Alpha Dog!

[dennismenace]

The Alpha dog doesnt have to be the most talented or the Top scorer.
Richard Hamilton was All world everything on our 1999 team. Best scorer, most talented, everything. But make no mistake that the Alpha Dog on that 99 team was KEA.

Could be Miller. Needs to step up.

 

[KembaStepback]

Couple points. Agree DHam needs to stay aggressive. One thing he can do sometimes is force a very tough shot. He's certainly an alpha dog.

There are 3 other guys I think can/should be alphas. Puvis, Gibbs and Miller.

Here are the problems:
- Miller cant/doesn't create off the dribble. He does his best work in the post and being in the lane.
-Purvis can get into the lane at will, but he almost looks for contact instead of trying to play THROUGH contact. (anyone else notice this? seems like he's more worried about getting the foul than the basket) he's a terrible FT shooter. I'd feel much better if he shot even 70% from the line.
-Gibbs needs to get some swag back. I don't think he's used to playing on a team with as much talent, so he tries to be a pure PG, sometimes I just want him to take the open 3!

These are very correctable issues. I think this team will gel during conference play. Excited to see what happens when they do actually gel. Should be fun.

 

[Hoopdreams]

Could be Miller. Needs to step up.

Omar Calhoun fits the bill!

 

[Deleted at users request]

I think Jalen is the only one on the team so far who has shown to be fearless and try to step up and make a play when needed. Daniel Hamilton is the most talented player on the team but he has more of a quiet confidence like rip rather than that alpha dog fire. I'd like to see Jalen start and have Gibbs come off the bench. Jalen is the best playmaker on the team outside of Hamilton and I'd rather see him play with the starters. Gibbs isn't near the creator Jalen is right now and Jalen looks like the better defender. Gibbs would also be able to look for his shot more coming off the bench.

 

[intlzncster]

I think Jalen is the only one on the team so far who has shown to be fearless and try to step up and make a play when needed. Daniel Hamilton is the most talented player on the team but he has more of a quiet confidence like rip rather than that alpha dog fire. I'd like to see Jalen start and have Gibbs come off the bench. Jalen is the best playmaker on the team outside of Hamilton and I'd rather see him play with the starters. Gibbs isn't near the creator Jalen is right now and Jalen looks like the better defender. Gibbs would also be able to look for his shot more coming off the bench.

I actually agree with this, and wouldn't have said as much before the season started. Hamilton is the low key/quiet type a la Rip. Gibbs too. Purvis as the stuff for it, but has still been too indecisive thus far, which is something you just can't be as an alpha.

 

[Tommyboy]

I think Jalen is the only one on the team so far who has shown to be fearless and try to step up and make a play when needed. Daniel Hamilton is the most talented player on the team but he has more of a quiet confidence like rip rather than that alpha dog fire. I'd like to see Jalen start and have Gibbs come off the bench. Jalen is the best playmaker on the team outside of Hamilton and I'd rather see him play with the starters. Gibbs isn't near the creator Jalen is right now and Jalen looks like the better defender. Gibbs would also be able to look for his shot more coming off the bench.

I think you are right. I see Jalen as the closest thing to an alpha dog this team has. He just has to take it. The alpha dog doesn't need to be the leading scorer just the person who sets the tone and gets things going ala Taliek. Though I see JA in much more the KEA type alpha, secondary scorer deferring to the best player/scorer: DHam.

Now I am glad Gibbs is here but part of me wonders if we might have been better off without him and JA being in charge from the get go. But I think Gibbs will right himself and probably win us a game or two throughout the season.

 

[huskiesNhoos]

I think this thread is totally off base. You guys keep arguing about who or what an alpha dog is.

This team needs a pg to run the offense that's not named Daniel hamilton. I don't care if he's an alpha. Beta, omega or whatever as long as he can dribble, pass, and make plays with the ball other than put his head down and barrel to the rI'm

Adams is looking like the best candidate but with so much seniority in front of him I doubt he gets the full opportunity we want to see until next year

 

[superjohn]

I have to disagree with that depending on what Alpha Dog actually is. I mean El Amin would fit the description like no one else but some teams didn't need one because they had many. 89-90 had a few with Dove, Sellers, Smitty, Tate all fitting the needs to step up and make some hay. Donyell, Donny, KO quietly, Doron, Ricky all in their own way. But the one who definitely did all by his lonesome with a team of destiny was KEA, no doubt a major Alpha.

I'm talking about Rip, Rash, Freeman, Ricky, Jake etc. before El-Amin arrived.

 

[intlzncster]

Adams is looking like the best candidate but with so much seniority in front of him I doubt he gets the full opportunity we want to see until next year

And that last bit is exactly the point. JA will get that opportunity if he takes it; it's on him. 13 year old Khalid El-Amin would walk onto this team and have everyone jumping on command. JA just needs to find his balls, because he's got the game.

 

[bobbygt]

Lol and Lamb and Daniels being alphas, the two were quiet as church mice. Looks like people are just putting together lists of our great players.

This thread thoroughly displays the fact that half the people on here don't know what an Alpha Dog is. Has nothing to do with being the best player, although that helps.

Hell, in 2004 it was Taliek, and he was nowhere NEAR Ben and Mek's level.

I understand the concept of Alpha Dog, but there are nuances here.

Ben Gordon was a very quiet player, but I don't know how you can say he wasn't an alpha.

I think of an alpha on the court as one who is beyond reproach by his teammates and the coach.

Lamb and DD, although quiet, were given the space and respect by Kemba and Shabazz to take over games. Their play on the court in the tourney was anything but quiet.

I think it's obvious that most of the time, the pg is going to be the alpha on a team.

If we think of the alpha as the one who has control over others, sure, KEA had the most control over that team, brought the most swagger, but can you really imagine KEA telling Rip to do anything? I think KEA knew Rip was on equal footing.

Similarly, at some point in the NCAAT, Kemba and Shabazz allowed Lamb and DD to become alphas. I can't imagine Shabazz shoving DD like he did to RB.

With all of this said, I'm the quintessential 'outsider fan'and have never met any of the players.

Lastly, I don't believe half the stuff that comes out of my mouth or from my keyboard these days. I think often of that scene from No Country for Old Men, when Anton Chigur says to the gas station owner, 'You don't know what you're talking about, do you?"

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

I wrote elsewhere that I reserve judgment on KO's technical until I see how JA progresses in the aftermath. My pet theory (offered with zero swagger, cuz I'm no alpha dog) is that coach took a bullet as a Yes vote for Jalen if he wants to go alpha.
Well, actually, it's just my hope.
We'll see.

 

[Tenspro2002]

Jalen Adams will become the Alpha Dog for his team, but it might not happen this year.

Don't get me wrong, we're sorely lacking in that department, but with two 5th-year seniors, a 4th-year junior, a junior captain, and a stud sophomore ahead of him, it's not going to be easy for him to seize the reins without upsetting the chemistry.

To be an Alpha Dog, you need to be (1) tough, (2) vocal, and (3) a high-IQ player.

Gibbs doesn't appear to have it.

Miller has the IQ, he has the toughness, but I'm not sure as a new guy he's going to step in and be vocal.

Purvis can be tough and vocal, but he's not an intelligent player and therefore not a credible leader.

Brimah strikes me as a vocal rah-rah guy, but is a zero in toughness and BBIQ.

Hamilton has the IQ, but he's not a vocal leader.


Adams has the chops, with all 3, and I fully expect him to be that guy as a sophomore. This year's team could be in trouble though.

 

[OkaForPrez]

I'm already sick of the phrase alpha dog.

 

[Stainmaster]

I'm already sick of the phrase alpha dog.

In my mind, it's taken on the significance of "bigs coach" and "recruiting assistant" as things we relentlessly prescribe when the team plays poorly.

 

[msgordon]

kentucky in 2012 and duke last year didnt have an 'alpha dog'. its one of those things thats a problem, unless it isnt

 

[PcketknfNiels]

I agree- if we think of an alpha dog as a player who is basically fearless, can take over, and is brimming with confidence, all of Uconn's NC teams had two alpha dogs-

KEA and Rip
Emeka and BG
KEMBA
Shabazz and RB

Had to fix.

 

[PcketknfNiels]

An Alpha dog yes! (with some swagger) but we also desperately need a PG with the handle to shred the defense and drive/kick out if necessary (Kemba/Bazz/Boat etc..)

Adams appears to have the best handle on the team and probably could do it, so a lineup of Adams, Gibbs, Purvis, Hamilton, and Brimah.

This lineup probably wont help us with rebounds, but that's not exactly going well now anyways lol.

Thoughts?

This is the lineup I'm most advocating for. Wouldn't even mind Miller instead of Brimah at the 5. Obviously you can rotate in the bigs and size up through the course of a game.

 

[PcketknfNiels]

Lol and Lamb and Daniels being alphas, the two were quiet as church mice. Looks like people are just putting together lists of our great players.

RB was definitely a little mini-alpha next to Bazz on that team IMO.

 

[PcketknfNiels]

This thread thoroughly displays the fact that half the people on here don't know what an Alpha Dog is. Has nothing to do with being the best player, although that helps.

Hell, in 2004 it was Taliek, and he was nowhere NEAR Ben and Mek's level.

Nah, 04 was definitely the 2 best guys. Emeka was so good that, even if he didn't have the most "swag" on the team, he was still immensely respected. BG had the "swag" factor covered.

 

[intlzncster]

I'm already sick of the phrase alpha dog.

I was sick of writing it. I couldn't think of a credible replacement that implied the exact same thing. I tried believe me.

 

[intlzncster]

kentucky in 2012 and duke last year didnt have an 'alpha dog'. its one of those things thats a problem, unless it isnt

Not sure on UK, but for Duke, it was unquestionably Tyus Jones. Kid had swag for days.

 

[intlzncster]

Nah, 04 was definitely the 2 best guys. Emeka was so good that, even if he didn't have the most "swag" on the team, he was still immensely respected. BG had the "swag" factor covered.

It's not just swag or respect. Every single one of those guys would do exactly as Taliek said, every time. He was a complete and total extension of Calhoun on the floor. He was the Commander in Chief. That's one of the best ways to put it. Just to mixup the military metaphor, it's the guy who'll lead the team into the breach. haha

 

[PcketknfNiels]

It's not just swag or respect. Every single one of those guys would do exactly as Taliek said, every time. He was a complete and total extension of Calhoun on the floor. He was the Commander in Chief. That's one of the best ways to put it. Just to mixup the military metaphor, it's the guy who'll lead the team into the breach. haha

I don't agree with that at all really, I think that's an over-glamorization and Taliek is being labeled an Alpha too liberally just because pretty much every other great UConn Alpha has been a PG. I expressly remember basically everyone I knew at the time treating him as the punching bag of that team or saying "I hope Taliek doesn't F this up".

 

[dennismenace]

Jalen Adams will become the Alpha Dog for his team, but it might not happen this year.

Don't get me wrong, we're sorely lacking in that department, but with two 5th-year seniors, a 4th-year junior, a junior captain, and a stud sophomore ahead of him, it's not going to be easy for him to seize the reins without upsetting the chemistry.

To be an Alpha Dog, you need to be (1) tough, (2) vocal, and (3) a high-IQ player.

Gibbs doesn't appear to have it.

Miller has the IQ, he has the toughness, but I'm not sure as a new guy he's going to step in and be vocal.

Purvis can be tough and vocal, but he's not an intelligent player and therefore not a credible leader.

Brimah strikes me as a vocal rah-rah guy, but is a zero in toughness and BBIQ.

Hamilton has the IQ, but he's not a vocal leader.


Adams has the chops, with all 3, and I fully expect him to be that guy as a sophomore. This year's team could be in trouble though.

Let's see what happens as we near the year end. KO at one point said the offense would run through Miller. Not exactly what he meant by that but as you said he has the toughness and intelligence. A leader on the floor is desperately needed. Doesn't have to be the high scorer or even point guard. I'm hoping to see more of an Adrien type play from him down the stretch.

 

[intlzncster]

I don't agree with that at all really, I think that's an over-glamorization and Taliek is being labeled an Alpha too liberally just because pretty much every other great UConn Alpha has been a PG. I expressly remember basically everyone I knew at the time treating him as the punching bag of that team or saying "I hope Taliek doesn't F this up".

Except for Calhoun who called him the heart and soul of that team. A true 'warrior', a phrase he's reserved for a scant few guys.

Most people were woefully myopic RE Taliek's value. A couple of quick quotes from that team:

Emeka: Taliek has had a rough time, especially considering what he has done for this team. He does so much, yet he gets bashed. He leaves it all out on the court and is capable of driving this team with his will.

Calhoun: There's nothing he fears basketball-wise. Sometimes that's really great. Sometimes not so great. The long run wise, is one of the reasons, primary reasons, that we're in the position we're in, is because he believes we're always going to win, he believes he can always do things. That obviously makes him very special.

Calhoun on Duhon vs Taliek: I'd take our guy because I think he's a warrior. Then again, so is Chris Duhon. I take our guy because he's won an awful lot of games, so as Chris Duhon. I take our guy because he is brings leadership and character to our team, and can really defend the heck out of you...Neither one are averaging double figures, but both made incredible contributions during the game. I don't know if you can win without having that kind of kid. They're going to get the loose ball. They're going to make that extra rotation on defense. They're going to push the ball to start a fast break. They're going to make some very good decisions that maybe another player might not be willing to make or take.

 

[PcketknfNiels]

Except for Calhoun who called him the heart and soul of that team. A true 'warrior', a phrase he's reserved for a scant few guys.

Most people were woefully myopic RE Taliek's value. A couple of quick quotes from that team:

Emeka: Taliek has had a rough time, especially considering what he has done for this team. He does so much, yet he gets bashed. He leaves it all out on the court and is capable of driving this team with his will.

Calhoun: There's nothing he fears basketball-wise. Sometimes that's really great. Sometimes not so great. The long run wise, is one of the reasons, primary reasons, that we're in the position we're in, is because he believes we're always going to win, he believes he can always do things. That obviously makes him very special.

Calhoun on Duhon vs Taliek: I'd take our guy because I think he's a warrior. Then again, so is Chris Duhon. I take our guy because he's won an awful lot of games, so as Chris Duhon. I take our guy because he is brings leadership and character to our team, and can really defend the heck out of you...Neither one are averaging double figures, but both made incredible contributions during the game. I don't know if you can win without having that kind of kid. They're going to get the loose ball. They're going to make that extra rotation on defense. They're going to push the ball to start a fast break. They're going to make some very good decisions that maybe another player might not be willing to make or take.

Obviously Taliek's teammate and coach are going to be supportive of him publicly, even last year when Boat had to almost feel like he was out there himself, neither he or Ollie were specifically critical of anyone by name.


Calhoun basically hyped Chris Duhon to the same extent as Taliek in that second statement. It doesn't seem that, judging by that statement, Calhoun was being very judicious with his terminology there. Any successful team has to have a certain amount of respect for the guy who brings the ball up the floor, but I definitely wouldn't consider Taliek to be "the man" on that team.

 

[Chin Diesel]

There's leading from the front and there's leading from behind.

Leading from the front on the court is KEA. Big personality, had no fear and wanted to take the big shot.

Leading from behind is Taliek. He was more a facilitator or mediator making sure everyone got theirs before he got his.

As far as coaching, JC was all lead from the front. He had the dominant personality and everyone was conforming to his way or they were left behind. He was fair and firm and changed his game planning due to personnel but make no doubt about it, he was the lead story. That seems to be the path for success in college.

KO was more of a lead from behind PG in college. Also, NBA coaches tend to lead from behind. It's about cajoling and nudging players to their peak. I believe KO has to get some more lead from the front with this team. In college you may get leaders like Bazz that can put a team on his back but that is an inconsistent variable. A Big Dog coach is a more consistent factor.

As far as this year's team, it's obvious that Hamilton is the most talented player. This is somewhat reminiscent of Donyell's sophomore year when Burrell was a senior. Scotty was a great players but he wasn't a #1 option that was leading a team to greatness. Donyell was a transcendent talent who was still growing in to his body and learning how to harness all the skill.

I don't have any feel for which way this team will progress. It's easy to say they will gel and go on a tear. That talent and the pieces are there. They could also go the hamster wheel route of spinning furiously and not going anyway.