Kiyan Anthony is a heck of a basketball player. A true freshman at 18-years old, Anthony is off to a stellar start with the Syracuse basketball program. His offensive skills are off the charts and he’s
only going to continue to get better. He scored 15 points in his debut and 19 points in his first start, which has led to many Syracuse fans calling for him to start in place of JJ Starling when he returns from injury.
To me, that’s a bridge too far.
The snow has fallen in central New York and we’re already getting out in front of our winter skis. This kind of depth is something Syracuse fans haven’t been used to in quite some time. But know this: Starling is the leader of this Syracuse basketball team and he’s going to start when he comes back from injury.
Said Sadiq White of Starling after the season-opener: “That’s just our guy. That’s our senior leader, our captain. We’re going to respect him as such.”
Why would Syracuse fans not follow suit?
This isn’t a situation where the team is failing and change is needed. This is a case of one player being unavailable due to injury and another playing well in his absence.
Don’t diminish the importance of having a four-year veteran who has already overcome countless challenges at the Power Four level of college basketball. Don’t underestimate the resilience that Starling has developed to overcome myriad injuries only to come back to play at a high level. Don’t misjudge the toll it was to have played point guard last season while also having to generate offense for the team in the halfcourt. Don’t discount how difficult it is to score 17.8 points per game as the top guy on every team’s scouting report when opposing defenses know there’s only one guard they need to stop.
It isn’t easy being guarded by the likes of Duke’s Sion James or Louisville’s Chucky Hepburn.
It’s easy to become enamored with the talent of Syracuse’s freshman class. It’s harder to remember the importance of experience. Starling has played in 87 college games, starting 83 of them. He’s never come off the bench at Syracuse. Why would he come off the bench now? He’s had another year to grow and improve. There are lessons that only time and experience can teach. Starling has been through the wins and losses, the latter tend to be tremendous teachers.
“He’s a senior here. He did it for three years. He’s seen it all. Whenever he talks, guys listen,” Anthony said.
How quickly we forget.
That’s not to say Anthony hasn’t already overcome so much. He’s not only handled the pressure of being the son of Carmelo Anthony, he’s leaned into it by coming to Syracuse. He’s worked himself into a top player in his class. He’s beyond his years. He understands mistakes as part of the process of becoming a good basketball player — hard to realize so early into one’s college career. He understands how to ignore outside noise, negativity and other people’s projections. His head coach has referred to him as grounded and has been impressed with how well he’s fit in with his peers. Teammates describe him as a humble kid who works incredibly hard. Anthony doesn’t show a hint of entitlement and respects his team leaders.
“JJ, that’s my big bro,” Anthony said at media day. “He tells me everything. He’s been through the pressure. McDonald’s All-American out of high school, a projected draft pick his freshman year and just kind of going through the ups and downs and him coming to Syracuse. … This being his last year it’s definitely a blessing to share the court with him and to play with him.”
You might think Anthony will be a better outside shooter. You might think Anthony will put up better shooting percentages. He might. When the pressure comes in tight games Anthony might even be ready for those moments. But so will Starling. He will lead. He’s been there before and he’s delivered.
It would be naive to think loyalty is of much relevance given the current state of college sports. Yet Starling is Syracuse kid and chose to play his final year of college basketball in Orange. Yes, compensation is a part of that and yes, having the keys to the car is a great advantage. But the Syracuse program is down and the pressure is on to win. He could’ve bolted and started at almost any program in the country. He was a McDonald’s All-American and consensus five-star recruit coming out of high school in his own right. Loyalty doesn’t secure a starting spot, but 889 points in two years seems like a good track record.
Starling was counted on to help recruit players to the current roster along with Donnie Freeman. There’s relational trust between he and Adrian Autry – the sort of relationship built on years of mutual respect and trust that comes after having fought battles together. It’s hard to replicate that sort of relational strength in less than one year. How would relegating Starling to the bench affect that? Trust and mutual understanding is so important when the pressure is on and outcomes are uncertain.
There might be a better argument for Anthony to start at the three. If I’m Autry, I prefer to have my best shooter in Nate Kingz start the game. That affords the team’s best shooter rhythm rather than coming into the game cold off the bench. That also allows a three-level scorer (and playmaker) like Anthony to come off the bench and provide a spark similar to the role Dion Waiters played in his two years in Orange.
Starting can be important. At the same time, it’s not everything. Anthony knows he has a role either way.
“Whether I’m starting or not starting my freshmen year I feel like I’m definitely going to play a lot and I’m definitely going to contribute in any way I can,” Anthony said.
Anthony is off to a great start. The road will get tougher from here. And that’s where a veteran like Starling comes in.
It’s not Starling or Anthony. It’s Starling and Anthony. What a luxury for Syracuse to have.
