenly though

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Assistant hire will definitely be key, but i think we just need to keep bringing uber talented players in. That's the easiest way you'll keep getting yourself to the tournament. We know JJ isnt a great x's and o's coach, so simply develop the talent and let them get you there.

Also, Epps is my wildcard player for next season. He has a smooth offensive game and if he could learn to play any sort of defense he could be really pretty good. Also wouldnt kill him to put on 15-20 pounds either so when he does get inside he can take some abuse. At this point i think we know exactly what we're getting out of Malone and honestly i feel the same about Bridgewater. Bridgewater is a pretty skilled C but unfortunately is in a body a half foot too short. I think if hes ever making an impact he needs to get a jump shot down.

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I hope whatever benched him after beginning the year as a starter has been alleviated.

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You mean the complete lack of oxygen when running up and down the floor? doubt it

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My question is do you think that Martin's sprained ankle last year cost LSU half a year of development, or gave LSU another year of Martin?

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Great hypothetical and honestly, probably gave us Martin for this season.

It stunted him earlier in the year but i always felt like he and mickey but be here at least two years.

I found this kind of funny. An ESPN article about 10 bold predictions for next year... #7

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Ben Simmons won't live up to the hype: Simmons is a great prep player. He's the No. 1 high school player in America for a reason. The 6-foot-9 forward could be the No. 1 pick in the 2016 NBA draft. He has the tools to be an immediate threat at this level. Just one problem: He has a coach who doesn't have a knack for developing talent. Jarell Martin and Jordan Mickey didn't make the strides that most anticipated when the two NBA prospects returned for the 2014-15 season. Simmons will have the ball in his hands a lot next season. But will Johnny Jones and his staff mold him into the superstar that he's expected to be? There are no guarantees of that.

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Jarell Martin and Jordan Mickey didn't make the strides that most anticipated when the two NBA prospects returned for the 2014-15 season.

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Is that guy fricking serious?

I hate how some writers have such a national scale to write on but clearly don't know shite. Martin averaged 10 a game last year, and this year was an honorable mention All-American and will most likely be a first round draft pick.

I know these writers don't know shite most the time, but c'mon, have a little clue

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He has a coach who doesn't have a knack for developing talent

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LMAO, wat

I thought it was evident both players got a lot better....

The deficiencies of Mickey are strictly height and passing/vision. Not all that much Jones can do to help that. Martin's big issue is three point shooting... Honestly there aren't enough hours of practice time to have him just shoot three pointers. That has to be on the player to get them up in his free time.