Josh Carlton our go-to guy appreciation thread

[zls44]

But Taliek isn’t on the team and he isn’t even a good shooter!

The year is 2050.
The oceans have swallowed up miles of coastline.
Kim Kardashian is nearing the end of her second term as President of the United States


The Boneyard is still debating about Taliek Brown.

 

[jesterman]

That offensive board, spin move and dunk was not something we've seen out of a big man in a long time. So long, in fact, nothing comes to mind.

Seriously...like, Oriakhi??

 

[nomar]

Seriously...like, Oriakhi??

I remember in AO's first game he did a sick drop-step and I was like, "Oh yeah!"...and then he never did it again.

 

[jibsey]

Kid is coming along nicely and is surpassing my expectations with a strong close. He always had good footwork but just seems more driven now. Somebody lit a fire under Josh and it bodes very well for next season. Getting him some help would be the icing on the cake!

 

[TheChamps990411]

Ive liked him from day one. I felt he hit a wall a bit earlier in the year but now seems back on track and improving. It sure would be nice to have Precious at the 4 which would really open things up for Big C.

 

[Dream Jobbed 2.0]

He has doubled his points, blocks, and rebounds. Unreal. Will he get most improved player?

 

[jesterman]

Ive liked him from day one. I felt he hit a wall a bit earlier in the year but now seems back on track and improving. It sure would be nice to have Precious at the 4 which would really open things up for Big C.

Akok is the 4 there (people are not talking enough about his shot-blocking/rim protection), Precious is a 3/4 freak hybrid. I'm salivating at the thought of that potential frontcourt next year, although I'm personally pessimistic on Precious coming. I see him going to UNC and being Nassir Little 2.0

 

[Chin Diesel]

Kid is coming along nicely and is surpassing my expectations with a strong close. He always had good footwork but just seems more driven now. Somebody lit a fire under Josh and it bodes very well for next season. Getting him some help would be the icing on the cake!

What impresses me is how quickly opposing teams have scouted UConn and almost all of them are throwing a double team at him. That's not an accident. Too many good eyes watching film and feeling it's important.

The doubles have also shown JC's good BBIQ. He is patient whether with the pass or move, knows who is supposed to get the ball and usually makes a good pass (definitely throws a flyer or two).

Finally refs are throwing love his way and giving him respect on calls when he goes to the hoop. He will be a consistent 6+ FT per game player next season. Also getting some respect on his shot blocking.

Sum of opposing coaches and refs respecting his film? Good points of reference going forward.

Now, get those FT up to 70% and there is a complete player.

 

[tcf15]

As inconsistent as he's been from game-to-game in conference play, he's now up to 9.6 ppg, 7.2 rpb and 1.8 bpg in 17 conference games. The only other guy in the AAC this season to hit those averages in conference play is Tacko Fall.

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

Seriously...like, Oriakhi??

My honest admission is that Oriakhi's junior year made me forget his sophomore year. Too many times, it just looked like he tossed the ball aimlessly toward the basket, a close-range version of PS Hoffman.

I am hoping for Josh to improve next year.

 

[Psolo12]

Is there any chance at all he makes all-conference?

 

[TheChamps990411]

Akok is the 4 there (people are not talking enough about his shot-blocking/rim protection), Precious is a 3/4 freak hybrid. I'm salivating at the thought of that potential frontcourt next year, although I'm personally pessimistic on Precious coming. I see him going to UNC and being Nassir Little 2.0

Thanks for the heads up on that. I was under the impression that Akok was 3 who could play some 4.

 

[WrenchFan69]

Is there any chance at all he makes all-conference?

Doubt it for this year. We're 3rd worst in the conference and Jalen will make a team. Can't imagine we get 2 players in there

 

[UCDaveD]

Bump.

 

[Rocktheworld]

Looking like Josh is the great and singular silver lining to this (another) lost season

Even if today’s game ended right now, he will have averaged 12 ppg these last 10 games

 

[Dove]

My God!!

He catches. He dunks. He catches that rock!!. He scrores!! Just need to work on holding that ball as he is prone to being stripped.

Damn, he has improved.

 

[blue93]

My God!!

He catches. He dunks. He catches that rock!!. He scrores!! Just need to work on holding that ball as he is prone to being stripped.

Damn, he has improved.

If he can get a little more explosive in the offseason it’ll take his game to another level. He gets stripped because he needs the momentum of bringing the ball down to jump.

 

[the Q]

He needs strength.

We are at our best when he’s getting those lobs bear the basket and can just go up.

That requires strength to hold your ground and maybe move the defender out just a bit.

Him catching those passes is a nice change of pace.

He is fundamentally sound defensively and uses great timing and positioning to make up for his lack of athleticism

 

[superjohn]

He's never going to be explosive or really strong but he can certainly gain in those areas in the offseason. I was really down on him early in the year when he was getting tossed around but his improvement has been dramatic. This is what good coaching and willing to be coached can do.

 

[Palatine]

He's never going to be explosive or really strong but he can certainly gain in those areas in the offseason. I was really down on him early in the year when he was getting tossed around but his improvement has been dramatic. This is what good coaching and willing to be coached can do.

But I thought you said that "Not sure what Hurley can do when his starting center can't do anything against anyone?" Haven't you ragged on him all year?

 

[superjohn]

But I thought you said that "Not sure what Hurley can do when his starting center can't do anything against anyone?" Haven't you ragged on him all year?

He couldn't do anything against anyone. He was averaging like 1 point and 1 rebound against real competition. You coach up the players you have, Hurley and staff have done a good job with him and Josh has done a great job implementing it.

I call out Jalen when he wasn't giving us enough effort wise and production wise. If he played the way he did today every game before injury we would have been a better team. Critiquing what you see on the court isn't being a hater.

 

[Urjetsfan]

Today Carlton looked unstoppable. He was double teamed and even triple teamed at times and yet, he still managed to score. I'm really impressed by his progress and I look forward to watching him the next 2 years.

 

[the Q]

He's never going to be explosive or really strong but he can certainly gain in those areas in the offseason. I was really down on him early in the year when he was getting tossed around but his improvement has been dramatic. This is what good coaching and willing to be coached can do.

It’s style and development.

Carlton couldn’t make those seals and get position like that consistently early on in the year.

And even when he did it seemed to be when the guard couldn’t get him the ball anyway.

Now he’s doing it consistently and the guards are looking for it more so they can “throw him open” despite a dude right on his hip.

Statically, unless you’re literally shaq, those lobs to get him the ball right at the rim with no move necessary are the most efficient post plays.

 

[the Q]

He couldn't do anything against anyone. He was averaging like 1 point and 1 rebound against real competition. You coach up the players you have, Hurley and staff have done a good job with him and Josh has done a great job implementing it.

I call out Jalen when he wasn't giving us enough effort wise and production wise. If he played the way he did today every game before injury we would have been a better team. Critiquing what you see on the court isn't being a hater.

I’ve been waiting all year for Carlton to get better at those seals.

And, as an added bonus, he has way fewer illegal screens against him this year. Or at least it seems like he has to.

 

[MDHuskFan]

He’s not only getting position, but looking like a guy who actually wants the ball. Those 2 things are far & few between. Super stoked how he’s played