"Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk would be a huge get for HCBS..."
I agree... 1000%!
drgnslayr
11251 posts
"I'm just waiting for it all to burst into flames"
Like next March if they don't win it all?! And then the stock drops on some of those players who came back...
Maybe Cal will become Spoelstra's video editor. Hey... it worked for Spoelstra.
Coaching the Heat would be the perfect job for Calipari. He wouldn't have to worry about the details of coaching (since Riley is really the coach) and he can just look like he knows what he is doing because they win plenty of championships with LeBron.
Your fine, @DoubleDD !
I was just trying to prevent us from being blasted by someone... and I do what I do best - when trying to defuse something I'm the one with the match! ;)
Back to the main subject... I'm liking Sviatoslav... but I am like everyone else and limited to a few youtube clips and press releases. Just seeing a kid who understands (and knows how to establish) scoring space is a huge find for KU. I'm trying to think of the last guard KU had that understood scoring space... hmmm... we probably have to go back to Langford!
The very least he can do is teach other players how to create scoring space!
I understand your point. I'm just trying to find a descriptive ground where we can all identify with it so we can have this conversation without seeming to make racist comments (by some people's description).
My point is that we stay away from the very general description of strictly black and white. Keep it a subset and perhaps there is hard science out there that will backup a big part of your claims.
I like your last post better... precisely addressing black Americans over the more general term of black.
BTW: I'm not really touchy on race. Nothing in this thread insults me personally. But I do understand how many people get offended, so I try my best to address topics without ticking off a bunch of people. In my efforts... I still probably failed with some people.
Another thing... I don't really believe that if we could generate hard science on the entire population of black people and white people there would be much (if any) difference. I do believe the differences come from the historic situations surrounding subsets within each group. I'm sure there are certain white subsets that have superior athleticism over other white subsets, too.
"It is a no brainer that % wise the black race are indeed better athletes and have more athletic ability."
I think this statement is too general. Perhaps you should refine it to the black race that comes from a background of slavery. This gets into some explanations of historic slavery issues, but it seems possible that those circumstances (like forced breeding of best physical males and females) plays a part in this.
I've been to Africa. The type of athleticism people are thinking about (fast-twitch muscle development) is not a definite dominant feature all through Africa. I'd say many areas of Africa produce people with better slow-twitch muscles, capable of big time endurance because of their own personal needs of survival from generation-to-generation. That's why you don't see Africans running short distances (how we view athleticism) and winning Olympic medals. They are masters of the long endurance races.
What I'm getting at is we are a long ways away from determining if race (by itself) produces a difference in what we view as athleticism (fast-twitch muscle).
It is easier (and more realistic) to look at more defined groups and study their backgrounds and hypothesize on the factors that may give them superior fast-twitch muscles and why.
I'm pretty sure if you took many varieties of white people, enslave them into tough physical work, control how they create offspring... you will soon (a few generations) be able to compare their general physical characteristics with their black counterparts who had the same history.
Peoples (subsets) differ. We can build statistics that show subsets of races and they perform uniquely from other subsets. There always seems to be a logical reason for those differences because each subset has genetically molded to their survival needs. Other factors also must be included.... like when there were situations of forced reproduction.
Genetics come from somewhere. And what we do have a grasp on (a bit) is mother nature. Organisms adapt in order to survive. Superior fast-twitch muscle is part of an individuals genetic code. We don't have a total grasp of understanding here, but we know the lifestyle of the generations before DO impact the genetics moving forward. It's part of the survival equation.
It would help everyone to visit Africa. To experience some of the varieties of black cultures and to experience masses of black people who don't seem to match your previous experiences with black people in America. All I can say is I'm 100% sure you will come back with a completely different perspective on everything, including this subject.
I have come to conclude that general statements, like "black people are better athletes than white people" is a statement swimming in racism. Why? First, it is way too general of a statement and with a expanded view of both races it doesn't seem to be true. The thing to look at (and possibly come up with generalizations) is with subsets. Subsets group the people in specific circumstances that can create general differences, and then we can pinpoint the circumstances that created those differences. Differences (in the general sense) always have a reason why.
The statement, "black people are better athletes than white people" implies racism because it opens a pandora's box of comparisons. For example, are black people or white people 'more intelligent'?
The world is too big. You will never corner the entire black population (or white population) to properly study them as one group. And who qualifies as black or white? Hispanic people? Chinese? Without hard science our statements are based on our own personal interpretations. This subject is too complicated for any one person to see enough of the picture to make a broad statement. Therefore... it can be viewed as (potentially) a racist statement.
"The teams having success have true players at their positions."
As a general statement, I agree.
But the game of basketball is complex. I've argued for quite some time now that we needed to find a true PG. I've been frustrated with the idea that our team leaders haven't (typically) been true PGs, but combo guards instead.
This player seems to be a combo guard. But that doesn't mean I don't want to recruit him, mostly because he'll pick up more minutes at the 2, maybe some 3 if he has the strength. First... there is a place for combo guards. Definitely when thinking about depth, a combo guard gives us lots of options to fill in as a reserve at several positions. But also... for specific match ups, sometimes we need a different player, like one with size. This recruit has size.
A player might be so talented that he can play several positions really well. I think back to our '08 team on that one.
Personally... I think this kid is a major grab, especially at this time of the year. I like the fact that no matter how good he may be, it is likely we have him for at least 2 years. Next summer Hudy will have a field day with this guy. He might even be able to play minutes at the 3 after Kelly is gone, especially if he has put on some muscle.
But look beyond his size and current talent level. At some point, coaches have to think about team chemistry. Does anyone in here question if this kid is tough? I bet he doesn't choke on big games either. He's already played in front of TV cameras and large crowds. I bet his upside in March is off the charts!
A guy like this will help establish the entire team tone.. mentality.
Anytime you can bring in a player who can help mold a positive team character, you do it.
I think it is difficult to talk about general differences between races when it comes to sports (or anything else) because it is so easy to insert your foot in your mouth. Everyone has a different background, different perspective... so what sounds like non-racial comments to one person, aren't necessarily interpreted the same way for others.
But it is safe to discuss statistics. And if you look at the stats, there are a disproportionate high amount of black athletics in the NBA to white athletes, when comparing the overall number of current players to the overall percentages of the races in America.
What does that prove? That black people (in general) are more athletic than white people? I don't think that proves it. Maybe there are direct large studies measuring different forms of athleticism and breaks it down by race. That would more accurately give us an idea of possible differences in athleticism.
I believe the biggest factors relate more to cultural differences... from socioeconomic differences to just plain old physical environmental differences. For example... there are a higher percentage of black people living in an inner-city environment. Basketball is popular in the inner-city. It requires less space than something like baseball. It requires little equipment (basically a basketball and shoes) so it is more accessible to people on a restricted economy.
One only has to look around at other sports to see a contrast to the generic claim that black people are more athletic than white people. Then why isn't tennis dominated by black people? Right away it is obvious that tennis requires quite a bit of out-of-pocket expenses to reach a high level of play in tennis. It doesn't mean only rich people can make it in tennis, but this fact creates a much harder path for athletes with very limited resources. I'm not being a racist for inferring that on average black people earn less than white people. It's a fact backed with hard stats.
Another thing.... I don't think any sport is all about athleticism. Sports are about execution. Athleticism is only a part of execution.
The real sport to examine is soccer (or as the rest of the world puts it.. football!). Soccer takes very little investment to play. Many players play without shoes. Someone has to have a ball. Sometimes kids don't even have a ball so they make something count as a ball... like a hollowed-out goat head. A goal is often constructed with whatever means are available. Soccer is a world game and popular everywhere.
But soccer is not dominated by black athletes (at least, not near the level black athletes dominate the NBA). Why is that? There is a huge incentive for low-economic people everywhere in the world to become a superstar and rise from poverty.... but still... it is not dominated by black athletes. Why is that? Because of execution. It takes plenty of good coaching and proper practice to become a superstar in soccer. Many impoverished places in the world do not have the resources available for local players to reach their potential.
If you look at all the sports in the world... basketball is probably the sport with the highest domination of black athletes. Why is that?
It is clear, that black athletes are very capable athletically. But what makes them dominate the NBA is execution. The inner-city basketball culture is all about execution. Doesn't matter what your color is. If you want to hold a court in an inner-city, you have to win. Usually, you already have to be proven just to earn a shot on the court. The competition is all out, all for blood. And the courts are hard.... concrete, asphalt. It's a game for survivors... and those who can survive can go on to learn to thrive. That's the code on inner-city courts.
Naismith may have invented the game of basketball... but the inner-city brought it to the level it is at today.
That's why I call the NBA the No Boys Allowed league... because it is still controlled by athletes who grew up playing inner-city basketball.
Move more white kids back to the inner-city and have them grow up in that culture and you will see the NBA shift back to more white athletes.
And while we are moving white kids to the inner-city to play basketball... take Perry Ellis along with them. He's a kid who has mastered technique, but he doesn't execute at a high enough level because he hasn't played inner-city basketball.
Good point. And many of these kids that have access to resources come to America for camps, clinics, etc.
@jaybate 1.0
"Jetron the hypersimstar..."
If you saw a book title by that name... would you pick it up?
Okay... I found the videoclip we can rig up for our hypersimstar. And if that fails, we can always promote our version of "flubber!"
But seriously... back on point... here is a clip by the legend himself, discussing how money is destroying the game of basketball.
I agree... If he really is so talented, we are guaranteed (almost) that he will stick it out in Lawrence for at least 2 years.
This guy is the perfect Self "combo guard" package. It sounds like he is definitely versatile enough to play the 2 or the 3 right now. He may have potential to play some PG. Will he be our future PG? No! But think like a NBA coach thinks... it's about match ups. This guy gives us match up versatility on the perimeter. When might we use a guy like this at PG? Uh... maybe this year against Kentucky, where he only matches their height at PG.
I don't know anything about this guy except his youtube material. But how many Ukrainians lack toughness? And what does it take to win in March? Yeah... toughness.
Watch the clip. I know... it's only a clip. But the kid looks like he has basketball IQ, another asset we've definitely been lacking for a long, long time.
It always seemed like the perfect match; Kentucky fans with John Calipari. There is no other school out there who has proven more that they would do anything (and I mean, anything) to win a national championship.
But, evidently, not everyone thinks it is the perfect match. And yes... I'm talking about John Calipari. Once again, Calipari has inserted his foot in his mouth. (intentionally)
The love affair with the perfect match seems to be floundering. Calipari has a new love, and that attractive package isn't accessible at the D1 level. John has a big-time man-crush on LeBron James! Will someone get them a room?!
So on this lovely spring day, Kentucky fans may not be smelling the roses with John this morning. Once again, they are being reminded that love can be temporary; the only thing inevitable is heartache. The mating call of the bird is followed by the sting of the bee.
"I'm not in a position where I would leave Kentucky right now."
Let's read that again, but this time emphasizing the key words....
"I'm NOT in a position where I would leave Kentucky RIGHT NOW."
"NOT RIGHT NOW."
"Not right now" does not mean "no." "Not right now" means "I'd like to, maybe in the future."
As Jayhawk fans, we've had to deal with these word games before with our own coach, Bill Self. Typically, Self is very careful with his word selection and how things come across in communication. He, recently, had to walk back an interview where he said he would show interest at coaching the best talent in the world in the NBA.
“I only said, ‘Sure, I’d be open to it,’ ” Self replied.
Ever since that interview, Self has picked his words with more care, making sure fans realize he is not interested in leaving Kansas. The latest statement coming out of Lawrence is quite specific, "Bill Self wants to watch NBA, not coach it."
But with John Calipari, I don't expect him to back away from his statement. Calipari IS the used car salesman who currently has hold of an entire fan base in love with his '69 Mustang GT350. That price tag of $74,000 in the window? "That was the old price, but I've decided I want to keep this gem (as he invokes heartache to the fans). It would take a far higher price to get me to reconsider selling it, " Calipari stated.
The only thing sure of John Calipari is that his price (salary and other tangibles) are fluid, and move with the market based on daily volatility, just like the stock market. And the guy on the stock floor shouting out offers is none other than the man himself, John Calipari.
People always talk about Calipari in a framework of love and hate. It really isn't fair to judge the man (the coach), but more his actions. I'm sure he's a different guy away from basketball. The way to judge John, the coach, is in a framework of toleration. How much can people tolerate from John? Even in Kentucky, where "anything goes" for national titles, one has to wonder... how much can the great people of Kentucky tolerate from John Calipari?
Guess we will eventually find out, but meanwhile, John has removed the price off his Mustang and put a sign "not for sale" in the window, to make sure and attract a higher bid in the future.
http://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/05/john-calipari-lebron-james-cleveland-cavaliers ↗
http://www2.kusports.com/news/2014/may/04/bill-self-wants-watch-nba-not-coach-it/ ↗
Trviaslankovanavich?
Is that a word?
But seriously... We could use a guy with size as a guard besides Kelly. I bet he can play good defense... and if he can't he can learn quickly. He sounds like a deadly shooter, too. A guy who can do everything well.
I think Self has backed off some of his "earn" statements in recruiting. That is evident by Kelly's comments about Self mentioning the hole left behind by Wiggins for Kelly.
I think Cal is a great salesman. He is careful what he promises guys and he knows how to talk them down from their expectations (AFTER they sign with UK). There has to be something to it because where is the line of transfers from UK?
I'm okay with these guys.. as long as they know the following year we'll be going hard after this guy:
I like him already!
I've thought this way for years.... but... maybe Cal's talent in coaching is about convincing players to accept whatever he does.
Take Lee for example. Why the heck was that guy sitting on the bench all year? He should have been some team's star center and possibly in the draft this summer. He wasted a year.
But we don't hear him complaining.
I think Cal is pretty good at reading players' minds. He makes sure to not recruit too many players that absolutely demand big PT as freshmen. Then he can sell them the idea that their best option for development is to practice every day with a bunch of other McD's AAs and wait their turn. Granted... there is some merit to that statement.
What I see, especially when comparing Self and Cal, KU vs UK.. we are a big man school (because of Self's offense) and UK isn't weighted to big men or small men (because of Cal's dribble-drive motion offense).
Our big advantage doesn't really become a huge advantage until the NBA ups the player entry age to 20. Then all the D1 top players become TADs. Then.... Hudy becomes the big advantage for Kansas!
Hudy is the difference maker between Self and Cal. But Hudy doesn't make a huge difference in players until the summer between their freshman and sophomore years. Why? Because players only get a small taste of Hudy before their freshman fall year. Once basketball starts they back off the heavy weights.
Players between their freshman and sophomore years have all of April right on through to November to pump big iron.
Don't believe it? Check out all our returning sophomores this fall (freshmen last year). Players like Conner will show a lot more strength.
Once we know we have two years to develop the top elite players, we will smash Cal on the recruiting trail as long as we have Hudy.
I hope she is well-paid and planning to stay at Kansas.
Good read.
UK - their only question will be how they will make up their offensive gap left behind by Randle and Young. I always valued Young more than Randle. Randle is a one-trick pony (pretty much like Wiggins was), always driving to his left. Young was a creator. But the twins were the difference in March, and reason why Kentucky made it that far. They have finally figured out how to use their size and talent to their advantage. This game will be won out on the point. If we can't match their offense, we better be able to defend. I hope Devonte brings some defense with him... because Conner and Frank are completely over-matched.
FL - It should be time we take some revenge on these guys. Might as well do it while they are in complete rebuild mode.
MSU - Same situation as FL.
Temple - Always a mystery game. Which Temple team shows up? Which Jayhawk team shows up? Flip a coin...
Rider - CC Rider? I'll park my hog in the lawn of AFH for that one.
Georgeytown - We schedule this game of mugball specifically for bragging rights (for recruiting purposes) back east. Self knows Thompson's #.
"That's one thing about Cal, he's not really known for developing talent, more so just coaching it while it's there."
I agree... but he is getting a reputation for being able to manage a truckload of talent that can make it to the big game.
Self is quickly closing the gap on Cal concerning recruiting.
Cal's selling points:
A. Get a chance at a National Championship
B. Play with a team full of McD's AA
C. Good record of producing top NBA picks
D. Better living conditions than other schools
Self's selling points:
A. Maximize personal skills development between HS and NBA
B. Maximize personal strength development between HS and NBA (Hudy)
C. Play with several McD's AA
D. A chance of a National Championship
E. Good recent record of producing top NBA picks
F. Soon will have better living conditions than other schools
I think Cal still holds an edge on offering a better shot at a NC. If we could win another one... like say... this year... Self will leap over Cal as a better recruiter because he has more to offer.
@jaybate 1.0
I didn't used to be... but I am now 100% a believer in your hype vision.... especially as related to the shoe industry; the monsters of sports hype.
Your post was right on, and I like your 'coined' term "hyperstar." Funny... but before getting that far in your post my mind was working on a potential trending word. I came up with "simstar."
Here is a thought. We now go underground. Maybe we take a couple of other posters with us. We design the perfect "hypersimstar" in our labs. We create the mystery behind him, the folklore to come, where everyone knows his name but no one knows his game. He's a guy that has a reason (and a story) behind his hiding. We get a visual expert to create a blurry clip showing a dunk beyond anything anyone has ever seen. He stuffs it with his feet. Someone clever can strip the video of any tampering markers and make it look real. Too bad it was blurry and can't identify his face.
Capitalize it. Become his agent. Make some masterful moves like they used to make in the boxing hype world. You only have to threaten the world now and then that he is coming. Use the "meeting of the minds" to create a better basketball shoe. Make Adidas, Nike and anyone else come up with something truly ingenious... truly superior. Bathe in mystery... let the hype take over.
Pull down the pants of the modern-day hype machine while stuffing our coffers. Our guy, 'Jetron', defies gravity to become the first "mysterystar."
Boys would put down their comic books and goo all over the stories published in SI.
The powerful side of modern capitalism is exposed... the hype carnival and its big tent tentacles devouring (and exploiting) the public to spend spend spend on the spin spin spin.
I think Lillard has superstar potential in the league.
But if you read that link, it isn't all about playing level in the league.
This gets back to my original thread several months ago where I addressed the culture of basketball moving towards more general entertainment, and as such, the game is headed for some unique twists that may catch us off guard and not to our liking.
The story on Lillard is a prime example.
Shoe marketing people "ran the numbers" on Lillard and they used more than his game stat sheets to come up with the decision to pay him $100+ million.
What brought Lillard the fat deal was his interest in the shoe culture, his very capable ability in becoming a social media hog (FB, Insta, TW), his location at the home of Nike and Adidas, his playing position, his winning potential, his ability to 'play the character', his looks, his personal style...
It all points to Lillard being primed by marketing execs to be the entertainer more than be the basketball player.
Now compare all those factors to Andrew Wiggins. Andrew has the physical appeal, and he has crazy athleticism capable of creating artful dunks that will be captured for permanent entertainment value... but is that enough?
Perhaps Andrew should be spending his time between KU and the NBA not with a basketball trainer, but with a marketing coach. Someone to evaluate and make gold from his potential as a celebrity. Develop Andrew Wiggins, the character... the entertainer. And for God's sake, make some noise on the social web away from just mainstream sports media controlling his destination and make his own noise!
We are about to see many new things around basketball... all related to big business shelling out big bucks. And it will make young players mimic the pro players on how to get those big bucks (besides playing the game). After all, the entire game of basketball is largely just one big "copy/paste" as youth copy their predecessors.
That's what scares me. That basketball goes over the edge and becomes just another carnival show.
@truehawk93 and @HighEliteMajor
Both of you guys have great posts here. Spot on!
I believe it is an issue with Self's hi/lo (and other set) offenses. He counts on so much discipline that it takes players out of the natural flow of offense.
Anytime a player takes a shot he should feel it. It should come natural and be a combination of a reflex and optimism together. That's what it takes to get a hot hand and to repeat it often.
Instead... our guys get pinned down too much... too much thinking... too much counting to see if enough pass arounds have happened for them to shoot. We are at our worse in March. Everything is riding on it and the pressure is too much.
We've all been around a court enough to know that a guy start feeling it and so many times he is right and gets hot. The key then is to get him the ball with a total green light, but still... don't pressure him to shoot. He'll shoot if he feels it and if the shot flows.
We screw up by putting rules on guys too much. They need to pass around more, so they are restricted from shooting. Then we flip it the other way and tell a guy to shoot it. Neither way works and both ways create an unnatural shooting situation where the player is forced either to pass on the shot or shoot it.
Self's high-structure, high-discipline offense works pretty good during conference play. We know our opponents so well we can recite their jockstrap labels. Add that into our disciplined offense and it spells victories and good stats.
But in March everything gets turned upside down. Opponents often come at us with an extreme amount of mojo. And they bring unique things to throw at us. And all the players we don't know. It requires a flexible offense. More (even) than that, it requires an offense to be opportunistic. We don't have that kind of mentality with our offense going into March. We are stuck on structure and discipline.
So we can't budge off our stagnant offense during situations in March. It has become extremely frustrating to watch.
I know what it relates to. It relates to Self first wanting to win another B12 regular season championship, and he (obviously) has the formula to do it.
I'd like to see him gamble. I'd like to see him put more faith in himself to find other approaches to winning the league.... approaches that will give us a better shot in March!
It doesn't mean we stop losing in March. But maybe we improve and go further more often... maybe even towards another national championship! It would be nice!
"If you want to make God laugh, go ahead and plan your life out."
I'm putting that one in my quotes file... another list I go through ever now and then! Thank you!
Here is one I always enjoyed:
"Don't carve your destiny in stone, scribble it on a napkin instead."
Always thought that should be in a fortune cookie!
I can read your posts on this all day! I'm sure I will completely reread this thread tonight before I go to bed... just to try and remember.
The greatest invention in the last 50 years is the post-it notes! I can't live without them. I've written out two of them since my last post. I never go to the store without them, even if I only need one thing! It drives me crazy to be at a store and can't remember the single thing I came in there to buy. But it happens.
It took my wife quite a bit of time (early in our relationship) to understand my disability. She used to call it "selective memory" until she got more experience with my memory loss and the frustrations I had with it. She gets it now.
I, also, love to put humor around everything. It definitely lightens the stress around this. My dad really got me once... he said, "look at the bright side, you can hide your own Easter eggs!" I laugh every time that one comes back into my memory.
What is really strange, is since this all happened, certain small details from my past never leave me. I can remember unimportant things, like the pattern of a neighbor lady's blouse back in the early 60s.
A big part of my work is mental, and I have to keep organized notes on everything I do. Very tedious, very frustrating but very necessary.
I remain a very social creature, but it was my migraines that permanently made me dislike being in big crowd situations. The sound of a large crowd disturbs me to this day. So... it has impacted me socially as I try to avoid being in a crowd. To be honest, as much as I love Jayhawk basketball... I'd rather watch games on TV. Now and then I'll attend a game in my beloved AFH, just to remember the smell and to flash back to my student days when we played basketball every morning in AFH. That was my biggest thrill at KU!
Good advice.
Wiggins old highlights from HS were impressive. But I remember looking at all those youtube clips and noticing he always seemed to do just that one spin move drive. It made me wonder what else he could do, and he only added a couple of tools to his toolbox while at KU... like his step to the side jumper.
Devonte already appears to have more tools in his toolbox. It looks like he understands the need to create scoring space on defenders.
I agree with you.. that he'll go through a tough period trying to transition into the level of play in D1. Question is... how long will it take for him to become an impact player?
I expect we will see some shining moments his freshman year, but the big payoff will be in future years. That's okay. Maybe he'll actually wear a Jayhawk uniform for 4 years! Wouldn't that be something! Some of my optimism is focused on the possibility of him being here all 4 years!
"I don't need a pg that shoot 3s all day, or who wants to score 15 points. I want a PG that can direct traffic, drive and dish, shoot when needed and can play outstanding D all game long and not rely on a shot blocker."
Amen!
Your words are very inspiring to me. I'm in my 50s... and I'm afraid to go for a MRI. I've totally avoided doctors after the last basketball injury to my knee. That was back in the early 90s.
My concussions came from football and boxing. I suffered several major concussions (and black outs) in junior high football. Back then, we were just given a drink of water and told to get back on the gridiron as soon as we felt good enough. I recall two separate incidences where I was knocked unconscious and played again a few minutes later.
I faced the same mentality in boxing. Getting knocked down or out you were expected to get up and spar again as soon as the "stars" were gone.
Just with the limited knowledge I have on it today, it horrifies me to think back on those moments.
I have my wife trained to rescue me in social situations. I can give her a certain eye contact and she'll jump in and rescue me with names. My family is aware of my condition but I don't broadcast it to the world. I've had very embarrassing times at HS reunions and at the grocery store, running into people and drawing a blank.
What I am very curious about is inflammation, and how systemic inflammation impacts the brain.
I've spoke in here before about what a change in my diet has done to my life... totally bringing me back from being very crippled and in pain, to living like a teenager again and pain-free. I feel like it has helped my brain function, too.
It may be worth it for you to take a look at reducing the acidity in your diet. Limiting meat from your diet, along with all manufactured foods... breads (grain) and starches... sugars... And trying to eat more green. Foods that have an alkaline impact on the body.
It has basically stopped all my systemic inflammation, giving me back the use of my hands from arthritis and all the joint scarring. It has removed all the pains from my back and the rest of my joints, too. It seems to have put me in a better mood most of the time. I sleep like a kid again and jump out of bed in the morning.
I haven't had a migraine for quite a while. Maybe 2 years. When I did have them I would immediately go into darkness and lay down. I had a ritual of pulling on my hair in specific spots on my head. I'd do it over and over... for hours if need be. Not sure what that did, but it was very helpful in relieving the pain. The pains included a sharp overall pain to my entire head and very sharp pain right behind my eyes. It seemed to help a little bit to keep my eyes shut even though I was in total darkness. Silence was golden... and any noise would intensify the pain and make me nauseated.
Nice thread!
I think the most-vulnerable player in your list is Frank Mason. He's the only player sort of stuck strictly at the PG position.
Conner may be small, but he has the guns to be a 2. I expect he will get some minutes at the 2 next year, especially if he can strengthen his small frame over the summer.
I wouldn't be surprised if Devonte could play some 2 also. Not sure what Self committed to him in order to get his signature. He has the most size of all 3, and he seems to be well-rounded.
We've seen Self this past year go with two small guards at the same time (at the 1 and 2). I can see that happening more. Really depends on Wayne and his performance.
It seems that even the pros are looking harder at x-axis basketball these days and running more periods of small lineups to take advantage of match ups on the x-axis.
I'm doing everything I can to bite my lip and talk about other things than Devonte Graham... because I want him to prove himself before we get all hyped up. But dang it, internally I am jacked on his potential! What really got me was how far his game advanced between his junior and senior year in HS. This kid is on the move and it appears to be like a rocket going straight up! (okay, okay... back to biting my lip!)
" I think missing on Turner may be a bigger blessing than those of us who were pro-Turner realized."
I was one of the fans hoping we would land Turner... but after more thought, glad we didn't. I know there are strings in place for signing Turner and I didn't want to see us turn our offense upside down to accommodate his need to showcase his outside game. Better he do that to Texas.. and I wish them luck with that.
Barnes will have a lot to figure out next year and maybe he'll actually earn his recent coaching merits.
Jaybate... this link is for you.
I think most of us didn't take your posts on shoe contracts serious enough in the past.
You just recently got me interested enough to do some research, and what I found was Adidas seems eager to spend more for one (or a few) top contracts to lift their line. It made me think that there was more to Wiggins picking Kansas than Wiggins picking Kansas (Adidas school).
I'm curious how much sneaker money he'll gobble up next year and could the news in this link impact Wiggin's deal?
It would be great if many can post their thoughts and news on this subject.
It seems that perhaps this news may be used as recruiting bait for Kansas.
How many blue blood programs are with Adidas?
Might be to our advantage, especially if the league bumps their age requirement to 20.
" I'm not sure what you mean by a "Kansas bump." I guess I know what you are meaning, but I haven't seen it with any of our transfers -- Appleton, Peters, Adams, Thomas, Lindsey, Woolridge. Actually, I have always kind of felt that guys don't end up too well after transferring."
Sure.... Peters ended up at Arizona... not too bad. Didn't Thomas go to UNLV? Lindsay to UNM? I think most these players do well for themselves. Adams seems to have some personal issues.
I mentioned it as much for potential to coach later. It seems half the coaches out there today have run a path through Lawrence.
We all wish you the best.
I suffered numerous concussions back in my day. And today I am extremely forgetful. I can forget anything for brief periods, including the names of family members. It is extremely frustrating, debilitating and embarrassing.
I don't know if my forgetfulness could be associated with some kind of permanent damage. @JRyman , if you have any thoughts on my situation, I'd appreciate hearing them.
I used to get extremely painful migraines. Used to get one about every two months. Today, I maybe get one every two years and the intensity isn't as bad.
"Right on, and look at Embiid tweeting what a great place KU is for a foreign bball player..."
I believe Kaun has said lots of great things about KU, too.
I'd love to see us go after some more foreign talent. Those guys always tend to be fast learners... players very capable of developing quickly. Seems it would make a great match for Self and his staff. Other players learn quicker, too. It seems to work that way. "Contagious development!"
That is really frightening information. You have to wonder about his overall health moving forward. My guess is he has some kind of permanent disability now. And there must be some kind of imminent danger if he suffers an additional concussion.
Many players in the NFL have suffered horrible head trauma but remain in the game. Makes me wonder about Zach.
I know my thoughts and prayers are with him.
I think it is situations like AW3 that make it tough to be a college basketball coach. Sometimes, decisions are tough, and coaches have to make decisions comparing chances of winning versus friendly decisions.
AW3 was a "hump player" in the regards that he was on the edge of being a rotation player but never crossed over Self's hump.
I'm satisfied that Self told him an honest answer on his chances of playing in the future. That was the least he could do.
I don't agree that AW3 "got nothing" from coming to Kansas. He will get the "Kansas bump" moving forward... meaning... he'll carry a solid reputation as he moves to his next phase in college basketball. He also had excellent coaching which did help him develop, especially in the area of physicality.
The "Kansas bump" will always be there. Maybe AW3 has aspirations to coach some day. Having Kansas (and Self) on his resume will be a big help.
Last... I believe AW3 still has a solid relationship with Self and his staff. And I believe Self will help guide him to his next opportunity. There will definitely be solid opportunities for AW3.
Using his red-shirt year as his transfer sit is not a bad thing. I bet AW3 will walk away from his college basketball experience with a diploma. And the extra year he can use to build his game more, especially tweaking it to his new opportunity.
I'm betting AW3 will "make some noise" before leaving the college game! He's just too good, too focused, and he has a great attitude.
I wish he would stay a Jayhawk, but only if he would get lots of valuable PT, and there won't be a guarantee of that if he stays. He feels the same way... he'd like to stay, but he has to make the most of his one chance at D1.
I'm very sad about this because I've always been an AW3 fan... but on the other hand, I'm very happy for Andrew making the move and I hope he finds a good program where he can get some big time PT because he deserves it!
Total class act... 100%!
We should all get his back and give him nothing but love and kindness as he seeks a new opportunity.
"Pat Forde, of Yahoo Sports, was the only voter to rank Allen Field House lower than No. 2, placing it fourth behind Hinkle Fieldhouse, Cameron Indoor and Louisville’s KFC Yum! Center."
Seriously? Yum! Center? You consider a building soaked in frying oil and the constant smell of rancid chicken ahead of AFH?
Must have been stoned and had the munchies.
I knew Self wasn't done recruiting for this coming year.
"Foreign player on radar: KU, which has one scholarship to give in recruiting, is reportedly recruiting Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk, a 6-foot-6, 190-pound wing from Cherkassy, Ukraine, who turns 17 in June. He has been compared to NBA player Manu Ginobli."
There are several reasons why this guy sticks out. First of all... he is only 16. There is a pretty goo chance, even if he is a big time catch, he'll be at KU for at least 3 years. He'll have to be at KU for at least 2 to qualify for current age restrictions in the NBA. And the rules could go to 20 before he qualifies while at Kansas. Another thing... most Euro players need time to translate their style of game to the league.
@HighEliteMajor - you should be thrilled with this potential prospect. He seems to fit as a long term Jayhawk with plenty of upside.
I like eastern block players because they bring a tough perspective with them and that could be good for our entire team.
Anyways.... I think we better be prepared for the idea that Self will use that scholarship to bring in one more player.
I'm hiding a lot of optimism I have building inside me for Devonte. I want to see him have to prove himself.
What really got me hooked on his game was watching tape on him from this past year and then from years before. He advanced and matured so much this past year.... and his game lifted so much in just 12 months.
What if he even lifts his game 1/2 that much again between now and next season?
I hope he will be as good as we think he will be and he will stick it out for 4 complete years of college hoops. If he would, imagine what he will bring in 4 years?
"I take your ridiculously defensive retort to mean that I got you good. it's ok - we all project all kinds of nonsense concerning our team. Maybe if the team would simply listen to you, you could talk some sense into them, so they won't feel "entitled"."
You're right. You did "get me."
You touched a nerve I have about Jayhawk basketball going back to my days as a Jayhawk student in the 70s. There were a lot of frustrating years for Jayhawk fans to endure, and a big part of that stemmed into an overall feeling of entitlement. The idea was we didn't have to "slouch" to the standards of being scrappy and hustle because our destiny as a known basketball entity was chiseled in stone.
I'd like to read a story right NOW about remaining and new players texting each other and doing what they can on their own right NOW to lift their games for next year. The further out from the season when these guys commit focus and effort towards next season, the better off they will be when the season comes. They'll feel like they have "more to lose" because they've focused on this for a longer period.
So, yes, @KUSTEVE , you got me... but I still have my goat! ;)
BTW: I've had an entire week of shoveling composted animal waste from our zoo... so I smell like poo and probably have a bit of extra sensitivity. Finally finished my garden expansion project late last night. No more shoveling giraffe poo!
"And the hardest working Jayhawk is firmly entrenched into the end of the bench. I feel sorry for AW3..."
Me, three!
Sure... it was the team after... 2013... all 4 and 5 year seniors and BMAC that underachieved.
2012 was awesome! And we made it to the finals without a single McD's AA!
I'm guessing you must have bet on Kentucky in that final game, because your premise that it is all about personnel couldn't bet against a stacked Kentucky team. I'm not sure, but how many McD AAs were on that UCONN roster? Uh... one? Or none?
The story has been out on UCONN even before they hoisted the trophy. They had something to prove and it went back for many of these players two years earlier, because they were denied the invite in March last year. They'd been working towards this last goal ever since.
Even though I've been pushing the need for better guards at the 1 and 2 and making UCONN the example for quite a while now, I seriously doubt they would have won that final game (or gotten that far) without motivation going back before the season.
We can always go at this like it doesn't matter. Hey... we are KU! The world should respect that! Right?
Let's just take the summer off and see where a few months of practice and some games gets us next March. I wouldn't hold your breath.
We can start by adjusting our attitudes to HUNGRY, instead of ENTITLED. The ENTITLED attitude is wearing thin, especially with some fans that know it takes more than that.
Next year's championship game starts NOW!
When are National Championships won?
Isn't the obvious answer "April?"
Yes... that is the obvious answer, though it may not be the correct answer (most of the time).
It seems the correct answer, most of the time, is a date far before the season starts. There are plenty of examples around to show why it works this way. That's when UCONN won their recent National Championship. After they were penalized the year before for academic reasons and not allowed into the big dance, UCONN players made a pact that they would avenge this ruling at the first opportunity they had, which just so happened to be this past March.
Teams that want to win a National Championship... I meant to say... teams that NEED to win a National Championship tend to realize that need far in advance. And by savoring their need, they tend to stay focused better on the big prize. They work harder and they build and work on a plan on how they will execute winning the National Championship.
This is an area Kansas hasn't realized as important ever since 1988, when Danny Manning had a reason to stay in Lawrence another year. That was the last Kansas team to have a definite mission.
So lets dream ahead. Lets dream about next year. We'll be a young team (still), but we will have plenty of semi-experienced players in key positions. Do we have a shot at a National Championship?
No. No we don't have much of a shot at a National Championship unless we prioritize it now!
NOW is the time to decide if we NEED to win a National Championship next year. It's too bad we didn't develop a NEED to win a National Championship in 2013, when we were stacked with seniors and the best shot-blocker in the nation. It's too bad we didn't take our loss in the National Championship game from the year before and use it as a spring board into the next year, spending all summer converting a WANT into a NEED, building a chip on our shoulders and putting in whatever extra energy we could muster to develop a plan for winning the National Championship in 2013. That was a year we should have been primed and we should not have been denied.
I'm certain HCBS will try to get his new players in Lawrence over the summer. It's a vital time for players to become accustomed to their new world, to build some early team cohesion, and to work on their individual areas for improvement. That is important, but that isn't enough to win in March.
What we need is a plan NOW!
Here is an idea for a plan...
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Turn a WANT into a NEED. Why do we NEED to win a National Championship next April? Why? Why will we NEED it more than other teams NEED it?
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Win with aggressive play. Look at all our alpha-dogs... Frank, Cliff, Kelly, Bam-Bam, Devonte... How can we best play aggressive?
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Develop an aggressive team play strategy. How can we best play aggressive as a team? Full-court pressure? Overplay passing lanes? Double-team pressure on the ball?
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Pushing tempo. What is the best tempo if we play high-energy basketball? Do we push for more open court possessions?
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How do we get our less-aggressive players to keep up?
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How will we develop our bench so we can play more aggressive basketball with less worry of foul troubles or slowing down from playing tired?
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How will we stay motivated to push hard for 40 minutes every single game?
I hope this bunch of alpha-dogs can form some aggressive synergy they can harness into a big winning season.
However... if we want to be a contender in March, the focus starts NOW!
We NEED to win the National Championship next April!
Rock Chalk!
I think we all need to come up with the parameters on what qualifies as a "rotation player."
Is it based on how many minutes a game, and if so, then how many?
In my book, it shouldn't be about actual minutes. It should be about how many guys keep the "rust knocked off" their games. That is a better indication.
The example I used constantly last year was AW3... and how we didn't keep the rust knocked off his game. A guy a bit closer was Conner, averaging 8:35 mpg. Conner sure came in handy down the stretch! But he wasn't a rotation player. Makes you wonder his game would have been like if he had been a rotation player.
Lets take a look at the mpg stats for last year:
!Screen Shot 2014-05-05 at 12.42.09 PM.png ↗
There appears to be 3 tiers of players, when considered by mpg.
First, the "rotational players". Then comes the "non-rotational players." Followed last by the "non-impact players" or walk-on players.
The group we should pay close attention to is the "non-rotational players." These guys can play ball, and would be playing more PT at a smaller school. But how vital are they for Kansas?
These players are: Conner Frankamp, AW3, Landen Lucas and Brannen Greene.
I think Conner showed just how vital these players can be. And though there is no set amount of PT minutes that will keep the rust knocked off players, Conner seemed to just barely make do with the minutes he received. Makes you wonder what he will do when he gets more minutes, like rotational player minutes.
Look at Conner's stats compared with Brannen's. Brannen held his own, but it was Conner who got the call in March. Obviously, we needed someone who could run point... but I wonder what else played into how these guys received their PT. Brannen had 5 times more TOs than Conner. Makes me think Self followed the stat sheet closely and looked for ways to reduce TOs.
Neither player set the world on fire, and it kind of looks like Self used them with the hopes that they could at least have a neutral impact on the game. With Conner winning minutes over Naadir in March it feels like Self really didn't feel confident in Naadir, going for a team leader PG with a neutral impact over his season-starting PG. Doesn't that speak volumes?
Really... there were times during the year that we received key contribution minutes from Landen, Conner and Brannen. AW3 didn't really make an impact, and I'm guessing he lost his complete mojo by being overlooked for key minutes early in the year. He seems to be the guy who still should transfer.
What if we structured a plan to develop these players better so they can play a more vital role every year? What if we knock it down to 3 players fitting in this bracket and we stole them just a few more minutes from the rotation players? I know they tend to play different positions, but we can get these guys more PT in impact situations by maybe only playing one at a time. So in that way, they compete with each other for minutes, not just the players at their position.
If AW3's minutes had been distributed over the other 3 players it would have added up to over 2 extra minutes per game for these other players. What if we could steal another 2 extra minutes from rotational players for these guys? That is 4 extra minutes per game. A player like Conner would have been bumped to 12:35 mpg. That should keep the rust off of a player's game.
The question is... where do we maximize the value for the PT minutes we have to allot?
Maybe Self has it about right with the strategy he uses. He doesn't run presses or push tempo. He could get by with 7 players if he had to... though he would give up specific talent for certain spots.
But what if we formed a different strategy for next year?
I'm going to post a new thread on this soon.
"Curious who you think our last great PG was. I have an idea in my head, but I'll keep it to myself until I hear who you're thinking of."
We've had some really good PGs. Great? I don't know. I can't think of one who took us to a NC carrying most of the weight on his shoulders.
I can't really say any PG sticks out as GREAT in the Bill Self era.
I have to go back further.. liked Jacque Vaughn... and of course who didn't like the assist king, Aaron Miles. That one area of his game was about as good as it gets... call it GREAT!
Here is my favorite guard from Kansas... albeit a 2:
I'd like to see us land a PG who could do all that.
@Statmachine - I'm following all the hype. First... players are always over-hyped out of their HS or from AAU coaches. But I've watched that tape, and the kid looks legit.
I just don't think we should all over-bite on this kid. Make him earn all the accolades. We are always too quick to praise kids before they even dribble a ball.
I do have high hopes for Devonte, and I hope he is everything the hype is saying about him. He definitely could be. But I'm going to remain quietly optimistic. Let's see him translate his HS game to college, where players are bigger and faster. It isn't just the guy that is guarding him... it's at all 5 positions, so passing, driving.. everything is tougher at D1.
Devonte looks athletic and capable. I want to see his basketball IQ. I want to see him with a basketball brain like Kirk Hinrich.
This could easily be Self's best depth at PG... if it can beat out RRob, Chalmers and Collins. That's a pretty tough core of guys capable at PG. What would make these guys better is if one of them (probably Devonte) steps up and goes from GOOD to GREAT.
Really nice post!
I read it all, and I'll try to read everyone's responses later. Unfortunately, my garden is calling me in just a few minutes.
Sometimes brevity is an advantage for perception.
When I look at almost everything we discuss, it concerns issues with guard play.
Either we recruit the wrong players, or we use the players we have ineffectively.
I can point to every single guard we have and I can second-guess Self. I will do that, but I'll never value my second-guessing over his real-time judgment because everyone is a genius at second-guessing.
I believe our overall, number one issue is who we recruit at the PG position. It isn't impossible to find a good PG. I think we may now have 3 good PGs for next year. Finding a GREAT PG is something totally different, and needless to say, we all totally undervalue the difference between GOOD and GREAT. GREAT PGs will put you in the hunt for a NC, regardless of the quality at the other positions (to a point).
It's been a long time since Kansas had a GREAT PG. And because of that, we don't really understand what a difference that one guy plays on a team. Everything addressed in this thread relates heavily to the responsibilities of the PG.
Defense is a big part of the responsibility of the PG, too. And as long as we recruit PGs who can't shut his man down off the dribble, we'll never be outstanding running a M2M defense. But then... we won't be outstanding running a zone either!
I'm not convinced a zone is our answer. I think making sure our guards (including PG) know how to shut down the drive is the one area we need to address.
I am building some quiet optimism for our PG play next year. I like the combination of 3 guys who all bring a different set of skills to that position. I'm quietly optimistic because I want to see them prove they can play before I get too excited.
Enjoyed your alpha-dog post.
The one missing piece in your post is 'synergy'...
What will be the overall energy of this team?
I believe our "instigators of alpha" will be Cliff, Kelly and Frank.
Then comes the players they most influence; Bam-Bam, Wayne and Brannen. Lucas will probably fit in here, too.
The players that will be a little harder to "alpha-dogize" will be Perry and Conner.
The real unknown is Devonte. I believe he will either fit in immediately as an instigator or will be heavily influenced by them.
So lets look at our choices for PG; first, the uber-alpha Frank. Second, the mixed pedigree, part alpha and part cerebral Devonte. Third, the cerebral Conner. Sounds whacky... but perhaps the mixture of the three is what we need to dial in a winning energy level for each situation. If we are getting beat by a guard tandem that is putting on high pressure, maybe Conner is our man to take care of the ball and pass it into the post. Maybe we are playing a mellow team and Frank is our guy to go on a vicious attack. Perhaps Devonte fits with balanced teams.
I believe we are in for a much different (and improved) synergy this year. I wish the best for Naadir, but I don't think he was going to fit into an alpha team.
I thought ISU was the best alpha team in our league last year. It definitely helped them over the hump and play around most of their inadequacies.
I love your optimism! That's what I like to hear going into summer so I think positive about Jayhawk basketball in my garden.
Right on!
Hey...
I'm the guy that mentioned trying to go a bit smaller in the post, but quicker. It is always something to see a 5 out on the open court breakaway.
That doesn't happen much in college. Surprised it doesn't happen more.
I've been wanting to see Bam-Bam in that role. On the defensive rebound, steal, or even out of bounds, he beats his man down court.
Let's face it... Self doesn't focus on open court basketball. Sometimes I wish he did, especially when we have some super hotrods on the court.
If we would run a bit more we could keep opposing team's offenses a bit more in check, worrying about our breakaways.
And nothing lifts momentum more than that!
One of my biggest criticisms this year was the lack of breakaways. It motivates and gets motors running!
I have to admit I'm not knowledgeable on recruiting. But I'm sure there are situations out there, and Self is still on the prowl. That, I'm sure of. If he was done, we'd probably hear it. He would give us a clue now after Graham signs. I'm not expecting to hear that.
Things happen quickly. I'm sure there are a few players out there who graduated early, like Black, who can play right away.
I'm not sure if we find anyone more skilled than what we have, but we might find someone with more experience.
We have that rep of being "Big Man U" and we have the potential next year to not really have a single premiere big.
That spells opportunity for a quality big out there who would like to up his potential for being drafted after college.