Yeah, Olander is going to be big this year, he can do a bit of everything. Alex, I'm not concerned about at all because he's done it before. Drummond I feel needs a concerted effort to get him involved and the more work he gets before the BE the better. He's rightly tentative because of the mask.I think you could expand this to all the big men. I'd like to see Oriakhi get fed and convert to get his confidence up early. I'd also like to see them utilize Olander more on offense ... his game is looking nice.
I expect them to do a better job of working the ball inside.
Same goes for AD. Start off with good habits. Especially important since we might only get one year out of him.
If Drummond wants to be a one-and-done, he'll be a one-and-done. It has nothing to do with how Calhoun coaches or how many minutes Drummond gets this year. He'll be a high draft pick based on what people envision him being 5 years from now, not based on his stats this year. The only way he comes back is if he WANTS to come back.Not too sure there is a lot of call for a guy at the next level who comes off the bench and scores zip against Columbia...I just don't see him as a 1 and done. for one thing, it isn't the way Calhoun coaches. For another, there are a bunch of bigs on this tieam and they will all get playing time. So Drummond won't get the chance to dominate, if he is even capable of doing so. I think he is more likely a Charlie Villanueva...he had similar hype when he came to the program...he'll come off the bench this year before being the leader next year.
I think it is hard to get a team fired up when they know the team they are playing is not in their league talent-wise. Some players play hard no matter what but others tend to coast when they can. I hope that I will be forgiven for this, but the only team that seems to play hard no matter the competition is Duke. Don't get me wrong, Jim Calhoun is definitely the better coach, but somehow Coach K seems to get his teams to play hard all the time.I just want to see them compete with fire. This early, I'm not extremely worried about results, but there's no excuse for coming out flat and being physically dominant. Let's see some aggression.
It's funny how the mask apparently wasn't a problem when Drummond went for a double-double against C.W. Post.The rebounding will work itself out. And the mask is definitely bothering AD.
Actually, you're right. And that is one reason the NBA is the mess it is...even if they play its almost unwatchable much of the time. Drafting based on "potential" brings guys into the league at very high salaries who really have no business playing in the NBA. Is it possible that Drummond could be one of them? Sure. Best thing that could happen to that league, though is to lose the season, have the owners impose some settlement with somewhat more realistic salaries and end the 1 year rule. Go back to drafting guys out of high school and pay them a salary that is comensurate with their true value as opposed to their "potential". Probably close up shop for a couple of teams, too, wouldn't be the end of the world. Can you tell me you'd seriously miss the Cleveland Caveliers? If the LA Clippers win a Championship and nobody even knows about it, does it really count?If Drummond wants to be a one-and-done, he'll be a one-and-done. It has nothing to do with how Calhoun coaches or how many minutes Drummond gets this year. He'll be a high draft pick based on what people envision him being 5 years from now, not based on his stats this year. The only way he comes back is if he WANTS to come back.
Have you paid attention to how NBA GM's draft. Production in college doesnt mean a whole lot when it comes to draft status. Kanter went 3rd, Tristan Thompson 4th, and some guy named Bismark Biyombo 7th in last years draft. Andre Drummond is twice the prospect any of those guys are. Not sure why we are talking about his draft status after one game.....Not too sure there is a lot of call for a guy at the next level who comes off the bench and scores zip against Columbia...I just don't see him as a 1 and done. for one thing, it isn't the way Calhoun coaches. For another, there are a bunch of bigs on this tieam and they will all get playing time. So Drummond won't get the chance to dominate, if he is even capable of doing so. I think he is more likely a Charlie Villanueva...he had similar hype when he came to the program...he'll come off the bench this year before being the leader next year.
I wouldn't miss the Cavs at all! The Cavs that could have drafted DWILL & Kemba. What a putrid franchise.Actually, you're right. And that is one reason the NBA is the mess it is...even if they play its almost unwatchable much of the time. Drafting based on "potential" brings guys into the league at very high salaries who really have no business playing in the NBA. Is it possible that Drummond could be one of them? Sure. Best thing that could happen to that league, though is to lose the season, have the owners impose some settlement with somewhat more realistic salaries and end the 1 year rule. Go back to drafting guys out of high school and pay them a salary that is comensurate with their true value as opposed to their "potential". Probably close up shop for a couple of teams, too, wouldn't be the end of the world. Can you tell me you'd seriously miss the Cleveland Caveliers? If the LA Clippers win a Championship and nobody even knows about it, does it really count?