Chief’s Briefs - Gonzaga Edition

[Chief00]

This is why we all love Chief. He's not afraid to take a stand. I think he's the next Rick Barry.

Karaban was 0-7 from three and 3-3 from two. Obviously, on nights like last night more twos and less quick threes. Doesn’t mean he takes no threes just less until he gets going with twos and foul shots and maybe some good passes and offensive rebounds. This is not controversial thinking but conventional.

 

[EnochRoot]

He was a game time decision due to his shoulder sprain but hurley needs to start working him into the rotation as our backup PG once he comes back. He’s the misssing piece of the puzzle.

He's going to be out for two weeks.

 

[bendm]

Maybe it’s compared to expectations? He had zero points, zero blocks,three rebounds, zero assists. And my guess is the +/- was unfavorable?
I thought Stewart’s minutes were much more impactful?
We all pray Samson will quickly recover.

Shoulda been 2 assists and he played good D

 

[Chief00]

Agree with everything but ball at pg? Seriously chiief he has zero handle and would turn it over every possession. If ball is not shooting he offers nothing.

Compared to Mahaney? He can also drive and his defense is better.

 

[Chief00]

He was a game time decision due to his shoulder sprain but once he comes back hurley needs to start working him into the rotation as our backup PG. He’s the misssing piece of the puzzle.

True, interesting due to game time decision that at least I did not know a certain answer to, prior to the game.

 

[Chief00]

This is why we all love Chief. He's not afraid to take a stand. I think he's the next Rick Barry.

It is more than the 26 points, he wants the ball at key moments and delivers.

 

[Chief00]

You don’t know you will be 0-7 until you take your 7th shot. I don’t think you want AK to be thinking that he should pass up shots he makes. Good shooters can catch fire.

When you are shooting threes like that, take it to the basket either by drives or cuts - maybe get to the line and that opens up the threes. I thought his threes were too quick and too deep, when you are having an off night.

 

[Rich]

Let’s show Mahaney some grace. He took a huge risk leaving his WCC comfort zone to try and prove himself in a cauldron. He’s probably more frustrated with himself than any of us. It’s a cultural adjustment; he will get there.

 

[UCann]

It was interesting Nowell got no minutes.

He was out with an injury.

 

[UCann]

He was a game time decision due to his shoulder sprain but once he comes back hurley needs to start working him into the rotation as our backup PG. He’s the misssing piece of the puzzle.

This is what I read:
“Freshman Ahmad Nowell, who missed the past two games with a shoulder injury and was a gametime decision on Saturday, participated in pregame warm-ups, dressed for the game and was available to play, per Hurley. Sort of.”

 

[cohenzone]

When you are shooting threes line that take it to the basket either by drives or cuts - maybe get to the line and that opens up the threes. I thought his tveees were too quick and too deep when you are having an off night.

He takes those shots all the time. I know what you are saying and disagree. An occasional bad decision should not stop the potentially best deep threat on the team from taking his normal shot.

 

[Chief00]

Good win. I’m sure Stewart thinks he should play more and he’s right. But karaban is going to play a lot regardless and it’s hard to take Liam off the court too.

Agree, that’s why maybe play Stewart in a running line up at center, maybe 5 minutes a game in addition to backing up Karaban and McNeeley.

 

[Chief00]

This is what I read:
“Freshman Ahmad Nowell, who missed the past two games with a shoulder injury and was a gametime decision on Saturday, participated in pregame warm-ups, dressed for the game and was available to play, per Hurley. Sort of.”

Yeah, that’s why pre game I did not rule him in or out.

 

[Chief00]

Let’s show Mahaney some grace. He took a huge risk leaving his WCC comfort zone to try and prove himself in a cauldron. He’s probably more frustrated with himself than any of us. It’s a cultural adjustment; he will get there.

I agree 100%, and that’s why when I criticize the PG role, I praise his shooting guard role. For reasons we discussed in various threads, we have played him out of position. That happens but now we should know better, and play him as a shooting guard.

 

[coachn]

Ross defense vs. Nembard won the game. Don't be afraid of Singare. Chief your the best.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

He's hurt, right?

He was out with an injury.

Casual fans may not have been aware of this.

 

[jibsey]

Alex coming in at 48% was covered at the line so he takes the longer 3 when open. Supposedly he was the best 3 point shooter at the NBA combine last spring.
Question. How many teams have a pair of guards better than they had? I hope not many.

 

[pj]

Very impressive win, very happy to see the team finding its way so quickly after Maui.

Hope Samson gets back at full strength, and Singare and Reed develop during his time off. It's not a bad thing for Singare to get on-court experience, and Reed to have more time with the other four starters so coaches can get a better read on player chemistries. I agree with Chief that the smaller lineup with Stewart or Karaban at the 5 can be a powerhouse against many teams, but I suspect there's more to be gained development-wise by getting Singare some time.

We're very solid at the forward spots with McNeeley, Karaban, and Stewart. McNeeley seems like he's already maturing into a complete player. Karaban still needs to gain comfort with the less familiar parts of his game, it seems like 3 point shooting is still his go-to even when it's not working / defense has taken it away. Stewart, I'm not sure which weaknesses are limiting his minutes, but he still looks like a high-ceiling player to me and I hope he fixes those issues and gets more time soon. A more balanced 30-30-20 among McNeeley-Karaban-Stewart might help us get through the grind of the Big East regular season at full strength.

It seems like Ball-Ross-Mahaney at SG and Diarra-Nowell-Mahaney at PG are where we still need improvement, especially PG. I'm still among the optimists about Mahaney. In elite competitive sports you're either rich or you're poor, a little bit better and you dominate, a little bit worse and you get dominated. Mahaney is getting dominated right now but I don't believe he's that far below the threshold of middle class. I think he can work his way through this and become a quality PG for us. We'll see. But if not, we have a high floor in Diarra and Nowell is clearly a major talent who is going to come on. Let's see where we get by March. Chief's idea of Ball as PG is surprising and intriguing, I would be happy if Ball can just develop a bit as a ballhandler and distributor and take some burden off the PG.

The crazy thing is that this early in the season and with limited chemistry together and some real weaknesses and some key injuries, they've nevertheless begun beating top 10 - top 20 teams. The upside for this team is high. They won't be as good as last year's team, but they will compete for the championship. If we win it, it will be due to McNeeley emerging as a big-time star. We're very lucky fans to be able to watch this team develop.

 

[JungleLobo]

Awesome win and a well played game by both teams. We got off to a great, electrifying start. However, 3 point offense and defense hurt us. In the first half they shot twice our 3pt % (50% to 25%). Part of the problem is we don’t identify the guy who made 3 of their 4 threes (Battle) and deny him the ball. Instead his defensive guy is helping on a poor shooter and gets caught in between. We largely corrected that in the second half.

I thought McNeeley played like our best player tonight. Scoring 26 points. Our offense needs to go through him. He knows how to score from the field, pass and get to the line and convert his foul shots.

I was surprise that Hurley went to the Mahaney as PG early substitution. That path has been problematic on both offense and defense. He can be a real help as a shooter off the bench but once he begins as a PG he never gets in his rhythm even if moved to the shooting guard role later. I would move Ball to PG when Diarra goes out. The second half stretch that started with a Mahaney PG 10 second violation, led to a 6 point swing in a close game proves my point. Hurley needs to stop that type of substitution immediately.

Samson Johnson pre injury cut to the basket with explosion and played like he needs to play minus the usual silly fouls and communication miscues on defense.

I really think Stewart against many teams should be our third string center. He gives us a different look and more of a fast break type game player. As a power forward he is definitively a starting caliber player and probably a star in the making.

Stewart was 2-2 from 3 while Karaban was 0-7. More importantly he only took 2 non 3 point shots. When you have a 0-7 3 point night, Alex should be a smart enough player to try to score other ways.
Guys shooting in the 50% and higher range: Reed, Stewart, McNeeley, and Ross.

Chiefs briefs gets 2 skidmarks.

 

[Chief00]

Casual fans may not have been aware of this.

We love our Casusl Fans. They are always respected and welcomed!

 

[Chief00]

Chiefs briefs gets 2 skidmarks.

Please explain your skidmark ratings? lol