Monday, December 8, 2008
Tyshawn Taylor still feels it. The urge to attack the basket. The urge to put it in the hole. The urge to be a scorer.
He felt it during Kansas’ 86-62 victory against Jackson State on Saturday. But then he remembered the words of his coach. Moments after Kansas’ 100-79 victory against New Mexico State on Wednesday, Bill Self had a message for his freshman guard.
Photo Gallery
Kansas Basketball vs. Jackson State
Photo gallery of Kansas men's basketball game against Jackson State Saturday afternoon at Allen Fieldhouse.
“He’s said ‘I’m happy you scored 23 points. I want you to look to score, but as a point guard, I need you to drive and kick and create shots for your teammates,’” Taylor said.
So as Kansas’ offense sputtered in the first half against Jackson State, Taylor fought his natural instincts, and instead took on a more giving attitude.
Taylor scored 10 points and racked up 11 assists — the first double-double of his young career. And by scoring 10 points, Taylor has now scored in double figures in six straight games.
“I thought he did a better job getting the ball to other guys, especially in transition,” Self said. “We had some of the best breaks we’ve had all year.”
Taylor added, “I was more observant of the court a little bit more, looking for my teammates, driving into the lane and kicking it on fast breaks.”
Self has put a lot of responsibilities on the Taylor’s young shoulders. He’s inserted him into the starting lineup, he’s tabbed him to guard the opposing team’s best guard, and he wants him to keep distributing the basketball.
And for Taylor, that means continuing to think like a point guard.
“I feel like more of a point guard than I did in high school,” said Taylor, who’s averaging 11.8 points per game. “My mentality is still scoring, that’s how I’ve always been.”
Of course, Self thinks Taylor handles all the responsibility. Taylor played high school ball at one of the top high school programs in the country — St. Anthony High School in Jersey City — and has thus far proved to be Kansas’ most ready-made freshman talent.
But despite the 11 assists, Self wasn’t ready to rain praise on Taylor’s performance against Jackson State.
“His stat line looks good, but there were some breakdowns today that a lot of time freshman get,” Self said, noting Taylor’s four turnovers.
Still, Self was pleased with Taylor’s increased unselfishness — and his listening skills.
“It was more of my focus,” Taylor said of his 11 assists, “‘cause I know that’s what he wanted from me.”
— — Edited by Adam Mowder
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