What To Work On: Steven Pledger

[BigTime]

Simple question: What iyo does Bird need to get better at during the offseason in order to be a better player next year? Looking for reasonable goals here.

My thoughts

- Drop 10 pounds. I felt like Steven's lack of quickness (especially on the defensive end) was at least in part due to him being out of shape. Would love to see him build up his endurance and drop a few pounds this offseason.

- Improve on lateral quickness. Bird got abused most of the year on defense by quicker guards. I assume there are some drills and workouts that he has available to him that would help. In order to really help this team, he is going to have to get much better on the defensive end.

- Regain his shooting confidence. Luckily, admist some of our late season beatdowns by conference foes, it appeared that he was shooting the ball with confidence and shooting it well. He has such a textbook release and stroke. One thing that has been mentioned here before is that he sometimes fades off to the left or right as he is shooting the ball, but other than that, I have to believe that it is all between the ears with his three point shooting. We need him to shoot at the level that TMG did this year in order for him to really be a weapon offensively.

Thoughts?

 

[seniorsooner]

Looks good to me

 

[Perk's Scowl]

He started to shoot it better at the end. He even said that this was the first shooting slump he has ever been in. I actually think he will be really good once he learns the concept of defense. He can really shoot it. So if he needs to work on something, it is the concept of defense.

 

[BigTime]

He started to shoot it better at the end. He even said that this was the first shooting slump he has ever been in. I actually think he will be really good once he learns the concept of defense. He can really shoot it. So if he needs to work on something, it is the concept of defense.

I agree. Defense is the big key with him. I'm not sure if he is ever going to be a lockdown guy due to his lack of quickness, but I certainly think he can really improve from last season. I also think he can get a lot better at covering switches, closing out shooters, rotating in a zone, and transition defense. I'm hoping that some of it may have also been trying to think too much out there due to the speed of the game instead of just reacting like an athlete.

Sometimes it takes a year for a guy to start to feel comfortable with the speed of the game.....

 

[BanjoCharley]

Great thread BigTime. I'm reading it with a lot of interest as I didn't get to see him play this year but have high hopes for his development.

 

[RonMexico]

finding other ways to score besides chucking up the long balls. i think he has the game to be more than just a 3-pt specialist.

 

[UHsurfer12]

Try and diversify his offensive reportoire... become a bit more than just a shooter.

 

[HoHum]

Reminded me of Glendon Alexander in that game in the conference tournament.

 

[GParker]

finding other ways to score besides chucking up the long balls. i think he has the game to be more than just a 3-pt specialist.

I think you are on to something with that thought. Pledger showed the ability to hit the midrange jumper in several games, and he has the upper body strength and touch to be able to finish in the lane. Much like Cade Davis started to figure out this year, this team would be well served next season to have Pledger look to score in other ways besides from beyond the arc.

 

[thebigabd]

Just lose some weight and become a better defender.... I think he is always going to be a 3pt specialist and there is nothing wrong with that.

 

[coacht]

Simple question: What iyo does Bird need to get better at during the offseason in order to be a better player next year? Looking for reasonable goals here.

My thoughts

- Drop 10 pounds. I felt like Steven's lack of quickness (especially on the defensive end) was at least in part due to him being out of shape. Would love to see him build up his endurance and drop a few pounds this offseason.

- Improve on lateral quickness. Bird got abused most of the year on defense by quicker guards. I assume there are some drills and workouts that he has available to him that would help. In order to really help this team, he is going to have to get much better on the defensive end.

- Regain his shooting confidence. Luckily, admist some of our late season beatdowns by conference foes, it appeared that he was shooting the ball with confidence and shooting it well. He has such a textbook release and stroke. One thing that has been mentioned here before is that he sometimes fades off to the left or right as he is shooting the ball, but other than that, I have to believe that it is all between the ears with his three point shooting. We need him to shoot at the level that TMG did this year in order for him to really be a weapon offensively.

Thoughts?

This is the big key for pledger IMO. I think he can become a 3-point specialist and a good defender.

 

[SoonerDan74012]

Improve on lateral quickness. Bird got abused most of the year on defense by quicker guards. I assume there are some drills and workouts that he has available to him that would help. In order to really help this team, he is going to have to get much better on the defensive end.

I think you can pretty much include everyone except Cade when it comes to this.

 

[Sooner Quick]

finding other ways to score besides chucking up the long balls. i think he has the game to be more than just a 3-pt specialist.

I think the shot fake could do wonders for this kid. Much like Cade started to use it I think it could be effective for him as well.

Good points all around.

 

[Cheno]

I think the shot fake could do wonders for this kid. Much like Cade started to use it I think it could be effective for him as well.

I agree Quick. Good observation.

 

[Seymore Cox]

conditioning is the obvious. Transforming lost weight into muscle. That will help him defensively. Offensively he needs to develop and expand like James Anderson did. Add a pumpfake two dribble mid range game. Become more active away from the ball by walking his man down to the post and popping out for a spot up look and rubbing his man or curling his man off the post player. The biggest thing that will help his game is if we had a post pressence that he could spot up off of.

The biggest thing that will help out Pledger is the addition of Poland. The direct competition will be a plus and the facing in practice will also be a plus.

 

[AdaSooner]

In addition to a great list of suggestions already covered in this thread, I think Steven needs to take better shots. Many of his misses from three were what I would call marginal to poor shots. I may be alone in those thoughts. But I don't like to see spot up shooters rush shots when they're off balance and not squared up ready to shoot when the ball arrives.

Pass the ball inside, drive on the defender as some have said, or start the offense over. Don't throw up a low-percentage three because the coach gave you the green light to shoot. Misses from three point range usually result in long rebounds and fast break opportunities for the other team. As everyone is painfully aware, defending in transition was not a strong suit for OU last year.

 

[perryj74]

Just lose some weight and become a better defender.... I think he is always going to be a 3pt specialist and there is nothing wrong with that.

This!

I'm all for improving your game but make sure you play to your strengths. I think Pledger will get better as the TEAM gets better. The individual play this year did his game no favors. He needs to remember who he is and bust his ass on defense.

 

[Big Old Booger]

Just lose some weight and become a better defender.... I think he is always going to be a 3pt specialist and there is nothing wrong with that.

This.

Plus, show a little more "want-to" on the defensive end. The osu game in KC he showed very little desire to play defense...

And...don't force a shot when you have someone all over you. Being a good shooter is knowing when to take the shot and when to pass.

 

[Sooner Quick]

In addition to a great list of suggestions already covered in this thread, I think Steven needs to take better shots. Many of his misses from three were what I would call marginal to poor shots. I may be alone in those thoughts. But I don't like to see spot up shooters rush shots when they're off balance and not squared up ready to shoot when the ball arrives.

Pass the ball inside, drive on the defender as some have said, or start the offense over. Don't throw up a low-percentage three because the coach gave you the green light to shoot. Misses from three point range usually result in long rebounds and fast break opportunities for the other team. As everyone is painfully aware, defending in transition was not a strong suit for OU last year.

You're not alone Ada. I think rushing those shots, like you said, threw him off balance and were responsible for a bulk of those misses. He needs to know his role and catch and shoot in rhythm when he is squared up. If the defender is flying toward you, use the shot fake.

 

[BigTime]

Just lose some weight and become a better defender.... I think he is always going to be a 3pt specialist and there is nothing wrong with that.

There is a lot of truth to your post, but I will counter with this: How many folks were convinced that Cade Davis (and Tony Crocker for that matter) would only be three point specialists after their freshmen years?

Would like to get some other folks' takes on this subject. Let's hear em!