While JoTo has struggled at times this year, at his best he reminds me of a young Ronnie Lester. That’s some high praise. I still go with Lester as the best pure point guard that Iowa has ever had. JoTo is fearless and operates like Ronnie did with cool and amazing instincts in tight quarters. His ball handling is superb. Some of his drives and dishes are astonishing. His quicks and defensive tenacity are starting to change the way other teams play. The cherry on top was his 3-pointer in front of the Rutgers bench. If he can be any kind of outside threat and round out his game offensively, he will make himself into an all-timer.
Toussaint = Lester?
- Thread starter HawkNorth
- Start date
Needs to handle the ball better and work on that shot. With the roster and scheme, he could really put up some numbers
I never got the chance to watch Lester play so I can't compare there. What I do know is Iowa hasn't had a guy like him that I can remember. At the end of the game last night I felt very good with him having the ball in his hands. Yes, he makes freshman mistakes, and I am not going to say he is the second coming. He is so strong and quick with the ball that I can't wait to see what the next step will be for him.
He's much better as a freshman then Xavier Simpson of Michigan was as a freshmen or even as a sophomore, and we all know how the media fawns over Xavier as an elite point guard
We have a lot to look forward to in the next 3 plus years....
We have a lot to look forward to in the next 3 plus years....
He better work on his free throws as he will be asked many times over his career to finish out a game at the line. From what I saw last night at the end of the game his routine and form need quite a bit of work. Kid didn't have the ball in his hands 3 seconds before he shot, not one dribble, and didn't hold his follow through at all. Very ugly.
the difference between his stroke and Weiskamp’s stroke is stark.
OP, to answer your question. No...Lester was an all time great.
Ronnie Lester was a better shooter. JoeT is going to make a name for himself as bulldog on defense/loose balls/rebounds and taking it to rack on every fast break opportunity. If JoeT can develop jump shot, then he has All B1G potential.
His FT shooting was exceptional going into last night. Not sure what happened.
For the younger guys who didn't see Lester, imagine BJ Armstrong with Toussaint's quickness.
Ronnie was much more consistent as a freshman. Joe T has made some good defensive plays but his offense needs alot of work. In two years, the comparison may be more valid. Hope so anyway.
Have to love Joe's speed. Hopefully he can harness it and stay in control.
Have to love Joe's speed. Hopefully he can harness it and stay in control.
I saw Ronnie Lester play for 2 years and he was the best player on the court in every game I watched. In fact he was the best player I have ever seen in an Iowa uniform and it isn't even close. Like Joe T, he was unbelievably quick but with better handles. He would routinely blow by defenders and knew how to finish in addition to being a terrific passer/facilitator, lifting up everyone around him. Super fun to watch. Would have likely had a long and glorious NBA career had he not blown out his knee during their 1980 Final Four season. Magic Johnson called him the toughest Big 10 player he ever played against. I still believe that if he doesn't go down in their Final Four matchup against Louisville the Hawks win the national championship that year. So the answer is no. Although I am a big fan of him, Joe T isn't close to being Ronnie Lester. Yet.
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Really like what Joe T brings in terms of speed/quickness. He's the first guy at the point that Fran has brought in with that level of athleticism. Having that raw ability is a big get for Iowa.
But, he is not close to Lester in his prime. He was a truly elite level player and one of the all time greats at Iowa.
If Joe T becomes a first team all big ten player that would be great. And I wouldn't count him out of doing that. Becoming the next Ronnie Lester would be incredible beyond any expectations.
But, he is not close to Lester in his prime. He was a truly elite level player and one of the all time greats at Iowa.
If Joe T becomes a first team all big ten player that would be great. And I wouldn't count him out of doing that. Becoming the next Ronnie Lester would be incredible beyond any expectations.
I love watching Toussaint, but let's pump the brakes OP.
You may want to check his FT % as it is not bad. Garza certainly had a few misses last night as well. He also hurries his shot at the line.
If this is in response to me saying he is an excellent FT shooter, you are wrong. After last night's 3 misses, his average has dropped to 77%. It was about 80%. To me, 80% is very good.
I agree that Simpson is the better comparison for Toussaint. JT could be a little better shooting Zavier Simpson.He's much better as a freshman then Xavier Simpson of Michigan was as a freshmen or even as a sophomore, and we all know how the media fawns over Xavier as an elite point guard
We have a lot to look forward to in the next 3 plus years....
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A
anon_i8nzeu2gbf0ba
Guest
Joe T and Ronnie have precious little in common in terms of style of play. Ronnie was smooth as silk and always under control. Joe is a bit faster and a bit quicker but lacks Ronnie's control.
In addition, Lester was a good shooter while Joe needs a lot of work.
But none of that really matters. Joe T has a huge upside, and he showed it again last night. Sure, he still gets out of control at times, but he has the same motor that Luka has. The kid never quits. He was on the floor several times, he grabbed some key rebounds, he plays tough defense, and he hit a couple of acrobatic shots as well as making some more of his brilliant passes.
Ronnie and Joe are two different players, but Joe could end up being an All-American in his own right. The talent and attitude are there, and I'm thrilled Fran found the young man on the asphalt courts of Brooklyn and brought him to the mean streets of Iowa City.
In addition, Lester was a good shooter while Joe needs a lot of work.
But none of that really matters. Joe T has a huge upside, and he showed it again last night. Sure, he still gets out of control at times, but he has the same motor that Luka has. The kid never quits. He was on the floor several times, he grabbed some key rebounds, he plays tough defense, and he hit a couple of acrobatic shots as well as making some more of his brilliant passes.
Ronnie and Joe are two different players, but Joe could end up being an All-American in his own right. The talent and attitude are there, and I'm thrilled Fran found the young man on the asphalt courts of Brooklyn and brought him to the mean streets of Iowa City.
What I also like is Joe T’s instincts on D and ability to stop a dribble drive. Several times the Rutgers guard wanted to take it off the bounce to the basket and Joe T shut it down. He gets his hands on passes & dribbles too nearly picking the pocket on a Rutgers guy last night too. Excellent stuff and has been we’ve been missing on that end.
This was a response to the Lester comparison. They are nothing alike in terms of play and Ronnie was a once in a generation talent.
Doesn't matter as long as it's repeatable. I can think of quite a few guys who had horrible form that are/were decent to good FT shooters.
JoeT is much more like Zavier Simpson, which I would gladly take. Both are ultra-quick and strong. He really does have a high ceiling, if he learns to stay within his limits and improves his shooting.
Ronnie ALWAYS played under control, and always seemed to have something in reserve, if challenged. You didn't realize how quick Ronnie was, until another quick guard tried to get in his face. Ronnie usually used his left hand coming up the court or when not be pressured, even though it was his weaker hand. There was no shot clock or 3-pt shot during those years, and if Iowa was ahead with even 7-8 min left, the other team was helpless to get the ball without fouling, when Iowa spread the court and let Ronnie control the ball. Even in his freshman year, Ronnie became a team leader for the last half of the season. Damn shame Ronnie will not be recognized by the general public as one of the best point guards ever. His knee injury changed everything, and surgery had not advanced to what it is today.
Ronnie ALWAYS played under control, and always seemed to have something in reserve, if challenged. You didn't realize how quick Ronnie was, until another quick guard tried to get in his face. Ronnie usually used his left hand coming up the court or when not be pressured, even though it was his weaker hand. There was no shot clock or 3-pt shot during those years, and if Iowa was ahead with even 7-8 min left, the other team was helpless to get the ball without fouling, when Iowa spread the court and let Ronnie control the ball. Even in his freshman year, Ronnie became a team leader for the last half of the season. Damn shame Ronnie will not be recognized by the general public as one of the best point guards ever. His knee injury changed everything, and surgery had not advanced to what it is today.
He is nowhere near where Simpson was as a soph at this time.
Just to compare apples to apples (or freshman to freshman)...
Lester averaged 13.4 p/g as a freshman shooting 45% along with 70% free throws.
https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/ronnie-lester-1.html
And a DI article from Lester’s freshman year.
Lester averaged 13.4 p/g as a freshman shooting 45% along with 70% free throws.
https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/ronnie-lester-1.html
And a DI article from Lester’s freshman year.
I'm not trying to be a hater, I like what JT brings to the table but the comparison to Lester or Armstrong is ridiculous at this point. He's shooting 21% from 3 and 37% overall. As our pg he averages 2.7 assists a game which is 3 among active players.
He has a lot of upside but we're getting a bit carried away with mentioning him with 12 and 10.
If this team had Lester they would be a favorite to win it all.
It's a shame that the minutes played stat isn't available for Ronnie's seasons. I have no idea what he averaged playing time as a freshman, but is it possible he was close to a 30 minute guy that season. If so, Joe T's scoring stats are quite comparable with Joe currently ahead in FT accuracy.
Magic Johnson once was quoted as saying Ronnie Lester was the best collegiate guard he ever played against.
If Joe T can wind up being even comparable to Lester, BJ or even Andre Woolridge he’ll have made a wonderful name for himself at Iowa, he’s young yet with a great deal of potential and upside and I don’t believe Iowa wins last night with out his perimeter D (i don’t think we had any one else that could consistently hold their two pg’s for a full game) and timely buckets getting to the rim..
He is shooting 77% from the line. He is and will continue to be fine. Nobody makes them all.
