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Post by a10champion15 on Jul 15, 2014 15:08:07 GMT -5
cityofbasketballlove.com/2014/07/podcast-of-basketball-love-episode-37/Some real good stuff here. He notes a number of things about recruiting and our guard front court situation. He seems to be very happy with the guard play. I was happy to hear Khalid is doing much better. G shared similar sentiments I have which is we never got a true impression of what type of player he is. He very excited about Amar, Cleon and Price clearly and really hyped up Amar IMO. Thought Price and Roberts should be able to fill in for the void we have with veteran experience. What caught my attention was he seemed to be very surprised and impressed by Shuler However, he thinking about redshiting Shuler. Why would you redshirt him especially seeing what happened last year? He notes that it is very hard to play 10-11 deep which I agree with but if Shuler is an impact freshmen and can contribute in a position we struggled with last year again why would you consider redshirting him? I also don't believe we are truly 10 deep. He points to limitations of Jermaine Davis and Washington. It seems as though Brown should get more playing time this year, notes his shooting has gotten better. DJ has had a good offseason from what he says. He was asked one particular question related to the front court. It seems as though G going to be running a 4 guard set as opposed to Wright and Zack on the floor together. That makes me believe that our guards are much more capable than last year. Also, he is asked about reserves for Zack and Wright, discusses three players Brown, Washington and Davis but says we have four available. Makes me think that Sahkniuk is eligible. Still waiting to get this confirmed..
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Post by lwc4591 on Jul 15, 2014 19:54:54 GMT -5
Agree A10 it sounded like G wants to redshirt J.Shuler but he is doing so well that he sounds stuck with a tough decision. Also seems like G talked up DJ and Khalid in my opinion due to loyalty knowing full well that he can't possibly play 10-11 players on any regular basis during the season. My guess is J.Shuler and Y.Sahkniuk may be asked to redshirt which would leave us with 10 scholarship players for the season. Don't know what will happen but from seeing video I don't think J.Shuler and Y.Sahkniuk are the 11th and 12th best players but that is why G is being paid the big dollars. Believe of all the players on the team J,Shuler is most natural point and Nuke is better all around player than R.Brown or J.Davis. Once again that is just an opinion based on video and from seeing Rohan and Jermaine last season. Whatever happens it is nice for G to finally have these kind of good problems.
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Post by lasallescreamer on Jul 15, 2014 20:30:14 GMT -5
If I see a red shirt, I will see red.As I have said many times, I believe in giving a team the best chance to win, and all hands on board is that best chance. I know that some might disagree but one thing that has hurt us since I stepped onto campus in 1973 is lack of depth. That should not be a problem this year but only if we do not make it a problem. All hands on deck and lets go for it in the senior year of JW and Z.
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Post by theneumann64 on Jul 15, 2014 20:43:56 GMT -5
I think you take it on a case by case basis. I'm glad Stukes didn't waste a year of eligibility last year. But considering none of other guards are proven, I really don't see why you would take the Shuler option away this year. Generally, I think if a guy is ready to play, you don't red-shirt him, but I do believe in exceptions, and I think the Stukes scenario last year was one of them, where there are several Senior guards that will all b taking minutes, but gone the next year.
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Post by explorerman on Jul 15, 2014 20:49:46 GMT -5
I did mention a month or so ago that a Shuler redshirt was a distinct possibly...
I didnt know the reason just what I heard through the grapevine.. I would assume that Stukes jump shot has progressed greatly.. We all see the results of playing a spread offense without the ability to shoot (even if it just 1 guard).. The effects domino to where help defenders can stay off their offensive player because lack of shooting ability and clog the lanes..
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Post by a10champion15 on Jul 15, 2014 22:40:47 GMT -5
I am just not a fan of redshirting Shuler. I agree with Stukes it made sense but Shuler it really doesn't with only Stukes as the true point guard. Plus from what it sounds G is really impressed and he should be. The kid had a fantastic senior year and would have gotten more attention if we let him slip. For Nuke though it makes more sense to redshirt him but once again I rather not do that. Also while we have 12 scholarship players we aren't 10 11 deep IMO. Davis simply isn't very good perhaps he will improve this year but I doubt it. It doesn't sound like G very excited about Tony which worries me a bit in terms of depth. So if Nuke and Shuler are redshirted and Davis and Washington aren't valuable players off the bench that leaves you with only 8 players. I do however really like Rohan Brown. Two games I thought he played very well in were the VCU and GW games. I would like him to get more playing time this year. I think he will be a valuable option this year to assist Zack and Wright. He just needs to stay away from shooting threes.
I also am really juiced up about how high G was concerning DJ and Khalid. Two players who I think are going to play much better in a 4 guard offense.
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Post by lasalle89 on Jul 15, 2014 23:51:16 GMT -5
I agree with the All Hands On Deck philosophy. We are not good enough or deep enough to red shirt guys for the sake of red shirting. I have seen enough of Davis to know I have seen enough of Davis. He just is not good. I am very concerned with the comments about Washington. I was expecting an athletic shot blocking machine who needs some work on the offensive side of the ball. I was not expecting a project. I hope he can contribute. Let's go for it THIS YEAR. Our big men do deserve it. Let's put the best team we can on the floor. I say play Shuler. I also say play who plays the best regardless of what year they are. If the freshman are better then sit the seniors. This is the big time. It's about wins. It's about getting to the NCAA tourny and winning games.
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Post by casey44 on Jul 16, 2014 0:49:54 GMT -5
I think that if you redshirt Shuler and do not give the kid (JS) a chance to compete, you could eventually lose him. Stukes will be further entrenched in the starting position next year, so where does that leave Shuler? Let them go for it and let the winner get the major time. Also, Shuler could be invaluable when foul shots have to be made. I get the impression that this was almost preordained regarding Amar being the man and he may very well be, but if I were Shuler I may be wondering if not now, when?? His talk about getting in primo shape prior to arrival certainly didn't sound like a person that felt like the job was not attainable. I also do not hold out lot of hope for Davis after seeing him, but to be honest Zack didn't overwhelm me in his first year. I feel, as most of all of you seem to, that it all hinges on the point. We could be very good if one of these guys can surprise as a successful leader in year one. Not an easy thing for even a top 150.
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Post by coqui900 on Jul 16, 2014 9:15:33 GMT -5
Maybe I'm a bit late to the game but who the heck is Nuke?
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Post by a10champion15 on Jul 16, 2014 9:42:30 GMT -5
Maybe I'm a bit late to the game but who the heck is Nuke? basically what I been calling Sahkniuk.
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Post by explorer88 on Jul 16, 2014 9:59:09 GMT -5
Maybe I'm a bit late to the game but who the heck is Nuke? basically what I been calling Sahkniuk. I don't think G was referring to the 4th guy being Sakhniuk. I think the 4 guys he was mentioning is whoever is not playing in the frontcourt between Steve and Jerrell (1), Brown (2), Davis and Washington (3-4). I don't think he gives any indication on Yevgen's eligibility. Probably because at this point he has no idea. I really worry about playing Rohan more than 10 minutes a game. He is not big enough to play the power forwards of good teams and he is not quick enough to guard most wing players. I think more than 10 minutes he gets exposed. He is a great kid and from what I hear great leader but his deficiences are obvious. I don't agree with G's assessment of him being Jerrell's back-up un the Sweet 16 run. He played well against Kansas State but was a non-factor against Mississipi and Witchita State and okay against Boise State. Too small of a sample to ensure help big help in our frontcourt. Because of this I am actually okay with G's notion to continue to play 4 guards this year. It makes sense given our make up and with bigger guards I can live with it even though I am not a big fan of it.
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big5vet
Utility Bench Player
Posts: 176
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Post by big5vet on Jul 16, 2014 10:18:55 GMT -5
In spite of G's history of loyalty to upper class men, I say don't red-shirt Johnnie or Nuke, if he's eligible. Based mostly on information that I read here, it seems like those two could easily be in the top 8 rotation by year end. Not going to identify who might lose minutes but I hope it's based on competition and performance. Every year we see freshmen making a contribution in the NCAA tourney. Even if it's only in the NIT, why not La Salle rotating frosh.
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Post by luhoopsfan on Jul 16, 2014 10:23:52 GMT -5
Re: Shuler My take was that he's hedging his bet a little bit but openly said that Johnnie is making it really difficult to redshirt. If the kid is going to be good and able to play significant minutes, Doc is going to play him. I didnt' get the sense he was willing to sacrifice immediate high-level success for prolonged above average success. Re: Davis/Washington Sounds more like Doc trying to manage expectations for the team overall. Last season was a hype-filled summer which lead to a lot of frustration, managing expectations to under-promise and over-deliver is always a safe route. I'm not saying there's evidence to suggest that Davis can be the next Steve Zack, just that he could be a good player if he can get certain aspects of his physique under control
Overall, Doc sounds like a guy who is quietly excited about playing a 4-guard set and the potential of the team.
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Post by victoriouslasalle on Jul 16, 2014 10:26:36 GMT -5
What a problem to have- too much talent at the guard spot. Talented guards obviously like Coach G's style of play!
I have no reservations about the usage of the Red Shirt, particularly when the coach is recommending it. He is making this recommendation for Johnnie to RS while also suggesting we could play a fair amount of 4 guards.
Great spot for the team to be in-- if Shuler red shirts from where I sit. He can profit in the way Stukes did, and have full future eligibility as the minutes open up. Someday this could be his team. Starting next year on paper DJ's minutes open up for Shuler. Some potential promise of solid playing time during his first year of eligibility. Obviously, if he is good enough he earns additional minutes.
I guess this is how it feels to be Kansas (smiley face insert here)!
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Post by 23won on Jul 16, 2014 11:36:14 GMT -5
cityofbasketballlove.com/2014/07/podcast-of-basketball-love-episode-37/Some real good stuff here. He notes a number of things about recruiting and our guard front court situation... However, he thinking about redshiting Shuler. Why would you redshirt him especially seeing what happened last year? He notes that it is very hard to play 10-11 deep which I agree with but if Shuler is an impact freshmen and can contribute in a position we struggled with last year again why would you consider redshirting him? I don't buy the notion that you can't play 10 players and I will repeat what I have said on many occasions - we should use Shuler if he is A10 ready, which it sounds like he is. Same thing for Nuik. Dayton used a deep bench and had some frosh/newcomers that really came on as the season progressed. Early on, they opened A10 play at 1-5. At year end, they were in the elite 8. They played 9 guys in mid teen minutes or higher and had 2 other guys who made contributions with minutes much like Rohan in any given game. Spread the O, use the bench, stay fresh, push the D, create easy baskets, WIN. Realistically, if we do NOT play Shuler and Nuik, we will only have 6-7 A10 quality players which really is not enough to succeed with, especially if injuries surface like last year. Plus Shuler and Nuik fill gaps that are currently open right now. JS would help defending the fast short guards in Anthony of UR and Hines of UMass. Nuik fills an athletic shooting 3/4 that we don't have and got murdered over last year. I really don't see how you go into the season without them. Davis is not an A10 player and Washington sure sounds like he is not A10 ready. Thus, Nuik gives some depth in what is now a 3 man frontcourt. I also agree with 88 that we can't count on Rohan for major minutes. However, he does amp the game and team when he comes in, so 8 minutes sounds about right especially if G is set on a 4 guard offense. Also, if a 4 spread offense is what we are all about in 14/15, that also suggests Shuler and Nuik are needed to support the main core of 5 guys (AS, KL, CR, JP, DJP) for the "4" spots. The other plus of playing JS and Nuik are that if they are successful, G has the ability to tap two talent markets that are critical -- Baltimore/DC and overseas. If they contribute, G can point to Exhibit A and B and have the credibility to bring in future players from these markets. If they sit on the shelf, it ain't gonna help the record or next year's recruiting efforts. Stockpiling players (like the 76ers with Saric, Embiid and Nerlens) clearly is a losing proposition, and this is especially true in college, where you can't make roster moves, mid-season. IMO, G should now prepare to play the best, plan and train like a Navy Seal with that unit from here on out, and that will be our best chance to WIN.
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Post by calidelphia on Jul 16, 2014 11:38:51 GMT -5
Every year we see freshmen making a contribution in the NCAA tourney. Even if it's only in the NIT, Or in Kentucky's case. Winning it.
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Post by a10champion15 on Jul 16, 2014 12:33:20 GMT -5
I don't buy the notion that you can't play 10 players and I will repeat what I have said on many occasions - we should use Shuler if he is A10 ready, which it sounds like he is. Same thing for Nuik. Dayton used a deep bench and had some frosh/newcomers that really came on as the season progressed. Early on, they opened A10 play at 1-5. At year end, they were in the elite 8. They played 9 guys in mid teen minutes or higher and had 2 other guys who made contributions with minutes much like Rohan in any given game. Spread the O, use the bench, stay fresh, push the D, create easy baskets, WIN. Realistically, if we do NOT play Shuler and Nuik, we will only have 6-7 A10 quality players which really is not enough to succeed with, especially if injuries surface like last year. Plus Shuler and Nuik fill gaps that are currently open right now. JS would help defending the fast short guards in Anthony of UR and Hines of UMass. Nuik fills an athletic shooting 3/4 that we don't have and got murdered over last year. I really don't see how you go into the season without them. Davis is not an A10 player and Washington sure sounds like he is not A10 ready. Thus, Nuik gives some depth in what is now a 3 man frontcourt. I also agree with 88 that we can't count on Rohan for major minutes. However, he does amp the game and team when he comes in, so 8 minutes sounds about right especially if G is set on a 4 guard offense. Also, if a 4 spread offense is what we are all about in 14/15, that also suggests Shuler and Nuik are needed to support the main core of 5 guys (AS, KL, CR, JP, DJP) for the "4" spots. The other plus of playing JS and Nuik are that if they are successful, G has the ability to tap two talent markets that are critical -- Baltimore/DC and overseas. If they contribute, G can point to Exhibit A and B and have the credibility to bring in future players from these markets. If they sit on the shelf, it ain't gonna help the record or next year's recruiting efforts. Stockpiling players (like the 76ers with Saric, Embiid and Nerlens) clearly is a losing proposition, and this is especially true in college, where you can't make roster moves, mid-season. IMO, G should now prepare to play the best, plan and train like a Navy Seal with that unit from here on out, and that will be our best chance to WIN. No I hear ya. I think 10 is reasonable, 11 or 12 IMO is tough but you have no keep in mind Dayton runs a much different style than we do. They had a lot of quality players last year that could contribute. One of the reasons they used Scott and Robinson some times was for size. Kavanaugh at times struggled to play more than 20 minutes and they desperately needed to play some size. It sounds as though everyone kind of agrees that Shuler shouldn't be redshirted. We need as much depth as we can get at the guard position. Were losing 101.9 minutes at the guards position and we only played 3 guards most of the time. Add in DJ's and Khalid's time its 139.5 You basically need 5 guards to play at least 27.9 minutes. However there going to me more minutes needed if we play more 4 guard sets. So nearly 30 minutes will be needed for the five guards without any true relief which means you have to either run the 3 guard set or we tap into Brown or Nuik. Price 27.9 minutes DJ 27.9 minutes Cleon 27.9 minuties Stukes 27.9 minutes Khalid 27.9 minutes That seems like a lot of minutes especially for Khalid but I have hopes the kid will play over 20 minutes a game. If you give Shuler 15 minutes a game it reducers each player to 25. Perhaps other players such as Price or Stukes will play more minutes than 28 minutes but you still need a bench player. There is no way you can redshirt Shuler none. What if one of these guards goes down. We have to turn to running just a 3 guard set.
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Post by explorerman on Jul 16, 2014 12:46:44 GMT -5
You guys are going to hate to hear this but if Lewis and/or DJP are playing 28 mins per game then we are opening ourselves to a no postseason season. The advanced stats do not lie on either one of these players. They simply do not do enough on either end (offensive or defensive).
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Post by a10champion15 on Jul 16, 2014 13:00:25 GMT -5
You guys are going to hate to hear this but if Lewis and/or DJP are playing 28 mins per game then we are opening ourselves to a no postseason season. The advanced stats do not lie on either one of these players. They simply do not do enough on either end (offensive or defensive). Thats not true. Going off the numbers from last year yes they probably is 100% true. However, DJ entering his senior season and will have a better season than last. Khalid hasn't shown us what type of player he is yet. I am glad to hear that from G as well. I get your a numbers guy so am I but it is impossible to assess if these guys will improve and by how much they improve. Sophomore to Junior year is a big year for improvement typically. Also if they don't play at least 25 minutes where are the other minutes going to come from. You stated earlier you want to run a spread offense how could that happen if DJ and Khalid aren't getting significant playing time over 20 minutes. Stukes, Price and Roberts can't play 35+ minutes consistently every game. There's no way.
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Post by lwc4591 on Jul 16, 2014 15:50:59 GMT -5
Explorerman how in the world can you go and tell the truth. Never, Never, Never do that again. I like Khalid and DJ but 10-12 minutes a game is maximum they should be on the floor. Offensively both are challenged, defensively they are good.
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Post by explorerman on Jul 16, 2014 18:31:08 GMT -5
You guys are going to hate to hear this but if Lewis and/or DJP are playing 28 mins per game then we are opening ourselves to a no postseason season. The advanced stats do not lie on either one of these players. They simply do not do enough on either end (offensive or defensive). Thats not true. Going off the numbers from last year yes they probably is 100% true. However, DJ entering his senior season and will have a better season than last. Khalid hasn't shown us what type of player he is yet. I am glad to hear that from G as well. I get your a numbers guy so am I but it is impossible to assess if these guys will improve and by how much they improve. Sophomore to Junior year is a big year for improvement typically. Also if they don't play at least 25 minutes where are the other minutes going to come from. You stated earlier you want to run a spread offense how could that happen if DJ and Khalid aren't getting significant playing time over 20 minutes. Stukes, Price and Roberts can't play 35+ minutes consistently every game. There's no way. A10, You are entitled your opinion as I am mine. I use my eye test with advanced metrics to determine if a player is a good Div 1 basketball player or not.. You say that DJP will bounce back his year. How do you know that? Really he only had 1 decent season, 2 years ago. The other two were forgettable. He is a good role player that can make an occasional perimeter shot (He shot 28% behind the arc and clearly has an extremely flat shot/release which doesn't lend to favorable bounces around the rim). He doesn't create his own shot. In addition, I and the advanced metrics do not consider Peterson an above average defender. He is too small for the guarding a forward and too slow to defend guards... He has had a positive ValueAdd defensive score each year in college and positive scores defensively are bad. You want negative ValueAdd defensive scores like Tyreek Duren and Steve Zack had. When you pour through the numbers he is most similar defensively to Rohan Brown.
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Post by lasalle69bestever on Jul 17, 2014 20:56:41 GMT -5
Agree that Shuler should not redshirt. Unsure about the other one. Also am disappointed with the vibe about Washington. I 100% agree that we should "go for it" in Jerrell's and Zack's senior season. I might be in the minority, but I love the additions for this year (Price, Roberts, Stukes, Shuler). So I think we have a legit shot to "steal" the A-10 tournament at year's end. Would be a true shame to blow that chance. The following year we are without JW and SZ. Now consider that in terms of G's stance on Davis and Washington. Does anyone really think we would have a better shot after they've graduated? 'Cause I don't.
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Post by lasallescreamer on Jul 17, 2014 21:11:25 GMT -5
Tough predicting who should play how many minutes in July. The players usually determine that. My strategy: all hands on deck;the best players play the most minutes and lets go to postseason. Its not complicated.
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Post by explorerman on Jul 18, 2014 1:10:13 GMT -5
Agree that Shuler should not redshirt. Unsure about the other one. Also am disappointed with the vibe about Washington. I 100% agree that we should "go for it" in Jerrell's and Zack's senior season. I might be in the minority, but I love the additions for this year (Price, Roberts, Stukes, Shuler). So I think we have a legit shot to "steal" the A-10 tournament at year's end. Would be a true shame to blow that chance. The following year we are without JW and SZ. Now consider that in terms of G's stance on Davis and Washington. Does anyone really think we would have a better shot after they've graduated? 'Cause I don't. Those 2015 bigs he is going after... Goodness I guess is what hurts so much about this past season.. Any success even just NIT would have been huge in terms of sustainability in a recruit's eye... We wouldn't have eliminated from many high end players so early.. especially the bigs.. I would to high potential big we would extremely attractive as the PT possibilities are vast.. Coming in a lineup of Junior and Sophomore guards... The big just needs to be athletic, defensive first which is what freshman bigs are anyway.. But as we saw with Murray as freshman a high end athletic big just looks and plays higher than everyone else.. I was kinda surprised didn't make a splash in the transfer market for a big in this cycle.. I still have hopes for Washington to develop but def would like insurance... An early commitment from Tacko would be a nice, yet a pipe dream especially with how his recruitment has blown up.. Maybe an early team to offer favoritism.. haha
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Post by SICguy84 on Aug 1, 2014 17:22:36 GMT -5
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Post by victoriouslasalle on Aug 1, 2014 18:00:36 GMT -5
Neat stuff, thanks for posting.
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Post by luhoopsfan on Aug 1, 2014 18:17:06 GMT -5
Not sure if it's coach G trying to keep expectations in line but I as long as I can remember, whenever he qualifies expectations with things like "we need Amar to improve his shooting" and "Jordan to improve his defense" to me it sounds like he's not real thrilled with his team.
The years when G has been high on his team they have performed really well and the years where he has tempered enthusiasm in the offseason, it's because he knows they aren't good enough.
I don't remember how he sounded in the summer we picked up Galloway, so maybe it's just me, but he doesn't sound like he has high-level expectations
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Post by Deleted on Aug 1, 2014 18:56:05 GMT -5
I don't think he sounds cautious as in I think this is going to be a so-so team. He kept saying that the guys have the potential be a really good team. He's bound to be in a wait and see position since several of the guys haven't played in a game together on the court. He sounds very high on the guys and I think this team is going to have more resources and length compared to last year.
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Post by explorerman on Aug 2, 2014 8:32:15 GMT -5
Not sure if it's coach G trying to keep expectations in line but I as long as I can remember, whenever he qualifies expectations with things like "we need Amar to improve his shooting" and "Jordan to improve his defense" to me it sounds like he's not real thrilled with his team. The years when G has been high on his team they have performed really well and the years where he has tempered enthusiasm in the offseason, it's because he knows they aren't good enough. I don't remember how he sounded in the summer we picked up Galloway, so maybe it's just me, but he doesn't sound like he has high-level expectations Me too.. Singling out Amar and his shooting is worrisome at this stage... Makes me wonder what they are doing with the shooters... Lewis was putrid after sitting out the season! Get ready this could be a short Amar reign at PG.. Because if everything goes as planned in a spread offense he should have a lot of open looks...
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Post by jellybean on Aug 2, 2014 9:26:47 GMT -5
Not sure if it's coach G trying to keep expectations in line but I as long as I can remember, whenever he qualifies expectations with things like "we need Amar to improve his shooting" and "Jordan to improve his defense" to me it sounds like he's not real thrilled with his team. The years when G has been high on his team they have performed really well and the years where he has tempered enthusiasm in the offseason, it's because he knows they aren't good enough. I don't remember how he sounded in the summer we picked up Galloway, so maybe it's just me, but he doesn't sound like he has high-level expectations This is not earth shattering news. G said this last October at the open practice about Stukes and Price. For this to be a successful year we need those to players to get better in those areas.
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