Freshman point guard Taurean “Tack” Minor has never gone though anything like a John Brady-led LSU basketball practice.
As the point guard of Booker T. Washington High School in Houston, Minor was the man.
He averaged 37 points, eight rebounds and eight assists per game, all in an offensive system not based much around any strategy.
“We would pick and roll and roll out and screen and get the pass,” Minor said. “But other than that we didn’t have an offense. It was just straight run-and-gun.”
Minor said it has been quite a task to adjust to such a structured offense like LSU runs.
“I’ve never been involved in this kind of organized ball,” Minor said. “We run screens and roll off of screens and things like that. I’ve never been through that. It’s a big step to take.”
Brady said Minor has done well since practice started on Oct. 18, even though the style of basketball LSU plays is completely new to Minor.
“He’s never done anything like this in his life,” Brady said. “Particularly defensively. We’re just going to have to teach him and be patient with him because he wants to learn. He’s been a real pleasant surprise in terms of his being receptive to coaching.”
Before Minor came to LSU, there were numerous reports that he sometimes had an attitude problem and was not receptive to change and advice. Brady said reports like that can now be put to rest.
“All I get is ‘yes sir’,” Brady said of Minor’s personality. “And ‘Coach, can you make me a tape to take to my room so I can watch my tape?’ I’ve been pleased with what he tries to do. People had these horror stories about him, but I always thought it was the point of a coach talking to him in the right way and trying to teach him and instruct him. He’s a smart kid, a 1280 SAT, so he’s an intelligent guy in that way and he’ll respond.”
Minor said it will take some adjustment to get used to not being the man, but he knows everyone is on the same ground now with a similar talent level.
“During the summer, I was on the Houston Hoops [AAU team],” Minor said. “So we had all big-time scorers. It wasn’t difficult to play with them. It is funny because, if you don’t know the plays, then you can’t run around with them on offense. You have to sit and watch.”
Minor said the transition to college with a full class load and learning Brady’s offense is tough, but a challenge he is up to taking on.
“It’s tough, because if I make just a little mistake, things will pass right by me,” Minor said. “So I’ve got to get up in there and play smart and play defense. That’s what I’ve been struggling with, but I’m doing better.”
Minor, who is super quick and explosive, said he models his game after Houston Rockets star Steve Francis, who was his role model in Houston.
“He was my mentor,” Minor said. “In Houston, I used to go watch him play and go chill and eat with him. He’s smart. And that’s what I’ve got to do. Be smart and not stupid with the ball and have turnovers. I’ve got to be smart and run the team.”
Even though Minor once scored 72 points in a game and played in the Michael Jordan Capitol Classic and met Jordan himself, Minor said his biggest basketball moment thus far is just being at LSU.
“When I was in ninth grade, I always wanted to go to North Carolina or Duke,” Minor said. “It’s just the name. But LSU has been with me since ninth grade, and I thought about that and that’s why I made the choice to come to LSU.”