We Essentially Have The Same Players Next Year

[TheRealKBuks]

Because kids only jump to the NBA when they are ready? Oh, good to know.

Ugh do people think these types of posts are funny? They're not

 

[Matrim55]

Because kids only jump to the NBA when they are ready? Oh, good to know.

Hamilton's not going to the NBA this year. His family doesn't need the money, and he knows he needs to develop a few facets of his game.

He's also not particularly coveted in NBA circles because he lacks elite length and athleticism. His wingspan is 6-foot-8. Compare that to Oubre at 7-foot-2, and then watch how both of them finish around the rim.

Oubre, though a lesser college player, is going to be a lottery pick - maybe even top 5 - this summer. Hamilton isn't even appearing on most draft boards.

Over time, I suspect Hamilton will work himself into a lottery pick (I'm hoping that comes after his junior season), but unless he becomes absolutely lights out from behind the arc, he won't be a top 5 guy. Like Caron (and Paul Pierce and Brandon Roy), he will drop because of the athleticism/length questions.

 

[Vuce]

I havent looked at all of the responses but if we do not add 1 or 2 impact recruits (in addition to JA and SE) we will not have any quality depth whatsoever. Perimeter shooting will also be a major issue.

 

[bobbygt]

I was drinking the koolaid until you got to Facey and KFree.

I usually spike the koolaid on Fridays!

 

[Kitaman]

And this is the biggest reason I'm optimistic about the group of players we have on the team now. We're not losing games because we don't do enough positive things to win, we're losing games because we make an absurd amount of mistakes, and probably 2/3 of them are unforced. Most of that is because of youth.

While I agree with this, its head scratching as to it being mid-February and simple 'lazy' turnovers are being committed. That's not youth or inexperience its something else (for Ollie to solve). I mean OC, RB and TSam passing the ball softly to get stolen is mind boggling. DHam dribbling into traffic is certainly youth and Amida looking out of place can also be attributed to inexperience. You can lump much of our poor decision making into this as well.

However, I just don't think all of our stupid turnovers are due to youth. Unfortunately it seems our coaching staff can't isolate the reason either. I would bet its due to team chemistry (not familiar with tendencies and other's strengths/weaknesses) more than anything else. Even last night some passes went out of bounds or off target due to anticipation and positional mistakes. Taliek knew when/where Ben and Rashad liked the ball, Bazz the same with Giffey, etc..

If chemistry is the issue, then it could be scary next year if not corrected especially with the number of returning players. Also the big question then becomes how do you create effective and cohesive team chemistry? You do see it with DHam and Amida, so we have a building block. If our players can unite and all get on the same page offensively and defensively, next year won't look so frightening without Boat.

That has been a trademark of UConn basketball over the years leading to much success.

 

[7774]

While I agree with this, its head scratching as to it being mid-February and simple 'lazy' turnovers are being committed. That's not youth or inexperience its something else (for Ollie to solve). I mean OC, RB and TSam passing the ball softly to get stolen is mind boggling. DHam dribbling into traffic is certainly youth and Amida looking out of place can also be attributed to inexperience. You can lump much of our poor decision making into this as well.

However, I just don't think all of our stupid turnovers are due to youth. Unfortunately it seems our coaching staff can't isolate the reason either. I would bet its due to team chemistry (not familiar with tendencies and other's strengths/weaknesses) more than anything else. Even last night some passes went out of bounds or off target due to anticipation and positional mistakes. Taliek knew when/where Ben and Rashad liked the ball, Bazz the same with Giffey, etc..

If chemistry is the issue, then it could be scary next year if not corrected especially with the number of returning players. Also the big question then becomes how do you create effective and cohesive team chemistry? You do see it with DHam and Amida, so we have a building block. If our players can unite and all get on the same page offensively and defensively, next year won't look so frightening without Boat.

That has been a trademark of UConn basketball over the years leading to much success.

Maybe it's just semantics, I don't know, but the stuff you're calling a lack of chemistry is exactly the stuff I call a product of youth. We haven't put a lineup on the floor this year that played even 1 minute together last year.

The senior year version of Taliek knew when/where the junior year version of BG wanted the ball at a much higher level than when they were a freshman and sophomore. At that point they had gone through 2 whole seasons of games, and developed that feel for playing together. Same with Bazz and Giffey. It comes as you spend more time on the court with each other.

My definition of bad chemistry is when players don't get along and you can tell they don't like being out on the court with each other (like the 11-12 year). I don't see that with this team. They seem to support and encourage each other (i.e. Purvis coming off the bench to help Boat last night, or picking each other off the ground when they're fouled, etc.)

 

[Kitaman]

Maybe it's just semantics, I don't know, but the stuff you're calling a lack of chemistry is exactly the stuff I call a product of youth. We haven't put a lineup on the floor this year that played even 1 minute together last year.

The senior year version of Taliek knew when/where the junior year version of BG wanted the ball at a much higher level than when they were a freshman and sophomore. At that point they had gone through 2 whole seasons of games together. Same with Bazz and Giffey.

My definition of bad chemistry is when players don't get along and you can tell they don't like being out on the court with each other (like the 11-12 year). I don't see that with this team. They seem to support and encourage each other (i.e. Purvis coming off the bench to help Boat last night, or picking each other off the ground when they're fouled, etc.)

Yeah I certainly don't suspect 'bad attitude' chemistry I was looking for a description of mental/physical unity. They are a great group and the Boat incident last night displayed that. I was trying to define 'in-play' chemistry.

Typically a leader can help solve this and Boat is surely trying. I just think losing Boat will be problematic in this area and frankly it scares me. I was trying to say that if this gets fixed/solved/improved then we should field a solid team. Maturation in skills helps but knowing how each other plays is paramount for UConn ball. How that gets developed was my question/concern.

 

[Waquoit]

This is the same team last year that's a year older, without Ryan Boatright.

That isn't a good thing, folks. There isn't any 3-star PG from Alabama who can shine it up. This is a staff failure and needs to be recognized as such.

So recognized. Now what?

 

[Stainmaster]

So recognized. Now what?

http://www.newsweek.com/north-korean-soccer-team-punished-world-cup-failure-74239

 

[pnow15]

Not to be the grammar police but.......that's not remotely close to what pink elephant means. I believe its just "the elephant in the room".

Is it grammar or diction?