Originally Posted by
COYS
I don't want to sound like I'm a typical Duke fan who dumps on every UNC player. I also would like to say, as a disclaimer, that Marshall was incredible for UNC and one of my favorite UNC players to watch (not that the list is all that long, haha). However, Marshall was a bit overrated as an offensive orchestrator, in my opinion, especially in the half court. In transition his ability to make the right pass, whether it be a hit ahead pass or a nifty dish to Zeller or Henson running the floor. He was also good at getting the ball into the post quickly before the defense could completely set up. However, in the half court, he was a little bit more limited. He still was crafty enough to break down defenses from time to time and his size and vision allowed him to make some other good passes. Over all, though, his inconsistent shot, inability to finish around the rim, low free throw shooting percentages, and low rebounding totals reduced his overall efficiency, quite a bit. For some perspective, UNC's Marshall-led offense ranked only 16th in KenPom's adjusted efficiency rankings. In comparison, Duke's offense (which started tanking after Kelly's injury) still finished at 11th.
His assist rating was completely off the charts, obviously, but that was really his only contribution on the offensive end. Even with his low turnover totals, he still only amassed an efficiency rating of 113.6 pts per 100 possessions. That is very solid, but not at all spectacular. Quinn Cook is currently matching that number right now during this season, although with a slightly lower usage rate. There is no doubt that Kendall Marshall is one of the best passers college basketball has ever seen. But he really was a specialist. We can obviously debate the value of assists (they are valuable, but often overhyped, in my opinion), but as amazing as his passing was, his mediocrity in almost every other conceivable category prevents him from moving into the pantheon of "best point guards, ever." Personally, I think UNC will be able to fill Marshall's shoes with Paige easier than many think. It is the efficiency of Zeller that will be much harder for them to replace.
And as this pertains to Quinn Cook, I think we have to be careful not to look at assists as the primary measure for how Quinn Cook is doing as a point guard. While I think he will have some impressive totals when it is all said and done, the Duke offense is set up far differently than the UNC offense was last season. Marshall was the ONLY creator on the team (well, Barnes created for himself, but you get my point). Ryan, Mason, Seth, Rasheed, and even Tyler are put in positions to create offense on any given offensive set. Quinn is doing his job if the ball is moving, the spacing is right, and he's getting the ball to guys in their preferred locations. So far, Quinn has done a very good (perhaps not yet excellent) job of that. Quinn is also hitting his open shots so far, which in many ways is even more important than racking up a lot of assists. The assists will come for Quinn, but they shouldn't be the primary measure by which we determine how well Quinn is doing.