Top Shot

Ranking the top shooting guards in Houston

Morton Ranch’s LJ Cryer is one of the most talented sophomores in Houston. Vype

Originally appeared on Vype.com

Shooting guard are often known for being able to knock down shots but little does the average spectator know that the role and pressures of a shooting guard, as known as a “two-guard,” is much larger than simply making shots. A good shooter with deep range will always be respected and sought after because if they are making shots then the defense cannot help on the shooters side, sag off, go under screens, call for the shooters defender to sag or trap in the post. In layman’s terms, if a shooter is making shots it can alter a team’s entire defensive strategy and create easy scoring opportunity for their teammates.

2018

QUENTIN GRIMES – THE WOODLANDS COLLEGE PARK – KANSAS UNIVERSITY (SIGNED)

6’5 – Right Handed

Quentin has launched onto the national scene after a breakout April live period going into his junior year. Being that Grimes can score on all three levels, has great size and solid handle on the ball leaves very little to dislike about his game.

Key Strengths

- His size makes passing, driving, and shooting over smaller defenders easy

- Elite scoring ability has landed Grimes as top 20 prospect in the nation

- His versatility comes with his size and skill. Having the ability to score, create for others, and defend multiple positions is always a plus

- He’s very composed. Never rattled, sped up, or noticeably frustrated by pressure and taunts. This will go a long way while playing at the next level.

2019

PIERCE HELLUMS – CONCORDIA LUTHERAN – UNCOMMITTED

6’1 – Right Handed

Hellums has been enjoyable to watch grow and develop year after year. Each season he has returned with some added a new element to his game transforming himself from a catch and shoot, spot up shooter to a multi-dimensional threat.

Key Strengths

- His quick release allows for him to get his shot off when he wants with very little resistance

- Hellums has great range which stretches out the defenses creating other play making opportunities for his team.

- Versatility in his shot making ability. He’s able to pull up on of the dribble, catch and shoot on curl or set his feet on a fade to punish a cheating defender.

- Very unselfish and always want to make the right play. Having the ability to score does not deter him from passing the ball.

2020

LJ CRYER – MORTON RANCH – UNCOMMITTED

6’1 – Right Handed

Cryer a young, strong guard that will make you pay for every defensive breakdown. Cryer has caught the eye of several high major programs and has placed himself in the conversation as Houston’s class of 2020’s top player.

Key Strengths

- Cryer can score the ball at all three levels as just a sophomore. Most young guys settle for jump shots but he’s good about mixing it up.

- LJ as a shooting guard must have a short memory and that he does. Another intangible as a shooter/scorer.

- Skilled to be lead guard and run the show.

- His potential is his biggest strength. If he continues to develop and perfect his craft, Cryer can become scary good.

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This year, the Astros are favored to win the World Series. Composite image by Brandon Strange.

When the umpire yells "play ball!" on Thursday for Astros opening day, three players- a full third of their batting order - will be missing from their opening day lineup from last year when, oh yeah, they won the World Series. Jose Altuve and Michael Brantley are on the injured list and Yuli Gurriel effectively was told good luck in your future endeavors. Other notables from last year no longer with the Astros: Cy Young winner Justin Verlander, Aledmys Diaz, Christian Vasquez, and Jake Odorizzi.

That's on top of the Astros in recent years saying goodbye to All-Stars Gerrit Cole, George Springer, Carlos Correa and Charlie Morton. Don't underestimate Morton's contribution when he pitched for the Astros in 2017-18. He went 29-10 and won Game 7 of the 2017 World Series, that's all.

And while the team keeps on winning at a historic pace, all these injuries and departures are going to catch up to the Astros one of these years.

But this ain't the year. The Astros demolished baseball last year, winning their division by 16 games and roaring through the postseason going 11-2, including sweeps of the Mariners and Yankees.

Las Vegas oddsmakers have the Astros as the (+600) preseason betting favorite to repeat as World Series champs in 2023, followed by the New York Yankees (+650), Los Angeles Dodgers (+750), New York Mets (+750), Atlanta Braves (+1000) and San Diego Padres (+1000).

It's a different scene from 2022 when the Dodgers, Braves, Yankees and even the Toronto Blue Jays all were preseason favorites over the Astros to win the World Series. In other words, Mattress Mack will load up on the Astros again this season and hopefully visit the pay window again. He just may not get the gross national product, all-time payout he got last year. Poor guy. Mack's already put down $1.9 million on the Astros, a commitment that's likely to increase as the Astros plow through the season.

The over/under wins total for the Astros is 95.5. That's a good number for an FM radio station, but the Astros should blow by that total in mid-September. The Astros won 106 games last year, and at least 100 wins in four of the last five full seasons. I wonder if Mack has room in his car for next time he drives to Louisiana to make a bet. I call shotgun!

While Altuve and Brantley sit on the wounded list Thursday, and Gurriel is wearing a Miami Marlins uniform, one thing will be the same as Opening Day last year. Framber Valdez, the Astros' quality start machine, will be on the mound against the Chicago White Sox at Minute Maid Park. The game will start at 6:08 p.m., airing on ESPN. Get there early to watch the Astros unfurl another World Series banner. Remember that AT&T SportsNet gets benched when ESPN does an Astros game. Bummer. Blummer. ESPN also has the April 16 game against the Rangers and the April 30 rematch with the Phillies.

How did Valdez perform Opening Day 2022? As it would turn out all season, typical Valdez: 6.2 innings, no runs, only two unproductive hits, one walk, six K's and he got the W. Final score:, Astros 3, Los Angeles Angels 1. Valdez started, got the win, Pressly pitched the ninth, got the save. Sound familiar? Lather, rinse, repeat. The opposing pitcher that game - some under-publicized fellow named Shohei Ohtani. It wasn't Ohtani's day. While he pitched ok, surrendering four hits and one run over 4.1 innings, he took the loss. Ohtani also went 0-4 at the plate.

The Astros won Game 2 of that series, 13-6, behind Odorizzi and a battalion of relievers. The Angels exacted revenge in Game 3, a 2-0 shutout with Noah Syndergaard starting. Verlander, despite giving up only one run over five innings, absorbed the loss.

Of course games will look different this season with no infield shift, bigger bases and a pitch timer. The only thing that will look the same - the standings. Kyle Tucker and Yordan Alvarez will salivate when they don't hit screamers through the infield only to be thrown out by second basemen playing short right field. Altuve's fractured thumb should heal in time for the future Hall of Famer to return in early June. Brantley could be back in May. Lance McCullers is anybody's guess, but time heals all wounds, including elbows.

The Astros are riding a dynasty-level of success, you know the numbers, six consecutive postseason appearances (only team in MLB history to win a postseason series six straight seasons), six ALCS appearances in a row, four World Series appearances, two championships.

There's no reason to stop now.

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