Walter Lemon Jr

[AZ BU Fan]

Simple Answer: Donivine Stewart

Well, unless DS turns out to be All American as a freshman, BU would have stunk up the joint next year too, without SM or DD on the roster. JL rolled the dice on McCain and Norris and crapped out on both of them. The program is now suffering as a result.

[BuB]

Simple Answer: Donivine Stewart

It is not going to be that simple. DS is definately going to help us in the ball handling and passing game. That is a plus. But he is going to be below average in other areas early in his Bradley career. He lacks true quickness, struggles as a defender, and is not a good shooter from the outside or free throw line. He is going to be like 90% of all incoming freshmen. He should show flashes of his potential some games and make you want to pull out your hair in others.

[mrcoachdude]

It is not going to be that simple. DS is definately going to help us in the ball handling and passing game. That is a plus. But he is going to be below average in other areas early in his Bradley career. He lacks true quickness, struggles as a defender, and is not a good shooter from the outside or free throw line. He is going to be like 90% of all incoming freshmen. He should show flashes of his potential some games and make you want to pull out your hair in others.

think you are selling a little short here....he is better than that

[real fan]

think you are selling a little short here....he is better than that

He is a lot better then that, just because he has slumped some I have faith that he will get it turned around, he is not slower , I think it is the opposite in that he is rushing things because he is trying to hard to make something happen instead of slowing down and being more in control , Everyone including the pro"s run into slumps, he will come out of it and be a good player this season because he is talented.

[BuB]

think you are selling a little short here....he is better than that

In what area of his game?

[BradleyBrave]

I like Donivine Stewart a lot, but he is not the cure-all for our problems.

[mrcoachdude]

In what area of his game?

you basically ripped his game apart ------> "But he is going to be below average in other areas early in his Bradley career. He lacks true quickness, struggles as a defender, and is not a good shooter from the outside or free throw line"

DS can shoot....check his stats...and that is when he is getting special attention...at BU he will get one on one converage...he is plenty quick enough and that can be improved anyway...he will not struggle as a defender (unless he is playing our "4" he will make up for any "supposed" lack of quickness with playing smart....

The answer was simple...he would be the point...

[BuB]

I like Donivine Stewart a lot, but he is not the cure-all for our problems.

I agree. He is a good fit for our current system. If we continue to play 3-4 guards and spread the floor on offense, he should contribute. He should help solve problems related to running the offense/point and with passing (assists). He does not solve any problems related to perimeter shooting, rebounding, or on the defensive end.

[scout4126]

I like Donivine Stewart a lot, but he is not the cure-all for our problems.

In no way am I saying he is the cure for all BU problems, I'm just saying he was by far and wide the best option at point guard compared to what is in place for next season (a moot point now that SM is back).

DS is a high IQ guard that handles it well and can initiate an offense. He's a decent leader and can score it from multiple spots. He's also shown the ability to be a distributor as well late in his high school career. His poise is what could make him a solid PG.

[BradleyBrave]

In no way am I saying he is the cure for all BU problems, I'm just saying he was by far and wide the best option at point guard compared to what is in place for next season (a moot point now that SM is back).

DS is a high IQ guard that handles it well and can initiate an offense. He's a decent leader and can score it from multiple spots. He's also shown the ability to be a distributor as well late in his high school career. His poise is what could make him a solid PG.

I don't doubt he'll be a solid PG at the MVC level. I like DS. What concerns me more about our program is the overall lack of talent and lack of player development, specifically with interior players. We have a walk-on logging significant minutes in what was supposed to be a culmination year (we were sold the bill of goods that the only thing lacking from last year's team was experience). Right now we look like a Division II basketball team. One recruit alone isn't going to change the overall direction of the program IMO. It would have to be an O'Bryant-type, and those come around about once a decade at places like BU.

[scout4126]

I don't doubt he'll be a solid PG at the MVC level. I like DS. What concerns me more about our program is the overall lack of talent and lack of player development, specifically with interior players. We have a walk-on logging significant minutes in what was supposed to be a culmination year (we were sold the bill of goods that the only thing lacking from last year's team was experience). Right now we look like a Division II basketball team. One recruit alone isn't going to change the overall direction of the program IMO. It would have to be an O'Bryant-type, and those come around about once a decade at places like BU.

I completely agree. There's a lot going wrong with the program and, like any other profession, I believe it starts with the leader of the pack.

[real fan]

I like Donivine Stewart a lot, but he is not the cure-all for our problems.

I like all 3 of our recruits in Remy,Donivine and Sean, hopefully Taylor and Sammy get healthy and are able to play next season which leaves us with who at center?
If we expect to compete at the highest level we need to have a decent center, without one we may be able to win the Valley but never be competitive enough in the NCAA, P.O"Bryant was our difference maker on the Sweet 16 team, the other guys played great but without him we lose in the 1st round.

[BuB]

you basically ripped his game apart ------> "But he is going to be below average in other areas early in his Bradley career. He lacks true quickness, struggles as a defender, and is not a good shooter from the outside or free throw line"

DS can shoot....check his stats...and that is when he is getting special attention...at BU he will get one on one converage...he is plenty quick enough and that can be improved anyway...he will not struggle as a defender (unless he is playing our "4" he will make up for any "supposed" lack of quickness with playing smart....

The answer was simple...he would be the point...

Nope. Like I said, I have always made it clear he has ball handling and passing skills that a point guard needs. Not concerned about that area of his game. He is comfortable running an offense. If he was at BU right now he would get some minutes because of the SM situation. As far as shooting goes I disagree. His scoring averages have always been high because of his ability to get to the rim and make layups and shoot alot of free throws. That is what his stats would tell you. Would not suprise me if two-thirds his point ave came from them. I have seen him play many many times over his high school career. He is not a good outside shooter. He is more of a dribble drive guard. Does not like to shoot a perimeter shot off the dribble and does not run off set picks like a Zobrist because he is mainly a point. Do you think he will penetrate and shoot layups anywhere near the rate he does in high school?

You say he is plenty quick enough but I have seen several Peoria area guards and ones at the Pekin tournament have their way with him. He has not been a good defender at Limestone. It is no secret that he has been inconsistent at the free throw line. 8 for 10 one night and 2 for 7 the next. Been that way last 2 years...... This is typical stuff all incoming freshmen deal with. A couple areas of their game are good and other skills are not good enough. Of course those things "can be improved "which is why I said "early in his BU career." Imo think it is wrong to count on an incoming freshman to be the one to solve our current problems of winning. If he "buys in" and works hard in practice to earn his minutes he should be a solid player for us.

[BuBraves55]

I like Walt. I would say for the remaining non-con schedule, why not start him? Once the valley season starts up maybe limit the playing time but this team isn't going to be going anywhere barring a miracle in St. Louis anyway so why not give him some P.T.

[SFP]

I like Walt. I would say for the remaining non-con schedule, why not start him? Once the valley season starts up maybe limit the playing time but this team isn't going to be going anywhere barring a miracle in St. Louis anyway so why not give him some P.T.

I'll take it one step further. If I was a betting man the guy that has the largest upside is WL, so why not put him in to see what he can do. Is there a better alternative? BTW...I have faith that DSE will turn his season around. He's to good of a player. We also need DD to start looking to shoot the 3 more because we are desperate for another shooter.