UConn's Napier takes blame, vows to mature as leader for Huskies

[HooperScooper]

From Jeff Goodman of CBSSports.com. Nothing we haven't read already.

UConn's Napier takes blame, vows to mature as leader for Huskies

 

[UConn990411]

This is a transparent attempt by Shabazz to receive praise from The Boneyard. Once again thinking about himself.

 

[caw]

I hope Napier heals up and plays at near 100% this season. I think he will be much better if that happens.

 

[aceboon]

"...but now his duties included getting everyone the ball on a team loaded with weapons." What weapons? The team only had like 3 guys who could create their own offense with confidence, and Bazz was one of them.

 

[MattMang23]

"What weapons?

Enosch Wolf
Leon Tolksdorf
Niels Giffey and
Tyler Olander

 

[UConn3432]

I hope Bazz and Boat don't think they can apologize and take responsibility for things after each game they lose and everything will get better. Leaders lead by example. If UConn is getting killed on the boards this year, i hope they go down and battle for rebounds, not just say they should have been a better leader and communicated better with their teammates. I think keeping those 2 fully on board and leading by example (with positive body language) is KO's most important job this year.

 

[Waquoit]

Usually when I read stuff like this I think (and/or post) something about UConn guys always giving good quote or actions speaking louder than words, etc. I don't know if it's because the 1st game is within sight or because of how well the fundraiser is doing, but the optimist in me just broke through while reading the article. I'm getting pumped and I'm taking Bazz at his word. He's a good guy, a talented player and has the potential to be an excellent leader. We have a good crew and a promising coach. I'm going to take this season one game at a time and enjoy each game on it's own merits.

 

[caw]

I hope Bazz and Boat don't think they can apologize and take responsibility for things after each game they lose and everything will get better. Leaders lead by example. If UConn is getting killed on the boards this year, i hope they go down and battle for rebounds, not just say they should have been a better leader and communicated better with their teammates. I think keeping those 2 fully on board and leading by example (with positive body language) is KO's most important job this year.

Shabazz averaged 3.5 rebounds last year.
Ryan averaged 3.3 rebounds last year.

That's really quite good for small guards, but UConn would be much better if they became like Kemba on the boards. I don't think it's something you can expect though.

 

[UConnSwag11]

"...but now his duties included getting everyone the ball on a team loaded with weapons." What weapons? The team only had like 3 guys who could create their own offense with confidence, and Bazz was one of them.

boat, omar, leon, olander are the first that come to mind... others will hopefully surprise us

 

[aceboon]

The part of the article that I quoted was in reference to last year's team. On paper things looked good but as we saw there just weren't alot of options offensively for the team.

boat, omar, leon, olander are the first that come to mind... others will hopefully surprise us

 

[caw]

The part of the article that I quoted was in reference to last year's team. On paper things looked good but as we saw there just weren't alot of options offensively for the team.

I think Drummond was underutilized due to the nature of the college game.

Really it was only 2.7 or so, considering Boatright was out so much. Not sure if this year will be much better. Only 3 kids that can create again, unless Evans, Tolksdorf, etc. surprise.

 

[johnhuskies95]

Goodman really has a unique way of acting like a in everything he writes.

 

[HuskyBballFan]

Goodman really has a unique way of acting like a in everything he writes.

And making excuses for his boy Oriakhi.

 

[mauconnfan]

I think Drummond was underutilized due to the nature of the college game.

Really it was only 2.7 or so, considering Boatright was out so much. Not sure if this year will be much better. Only 3 kids that can create again, unless Evans, Tolksdorf, etc. surprise.

Andre was utilized in the only way they could....alley oops......He created on his own only with open lanes and had little back-to-the basket game as of yet. If he did what he should have done against smaller college players, like what we're seeing against the NBA guys in exhibitions, he would've utilized his skills on his own in the strongest way possible. He could have dominated under the basket but elected to float outside a lot to prove his perimeter game, which essentially was none! He did what he could as a young kid and some of his year does rest on JC, but if he was smarter and he wanted to do what was best for the team he would never have floated outside instead owned the interior!!!

 

[caw]

Andre was utilized in the only way they could....alley oops......He created on his own only with open lanes and had little back-to-the basket game as of yet. If he did what he should have done against smaller college players, like what we're seeing against the NBA guys in exhibitions, he would've utilized his skills on his own in the strongest way possible. He could have dominated under the basket but elected to float outside a lot to prove his perimeter game, which essentially was none! He did what he could as a young kid and some of his year does rest on JC, but if he was smarter and he wanted to do what was best for the team he would never have floated outside instead owned the interior!!!

I think you missed where I said it was due to the nature of the college game. Perhaps I should expand on my thoughts there. I mean the lanes are clogged in the college game for most bigs if there isn't good spacing and ball movement. Drummond is showing he is good at finishing off of PnR situations as well as drive and dish situations. Neither situation happened enough last year because there was more traffic in the lanes which prohibits a lot of PnR action. The guards also looked for theirs more often than not.

 

[Pudge]

LOTS OF VOWS ...

What order of Novitiate is this?

 

[mauconnfan]

I think you missed where I said it was due to the nature of the college game. Perhaps I should expand on my thoughts there. I mean the lanes are clogged in the college game for most bigs if there isn't good spacing and ball movement. Drummond is showing he is good at finishing off of PnR situations as well as drive and dish situations. Neither situation happened enough last year because there was more traffic in the lanes which prohibits a lot of PnR action. The guards also looked for theirs more often than not.

I agree with you to a point...........but I am saying if he hung around near the basket, worked for position as he is now, read the shooter and the carom, he could've been a man among buys on the offensive glass. Easily could've added 6-8 pts and 3-5 rebounds a game with some focus on this and been a force no team could have contained. He's proving it now in the NBA vs guys who are bigger and more athletic than what he faced........easy to say now and he was a kid.........happened, too late and I'm glad he gets it now for his sake!

 

[Stinger92860]

"...but now his duties included getting everyone the ball on a team loaded with weapons." What weapons? The team only had like 3 guys who could create their own offense with confidence, and Bazz was one of them.

penetrate and kick, going to see a lot of 10-15 foot jumpers and quite a few 3's