Dear Alex O.

[huskiesnyc]

No one was calling Alex a coward (Napier) when he was putting up a double/double in the NCAA Championship game or getting 21 rebs/@Texas against interior players like Tristan Thompson. It just so happens now that he made a decision to play for a team eligible for the NCAA tournament in his SENIOR year he is a coward. Some objectivity please?

Deal with? If you have been offered a job (with Missouri this year) with better co-workers (Pressey et al. as opposed to Napier) and higher pay (tournament eligible) would you stay at your present job (UConn)?

The only substantive question is... will he lose career opportunities basketball or otherwise by leaving UConn? Reasonable people should conclude he was an intrical part of a championship team, a very good student and committed to UConn prior to his Sophomore season in high school.

"While we as a university and coaching staff clearly should have done a better job academically with our men's basketball student-athletes in the past, the changes we have implemented have already had a significant impact and have helped us achieve the success we expect in the classroom," basketball coach Jim Calhoun said in a statement. "We will continue to strive to maintain that success as we move forward."

Alex did his job academically at UConn and doesn't deserve to take the hit for Calhoun's lack of oversight. Calhoun deserves the blame. In theory UConn with creative lawyering and advocacy may have been able to play its cards differently and salvaged the season. Student athletes in good academic standing like AO don't warrrant attack in this case. It is healthier to support the kid and hope UConn can salvage a good recruiting class in 2013.

To answer your question no, I wouldn't leave a powerhouse like UConn for a school like Missouri under any circumstance. And it certainly didn't seem like the NCAA tournament was that important to Alex last year when he posted a stellar 2 points, 3 rebounds, and told Coach Calhoun "get the duckk out of my face"

 

[Robertelamin]

But but but, they have developed such awesome players as anthony peeler and kareem rush!

 

[BLUEDOGHOUSE]

Yeah I think most would agree he was important piece in the NC run with Kemba, he played well during that stretch. Most reasonable people would also realize besides a run in Maui of 4 games and that tourney run, he was at best an 8/5 guy who fell well short of his McD's status throughout his career. He also twitted his way into the hearts of noone, played like a stiff for 90% of last years campaign and never came close to improving his horrid offensive game. And as far as his double/double run during the NC, is it okay to follow it up with the type of season he had last year? Is that the expectations we as UConn fans should have? ....."....Oh he had a big hand in a NC run so who cares if he plays crappy the next year, stirs controversy amongst his teammates as captain of the team and then leaves the sinking ship........who cares he deserves it for playing so well in 11 of his career games...." Please.......

He's a forgotten Husky, unless of course you're like me and hope he gets 6/4 in 18 minutes a game at Mizzoou!! LOL

Alex averaged 9.6/8.7 his Soph year and saw his production drop to 6.7/4.8 his Jr. year (as we all know). A good part of that was coaching inefficiencies (not just JC). When 2 guys hate each other like Napier and Alex that does not bode well for team chemistry (especially when respect has been lost on all fronts/with all parties including coaches). It was best that AO left for Columbia to join the Zou and 1 of the best points in the country Phil Pressey.

Alex has tweeted like a twit on occasion as you mention. Many of his retweets for lack of a better word are excellent and somewhat inspirational at times! I do think AO will average a double/double this upcoming season probably in the neighborhood of 11.9 pts/10.2 rebs. Bazz should be +18 ppg for UConn making both players better off for the move. It is understandable to be angry over what has transpired at UConn and the subsequent departures. No question UConn will rebound from all this as we transition (hopefully soon) to a post Calhoun era.

 

[mauconnfan]

Alex averaged 9.6/8.7 his Soph year and saw his production drop to 6.7/4.8 his Jr. year (as we all know). A good part of that was coaching inefficiencies (not just JC). When 2 guys hate each other like Napier and Alex that does not bode well for team chemistry (especially when respect has been lost on all fronts/with all parties including coaches). It was best that AO left for Columbia to join the Zou and 1 of the best points in the country Phil Pressey.

Alex has tweeted like a twit on occasion as you mention. Many of his retweets for lack of a better word are excellent and somewhat inspirational at times! I do think AO will average a double/double this upcoming season probably in the neighborhood of 11.9 pts/10.2 rebs. Bazz should be +18 ppg for UConn making both players better off for the move. It is understandable to be angry over what has transpired at UConn and the subsequent departures. No question UConn will rebound from all this as we transition (hopefully soon) to a post Calhoun era.

Not sure wtf you have been watching as a UConn fan...........his "inefficiencies" were caused ONLY by the fact he #1 couldn't catch the fn ball and #2 his back-to-the-basket game was only as good as a left handed throw he called a jump hook.....the guy sucked basically and there's no other conclusion for your support than the fact you are related or potentially blind which I apologize for........coaching inefficiencies makes you look really stupid!!!!!!!! And Pressey, while he is very good, doesn't add stick 'em to his passes does he?? Alex blows and he can't have a bad enough year for me...............

 

[BLUEDOGHOUSE]

Not sure wtf you have been watching as a UConn fan...........his "inefficiencies" were caused ONLY by the fact he #1 couldn't catch the fn ball and #2 his back-to-the-basket game was only as good as a left handed throw he called a jump hook.....the guy sucked basically and there's no other conclusion for your support than the fact you are related or potentially blind which I apologize for........coaching inefficiencies makes you look really stupid!!!!!!!! And Pressey, while he is very good, doesn't add stick 'em to his passes does he?? Alex blows and he can't have a bad enough year for me...............

I respectfully disagree with your genius analysis hehe!

The best way to coach Alex is to ask questions (because he is intelligent) and offer opportunities that will challenge him to find answers from within himself. This "socratic method" would have helped facilitate Alex to discover answers and new ways of being based on his values, preferences and unique perspective. Coaching is a key part of learning development. You should notice a big jump in psychological or emotional growth in our ring bearing former husky this year. Physical and mental player development is what makes a great coach. If a player fails to grow in these areas then it is fair to question the recruiting process (part of coaching responsibilities) that brought the player to a school in the first place (Calhoun) and/or the lack of resourcefulness to engage the right strategies to bring out the best in a player. I would opt for the latter in Alex's case.

The Orhiaki stock is mid second round material absent another National Championship/Final 4 run by Missouri in which case he could break into late first round.

 

[Adios]

He's an intelligent mumu?

 

[BLUEDOGHOUSE]

I respectfully disagree with your genius analysis hehe!

The best way to coach Alex is to ask questions (because he is intelligent) and offer opportunities that will challenge him to find answers from within himself. This "socratic method" would have helped facilitate Alex to discover answers and new ways of being based on his values, preferences and unique perspective. Coaching is a key part of learning development. You should notice a big jump in psychological or emotional growth in our ring bearing former husky this year. Physical and mental player development is what makes a great coach. If a player fails to grow in these areas then it is fair to question the recruiting process (part of coaching responsibilities) that brought the player to a school in the first place (Calhoun) and/or the lack of resourcefulness to engage the right strategies to bring out the best in a player. I would opt for the latter in Alex's case.

The Orhiaki stock is mid second round material absent another National Championship/Final 4 run. However if Missouri has a big year as a team (Final4/NC) it should catapult AO into the first round.

 

[BLUEDOGHOUSE]

"It's sad that we can't play in the NCAA tournament or the Big East tournament, but those are things you have to deal with. Like I said, some people deal with them, some people run away. It's how you're born. It' s how you live your life." -Shabazz Napier
He basically calls AO a coward and I couldn't agree more.

Bro just wish the kid well. Missouri will be very good this year. So will UConn in the near future if Boatright stays for his Junior year.

 

[Fishy]

Bro just wish the kid well.

But if we do that, this thread will never get to ten pages.

 

[Robertelamin]

I respectfully disagree with your genius analysis hehe!

The best way to coach Alex is to ask questions (because he is intelligent) and offer opportunities that will challenge him to find answers from within himself. This "socratic method" would have helped facilitate Alex to discover answers and new ways of being based on his values, preferences and unique perspective. Coaching is a key part of learning development. You should notice a big jump in psychological or emotional growth in our ring bearing former husky this year. Physical and mental player development is what makes a great coach. If a player fails to grow in these areas then it is fair to question the recruiting process (part of coaching responsibilities) that brought the player to a school in the first place (Calhoun) and/or the lack of resourcefulness to engage the right strategies to bring out the best in a player. I would opt for the latter in Alex's case.

The Orhiaki stock is mid second round material absent another National Championship/Final 4 run by Missouri in which case he could break into late first round.

I doubt he gets drafted after teams call Calhoun and ask his opinion about AO...

 

[Chief00]

I have always thought Calhoun is better with the tough guy rather than the smartest. Sure there are exceptions to that rule....but in general that is how it plays out.

 

[BLUEDOGHOUSE]

I doubt he gets drafted after teams call Calhoun and ask his opinion about AO...

It is all speculation as to whether Alex will provide Missouri the intangibles to make a run to ATL. Bowers right now could be their #1 front court option.

6-11 Freshman Stefan Jankovic has **** star talent and is a shooter. I think Alex has challenged himself with his decision to attend Missouri. Although not always the norm I think the teams success (Missouri)/or lack there of will go a long way to determining the Orhiaki stock price next summer.

Whether we are buyers or sellers of that security ticker symbol (AO) is a personal decision. There are fair arguments on both sides as to his value next year. My point being is this stock (AO) will be traded on the big boards (Nasdaq, NYSE ect ect...) not over the counter or on the Pink Sheets (UConn).

People change and times change. This is a new beginning for AO and UConn.

 

[aceboon]

I'm late as hell but Napier doesn't have a twitter, there was an article about social media and the team after fans were critical of the team on twitter and this was noted. Of course when you have an agenda I don't think that point matters tho...

Mizzou should be a fun team to follow. The transfers Bell & Ross are proven. Brown recruited by UConn. Pressey the best PG in the country next year? Bowers returns. Most likely starting 4 seniors & 1 Junior. Alex made a good choice. If it was your senior year what would you do? Makes sense to skip town. Poor coaching job last year by JC. The only guy AO hasn't tweeted with this summer is Napier. Daniels, Boatright, Wolf, Bradley, Drummond, Lamb and Roscoe all showing AO some love even though he bolted. Napier and Calhoun couldn't do what Kemba could do. That is keep the team chemistry in tact.