I've got to ask: Can Boat be like Bazz?

[Kitaman]

Assuming he returns, he's had the benefit of 3 years under Bazz, with the last playing alongside an AA. Having a McD on the team (for practice) is an asset strengthening his game. He's played 3 years with a potential NBA'er in DD who will be in his 4th year. He's got post-season experience with a Championship ring which he more than earned.

Now as for comparisons. He's quicker, has more hops and a better floater (mid range). With the incoming players and returning players he has arguably a better (at least more improved) group to work with. He won't have a doughnut at the 5 next year. So he appears to have a damn good group to work with going in.

Sure he doesn't show the leadership that Bazz did, but there is an obvious reason for that which doesn't need to be explained. But he surely knows how to lead and what it takes, just by association and tutelage.

Lastly but most importantly his coach was an NBA point guard and this will be his fourth year with Ollie, he knows what Ollie wants and how he wants it executed. Particularly on defense.

I'm not suggesting that his career can match Bazz, but I am wondering if losing Bazz is as bad as some may think. I say Boat can be like Bazz, maybe not an AA, but as a leader and a player who can make others better. It is not impossible for him to take this team to a long run in the post season. He certainly has something to work with, individually and collectively.

Boat has arrived, and he no longer can be viewed with freshman glasses. I want to see him be our next Bazz, he deserves it.

btw: This is in no way diminishing what Bazz brought to us. Its about the future.

 

[Sibeerian]

Assuming he returns, he's had the benefit of 3 years under Bazz, with the last playing alongside an AA. Having a McD on the team (for practice) is an asset strengthening his game. He's played 3 years with a potential NBA'er in DD who will be in his 4th year. He's got post-season experience with a Championship ring which he more than earned.


Boat has arrived, and he no longer can be viewed with freshman glasses. I want to see him be our next Bazz, he deserves it.

I also think Boat can have the best defensive year by a guard since Ricky Moore. He was a defensive monster in the tourney, and we should have the depth at the position to give him enough rest to play at full intensity all game long. Selfishly I hope he comes back so we get to see it. It's his turn to be Batman after willingly assuming the secondary role.

 

[Strummer]

I don't know.
But I know this. The critical moment in the 2014 season came at the moment that Boat realized that Bazz was alpha dog, and that his role was to support alpha. That's when we became very dangerous.

I'll always remember Boat's mental transition this past year as the greatest I have ever seen, and the one that palpably led to a NC.

 

[UConnfan8]

I think it was the brilliant work of Ricky Moore that got Boat to become a "defensive stopper." Boat struggled at times this season with scoring, defense etc. I think Moore really worked with Boat to believe that he could be THE GUY during post season play on defense. With Boat's confidence at an all-time high as the tourney went on and he became so tenacious on defense, his offense came to him too. Hopefully he can continue to work with Moore on defense because I think it translates to good offense as well. If he comes back next season with that same defensive tenacity, we're in great shape. Also I'm really glad Ricky Moore is on staff. You better believe that it was not all KO this season with that unreal defense. That's The Glove working his magic.

 

[James]

3rd banana on a title team. without we would have lost to in the first round. He was as clutch as anybody on roster, raining corner threes whenever given the chance. If he somehow returns I like us to repeat, he is a more talented version of his chicago brethren Patrick Beverly.

 

[Sibeerian]

Another plus if Boat comes back: The question of who is the team leader is a given. Without him I think the team might take a little longer to figure that out and establish its identity. If not Boat, who?

 

[UConnSwag11]

yes absolutely he can be... maybe not the early three point shot and make but he's more aggressive driving and already has the kemba drive and pull up jumper... if daniels comes back he's going to have more than enough weapons to get 6+ assists a game... he was vocal but didnt have to be too vocal bc bazz was there, and it again if daniels comes back him and purvis i think will help boat at that... purvis seems like he's going to be a monster, bring a lot of swag

 

[dogpause]

I believe Ryan is following the exact same track that Shabazz followed, and that he is more than ready. You could see it during those times when Shabazz was on the bench. The kid is ready to be The Man. He'll be K3.

 

[intlzncster]

Boat is a different player than Bazz, but, assuming he stays, he'll be just as important to next year's team as Bazz was to this one. The worst thing he could do would be to emulate exactly Bazz's role on this years team.

I hope he doesn't take as many threes as Bazz. If he keeps end of the year form, he'll be a better defender. A truly elite defender. He can fill the leadership role without question, as long as he approaches it right. He has already shown he has the balls and ability to make the big shot (see end of UK pull up over Randle).

On next years team, I hope he is truly a distributor first, as we will have a lot of scoring talent. I know that's against who he is as a player, but as strummer says, he has really made a huge mental leap already. He's also quoted as saying he knows now that "volume scoring isn't going to put him into the league".

 

[Robertelamin]

I don't know.
But I know this. The critical moment in the 2014 season came at the moment that Boat realized that Bazz was alpha dog, and that his role was to support alpha. That's when we became very dangerous.

I'll always remember Boat's mental transition this past year as the greatest I have ever seen, and the one that palpably lead to a NC.

Totally agree with you. Whatever clicked with Boat was one of the most remarkable things I have seen at UConn. We all knew what Bazz was, we all knew what DD was capable of, I don't know if anyone knew (I didn't) how much of a force Boat could be especially defensively and he was in complete control offensively. Amazing.

 

[warbler1055]

Boat will be Boat and that's good enough for the NBA one day. He will be a great defender and PG but not a great scorer like Bazz.

 

[CL82]

We did not look like the same team when Boat was on the bench. He will be HUGE next year, so long as he plays within himself. Absolutely agree that he can't try to be Bazz, but he sure as heck can be Boat. I'm excited about watching him blossom (again) next year.

 

[BearJWS]

Boat won't be Bazz, just like Bazz wasn't Kemba. All players are different & they need to discover how to make it work in their own way. Boat has the smarts to make it work & he can use elements he's learned from Bazz (& of course Ollie). I think the key for Boat is staying calm when the game is on the line or when pressure is applied. He still tries to run past the defense, often getting caught along the sidelines. He needs to take the pedal off the gas sometimes & just back it up a bit. He was showing the ability to do later in the season so there is hope there. While he's got great hops by the hoop, he still gets blocked a lot down there. Maybe not taking it so far will help or using spins off the glass alluding the defender or finding a big guy for an easy lay up will help. More than anything, he just needs to opportunity to run the team his way & showing he can lead. 3 years Bazz has dictated the offense, now it's Ryan's time. We haven't really seen him get the opportunity to do with Bazz around. It's Boat's time to get that chance.

 

[Leebo]

I don't know why people are saying he won't be a great scorer. He had to play behind Bazz. He's got the shot making ability necessary to score if he's the primary offense.

 

[Dogbreath2U]

I don't know why people are saying he won't be a great scorer. He had to play behind Bazz. He's got the shot making ability necessary to score if he's the primary offense.

It's funny, but for Boat to be really good, he needs to not be a great scorer, but first and foremost a great point guard. I think that he can have some big scoring games, but he needs to play with a little less emotion at times and make his teammates shine. It that come first, he can be really good. I don't know that he can play that kind of defense he showed in the NCAA's if he is the primary ball handler, but he can turn it on when needed in key spots.

 

[LoveThemHusky]

Boat has to grow and learn to control his emotions. Bazz was special in the sense that he could carry the team even when he was playing poorly. When Boat plays poorly he shuts down - he really struggles to lift himself out of an in game slump. RB always positioned himself in the shadow of SN because he was chasing him rather than finding his own identity (which he did late - thank god). If Boat can walk down his own path there is a very high ceiling for him & UConn.

 

[sparky]

Boat grew up this year late in the season and that led us to the NC. His on ball D was Ricky reincarnated. I think he can be a real scoring threat with Purvis and Samuel driving and dishing. I felt most of the year boat was too schoolyard, but he proved he can play within Ollie's philosophy. I'm ready for boat to take over the reins.

 

[SubbaBub]

I don't like this thread. If Boat tries this it will be bad for all concerned, Boat included.

All I want is the Boat that played the last 10 games to improve his 3-pt shot and assume leadership of the team. That's it.

 

[UChusky916]

Intelligent thread so far. Agree with a lot of what's been posted.

1) Boat is not Bazz. Can he 'be like' him as OP suggests? Maybe. Is that best for the team? Probably not. Boat needs to play like Boat. As others have stated, Boat was great down the stretch because he started playing toward HIS strengths rather than playing to what he thought he should have been like.

2) Boat can absolutely lead this team. He can handle the ball for 39-40 mpg. He can run the offense and distribute effectively. Everyone has spoken to his ability to control the game defensively by hounding the opposing lead PG... it was truly a transformation to behold. This post season Boat became special on the offensive end as well by honing his shot selection; he was extremely efficient. You didn't see him getting blocked at the rim or forcing bad 3-pt shots. Everything was within the flow of the offense and created within a set. Boat is better as a pass-first PG... get into the lane, attract attention, and then dish to a big or kick-out to a shooter. When it comes down to an isolation 1v1, he has the quickness and hops to create separation and get off his shot. Boat's 1v1 game is best-suited in the lane (mid-range) , Bazz was better on the perimeter.

3) If Boat ends up shooting as much as Bazz did this past year, it will be because the rest of the team is struggling mightily or did not come together as expected. Boat will have better options around him than Bazz had this past year. The front court should have much more production. Nolan(jr), Amida(so), and Facey (so) should be much improved in the low post. If DD stays as well, I expect AT LEAST 25pts/15reb per game combined out of those post guys next year. We don't really know what to expect in terms of chemistry with his other guards (Purvis/D-Ham/Omar/T-Sam), but they are certainly a talented group with their own individual strengths and offensive abilities. I have confidence that Ollie will organize the offense to make Boat an effective distributor for all of those guys.

4) Boat needs to improve on a few things. He had a decent 3-pt FG% this past year, but I still think he needs to improve his 3-pt jump shot. As I stated earlier, he did a good job of not forcing any bad 3-pt attempts late in the season. But he needs to be able to knock them down at a better-than-average clip. His mid-range game is great, but I think it could be better if he was able to manipulate screens better. Bazz was a master of manipulating his man in pick-and-roll situations. Boat needs to get a bit craftier on the perimeter to get some more open looks for himself.

Let's not forget that Boat's freshman season was basically a wash because he was in-and-out of the line-up so much because of NCAA shenanigans. To see how far he's come since then has truly been great to see. He's blazing his own trail among UConn's great lineage of PGs and I expect him to be a great one.

As a side note... if you're a young guard and you paid any attention over the past few years to how quickly Boat/Bazz/Kemba have improved their games and matured as players under Kevin Ollie, how could you NOT want to play here? Truly something special. We've got ourselves a good one, fellas.

 

[Waquoit]

Boat has to grow and learn to control his emotions.

Huh? You did just watch the NCAA tournament, didn't you?

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

Huh? You did just watch the NCAA tournament, didn't you?

Agreed. Boatright played like a man. Composed, fearless, dialed-in, and focused only on winning each game. It was really fun to watch him in the tournament.

In my opinion, he needs to get his jump shot off a little quicker - sometimes he kind of uncoils himself and it takes a while to get the ball out of his hands. He also needs to stop with the two foot jumps all the time. I think he can have a really monstrous season though. The elevation he gets on those pull up jumpers in the lane is simply astounding. He looks like a video game.

 

[champs99and04]

I don't know.
But I know this. The critical moment in the 2014 season came at the moment that Boat realized that Bazz was alpha dog, and that his role was to support alpha. That's when we became very dangerous.

I'll always remember Boat's mental transition this past year as the greatest I have ever seen, and the one that palpably led to a NC.

This is a refrain I've heard bandied about a lot on here in the past few weeks, and while much of what you say is true - his transformation was remarkable - I think this "Boat realized Bazz was the alpha dog" stuff is a convenient, over-simplified version of reality.

Here's a couple of stats for you:

2012-13 Boatright - 11.7 shots per game

2013-14 Boatright - 9.5 shots per game

Contrasted to Napier's splits - 11.8 shots per game in '13, 12.4 shots per game in '14 - the numbers seem to bare out the idea that Boatright concertedly deferred to Napier before the season even began. In fact, Boatright's NCAA Tournament numbers (9 shots per game) are very consistent with his regular season numbers (a shade under 10).

Interestingly, many of us were clamoring for Boatright to shoot more during the regular season. It almost seemed like he was so hell-bent on playing within the confines of the team offense and showcasing his point guard skills that it was effecting his shot.

Boatright's game evolved in several areas during the postseason, some of which you outlined above. His on-ball defense transformed from good to spectacular, his decision making improved, and more than anything, he just started to make shots (46% during the tournament, less than 38% during the regular season). I don't support the idea, though, that it was some sort of reconfiguration to the back court role assignments that jump-started the run.

 

[Leebo]

It's funny, but for Boat to be really good, he needs to not be a great scorer, but first and foremost a great point guard. I think that he can have some big scoring games, but he needs to play with a little less emotion at times and make his teammates shine. It that come first, he can be really good. I don't know that he can play that kind of defense he showed in the NCAA's if he is the primary ball handler, but he can turn it on when needed in key spots.

Perhaps it's the usage of "great scorer" which is the point of contention.

I would determine his "greatness" as a scorer by his ability to get the "must have" baskets when the team needs them. Can he get that step back jumper with 2 minutes to go to hold the lead? That's what Kemba and Napier were able to do.

I agree that he probably won't be a prolific scorer, but to me that's a different discussion.

 

[Tbone4457]

I think, and hope, Boat will be back because it makes sense for him. He'll likely be a much higher pick next year (with some guaranteed $) after another good season and the chance for everyone to see him leading the team. I'm surprised that people don't expect him to be a scorer next year. I think he might even be more effective at scoring when needed as that was his calling card coming in as he put up 63 pts in a game in high school and had a high avg (what was it, around 30 or something like that?). He can score, but he knows the pg has to distribute first, especially in the NBA.

And, just my opinion, I think his big change came from losing his cousin and not from any realization of an alpha. It's always been obvious to everyone, especially the team, that Bazz was the man. And losing someone very close and around your own age can make things serious in a hurry. I'm sure he wants to get his family out of that environment, but that may also make him try for the NBA this year.

No matter what they both decide, I just hope they get all the success they deserve.

 

[Joobie]

Their personalities are so radically different. I think as far as skills are concerned, Ryan can get there. Not sure he can be the leader Bazz & Kemba were. They both had a unique ability to make everyone around them feel good & as a result, made everyone around them want to BE better.