I’m sure some - maybe many - will agree with that.
And IMO, that is something I’m sure everyone in Uzan’s camp would love for his scoring to be on the uptick.
But to me, that is not (or should not be) his clear top priority. Because I think that will project well even if the combine’s relatively small scrimmage sample size might have not proven his scoring as ideal.
Instead, I think the most critical aspect is ball protection in the clutch under heavy pressure.
No doutbt, Uzan’s assist-to-turnover ratio overall is/was outstanding overall. And I’m not complaining about his game at all…love it all! And I’m thrilled he came back!
But I suspect some can validly claim avoiding turnovers is not quite as of an elite attribute for him under extremely heavy pressure. And it may need some improvement (and is likely to improve). Because in the NBA, to play the point, you just have to protect the ball in all circumstances. Needs to be near bullet-proof in the NBA at point.
Just my perception. Improvement in all aspects is undeniably beneficial.
This culture of accountability and growth has paid dividends. Houston’s trio of returning starters—Uzan, Tugler, and Emanuel Sharp—outscored opponents by an astonishing 40 points per 100 possessions when on the floor together last season.
If Ramon can hit open shots on a consistant basis he can get minutes because we have plenty of guys that will be the focal point of every defense we play.
I am not saying Ramon will be in the rotation and maybe it is an uphill battle, but I remember some on this board saying the same thing about Mylik.
I am not interested in making predictions but a veteran who is the essence of our culture, rebounds well, and if he can make the three, does have a chance.
What matters here is what he does in a UH uniform, and over the course of 4 years, he’s averaged 2.56 points per game. I love Ramon & have defended him on this board multiple times, but it makes no sense for him to be the guy on a legit Championship contending roster with a, “They’re going to win because of me” mentality.
Like @Houstonproud said above, Ramon simply is who he is at this point. He’s a hustle player who plays great defense off the bench & is a decent rebounder. However, he has NOT PROVEN to be a legitimate scoring threat. And with guys like Kingston, Mercy, Chase, Harwell, & Cenac on the roster, Ramon’s impact will be limited.
Wanting a guy (who hasn’t averaged over 3 points per game in four years) to start jacking up a bunch of 3s is lunacy imo. Especially when you have a plethora of far more capable options on the roster.
Slow your roll with dominant scorer stuff. I have watched summer leagues since childhood and know very well how some can put up huge numbers in that setting.
Yes he could play more min and have a greater role with other teams but he isn’t going to dominate. I have seen summer league warriors in the past like Jesse Drain, Perry Russell, Chris Crease and so many more. Anthony Goldwire was very good here but he looked like the second coming of MJ in that setting.
We don’t need Ramon to be the go‑to guy.
We just need him to be one of several reliable scoring threats.
Target stat line: ~6‑8 points in ~15 minutes. is the ideal scenerio for him
The Ask of Him:
Shoot open threes without hesitation.
Attack mismatches when a weaker defender switches onto him.
Be aggressive offensively from time to time.
Being a “scoring threat” isn’t the same as trying to be “the guy.” It’s the “They’re going to win because of me if it comes down to it” mindset.
Example: After the late steal at Duke, Mylik sprinted to the arc and let the attempted game‑winner fly. No hesitation, no “find someone else.” He wasn’t our marquee star, but he played like the outcome could—and would—swing on him.
Ramon, today, would’ve passed that shot up. That’s a mentality issue, not a skill issue.
Late Bloomers Happen All the Time
Jaedon LeDee: 6 ppg over his first four seasons → 22 ppg and All‑American as a fifth‑year.
Adou Thiero, Hunter Sallis, Travis Trice, and plenty of others blew up after two or three quiet seasons.
Early seasons production does not lock in a player’s ceiling.
Why “Ramon Is Who He Is” Doesn’t Hold
Saying “he is who he is” makes sense for something purely skill‑based (e.g., asking Lath to stretch to NBA‑range threes).
Ramon has the shooting stroke. What he lacks is the green‑light mentality.
Sidebar: Everyone Else Is Unproven Too
Every alternative you mentioned is still a projection. If we’re willing to bet on their upside, why not on Ramon’s?
Why do we want Ramon “jacking threes”?
Because:
– Ramon is more than a decent rebounder—he’s an elite one.
– Two seasons ago (his last full year), the team was one of the worst rebounding squads of the Sampson era.
– Yet lineup analytics showed that whenever Ramon was on the floor, we became one of the best rebounding teams in the country.
The problem: Our offense dropped off dramatically when he entered the game.
Making him offensively viable unlocks the rebounding value he brings. It removes the tradeoff, and just makes him a value play on PT
Yeah, getting those rebounds and knocking down timely shots will keep him on the floor, regardless of his scoring average.
And Pesis is right about how much better Ramon could be if he would bring some of that summer offensive mindset in the fall. He’s a different player than Mylik, but that’s a role he can certainly fill on this team - he just needs a little more of the “effit, I’m gonna be that guy” mindset.
I highly doubt that. Our coaching staff is incredible at teaching situational basketball. There was nothing Mylik, nor any other player for that matter, could have done in that situation besides attempt a 3 given the time constraint.
I’m surprised you even brought this up given the amount of tape you say you watch. You’re hedging your entire argument on your “belief”, not fact, that Walker is gonna somehow take a massive leap next season. I’m simply saying that is not realistic based on what we’ve seen from him on the court, as well as the talent we’re bringing in. Kingston, Harwell, & Cenac’s floors are higher than Ramon’s ceiling in a UH uniform. I think it’s fool’s gold to imagine him replacing what Mylik brought to the table.
