Larrier: Jalen and I feel lethargic at the start of games

[ctchamps]

Sure they were related to hustle I guess, but a couple were not very smart. One was pure double pump cut the mustard instead of a straight lay in and maybe a foul. His defense is lax at best watch him he is the worst defensive player of the 4 guards by a wide margin and that's because of not all in, not 100% committed. He can be a much better defender with better concentration and less laying off to make a play. They don't need him to hold back or admit to slow starts, they need him to be the player he can be and actually thinks he is.

Sorry for me lot to prove and improve still not a good start for him minus a 10-12 minute high effort run against Stony Brook.

Some of the plays were not smart but he had some open 3 point looks that were in the flow of play and he bricked them. I want him to take those.

Disagree about his defense being lazy. He's on par with Christian and Anderson imo although does not have the quick hands of Anderson. The worst defender currently is Gilbert. But by the end of the year I'd wager he'll be the best. Kid has amazingly quick hands. He could be the player this season to earn the "reach around bandit" moniker. Although Polley should give him a run for that title.

 

[ctchamps]

Shield Gilbert from what? He’s played very well. The only thing he’s doing wrong it driving into the lab and turning it over. Other than that he’s done well

You know that. I know that. But some fans don't. And more importantly Alterique may not feel it. His body language, his hesitation to take wide open threes early in the game, indicate to me Alterique may be struggling with confidence. It's normal for players to go through this, especially coming back from an injury. Some players are tuned into this and will do things to reduce the pressure young dudes put on themselves. Caron is a good example of a player who helped his team mates when they struggled with confidence or were down on themselves.

 

[UConnSwag11]

You know that. I know that. But some fans don't. And more importantly Alterique may not feel it. His body language, his hesitation to take wide open threes early in the game, indicate to me Alterique may be struggling with confidence. It's normal for players to go through this, especially coming back from an injury. Some players are tuned into this and will do things to reduce the pressure young dudes put on themselves. Caron is a good example of a player who helped his team mates when they struggled with confidence or were down on themselves.

Maybe Gilbert passes on those shots bc his strengths are driving and passing. Or he doesn’t want to rush the shot like Vital has been doing. But all that has nothing to do with Larriers comments

 

[mauconnfan]

Some of the plays were not smart but he had some open 3 point looks that were in the flow of play and he bricked them. I want him to take those.

Disagree about his defense being lazy. He's on par with Christian and Anderson imo although does not have the quick hands of Anderson. The worst defender currently is Gilbert. But by the end of the year I'd wager he'll be the best. Kid has amazingly quick hands. He could be the player this season to earn the "reach around bandit" moniker. Although Polley should give him a run for that title.

Gilbert is a ton better than Jalen on man, not close. Jalen leaves space and AG gets in the grill has the ability to cut the head off. We can agree to disagree here fleudy.

 

[Dream Jobbed 2.0]

No worries. They just need some wings from 7-11.

Talk about lighting a fire under you...

 

[ctchamps]

Maybe Gilbert passes on those shots bc his strengths are driving and passing. Or he doesn’t want to rush the shot like Vital has been doing. But all that has nothing to do with Larriers comments

Larrier's comments were weird by any stretch of the imagination. For all we know he had this vacant look when Taylor went to him and he tried to offer some stupid explanation for it.

This forum went with the statement and immediately made it into something that reinforced whatever negative feelings they have towards KO, TL or JA.

My defense may be implausible. But I'll stick with it over the need for people to use the statement as evidence for the slow starts thus giving them the right to make derogatory statements directed. Especially since the observations may not even be correct and we are looking for ways to assign blame.

I disagree with you about why he passed on those shots. He's got to take them. He made a couple in a row and they were decent shots. He's not Taliek by any stretch of the imagination. Maybe I'm being too subjective and am guilty of the same indiscretion I'm rebutting others, but after he hit that second three the kid seemed to play with more confidence.

 

[8893]

Perhaps. But it gained legs by the fans in this forum. So are the fans idiots as well for parsing everything idiotic kids say?

Never said this message board was his rational for the statement. I used this thread as an example of how fans react to players and their play. But don't let me stop you from twisting my statement.

I guess I think it would be a mistake to read too much into the statement either way, but your theory seems like more of a stretch to me than taking the words at face value.

 

[8893]

Larrier's comments were weird by any stretch of the imagination. For all we know he had this vacant look when Taylor went to him and he tried to offer some stupid explanation for it.

This forum went with the statement and immediately made it into something that reinforced whatever negative feelings they have towards KO, TL or JA.

My defense may be implausible. But I'll stick with it over the need for people to use the statement as evidence for the slow starts thus giving them the right to make derogatory statements directed. Especially since the observations may not even be correct and we are looking for ways to assign blame.

I disagree with you about why he passed on those shots. He's got to take them. He made a couple in a row and they were decent shots. He's not Taliek by any stretch of the imagination. Maybe I'm being too subjective and am guilty of the same indiscretion I'm rebutting others, but after he hit that second three the kid seemed to play with more confidence.

But your "defense" isn't a really defense, as much as it is attempting to support the narrative you've been pushing, i.e., assigning blame to Alterique.

 

[ctchamps]

Gilbert is a ton better than Jalen on man, not close. Jalen leaves space and AG gets in the grill has the ability to cut the head off. We can agree to disagree here fleudy.

We often agree so it's not a problem we diverge occasionally. I plan on watching the game again and will iso on Jalen's defense. I'm normally checking out the newer players and how they react to plays.

I did watch Alterique much more closely. I have no problem with a taller player taking advantage of Alteirque's height and shooting over him or any player for that matter if the player is defending closely. But there were several plays he was slow to close out on a player and more than a few times players drove into the lanes because he did not defend well. But when he hounds a player he is on par with Christian and Anderson and my projection is he'll be better than those two.

Jalen is slower on defense than those guys so he plays off his man more. But that's not laziness imo. I often see him fighting through screens and following his player. Alterique will hang nearer the basket whenever a player cuts to the opposite side of the court. It's his choice to help out players going to the rim as evidenced by his block of the BU player.

 

[ctchamps]

But your "defense" isn't a really defense, as much as it is attempting to support the narrative you've been pushing, i.e., assigning blame to Alterique.

Not sure how you came to the conclusion I'm assigning blame to Alterique. I'm claiming a lot of posters in this forum are knocking the kid and insisting KO limit his playing time and that thinking is ridiculous. But I argued against that thinking in other threads. So perhaps I'm commingling the two arguments without predicating it on the original statements I made in another thread.

My position: Gilbert is a special player and UConn will go as far as his development and the development of one capable big. Terry, Christian, Anderson and Jalen are givens imo although they will not be at the top of their game every game. But that was the case of all good UConn teams. When one player had an off night there were two others who could step up.

My position: Terry made an asinine statement if we believe Taylor accurately quoted him. People are angry at the slow starts and are using the statement to direct their anger towards KO, Terry and Jalen because it's one thing to physically fail but it becomes a whole different matter if the attitude is bad which results in slow starts. IMO the statement is more than likely incorrect if you watch Jalen's play in the first ten minutes and incorrect if you watch Terry's play in the Colgate game.

So why did he make it? Maybe he went gaga over Taylor and was CHA or maybe my statement has some basis. However I don't need to defend it as you suggest. What I do know is watching the games the evidence does not support the statement. The weak link in the slow starts was Gilbert play on offense imo. But I support KO's decision to give the keys to the kid because I maintain he's an important cog for the overall season.

 

[8893]

Not sure how you came to the conclusion I'm assigning blame to Alterique.

I guess I was relying on your own posts:

The worst defender currently is Gilbert.

His body language, his hesitation to take wide open threes early in the game, indicate to me Alterique may be struggling with confidence.

The weak link in the slow starts was Gilbert play on offense imo.

Didn't Gilbert have 14 points in the first half vs. Stony Brook, while Jalen had none? I didn't see it, but when I tuned in on the radio during the second half Joe D. was saying that Jalen was totally ineffective in the first half and that Alterique had kept us in the game.

Anywho, we agree that Alterique's development is important to this team.

 

[CL82]

Yep. For those at the game or watching at a bar, Taylor Rooks reported that this is what Larrier told her. .

Ah, now I get it. He was chatting up Rooks.

"Yeah, Jalen and I are just bored at the start of games, you know with us being future NBAers and what not. I have some NBA draft predictions up in my room, if, you know, you'd like check them out."

 

[Stinger92860]

Need a more deliberate dynamic warm up, maybe.

It would be strange if it wasn’t so true. I agree, this needs to be figured out quickly. First problem is selfish play, guys start the game just jacking up shots. Only when they fall behind do they start playing team ball out of necessity.

They are too casual when they warm up. They need to be committed and someone also needs to light a blaze under these young men.

 

[8893]

blaze

 

[intlzncster]

I guess I think it would be a mistake to read too much into the statement either way, but your theory seems like more of a stretch to me than taking the words at face value.

Yeah, people getting way too into this. I mean, not the best worded statement, sure, but it seems to me this was a case of recognizing and hopefully addressing a necessary area of improvement.

I mean, everybody pisses and moans (rightfully) about UCONN's slow starts. Terry was saying they are aware, and believes it's on him and Jalen to correct it. That's a good thing.

 

[champs99and04]

The newcomers have no problem bringing energy. Sack up or take a seat. Never seen a UConn player quote that made me think "wow, what a loser," but wow, what a loser.

In a thread full of over-the-top reactions, this one takes the cake. It was a throwaway comment to a reporter that could have meant a hundred different things and he probably didn't realize at the time that he was under the oath of the Boneyard.

Athletes talk in code all the time. They're constantly tossing around words like "momentum" and "intensity" to describe the ebb and flow of human emotion during competition. They use those words not to imply that they're not all-in all the time but to make note of how different people with different bodies respond differently to different environments. "Lethargic" is actually a common symptom of anxiety. For division one college basketball players whose futures depends on their performance, it's a lot more likely that there is a problem of compartmentalizing their hunger so that it doesn't cycle into exhaust by morning shoot around.

Adrenaline is automated by the body. Assuming the staff doesn't interpret these comments as myopically as the Boneyard, it's actually a good thing that Larrier has recognized this dynamic and sought a solution. I'm no expert in the field, but I'd imagine there are a number of things - from dietary adjustments to pregame routine to meditative technique - that could be adopted for a basketball program with the operating budget of UConn.

 

[jibsey]

We have a problem at the start of games and this goes back to last year and before. Layup line standing around and then dunking is not getting it done. The players are not warmed up shooting wise, so instead of the 11th and 12th players taking shots before the game our top 8 guys should be focused on working up a sweat and shooting right up to tip off. I realize it’s not the way it’s done but so what?

 

[Chief00]

There’s no denying we need to come out of the gates Blazing!

 

[8893]

In a thread full of over-the-top reactions, this one takes the cake. It was a throwaway comment to a reporter that could have meant a hundred different things and he probably didn't realize at the time that he was under the oath of the Boneyard.

Athletes talk in code all the time. They're constantly tossing around words like "momentum" and "intensity" to describe the ebb and flow of human emotion during competition. They use those words not to imply that they're not all-in all the time but to make note of how different people with different bodies respond differently to different environments. "Lethargic" is actually a common symptom of anxiety. For division one college basketball players whose futures depends on their performance, it's a lot more likely that there is a problem of compartmentalizing their hunger so that it doesn't cycle into exhaust by morning shoot around.

Adrenaline is automated by the body. Assuming the staff doesn't interpret these comments as myopically as the Boneyard, it's actually a good thing that Larrier has recognized this dynamic and sought a solution. I'm no expert in the field, but I'd imagine there are a number of things - from dietary adjustments to pregame routine to meditative technique - that could be adopted for a basketball program with the operating budget of UConn.

This has been an unintentionally fascinating thread for me, especially for observing the tendency of those posters who want to chastise others for a literal reading of the comment and dismiss it as a throwaway, yet simultaneously urge their own hidden or coded interpretation of the very same comment.

 

[CL82]

We have a problem at the start of games and this goes back to last year and before. Layup line standing around and then dunking is not getting it done. The players are not warmed up shooting wise, so instead of the 11th and 12th players taking shots before the game our top 8 guys should be focused on working up a sweat and shooting right up to tip off. I realize it’s not the way it’s done but so what?

OT, but if you've ever coached you can tell your team's and player's focus during warm ups. That was always a sore point with me. Don't walk into a shot in warm ups. Take it like you mean it.

 

[pj]

Ah, now I get it. He was chatting up Rooks.

"Yeah, Jalen and I are just bored at the start of games, you know with us being future NBAers and what not. I have some NBA draft predictions up in my room, if, you know, you'd like check them out."

"Yeah, Jalen and I are little lethargic at the start of games. We need some help with our pre-game warmup to heat us up, you know what I mean? [wink, wink]"

 

[Hi-Low]

Dear Terry,
You have the opportunity to start making a great living in about 6 months playing a game.....if you need help getting warmed up imagine having to really work the next 30 or 40 years. If you kick ass the next 4 months and prove worthy of a 1st round pick you'll be well on your way to never having to "work" a day in your life.

Now do yourself a favor and motivate yourself so UConn doesn't have to start every game in a 10 point hole while you and Jalen wake up from your slumbers.

 

[Edward Sargent]

There’s no denying we need to come out of the gates Blazing!

I want blazing on the defensive end

 

[Dove]

Props to @Penfield on a funny tweet:

 

[Stinger92860]

This will do wonders for their NBA draft chances.

 

[ARIDE]

Please

Did he really say that...please..
.wake up and put that scholarship to use..no excuses take responsibilty and just get it done!

 

[Stainmaster]

This will do wonders for their NBA draft chances.

Do you really think so?

 

[August_West]

In a thread full of over-the-top reactions, this one takes the cake. It was a throwaway comment to a reporter that could have meant a hundred different things and he probably didn't realize at the time that he was under the oath of the Boneyard.

Athletes talk in code all the time. They're constantly tossing around words like "momentum" and "intensity" to describe the ebb and flow of human emotion during competition. They use those words not to imply that they're not all-in all the time but to make note of how different people with different bodies respond differently to different environments. "Lethargic" is actually a common symptom of anxiety. For division one college basketball players whose futures depends on their performance, it's a lot more likely that there is a problem of compartmentalizing their hunger so that it doesn't cycle into exhaust by morning shoot around.

Adrenaline is automated by the body. Assuming the staff doesn't interpret these comments as myopically as the Boneyard, it's actually a good thing that Larrier has recognized this dynamic and sought a solution. I'm no expert in the field, but I'd imagine there are a number of things - from dietary adjustments to pregame routine to meditative technique - that could be adopted for a basketball program with the operating budget of UConn.

The thing is that the same game that quote was made, Jalen came out on fire. Maybe even too fired up. He missed everything early , but he was playing to win and playing very hard, the same way he did closing the previous game. I'll take the misses there because I want him coming out that aggressive every game. He will make more than he misses just stay the course.

 

[8893]

So, maybe not a throwaway comment after all?