Earth to Jalen. Come in Jalen. You out there?

[Fan4ever]

As a previous post put it, this is also about preventing a crash & burn for JA, post UCONN. There is a very high likelihood that JA plays professionally somewhere. That tenure can be very short-lived with out the right mindset. Of course, JA needs to be in the right mindset to accept and appreciate this teaching. Lessons in life can be very hard to digest, for if not the desired impact is lost.

In terms of outlook, I would say that JA will heed this lecture and in the future tell the tale of how he learned to be a professional BB player from Coach Hurley. This in turn will demonstrate the difference in the UCONN way for future prospects.

 

[mauconnfan]

"You think 9 months of Hurley is going to change Jalen?"

HuskyHawk as a player you take each coach as to their expectations and style as you grow. So yes he should've totally understood that Coach Hurley would help him be who we think he wants to be. I believe he even said that when he was announced and had his talk with him one-on-one. If he is that kid everyone says is a great kid off the court then it should be very easy for him to understand what he needs to accomplish and work on while trying to also get ready for the next level of life coming soon. Again, what happened yesterday tells you all you need to know about the "player" not necessarily the kid. 3.5 years of Hurley more than likely would've changed something for him but my guess would've been out the door after year 1 or 2.

 

[gwhuskyfan]

Jalen is an enigma but I don’t think he’s a bad kid or cancer to the team. I’ve seen him encourage and cheer on his teammates while he sat or fouled out. He’s Played great and horrible sometimes in the same game. I actually think Hurley’s decision to pull Jalen helped the growth of our team. With Gilbert out and Adams on the bench others had to step up. If we could get that play consistently out of Carlton, Polley, and Wilson when Riq comes back UConn could pull an upset or two. Sure Jalen is frustrating but there’s still time for redemption . And while it’s a long shot to make any post season noise I’m not giving up yet.

You could see him still pumping up his teammates and getting excited on the bench yesterday. So really think the cancer in the clubhouse type posts are accurate. Just disappointing to see the what he's shown us he can do - and not be able to repeat it on a consistent basis.

 

[CL82]

It’s such an understatement, but man are some people here hard on Jalen. Did he kick your dog or something?

Worse. He wasn't Kemba, or at least Bazz.

 

[HuskyHawk]

"You think 9 months of Hurley is going to change Jalen?"

HuskyHawk as a player you take each coach as to their expectations and style as you grow. So yes he should've totally understood that Coach Hurley would help him be who we think he wants to be. I believe he even said that when he was announced and had his talk with him one-on-one. If he is that kid everyone says is a great kid off the court then it should be very easy for him to understand what he needs to accomplish and work on while trying to also get ready for the next level of life coming soon. Again, what happened yesterday tells you all you need to know about the "player" not necessarily the kid. 3.5 years of Hurley more than likely would've changed something for him but my guess would've been out the door after year 1 or 2.

I guess we disagree. It's like parenting. Kids who don't naturally take to coaching or authority respond when there are consequences. Whatever Hurley made clear or didn't, yesterday was the first time Jalen faced any real consequences. Until there are consequences, those hard to reach kids will march to the beat of their own drummer. I know that pretty well, I was one of them. I was a lot like Jalen (not athletically, but academically) So let's see how he responds. If he sulks, then yeah, that's who he is. If he gets angry at himself, and changes, then the message may have finally gotten through.

 

[superjohn]

We will never know. But Scooters? Come on. Ollie was the strangest coach ever. He was a tireless, self-motivated player, out working everyone else to forge an NBA career. I think he expected players like himself, and aside from maybe Purvis, probably never found a single one. It's not how most people are wired. He pretty clearly did not push and demand of them the level of effort and commitment that they needed to succeed. He let them get away with too much on and off the court. Injuries meant that KO couldn't sub Adams and even hope to win a game.

You think 9 months of Hurley is going to change Jalen? When has his occasionally lazy approach hurt him before yesterday? Even under Hurley that was the first time it impacted his minutes. I think there is a chance that he will start to understand. It's not like he hasn't been very good much of the year.

When has this occasionally lazy approach hurt him before yesterday? His entire career. He was the 23rd ranked player in the country coming out of high school and was supposed to be playing in the NBA right now. Instead he's been a part of the worst stretch in UConn basketball since the early 80's.

 

[Ewekon]

First, away from basketball, Jalen is a likeable kid. Today was all about game prep. Doing what’s right with the body and mind to be able to focus and execute in a game.

Would he have been best buddies with uncle Cliffy?

 

[mauconnfan]

Crazy to see Joey Whelton share his thoughts on social media huh? He's right and he knows as well as anyone. Could use him last few games with his hair flopping around LOL

 

[Ewekon]

The only thing more frustrating than watching Adams' career is reading the posts of the apologists who continue to make excuses for him and tout him as a great player.

After 3.5 years, it's abundantly clear he doesn't have the desire to maximize his talents as a player and especially as a leader. I can't wait until he plays out the remainder of the string and I don't have to watch him, ever again.

My sources tell me that after graduation he will be getting an apartment in Hartford.

 

[UConnRock]

Watching Adams dribble into traffic, trip and fall, lose control for another turnover and then sit on the floor while ECU is in transition was absolutely infuriating to me. I can't imagine what it does to a high strung coach like Hurley.

Gilbert in the game keeps Jalen under control as he simply does not handle the ball as much. It is quite obvious that Gilbert's absence has brought out the Adams that we have seen in previous years. He feels like he has to carry the team and create on his own. That tells me that Adams really has not bought into Hurley's offense. The success of the team in the 2nd half without Adams was refreshing. 44 points in 2nd half vs 32 in first. Would love to know the shooting % and assists in 2nd half vs 1st

 

[Marat]

When has this occasionally lazy approach hurt him before yesterday? His entire career. He was the 23rd ranked player in the country coming out of high school and was supposed to be playing in the NBA right now. Instead he's been a part of the worst stretch in UConn basketball since the early 80's.

That's not the result of JA not achieving super stardom. Even Kemba would not be able to do much with the previous supporting casts.

 

[pj]

Jalen seems like a nice guy who wants a balanced life -- balanced meaning 20% partying and 80% work. But the highest level of basketball excellence can be reached only with 100% focus. The difference in lifetime income between 100% focus on basketball and 80% focus on basketball is huge for Jalen. Those of us with a longer view can see that to devote a decade exclusively to basketball, now, would enable him to have a really, really good life for the following 40 years. But the future is far away ... fun is close ...

 

[Uconn77Duke74]

I wish Jalen was our third best player. We'd be pretty good.

 

[jibsey]

Is Jalen better than Rodney Purvis was? They both have had a bunch of highs and lows.

 

[Deepster]

My sources tell me that after graduation he will be getting an apartment in Hartford.

I wouldn't doubt it. He's definitely not getting one in a city that has an NBA team.

 

[ClifSpliffy]

ja. currently, shoots around 50% on about 14 shots while playing about 30 minutes a game, with career highs in both 2 and 3 point shooting percentages. 3rd in 3%, 1st in ft%, 1st in to's,, 2nd in steals and assists, 4th in rebounds, 5th in shots blocked. tied or leading scorer in 13 of the teams 22 games. 1st in scoring, averaging around 18 ppg, currently 6th in aac while having the 2nd best shooting % of the top 10. will finish his career in the top 1/2 dozen or so UConn alltime points leader (oh, no! he's passing cliff!). nothing to see here, moving on...

 

[Waquoit]

Is Jalen better than Rodney Purvis was? They both have had a bunch of highs and lows.

That's a tough one. I think I'll miss both exactly the same.

 

[Candyman]

Is Jalen better than Rodney Purvis was? They both have had a bunch of highs and lows.

They played together Rodneys last year and Jalen was better then and much better his senior year compared to Rodneys. No comparision. Want to call Jalen lazy and not leader fine but talent wise, at the college level, he is much better than Purvis.

 

[jleves]

No, that’s just antagonizing and showing up a guy for no reason. That’s insulting, not teaching. Hurley likes Jalen. He cares about him and nothing makes him more frustrated as a coach than a guy not maximizing his ability. I’d bet on Jalen coming out strong against Temple. It’s such an understatement, but man are some people here hard on Jalen. Did he kick your dog or something?

Yeah, I was thinking that as I posted. I know it wouldn't happen and I wasn't completely serious - it was more for comedic value.

I actually like Jalen and I think he gets unfairly bashed on the board - not to heights of Ricky or Taliek, but more than is deserved.

That being said, I really am tired of him not being ready for games, not being the leader he needs to be, etc. We are a much worse team without him, but we could be so much better with a better prepared, engaged, and enthused Jalen.

 

[HuskyHawk]

They played together Rodneys last year and Jalen was better then and much better his senior year compared to Rodneys. No comparision. Want to call Jalen lazy and not leader fine but talent wise, at the college level, he is much better than Purvis.

Maybe, but Rodney never, ever took a minute off on the court. I doubt he did in practice. He was a leader and always gave everything he had. He was unfortunately forced to play 37 MPG his senior year and always drew the toughest assignment on the defensive end. Jalen is more skilled overall.

For all of the people hating on Jalen, look at how much better his this year in every area except assists (since AG is the PG)
Jalen Adams College Stats | College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com
My biggest complaint is that he shoots 85% from the line and takes less than 3 FT a game.

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

Step up? To what? Jesus. Cut the cord and let him loose.

Is this anything like, "Let go and let God"?

 

[Letsgohuskies11]

I think JA is a better player and has a higher ceiling than Purvis but is a lot more frustrating player when he fails to play up to the level he is more than able to reach. He makes it look easy at times but then he just completely disappears at times and just coasts.

 

[7774]

Maybe, but Rodney never, ever took a minute off on the court. I doubt he did in practice. He was a leader and always gave everything he had. He was unfortunately forced to play 37 MPG his senior year and always drew the toughest assignment on the defensive end. Jalen is more skilled overall.

For all of the people hating on Jalen, look at how much better his this year in every area except assists (since AG is the PG)
Jalen Adams College Stats | College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com
My biggest complaint is that he shoots 85% from the line and takes less than 3 FT a game.

When you say he's better in every area you're ignoring fouls and turnovers, the 2 areas in which he is killing us.

As you said, AG is the PG, yet Jalen is averaging the most TO per 40 of his entire career. And the most fouls per 40 of his entire career.

 

[LIuconn]

So many lazy turnovers for a ballhandler. However, he is much more dynamic and more talented than Rodney, but, Rodney will probably play more NBA games than Jalen will

 

[Kitaman]

The ones who associate KO with Jalen are pretty much wrong. If he's a great kid and coachable what happened yesterday wouldn't have happened after being under the tutelage of Hurley for this long already. This is all on him and he is who he is. It's ashame because there is so much more there but we need to understand the kids who get better use their own time, away from the coach in the summer and off season at school to become who they want to be. He basically has the same body minus standard maturity, as he did when entering. If he wanted to be as good as he can be he's be twice as strong, cut to his max and could easily play 35 minutes without tugging on his shorts.

I remember you posting about Jalen's shirt being out, and saying he needs to tuck it in. Now its become an issue for me. I noticed last night that he had it out and it was deliberate.

Its nit picking maybe, but a uniform is a symbol of uniformity (i.e. same team, same goal, all for one, etc..). For him to purposely wear it out and be different from his teammates is a statement even if unintentional (meaning he wants to look cool). The sneakers are for individuality, but the uniform and how its worn, should all be on one accord.

Not sure what statement he's trying to make but now thanks to you Mau its one I don't like hearing. Plus I can't recall any other UConn player purposely wearing their uniform differently. Again its a minor thing but is it a major statement?

 

[husky429]

I remember you posting about Jalen's shirt being out, and saying he needs to tuck it in. Now its become an issue for me. I noticed last night that he had it out and it was deliberate.

Its nit picking maybe, but a uniform is a symbol of uniformity (i.e. same team, same goal, all for one, etc..). For him to purposely wear it out and be different from his teammates is a statement even if unintentional (meaning he wants to look cool). The sneakers are for individuality, but the uniform and how its worn, should all be on one accord.

Not sure what statement he's trying to make but now thanks to you Mau its one I don't like hearing. Plus I can't recall any other UConn player purposely wearing their uniform differently. Again its a minor thing but is it a major statement?

No. It's not a major statement. This again...

 

[Vancat]

I remember you posting about Jalen's shirt being out, and saying he needs to tuck it in. Now its become an issue for me. I noticed last night that he had it out and it was deliberate.

All part of "body language", right?

 

[Kitaman]

All part of "body language", right?

Not sure, but its like every player on a team wearing their cap with the bill forward, and then there's that one player wearing it backward.

 

[Stainmaster]

Not sure, but its like every player on a team wearing their cap with the bill forward, and then there's that one player wearing it backward.

A wise voice told me players with diamond earrings have poor work ethics, so you may be onto something.

 

[LIuconn]

Oh . Now are we going to rail on every MLB pitcher who doesn't button the top button? Unreal