Love it!
I've really enjoyed the "off-season" in here!
drgnslayr
11251 posts
Good call!
I'd just add that Landen plays fundamentally-sound basketball. That seems to usually be one of the biggest hurdles with bigs. Before reaching college, bigs usually get away with some bad fundamentals because their size could make up for it. But on the college level, fundamentals come into play, and this will be an aspect of his development that will continue to go smooth.
Where Landen goes is all about him. How hard is he willing to work and dedicate himself to basketball? He will have options to make a living in this game, and the work he puts in now will determine the level he will play at later.
"Are there any true dynasties in sports any more?"
Sure there are... KANSAS in the B12!
We can all joke about that... but we should honor it.
We can argue that the B12 isn't as good as it should be, but our league RPI is always high and most of the members of this conference are very old schools, rich in tradition, large institutions of education (and sports).
10 in a row is a big deal! Especially if you ask your question again and exclude Kansas in the B12!
Boy do I remember the Royals in the 80s!
George and Clint would come down and party in Lawrence. I remember doing shots with them off a bar. Both of those guys had 1 speed... peddle to the metal!
Too bad Clint wasn't still around in '85.
George had a crazy temper. I'm pretty sure you can youtube him and see some nice footage of him being thrown out of games.
The real playoff series every year was the American League playoffs. KC vs NY. Brett vs "Mr. October." I cried like a baby more than once.
Championships are not always the measure for greatness.... however.... it was just flat-out necessary that we win one in that era. We had been denied too long. I know I rarely would have hatred for a team, but in those years I hated NY!
Funny... but nothing will suck you in more to something than to have two strong sides going after it, and when you have a love for one side and hate for the other you become a true junkie to the situation.
I've always hoped to run into "Mr. October" sometime to thank him for being a part of it all. And he was a magical player who could strike out a million times but there is no one else you would want coming to the plate in October. I know he became a big-time classic car collector and I thought I might catch him at one of the big auto auctions.
I believe I still have a shot glass from partying with George and Clint, buried somewhere probably under a Led Zeppelin album!
"Coach Williams brought KU back to the elite level, so it is hard not to like and respect what he did."
I give that credential to Coach Brown (and Coach/Player Manning). But Roy was valuable, too, as he kept Brown's momentum here for a long run!
It is hard to not like and respect any legacy Jayhawk!
"Once a Jayhawk..."
Thanks for helping my mind leave all the bad news on TV behind!
This is food for the soul, brother!
It's hard to imagine JoJo still around. With JoJo this team would have to be preseason ranked #1.
And lets not forget JoJo's potential with outlet passes! He is an example of a footer who can run the court like a guard!
Just for giggles... I'd like to see us finally develop a running team under Self. That should involve 5 guys that can run (including at the 5).
Self has proven himself at set, 2-pt defense. Now how about we set out goals to just being the best overall defense in America?
How about our perimeter guys learn what defensive spacing is all about? And learn that you never give up a wide open 3 without a hand in the shooter's face.
How about our entire team learn how to steal balls? They might all gain by watching magician videos. Sleight of hand. Learn to be illusive. Keep moving your defensive positioning around so only the quickest opposing passers can still get their passes through the passing lanes.
How about we develop schemes where we send a player up court quicker and the rest of our guys really crash the boards and immediately look for an outlet pass? The rebound and outlet should be so fluid together that it almost looks like one motion.
How about we start using all that depth we usually waste away on the bench? We rotate in more players because we keep pushing pace.
How about we learn what a secondary break is?
How about we learn what real full court pressure is all about? And how about we use that pressure in obvious times, but also when teams don't expect it because we see an opportunity to knock a team out of the game early, so they can't later build enough momentum to come back.
How about we get the ball up the court quickly even after made baskets? And we go right in to an offensive set without lollygagging around so the defense has time to set.
How about we continually play highly aggressive basketball so our opponents can do little but try to survive our big-time pressure?
Just for giggles... let's try this! It works best when we don't have a slow tree in the post. A 6'9" or 6'10" center is plenty big enough to run this style of play!
I'm giggling now... just imagining what we could do with the talent we have if we stopped playing stiff setup ball and started working up a sweat in games!
"...the ideal that the number championships define a players legacy is not entirely true."
I second that. Actually... who decides the legacy value? Fans. And fans all differ. In my books, I look for performances that stick out from the rest.
For example... I wasn't a big Isiah Lord Thomas III fan until 1988. I, like most non-Detroit fans, was adjusting to the "Bad Boy" style of play. But Game 6 was where I went from being neutral on Isiah to fully appreciating him as a player and person. He badly sprained his ankle, which immediately became swollen to the size of a grapefruit. We've all been there.... But he wouldn't get off the court and instead he went for 25 pts in one quarter to keep his team in the game (an NBA Finals record I believe is still good today). They went on to lose that series with the Lakers... but Isiah's play was a part of inspiring the Pistons to then become back-to-back champions in the following years.
Those championships do mean a lot, but it was what got them there that mattered most. Isiah was the catalyst. That game still sticks with me, more so than the two championships that followed.
All the greats have moments where they achieved far beyond anything in reach of lesser players. That is what makes them great. And it is typical that championships follow somewhere (but not always).
Players like Charles Barkley don't have the gold and diamond ring reminders of their championships. They have to live with the fact that they just didn't have the good fortune to play on the right team at the right time and have the right kind of luck to run alongside the race to the finish line. But... fans are not going to forget Charles Barkley (and company). The lack of championships is not going to erase the record book, one which includes Barkley's prowess on the boards and how he dominated the league on rebounds with his height of 6'6".
Championships are illusive. And there is no higher law of fairness in place to guarantee that the very best take home the trophies. Sports is a subset of life... look at some of the richest people on the planet and tell me they are the very top business minds. I'm not dissing on those who win trophies or large piles of money. Most (and maybe all) deserve their rewards. I'm just not saying they are the best because they reached that summit.
In the case of LeBron. He was already one of the all-time greats in my books before he went to Miami. His success in Miami really didn't enhance his position where I sit. He can still climb higher with me if he realizes how being a team player is a lot more than improving assist stats.
Interesting idea on having more diversity around fouling. I'm not sure that scenario fits well with depth off the bench if it hasn't already been employed earlier in the game. It is tough to get settled in a game when your first minutes come at the end.
I see other opportunities. Like the possibility of keeping a key big in the game with 2 fouls in the first half. That is huge! And if he picks up a third it can really help to bring in one of these guys while still early in the game. With some early minutes, they shouldn't need much adjustment if needed in the second half.
Also... maybe we have an injury. Or maybe Self needs to discipline one of our bigs for slacking off. Or... maybe someone is sick or just not matching up well. Or... how about we move up the tempo on a full press and need to rotate in a lot of bodies? There are so many ways to use a bench!
Excellent! Excellent!
"Legacies aren't something you chase they are something you build."
That one needs to go over on the quotes page. That is now one of my fav quotes of all times... thanks!
I believe LeBron is as much a victim of himself. As a human being, he has received special treatment since one of his early pubescent growth spurts. Humans who get accustomed to special treatment suddenly can't relate to the rest of the human experience. I think he likes to stir the pot wherever he goes because he is used to a stirred pot even just from him walking into a building. He must be one of the most identifiable humans on earth. But I question if he likes to stir poison into the pot. He just sees everything only through his own perspective because life has always come to him.
Just imagine LeBron playing for Coach Pop? He may be the only coach on earth with even a tiny chance of teaching him that team play goes way beyond lifting your assist stats.
I'm critical of LeBron... but I'm thankful for having the opportunity to see him play live and plenty on the tube. No one can challenge his greatness as a player. But he is a long ways from becoming one of the great team players of all times. Getting on that level requires doing as much off the court for your team as on the court. And the best team players open their vision to the entire league and beyond. Everyone is on the same team.
I hope a light comes on inside LeBron while he is still playing. He is a great player and it would be awesome for him to develop all the levels of greatness as a player! It would be good for him, the league, for basketball... and even for mankind! (hope he doesn't read this...)
I'm not surprised that certain NBA franchises dominate. There are plenty of tools in place to promote a better balance, but certain teams just have better ownership, management and coaching. SA and Coach Pop are at the top of my list! Check out about any interview with his players and they usually mention how many years they have been with Pop. Pop understands the value of continuity. I've heard it in his words many times, and now I hear him speaking through his players' lips. Continuity is an extra gift from having a great team concept that the players are all bought into. It is no surprise that SA players want to stay put.
You welcome! I try to keep the flies off the meat in here! (an old saying going way way back!)
I think Kasongo has a lot of interest now because he may be the only available big bruiser at the moment. If this was 6 months ago, would Self be inviting him in? Well... maybe not. But maybe. We need a mix of talent to make a team, and a big bruising post player always has a place on a team. However, it seems we have a collection of big, bruising guys right now!
While I took the high road for bringing this guy in... @HighEliteMajor did explain the "facts of life" and how we don't risk anything if he comes. If we have the opportunity to land a top recruit and we don't have a scholie... someone will suddenly transfer. It wouldn't necessarily be Kasongo... but the game of musical chairs would begin for a remaining spot on the bench.
This guy does deserve hype on his overall size/athleticism. Regardless of where he fits in the Top 1000... he does fit in a small group of strong big men.
We all moaned from the loss of Tar. Consider Kasongo a freshman Tar! That is pretty much what we are getting! I recall all the criticism for bringing in Tar. He almost kept us in March Madness by himself (that last game)! He was the only guy who came ready to play and we sure needed his 18 points!
I just hope Kasongo has as big a heart as Tar!
It is great to have a thread on one of the Bruise Brothers and end up on the other!
Tar... we miss you, bro!
Thanks!
I really enjoyed your post. Great info and putting examples into context of today.
It seems that all the great teams happened because they got those one or two extra top-notch pieces somehow. Sometimes those come from trade deals involving acquiring the rights for future draft picks. From my angle, it seems teams are often too short-sighted in trading those away in hopes of making something happen today... especially when they know their current team will finish near the bottom and be placed high on draft day.
I would understand it better if all the teams were publicly-held corporations and they had to answer investors who are focused on short-term profits (wins). But trading away the future to acquire a piece today that most-likely won't make you a championship team immediately often seems absurd. I think it all points to the weaknesses of teams and coaches... their lack of confidence in developing new draft talent. Granted... there are always risks that players coming into the league will not be able to make that final transition to the level of play.
The NBA chews up players.... chews up talent. I'm always amazed to see players like DWade still around. I've never been a huge DWade fan, but as the years move forward, and he is still bringing his game, I have a growing respect for what he has done and how he can negotiate minutes on the floor and still remain a contributor. My current fav player in the league is Ray Allen. He's like a ghost. Still here, still playing, still helping win championships (last year). But he is like a ghost in how he gets out of the way of the wrong kind of contact, and picks and chooses his aggression. Same with DWade.
Why I wrote that last paragraph... the league is uncertain. Players comes and go. Look at Paul George. It seems, as a team, you want to always have as many irons in the fire as possible. Trading away future picks is like putting a gun to your head in Russian roulette. What team doesn't need those future picks later?
The Love/Wiggins deal is largely about the fact that Love has already proven himself in the league. It shows just how valuable that reputation is worth... and it shows the high perception of risk with players like Wiggins just coming in. But at what point do you weigh all the factors and suddenly "healthy youth" starts outweighing "proven elder?" It seems the injury risks would fall more against elders. Few, few players have the capabilities of a DWade or Ray Allen.
It feels like we are taking human carcasses and tossing them in a big blender for 10 seconds, than stopping to see what flesh is still moving. Maybe the young virgin players, who have no scars, might make it through more often than the older players who already have big scars from previous trips to the blender. I know my metaphor is over the top... or is it?
Here are a couple of clips on Ray:
[Game Highlights](
[Dunk Contest](
Ray is a project player. So was TRob. So is Jamari.
Do we lose out by taking him? We use up a scholarship, no doubt. Is he worth it?
I think only Self knows. He has the best feel for who he might lose next year and who we might recruit in.
If we use the scholie, and if we don't lose any scholie players next year in the draft, we have no scholies to give anyone.
I would be fine with that. Because if we kept everyone, we wouldn't need anyone. There may be an argument for needing a super tree in the post. But seriously... with the abundance of so many post players up to 6'10", would we really need a frosh big man to make a difference?
This is the kind of player a lot of us like.... athletic... potential... and going to be around for at least 3 years! We've had this discussion before.... do we keep a mix of players, both OADs and project players? I think we should. I still don't want to be a team with all OADs. I think our reputation as "Big Man U" is largely enhanced by taking diamonds in the rough and eventually sending them sparkling off to the league.
So I'm on board for picking up Ray if Self wants him. Self is the only guy who knows if this is the right move.
I said it a month ago... that we still aren't done recruiting for this coming year. I felt sure we would use that extra scholie if we got the chance. I believe that chance is here.
Couldn't have said it better!
I remember some of Self's earliest comments on Jamari. He said he wasn't going to let Jamari leave KU until he could make a good living with a basketball. I'm positive Self still stands by his words.
Concerning Bam-Bam's PT.... I think Perry will have a big influence on that. Jamari is pushing Perry to step up, especially on defense, and also to play more consistent, aggressive basketball. There were games last year that Perry just didn't show up. He'll be riding pine this year when he doesn't show up.
Right now the choice is Perry (good offense, poor defense) or Jamari (fair offense, good defense).
It will be interesting to see which of these players improve the most over summer. Perry has more opportunities with camps, etc. But I will never sell Jamari short. His street instincts are valuable in the post, more valuable than "the designer" perspective.
His role and value will not be determined 100% by the amount of minutes he receives. What will count most for Jamari will be making good use of the minutes he does receive. He has a great opportunity this year to be the deciding factor in several games, including games in March. That can not be stressed enough.
Every year before the hoops season I commit to one player beyond a safe amount of optimism. I put my own butt on the line for one player to shine far more than what is expected. Last year, I sort of went with the obvious, and jumped on the Wiggins bandwagon.
This year I'm going rogue.
The guy I am projecting to go way beyond the obvious is Jamari Traylor.
I'm not expecting him to have a break out year. I'm expecting him to have a bust out year! I don't mean he'll be a bust, I mean he'll bust through anything in front of him and he'll bust and he'll break all the fixed minds out there that have him projected as a limited force.
We all know Jamari is athletic. That doesn't always mean a guy can harness his athleticism in a productive way, but look closely at Jamari and how far he has come in his two previous playing years. This past year he clearly established his defensive presence. He can still make gains on defense, and any improvement in that area suddenly makes it hard to not notice his defensive prowess. A big part of his improvement will be to defend tighter and foul less. Committing fewer fouls will help him stay on the court for more minutes and a bigger impact.
There were moments last season when he would complete a dazzling offensive move in the paint. Just about every time he did score inside it was apparent that he was much quicker than his opposing defender. A big light came on in my head last year; Jamari needs to work on his offense and become a bigger impact player in the future! His FG% last season was a whopping 67.4% from the field! How many games will we lose next season if he can maintain a similar percentage but with a lot more attempts? How many games will we win?
The lights will all be focused on Cliff and Perry this coming year. Teams will put their time and energy on scouting these two in the post. Meanwhile... Jamari works off a completely different box of tools. Even though he has strength, his biggest asset in the post is his quickness. I venture to say that he is quicker than both Cliff and Perry. So Jamari should be able to do more effective lateral movement in the paint. He should offer up everything Cliff and Perry can't! Perry is quick, but he isn't a bolt! Perry relies on his technique to pull him through; technique with a shooting move to create space and technique with several shot moves to finish at the angle that will best work. From what I've seen of Cliff, he relies mostly on his strength to create his spacing, and when that works he has an easy finish, like a dunk or layup. Jamari can start on one side of the paint, and in a bolt can finish at the other end of the paint. His biggest friend is his lateral speed.
Jamari is a different weapon in the post. He should offer us more fluid finishes in the post this year and it should be backed with more confidence. He should embrace a new role as a real contributing scorer. He should add this to his role as offering defensive and rebounding energy. He should now offer the same energy on offense, with the confidence to not shy away from his shot. There is no reason why Self and staff should do anything but push Jamari into more FG attempts this year! And if he keeps up his scoring percentage efficiency, he will quickly become a big-time contributor to this team.
There... I've put it out and stand behind it. Criticize if you must, but I hope you give him the encouragement he deserves to take his game to another level. He has already brought his game up to a high level if you consider the shortness of his experience in basketball.
My feelings, too. And I think we should recognize that Svi realizes his best path so he must be an intelligent guy who has good basketball IQ. That should be a big help to Kansas basketball!
"My only reserve about this is, are the foreign kids as good as the one and done players we are seeing here in the states? "
I get my answer from the San Antonio Spurs. They may not be the most-athletic team in the league, but they focus so much harder than any other team.
I felt 100% sure they were going to take the title this year and they were going to do it in big fashion. It was on their lips since last summer. I knew they had the capability to focus as a team... and they did.
Compare them to Miami, and the fractured concept of "team" and "focus." Miami knew they were in trouble before that championship series and they were constantly looking for extra motivation to help their cause. SA needed no additional motivation. Their motivation started a year ago.
A big smile appeared on my face when Bill Self connected further with SA. Yes... someday he may be their next coach, and if that is the case, hooray for Bill! But in the meantime, I hope he became influenced from Coach Pop and how he got his troops to buy in to his game. It is all about FOCUS with Pop! Sometimes you have to have patience, but execution will come eventually as long as you stay focused!
I'm optimistic that Self realizes he needs answers for how to better prepare for March, and he may have found some of those answers in San Antonio!
One part of the answer is to recruit players that are capable of focusing better. Having lived abroad, I believe recruiting foreign players can be a big help in putting together a team that can better focus.
I'm a medium soccer fan. I embrace the World Cup and some big games here and there, but don't follow teams with regularity. I started getting interested in it while living abroad. Had I not lived abroad I would have never embraced the game.
But I see a major reason why it hasn't caught fire in America like it has in other places. We have so many sports going on that it has to fight for space. And scoring is low and our culture is based on "instant gratification"... meaning... we prefer games with lots of scoring, lots of highlights. I believe baseball would be more popular if it had more scoring, too. If baseball suddenly had more 1-0 games, it would lose crowds.
I kind of like the low scoring. It puts emphasis on how important those moments are. I know I get tired of NBA games and some college ball where teams just run up and down and score like a pinball machine.
My issue with soccer is all the flopping and whining. It has become a necessary part of the game because you just won't get the calls without faking a near-death injury. I've tried to apply comedy to it all... laughing when guys go down on a flop and they show the replay and the guy was untouched. And then after the call is determined and after he has gone through his wincing painful injury, he bounces up and immediately sprints at full speed without a limp.
If they would fix that part of the game (which they have somewhat promised to do, but haven't) I would become a much bigger fan. But until then, when I want to see acting and drama, nothing beats a Broadway production!
I see definite potential for Cliff to become a double-double guy as a freshman. It will depend on his minutes, and from what we have in the post, I think he'll average 30+ minutes as a freshman. As I recall from memory.... players like TRob would have put up bigger stats had they played more minutes as a freshman. Low minutes = low stats.
Development wise... Cliff is far ahead on a freshman TRob.
I'm not sure that he won't become one of our first options on offense by the end of the season. He should develop a decent FG% this year, and Self likes his hi-lo. It is only effective if we try to score on the blocks.
I think perhaps the biggest issue for Cliff will concern fouls. If he can limit his fouls, he'll see more floor time and he'll see a higher stat line.
I just think he'll find a way to contribute his freshman year. He definitely needs to strengthen up.
Look at him like a big version of Conner. And Conner did contribute this past year... especially in March.
I see this kid having a break out year his sophomore year. He sounds like he has the drive to be a big disciple of Hudy. He'll be a different guy come fall of 2015.
He did end up tournament MVP... so there must be something about his game that attracts someone (besides his mediocre stats).
Think of him as a bigger version of Manu Ginóbili (and after a year of Hudy, more athletic). Manu looks like a shoe salesman, but there is no way in heck that San Antonio wins this past title without him.
Basketball is more than stats and athleticism. Some guys just know how to get the job done. I find it very impressive that Svi shot a poor average in this tournament but took his team to the finals and won MVP. Maybe he impacted games in other ways, like helping control ball and pace.
Ukraine is playing Germany in the title game today. Germany is always decent. There is no way a Kansas HS all star team beats Germany.
"Just realized this today .. the U18 European "championships" that Svi is playing in is the "B" division, not the "A" division. So not even the best U18 teams. So really, most likely, pretty average competition"
I'm pretty sure the divisions are set by past performance. The fact that Ukraine is in "B" division just points to Ukraine not being good enough to be in the top division. They most likely played better and worse teams earlier in order to establish themselves in "B" division. The competition in "B" is probably a bit lower, but hard to say how much lower than "A".
Self said Svi would make an impact this year and I tend to believe him.
The only thing I read into these stats is that Svi isn't afraid to shoot the ball!
What I really like about our forum is the respect members give to each other.
We often choose to disagree, but people stay on point, keep respectful attitudes, and at the end of the day everyone's dignity stays intact for another day of discussion.
I've participated in several online blogs and forums, none compare to this one! It helps balance my opinions about my fellow brothers and sisters and helps keep my outlook on the future positive.
"Honestly? Are you serious? The UCLA conference and title streak happened over 40 years ago!!! Most college basketball fans were not even born then..."
So very true. And our culture plays a role in this. We live in a world today where NOW is all that matters (for the most part).
Our consecutive string is something where we pick up plenty of praise every year NOW! I can hardly imagine how much praise we will receive if this continues much longer. I believe we will receive more praise this year than UCONN will receive praise for winning last year's NC.
Just look at how prestigious Bill Self has become over the past 5 years. It did really help that he got a NC under his belt, but his prestige has only risen these past few years, long after 2008.
The key is not to devalue NCs. Just keep them in perspective as some extremely good fortune. I do believe it is important for schools and coaches to win a NC (or NCs) eventually. If Self had never won, he would not quite be at the level he is today.
I feel strongly about my opinion... but I get just as frustrated as anyone else when we early exit in March. I'm frustrated when we late exit, too. I want to see us make some tweaks that will help us in March. I may not agree exactly with HEM, but in spirit, I expect more from us in March, and in that regard, I am completely on board with HEM!
I agree that it was a major blunder to not take Louisville when we had the chance. But I don't agree that the B12 is mediocre. I do think the B12 should show better in March. But your argument is with the RPI and SOS computers that rank the B12 better than you give them credit.
I just don't agree with the very foundation of your argument. With your argument there is only a couple of really top teams in the country (based on the NC title race). If that is the case, then why even watch college basketball? There are only a couple of legitimate teams with your argument.
Are you really saying that the reputation of Kansas basketball rests on that one Mario Chalmers shot that created the opportunity to win in '08? That makes no sense to me. All those league games on the road mean nothing? The fact that we win more league games than everyone but Texas wins home games says a lot more about the fiber quality of Kansas basketball than Mario Chalmers single shot. It really breaks down to that with your argument. You can argue that our conference should be better, and in that argument you should also mention that we are at a disadvantage in March because we are not properly seasoned from playing in a top conference.
No one in here is discounting the value of National Championships. But many of us will not discount the value of conference titles and the majority of our season games.
I'm glad Self doesn't take your view. If he did, we'd be a mediocre conference team, a lower seed in March, and I'd hate to have our entire season every year measured only by a March performance. It doesn't mean I'm saying March isn't part of the entire picture. Our prestige as a basketball powerhouse would fall strictly on whether a few shots drop in March, instead of recognition for an entire season. I would quit watching Kansas basketball until March.
Would we be a more prestigious basketball powerhouse today had Tar Heel Joe Quigg missed those two FTs in triple OT in 1957, giving us another NC? Or are we more prestigious because the MVP of that FF was none other than Wilt Chamberlain, arguably the best player to ever play the game?
This disagreement isn't really about Conference Championships versus National Championships... it is about National Championships versus everything else.
This is just my two cents... and I'd be fortunate if I could sell my opinion for two real cents!
Winning our conference becomes bigger and bigger every year now because we are adding to our streak and closing in on the possibility of becoming the most dominant conference team of all times! It means a lot because the B12 is highly respected, too.
So... every year moving forward we receive a lot of praise for this streak (and we should). It is an accomplishment that deserves conversation with the dominant years at UCLA. Winning a National Championship here and there will not get us in this conversation. UCONN is proof of that. No one is discussing UCONN with Wooden's UCLA.
But it would offer us some tasty gravy to win another National Championship during this streak. The championships would compliment each other and pronounce our dominance in college basketball to the hype level we deserve, and media is so capable of offering (hype).
The last real hurdle for Self is to be able to dominate the B12 while becoming more competitive in March. Imagine if he is able to accomplish this?
I don't really believe he is far off from accomplishing this. I think he just has to focus a bit more on bringing in the right guards and executing better from the perimeter. We always have too many TOs, and we don't create enough TOs with our defense. We always have a decent rebounding margin, but that gets neutralized with our high TOs. If we can win the possession battle at a higher level, put that with our high 2-pt offense, and be just a bit more respectable from 3, who will stop us?
And those high TOs often lead to run outs, which skew our defensive effectiveness. And we all know what they do to momentum!
If we are turning the ball over too much in the regular season, how will we reduce that in March, when the pressure is on and every team we play is jacked up and over-extending for steals, our well-known Achilles heal?
I'm hopeful Cliff will go for at least 12-14 ppg, maybe even more. We better get 30-40 points out of our post as a per-game average.
Self needs big production out of Cliff, especially since he'll be going after a big as his main target for 2015, so he has to show that KU is still "Big Man U."
What will take the heat off Cliff is (what should be) our perimeter threats and Perry on the other side of the post (and out on the perimeter).
I'm curious to see Perry again and how well his perimeter shot has come along. I know a big part of his development over this summer is him working on his perimeter game. (He better be tightening up his defense, too!)
"Self is absolutely the best regular season coach in modern times. Self is not near the best post season coach in any timeframe. Both statements can be true."
Well said... and true!
Which school would you rather be... Kansas or UCONN?
UCONN plays for NCs. Their strategy of playing "guard ball"... everything is built for March.
I'd still rather be Kansas.
Conference Championships matter.
If you listen carefully to how Kansas and Coach Bill Self are being referenced these days there is always the preface "10 Consecutive Big 12 Conference Championships." People don't still bring up "2008 National Champions." People want to know of your current success.
10 consecutive conf championships have given us a great deal of prestige today, and as of today, it means more than the 2008 NC. Back in 2008... the NC counted most.
"Conference Champions" is a title we can earn every year (and... we basically do!). "National Champions" happens now and then and you get a certain Cinderella status for the next 12 months before you get dumped back in with the other non-NC teams.
I wouldn't trade 10 Consecutive Conference Championships for 1 National Championship.... but that is just me and I understand and respect those who don't see it this way.
Imagine going 10 consecutive years without winning your conference? And then let's throw in a NC in those 10 years. Is that really so valuable? You got hot for 6 games in a 10-year stint. Anyone can win that. I don't think anyone can win 10 consecutive conference championships. That is a lot of wins, many on enemy turf, and proven over a decade. Sign of a real winner... versus just winning 6 straight at the right time during a 10-year stint. You really need planets to align, be fortunate avoiding injuries... maybe get lucky because your opponents have injuries.
"If I were the Cavs in their current situation I would absolutely trade Embiid for Love. We already know that Embiid probably won't play much (if at all) next season due to injuries. For a team like the Cavs, their window of opportunity is here in the present, so potential future gains from Embiid are somewhat tempered by not being able to get that return in the present when their team is the strongest."
Is Cleveland a "present threat" more than a "future threat?"
I know LeBron tilts a lot of scales. But the Cavs still have a bunch of young talent that will have to learn to execute in the league while learning to play as a team. I'm doubtful LeBron and Love (alone) can bring a trophy to Cleveland.
I'm not sure what is the right answer Wiggins vs Love, but there is no way I can look at this without being biased. Same goes for comparing Love vs Embiid. With Embiid, I would want to feel like he'll recover fully and become a factor. If I believe that, there is no way I'd take Love over Embiid.
Unless Wiggins gets hurt and can't cut like he is currently capable of it will be a real stretch to not see how easily he can mold into being one of the best swing defenders in the league. He could easily develop into being one of the best swing defenders the league has ever had. It is easier to question his ability on offense. Very soon he should at least be a decent offensive player executing some things well on offense. It is very much up in the air if he will learn to execute offense well in many areas and will be a constant big number guy, and a guy you go to down the stretch.
I like how you framed Embiid as a taller, more athletic version of Garnett. Hadn't thought of him in that way but I see what you mean.
"You can build a team or you can buy a team; San Antonio built one and Miami bought one, which would you say is the more successful franchise?"
Ain't that the truth!
:basketball:
How do I make it bounce?
I hope Perry is ready to be THE MAN this year!
@approxinfinity - You have my deepest gratitude for your efforts in creating this site!
"Boot Camp: Length?"
How long did it take to build Rome?
It should be that long!
Chalmers just went on and on about how much of a mentor LeBron was to him...
"And tonight we've got a really big shoeeee!"
(Still a few bugs... my "we've" linked to someone's twitter account!) Ooops did it again!
"However, because LeBron's stance on the issue, the locker room chemistry might have been permanently damaged..."
Could be. But I think LeBron pushes people around now as a test. He wants to know if they are as committed to making it work as he is. I know it may be hard to understand it that way, but he pushes back hardest on his own teammates to see who puts their head down and holds on to resentment, and who pushes back and lets him know they "want it" as much as him.
If I think of it that way, I can rationalize what he is doing. I do think LeBron realizes he only has a limited time left in the league, so he doesn't want to squander it around guys that are not 100% on board, including with a total team mindset. That sounds like a contradiction to his actions, but he is testing.... and he is testing young Andrew to see what he is made of.
Kevin Love may be a higher risk of injury.... but part of that risk relates to him willing to take gambles in order to win. How soon will Andrew be ready to make those kinds of gambles? And will he be able to quickly learn how to limit his risk by seeing more of the game and using some defensive techniques to help prevent injury? A great guy to watch and learn from is Ray Allen. If I was Cleveland, I would forget Love and I'd go after Ray Allen. He's a guy that won't eat up their salary cap and would be a great teacher to put with all that youth.
From what I understand, Allen is unsigned and not sure what he wants to do. He currently isn't listed on the Heat.
Andrew has a lot to prove, and it will take years for him to prove himself, and it will take both good and bad fortune for him to prove himself. All the greats had to endure plenty of everything, like playing injured in the playoffs. No one cares if you have a bum ankle in the playoffs. Your fans want you to produce, period, and the greats step up to the challenge. I always give the Isiah
Thomas example: Game 6 in the 1988 NBA Playoffs, Lakers vs Pistons. Thomas' ankle was badly sprained and the size of a large grapefruit and he played through the pain and even scored 25 points in a quarter to help keep his team in the game (an NBA record).
It really doesn't matter what Andrew does his rookie year... his proof will come over his career. I just hope he realizes that and doesn't try to do more than he can in his first season. He has the athleticism to try anything... but to succeed, he'll need a ton more seasoning and practice. It will take a huge sacrifice for him to get to the success level that matches all the hype. And he'll need some outrageously good luck to get to that level without being setback with major injuries.
The best thing going for Andrew is not his athleticism... it's his background... it's his parents... there to guide him along the way because he is going to need to play this right if he wants to become one of the greats. It is a long, long road ahead for young Andrew.
I'm thinking the same when comparing Wigs to Love.
But I'm a bit reserved on Wigs' health through his first year. I believe his jump from college to NBA will be more challenging than HS to college. I'm not sure he'll get away with some of his hard drives in the league. In the league you are expected to pay a price for wanting to finish at the rim. The really great players learned to protect themselves, and I'm not sure young Andrew has ever had to develop that skill. In my books, playing 80-100 games a year without major injury while having the balls to take it to the rack is probably the most skillful aspect of NBA play... especially during the playoffs. No one gives the paint away during the playoffs.
So what will Wigs do? Will he avoid the paint? He is going to be under a lot of pressure to perform regardless of where he plays. I don't see him putting up big numbers from the perimeter, at least, not right away.
I hope he remains calm and doesn't bite on the hook of trying to finish at the rim. Maybe later in his career, after he learns how to take care of himself out there.
I think he should mold his game after Kobe. Develop his ability to create scoring space from the perimeter and learn how to knock 'em down with a hand in his face. Then, on occasion, take selective moves to the rim.
"It is puzzling to me how you can be on the court for so many minutes, with the ball in your hands so many times, and have “one” assist. "
I agree. But it could be for a few reasons. Wigs teammates may not be trying to pop open when Andrew has the ball because they all know he is supposed to shoot it. Or... they were fighting to get open and Andrew didn't go for the assist.
Either way.. if Andrew wants to show he is a team player, he'll find ways to improve his assists.
I didn't really think of it that way... but you are right... the clock starts now!
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
I've had to take dogs to the vet for that final time and it was horrible because most dogs don't want to visit a vet clinic in the first place, and especially towards the end.
That was a thoughtful move on your part.
As hard as it is to experience, it is best to stay with them during the process... but it is tough to experience. I still recall it all vividly, and wish I couldn't, but I'm glad I could be there for my best friend right up until her last breath.
Wigs signs with Cavs... earns 30 day reprieve...
"...I think we will see some Cliff and Mari together, the new bruise bros."
I'm totally on board with that!
Now throw in Frank and Wayne and we are looking like a wrecking crew!
I'm just not sure who we play at the 3 to add to this "bang gang?"
Kelly is sleek, but he seems like the kind of guy who can morph his game into different styles. From what I've seen of his game so far, he is one hustling flat-out baller. He may be a slight step down athletically from Andrew, but this kid more than makes up for it with his hustle. I'm betting he can do some bangin'.
I'd like to see Self go a step further with the Bruise Brothers theme to use it on a complete 5-player theme. He should take that group aside in practice and push a bit more physical game... teaching them not to foul the ball but to physically manhandle for rebounding and floor position. That is where the game is won anyways. Fighting through screens, positioning for rebounds, owning turf in the paint. You just don't see college basketball emphasize this enough. It is really 'man ball' and it is something that Self could sell to these guys and once the momentum takes off, even our less-physical players would embrace it and make huge strides through that theme.
For example, I could see Conner and Perry (the two biggest scorers in Wichita history) embracing that mentality and totally lifting their games to new heights!