I have to agree with nelson's comments on 1 and dones generally, and as far as Drummond was concerned, I'm not at all sure that he was any kind of factor this year except possibly a disruptive one. I don't mean that in the sense that he was a problem guy in any sense. By all reports he wasn't. But his game was not good enough to be a difference maker and UCONN never figured out how to mix and match the other front court players. Frankly I htink our front court of 2010-11 was far more effective. Not sure I exactly want him to go, but I'm also not sure he'll be missed either.
Yes for an 18 year old big man he had a pretty good year. He did make the BE all rookie team.He averaged 10 and 8. Do you know how many guys put up those types of numbers across the country? Of course he was a factor and a difference maker.
You know you don't have to be a contrarian on every topic, right?
My goodness, there are people here who have absolutely no idea what they are talking about. Drummond didn't help us this year? We would have been better off without him?
Think about how poor our half court offense was. Now think about how many times we were bailed out by one of our guards throwing the ball 10 feet over the rim and watching a man-child catch the ball in traffic and power dunk it through the basket. Seriously, how many times did that happen this year? 30? 40?
How do you think those 40 possessions would have turned out had Drummond not been there? Would you have preferred a few more 30 footers from Shabazz at the end of the shot clock? A few more lefty jump hooks from Oriakhi that don't hit the rim?
And I couldn't be more sick of this "Oriakhi would have been better without Drummond" garbage. It's a completely made up narrative started by some media guys that some fans ate up, but it's nonsense. First of all, Oriakhi played a ton of minutes at the 4 last year next to Okwandu and seemed to do just fine. Secondly, what was Oriakhi asked to do this year at the 4 that he wasn't asked to do last year at the 5? How was his role different? Last year his role was to post up, set screens, rebound, and defend, and he did it pretty well for the most part. You mean to tell me his role was different this year? How? Did Calhoun try and turn him into Kevin Jones and have him face the basket and shoot jump shots? Of course not. His role was exactly the same - post up, set screens, rebound, defend - he just didn't perform. Drummond made him drop post entry passes and miss shots around the basket? Give me a break.
You're talking about a kid in Oriakhi who has a fragile psyche. Yes, Drummond gave us 10, 8, and 3, which is pretty good for a freshman and definitely had a positive effect on the team. What didn't have a positive effect, was his cluelessness on defense, his inability to set good screens, his inconsistency, and his inability to score unless he had the ball above the rim. He had a lot of limitations as a player, and although Roscoe Smith isn't exactly Kevin McChale, you could probably make the case that him on the floor gave us more flexiblity because of his ability to step away from the basket.
I'm not saying that the seemingly negative effect he had on Oriakhi is his fault, but it certainly seemed like Oriakhi grew tired of playing with Drummond real quick. Last year he was the one throwing down the alley oops, blocking shots, scoring on putbacks, etc. He was the force inside during last years title run. Why Drummond and Oriakhi could not co-exist, I'll never know, however, would you agree Drummond's presense seemd to have an inverse effect on Oriakhi's game rather than a positive effect? Likewise, the addition of Drummond deprived Roscoe minutes at the four. And then you have to consider the psychological element of the perimeter players knowing they have a freak of nature behind them to block shots.
The defense as a whole regressed mightily this season. I would wager that this was more because of Kemba's departure and less because of Drummond's arrival. But still, it's another factor you have to consider.
so lets say we lose Lamb, drummond and have lost AO. If we can play guys like Bradley and Tyler who will be here longer than next year, wouldnt we be in a better position for 13' than if Lamb, Drummond and AO stayed and played great in a meaningless year we couldnt go to the tourney?
don't forget about Bradley.dont worry we are in good hands with Boat, Scoe, and Wolf anchoring us down low.
alex was awful during regular season big east play was he?
Oriakhi averaged 11 and 7 last year in Big East regular season play. Is that awful?
He was awful with or without looking at numbers........and he's not here so who cares anyway? Not me........they're a better team without him patrolling the middle or the baseline with his matador D, that's my point.........
He left his man to help too much and gave up easy points and there is no question that he needs a lot of work on his offensive moves. The truth is he can just as easily develop in the NBA ala Bynum. Drummond is an outstanding athlete who can run the floor and has an NBA body.He'll be a good NBA player at some point.LOL does anyone really blame him? No post season and BET tourney. Sure he needs a lot of work on his offensive game but i believe his issues are more with his desire to play basketball instead of skill. I was impressed when he actually wanted to play hard this year but a lot of the time he looked like he was sleeping or in another world. If he decides to go best of luck. He wasnt going to last more than another year anyway.
I was only able to say that positive stuff because I truly believed that Lamb and AD would come back and that they would reverse the APR ruling. Now that Lamb is gone, it is clear we are doomed and I will no longer post positive thoughts.I think this should be nominated for the "glass half full" award.
In the sea of death and despair that is boneyard hoops, this post is almost too simple in it's logic... you didn't even mention Calhoun's departure, Ollie leaving for the NBA, or Niels going back to Germany. I think there was also a rumor of 'Bazz going pro as well.
You need to work on your gloom and doom if you want to make it in this forum.
Sorry, my bad. I am not as accustomed as CT people are to see the word "messaging" in print.I think you mean massaging the squid's tentacles. Big difference to messaging!!!
Sure you don't spanky. I think your comment is a subtle way of hinting that you want me to send you a picture of myself so YOU can have a picture to rub one out to.
But, whatever, the fact remains that you are a . And the uass fanbase is like a group of 10 year old girls at a Bieber concert over the possibility that the squid might show up in Amherst. You guys are pathetic. Can you imagine what the clowns on your board would say if a UConn fan posted crap on your board like you post here? They couldn't even take being told how obsessed they are over Calhoun. If a UConn fan actually insulted your coach or your team or even your sainted ex-coach, heads would explode! BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!
You do realize that it is better at times to say nothing at all.
You know nothing about him personally and to make this statement shows the kind of person you are.
lol, I knew you were going to say that even when you were faced with facts.
Sorry john normally respect and agree witrh many of your posts but you have not faced the facts. He was not a very good player, it had nothing to do with Drummond and change of position and he will not be missed! That's all we need to know especially as the captain abandons ship!!
Your interactions with fans on the Umass board were alot more obnoxious and you got banned so you don't have to imagine. And the fact that you know what they are posting about Calipari means you still go there to read about him and proves your obsession. What tool-boy conveniently left out is the Calipari frequently returns to Amherst because his yougest daughter still goes there, oldest daughter is an alum, his former assistant/pg is the head coach there and he still owns a condo in the area.
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Here is the picture for you. Now all you need is hand lotion.
.Sorry, my bad. I am not as accustomed as CT people are to see the word "messaging" in print.