Potverdriedubbeltjes!
drgnslayr
11251 posts
I'm curious to see Dedric at the next level. I think he will turn out to be more athletic than we thought. I think his mentality was a big part of him "lumbering" down court. He seems to have a lot of "chill" attitude prevailing in his consciousness.
Hakeem = "shake and bake!" Remember that?
justanotherfan said:
Why is leaping ability rated so low to me? Most of basketball is played horizontally. The ability to go vertical is great, but you have to be able to play horizontally for that to even matter. I would sooner take a guy with great coordination and balance than a guy with a 50 inch vertical, because the coordination and balance convert more to basketball skills.
There are quick hops and slower hops, too. I like the guys that get up in the air quickly more than the guys who get up a little higher, but aren't as quick to get there.
Back in my ball days, I was in a gym with the "X' man, Xavier McDaniels. From a flat foot stance he leaped up and grabbed an 11-foot platform. Sure impressed me and I understood why he lead the country in rebounds at 6'7"!
I do think athleticism can be "adjusted" substantially while in college. Hudy has proven that. Players like Doke and Big Mac not only lost a ton of weight.. they also became more athletic in that process.
I remember a long time ago... studying "fast twitch" and "slow twitch" strength. I'm of the opinion that fast twitch can (partially) be trained into the body and improved.
I'd like to see performance charts on guys like Doke. When he got here, versus now. I think we would all be shocked!
Do sportswriters screw up sometimes and count "body size/quality" as athleticism?
I remember reading what an athlete Q was... I saw the body, but I didn't think he really showed us much athleticism... opinions?
What if "athleticism" means OAD? You can't teach athleticism... but is it possible we find more "diamonds in the rough" with great athleticism and will stick around for more than one season?
FUNDAMENTALS VS ATHLETICISM
I think this thread is one that we might keep around in here for a long time.
I don't want to make this specific at all, because the topic delves into all aspect of the game, from recruiting to development to game strategy.
I've been a member of this site since Day 1, and I feel like this thread could shoot to the all-time "Top of Topics!"
Who dare go first? Take it in any direction you like but please connect the dots back to the general topic.
I think your last post was right on the money... players do have to be of a pretty high level to make it in the NBA, and also be built to withstand the toughness of a long season.
And I buy in to your idea about players like Zion not having to learn the fundamentals because they dominate anyways (at least, in the college ranks).
I think you are right on the money, and that actually supports my idea of going after guys just below the elite status that need to really fight to the top.
I thought the Duke collapse this year really showed us all that well coached-up players of less than the top elite status could take it to the elite guys. On the college level, the elites can't deal with the teams that really execute team ball, and are also individually disciplined in the fundamentals.
My hat is off to Virginia... Bennett stuck to his guns after facing humiliating defeat the previous year. It seemed that everyone was after him for playing "bad ball." If we did ever lose Self... I know Bennett would be a heavy consideration in my book.
I think I would like to take this conversation over into a new thread... and I hope you will make your presence known there because you have a lot to offer.
And if you really want to know why a team like GS wins so much... it's because that team knows when to let off the gas. They have probably the best confidence of any team in the league for a long, long time. They know they can make up 10 points easily within a minute or so, and they will. So they take gaps of time off. And they often do it by having one player, like a Curry, play a little "ball hog" and let the other guys blow air.
And GS is a team that runs tons of depth throughout the season. They are a bit short now because of Durant and Cousins... Kerr is underrated.
I suggest to everyone in here... at some time in your life, attend a NBA game and get as close to courtside as possible. Same can be said of a NFL game, if you are fortunate enough to be able to ever get on a sideline.
Moving that much mass at that speed... it's breathtaking to experience live and you will never "get it" unless you are there.... live!
Thanks for the response, and your response makes sense.
However...
I'm not satisfied with our development program. Love Hudy... but I think everything else falls short.
Our players.. mostly 5-star players... can't perform the fundamentals. This is what really chaps my backside.
I would start a Mitch Lightfoot over another Q. Q's stat line was so pathetic that it almost looked like he intentionally ran away from the ball. BTW, I like Q! I just want to kick him in the backside and have him for a week in practice.
I'm so sick of 5-star guys that spend all their practice time on fancy dunks, but don't have the slightest clue on how to seal off under the basket. Those fancy dunks lead to... ZERO WINS!
We live in one of the more competitive leagues, and most of our competition thrives on lower recruits. I'm not exactly totally thrilled with their development abilities either.
Under your premise... you are right. As long as we fail in developing players to a higher level, we best keep after recruiting top shelf talent.
I so miss seeing the game played at a higher level. I realize Naismith never experienced basketball near what it is today, but I have a feeling he is doing cartwheels in his grave over how much game we leave in the locker room because our guys fail on the fundamentals.
I think you and I feel the same way. I'm just venting frustration of the direction of D1 and our program.
Your statements are correct!
I'm thinking we will be back on this thread soon with some good news!
We went the other way... McCarthy Hall kind of points that out.
I'm with you. How many kids out there DREAM about playing at KU? I venture to say that it's fewer every year. And why? Because we battle for the elite players and with the elite players it isn't about Kansas.... it's about them!
I miss it all being about Kansas. I attended KU in the 70's. Lived in an apartment just down past Naismith Drive on Alabama. Played a lot of ball in AFH. I would have given my left testicle to suit up for the team!
Now it feels like just a prep team for the NBA.
I think we target 3 and 4-star players that really appreciate Kansas and want to work their arses off. That means... "nightlife" is in the gym, not in the bars. I bet we could win every bit as much as we win now... and we will draw more and more fans to Kansas... especially young players!
I hear you on Marcus being a limited-minute, off-the-bench guy... maybe even a 6th man... or maybe a 7th man.
However... here is a twist... we theme our next team as a "defensive team" and we start Marcus and we train our guys to win the first 5 minutes of every ball game. The focus is on heavy defense, right out of the gate, and the goal is to have a 10-pt lead at the 15 minute mark in the first half!
I've never seen a strategy like that in D1. Something so focused and so defense-oriented.
I mean... we come out swinging every game! We come out of the locker room at the start and our guys are all hopping up and down like their on PCP! Heavy initial enthusiasm!
Maybe it would carry over.
How many games do we start out on a roll? It seems like we are usually fighting back in games.
How about we start out with a knockout punch and we just keep laying on the punches!
Marcus sits at the 15-minute mark...
Then we come at them with more offense...
Good post... and most of these top shelf players have already sacrificed their entire childhood, chasing their dreams (or their parents' dreams).
Perry Ellis is a perfect example. That guy worked his tail off his entire childhood. He wasn't blessed with freakish athleticism. Every inch of his game he made himself... through focus, hard work and discipline.
Never really thought of this before... but I think I would put Perry Ellis on my list of possible future assistant coaches on my development "dream team!"
I don't care for Chik-fil-a so that is an automatic dropout.
As much as I love my Hawks... I'm going to jump on the Duke train. This Zion cr@p was the final blow!
Removing Duke from college basketball would be a huge lift for D1 everywhere!
It would also help me personally with my "in-house" family "discussions" split between KU and Duke.
Last... I just think Coach K is over-rated. Granted, he has earned my respect for working his butt off over the years, including outside of the Duke campus... but can someone show me what exactly he has brought to D1? Special defenses/offenses? His game is a bit drab...
What has helped Duke get to the top is their administrative branch. Imagine if the KU/Duke situation was flipped around and Zion had played for Kansas while Duke was being investigated for trying to lubricate Zion to go to Duke.... you don't think Kansas would be under a microscope right now on that one?
It feels like Duke is less of a blue blood and more of just a flat out monopoly!
BShark said:
https://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/university-of-kansas/article230138354.html ↗
Let's get back to dunking.
I'm for that! Tends to lift up our shooting %s, too. Look what it did for Doke!
I think dunks also represent optimism, self-esteem and motivation.
Much of that was lost last year, because we didn't have enough leadership (IMHO).
I think I leave this tea leaf remaining in the pot. So many things could change his NBA workout plans, including the team moving in a different direction.
I think he will need to speed up his shot release a bit. Those small tweaks take away valuable shot %s with most players. Hopefully... he will make adjustments. His shot release point could be extended higher, too.
Another way to deal with it is to focus on court awareness, timing and spacing.
I've always been amazed at how much change is necessary for most players coming out of high school... skipping up to such a higher level of play. Really tough.
Then there is the size of the crowd, the expectation levels, the speed of the game (motoring up)... being away from family... having to make grades... being "coached" much harder...
Wasatch Academy taking it to Sunrise Christian...
People forget how strong Silvio is. I remember when he easily pushed some big trees out of the post to clear space. And with his strength, he was able to do it without getting a foul call.
Granted, Silvio and Doke together would be awesome... but what I dream about with Silvio is having him at the 5 on a speedy lineup!
You know me by now... x-axis ball!
I hope McBride pays off... but I put a question mark by his name until he can prove he can translate his game to D1. Being 6' in high school isn't a big deal, but making that height work in college usually means being clever with your game. That means... finding ways to create scoring space so your shot isn't blocked. McBride has good athleticism so he has the necessary tools to do it but he will have to learn how to make a contribution against bigger, stronger, faster players. Time will tell, and I have hope for him!
I put the most weight on Devon coming back over everything else. I think he will...
We can expect big things from him next year!
The last year has been a doozy...
We experienced so much stress.... our conference streak finally broke... a year below our normal standard... we've been challenged by the FBI and NCAA... our HOF'r coach has been scrutinized... we appear to be losing a bunch of talent and haven't signed enough replacements... fans "duking" it with other fans...
I know we still have a pending case with Silvio...
But... for the most part... is it over?
Is the temporary "darkness" of anxiety passed?
Are we back to feeling good about the Jayhawk Nation?
We are in recruiting crunch time and I think it is fair to say that our coach may be the very best "11th hour recruiter" in America!
I'm feeling really excited about next year!
I'm back!
Are you?!
I really appreciate your posts! Thanks!
I'm with you on the hunger for Silvio to return. I think people would be in for a HUGE SURPRISE on just how much he has improved!
I'd like to also see him at the 5... when we go for a total speed lineup. His motor is unreal!
!0_1557333771818_SC-Coach-Andrea-Hudy_2-e1400878684102.jpg ↗
And we think WE are excited?!!!
I'm a lot more excited about this kid than many of the 5-star guys we've signed in the past. I lived a long time in the Netherlands... some solid fundamentals but what is most impressive is the intelligence of the players. We won't be worrying about this kid's grades or having him come around slow to "Self ball."
To be honest... the wingspan is what is most important anyways. I did some searching and found his size to be 6'8", but who knows when that was recorded.
Looking at the video in this thread, he sure doesn't look 6'10", but the vid could be 6 months old and he grew 2 or 3 inches.
Tall kids with his high level of coordination usually means they put on some late inches. I mentioned Durant specifically because I recall him growing late.
Great catch! Welcome to Jayhawk land... Tristan!
I always get excited to see a kid over 6'3" with real handles! And foot speed!
I hope he never plays the 4 in a Jayhawk uniform. He moves like a 2, and I can see him being able to play PG to 3, and 4 in an emergency.
I don't buy the 6'10" size... think he is 6'7" or 6'8" but still growing.
Could he become the next Durant? Time will tell...
I think we need to patch up some recruiting spots where we used to act a bit aloof. I would start at Sunshine Christian Academy, in Wichita. We could also improve our image in the Greater KC area. And then there is the AAU circuit...
We used to count on mostly just a few prep schools... that isn't feeding us enough players.
I think you should channel your request through the AD's office. That may be the quickest path. Otherwise... Bill is pretty available to the public as he helps raise funds for KU and for other charities.
I thought I would check out Facebook for a Bill Self page...
https://www.facebook.com/Bill-Self-163111077206695/ ↗
Looks bogus...
Sean Miller Watch... He's been spotted in his new job...!
I showed how much anger I have at the NCAA and how they run things. But there is nothing out there that can relate to the evil brought on this earth by the "H-guy." His doings still impact much of the world including suffering going on today. It was pretty darn insensitive for me to go there in the first place.
Gosh... I've got egg on my face! I'm going to counter my previous post by mentioning Gandhi. Bring some light to the darkness.
Sorry I mentioned Hitler. I apologize to anyone that might have sensitivity on that one.
What I take from Izzo... is Izzo has things tight enough (including his statements) to stay out of trouble.
You get a group of people together and crimes are always going to be there. (see Catholic Church)
And concerning college sports... the system is dirty. It's built to play "gotcha" on every school. I think it is the way it is just to empower the NCAA. What school doesn't fear a NCAA investigation? It's the same system used by dictators. Hitler used this system. He made it impossible for his cabinet to play by the rules and would periodically slaughter his own just to keep in full power. I hate to mention his name but the parallels are there.
"“I’ve hoped this from Day 1, that coaches are held accountable and consequences are according to what they do,” Izzo said. “But I think players should be held accountable, I think parents should be held accountable. Accountable shouldn’t be a one-person deal – we all should be held accountable. And that’s what I’d like to see.”"
"Flat out refused to pay for a recruit!"
I'm not a Duke fan... at all... but I was disappointed in them this year. I didn't see how they could lose in March, and I loved watching Zion play. I don't know what the answer was for Duke. Is it just to have another couple experienced players? Then they take minutes away from the star freshmen. Does a team with freshmen starters ever really gel? There is no way they can match the connection of players who have played together for years.
I've always supported the idea of a quality 3 and 4-star group with a 5-star or two sprinkled in. But the more I think about that the more I think in order to really gain from that, the 5-star player better be extraordinary. And I'm not talking about athleticism and individual skill set. I'm talking about being able to connect with a new team and gel quickly. Since it is such a leap from high school to college... I think it is rare to find a 5-star player that can offer as much as a less-talented player that has been on the squad for several years.
Does that mean I don't want us to sign 5-star guys? Ha... I'm addicted to the hype crack like everyone else. Even if my gut says something completely different.
Everyone in here surely knows I'm pro-Self. But I would like to see us go all-out in a program based on developing players that will stick around. At the level I am talking about, it goes past schools like Virginia and MSU. Lead the nation in player development. Taking players that would only be a long shot of ever going pro and building them into solid prospects at the next level. Doing that while focusing on team chemistry.
Just having a team that is truly based on executing the game at a high level... not just a bunch of guys who bring their extra long arms and athleticism to the game to compensate for marginal fundamentals. I think the current flow into this style of ball is a negative for the game... a game the founder is part of our legacy.
I do believe this is the best formula for sustaining a winning program. Just look at the OAD situation and the direction it is going in. There is talent jumping higher and running faster every year, and they seem to have less fundamentals... every year.
As a true fan of the game, it gets harder for me to watch this every year. I know how the game should be played... and I'm not seeing it happen like I think it should.
At a certain point... someone needs to step up and defend the game itself. Kansas should be the school, that someone, in my humble opinion.
It is odd.... giving millions of bills every year to receive just one Bill. ;)
Dance lessons are definitely the best tool for anyone needing help with footwork since it completely focuses on footwork.
I think many would be surprised about this next comment... the NFL has been onto this for decades! People don't realize how footwork is so vital to that sport. The league has recognized dance as a key training component.
I'm thinking if Big Mac hustles in practice like he hustles in games... he will show considerable improvement every year he comes back!
I'd like to see him in dance lessons. He mostly needs footwork.
It seems to me that we are just a few situations away from having a real contending team next year.. possibly a lot bigger threat than what we had this year (during the early season hype).
Is it possible the heavy penalty on Silvio represents the final penalty on us? A whisper came to me that the Silvio challenge by us is a message that we will litigate the NCAA if they go for tough sanctions.
My question for the whisper is... perhaps the NCAA was testing the waters on us by laying down the heavy penalty.
I don't think people realize how vulnerable the NCAA is these days...
http://www.espn.com/college-sports/story/_/id/26199067/judge-rules-ncaa-antitrust-lawsuit ↗
Doke is coming back.
I know it's a big "what if" but what if Silvio is cleared?
What if we recruit a good, experienced grad transfer shooting guard (or big man if Silvio isn't cleared) and others for added experience?
What if Devon returns?
Marcus, David, Ochai, Mitch.... returning with more experience.
Am I missing something? Couldn't we suddenly go from darkness to light? Might we have a very experienced, talented team that could easily play in April next year?
Might this team carry a chip?
It's frustrating... but don't be surprised if he makes it in the league, at least as a reserve.
Reality will set in with Q before long. No more easy street cred. From here on out, his game will do the talkin'. That's the first reality to come for these young guys. There is a million guys that "came close" out there. It's a brutal awakening... the NBA clock starts now and it's a short clock. Q has to get hooked up with someone to develop. If he picks his agent right, the agent will set him up, or a team who is interested will. The real work starts now. No time to goof off. No time for KU classes. Just train. We will quickly see if he can really stand a chance. Within 6 months his body should look completely different. No more pudgy thighs! Right now he is a full step behind any NBA player.