Who's our leader?
- Thread starter CL82
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The kid definitely demonstrates some great leadership attributes out there. He'll be a good one in upcoming years. The problem with him as the leader this year is that it's an odd fit as a freshman amongst a group of soph's and a junior who just won a national championship. This team just has some funny makeup - where you thought Kemba's leadership would have rubbed off as residual onto the returners, it's almost as if they were so conditioned to having a great one it's all they know and are lost without it.
Dogbreath2U
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I'm surprised Boat would be seen as the team leader at this point in time. It's been hard to see a clear #1, but it looks to me that Bazz (with warts and dumb after-game statements and all) is the closest thing to it. It would be interesting to see what others think.
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Bazz needs to step aside both on and off the court and let Boat be the leader of this team. It's evident that the players don't really mesh with Bazz leading them -- whether they don't like him personally or just basketball-wise.
I've seen Boat as the best leader for this team for several months now. He just has the swagger, ice-in-the-veins attitude, and basketball IQ to be able to be the leader we need. As another poster above said, though, he is a freshman among a bunch of teammates that have rings from last year. Not to mention, no matter how much swagger or ice you have in your veins... you are still going to make mistakes as a freshman. That is nearly impossible to avoid unless you are true superstar, as it is part of learning to play at a much higher level than that of high school basketball.
Regardless, Boat has not only by his actions for a while now... but he has also led very vocally from what I have seen. While their games aren't exactly the same (obviously, what two players have the exact same game?)... Boat really reminds me a lot of Kemba. Even better than Kemba's frosh year, as Kemba accepted the role of being a roleplayer and let AJ be the leader... Kemba was the energy off the bench player and was excellent at it. Maybe Boat can be compared a bit more to Kemba's soph year... leadership qualities definitely there but a bit out of place with older players that were expected to be leading the team.
Bottom line: I love Boat on this team... and can't wait to watch him mature over the years. Thank god he didn't go to WVU!
Regardless, Boat has not only by his actions for a while now... but he has also led very vocally from what I have seen. While their games aren't exactly the same (obviously, what two players have the exact same game?)... Boat really reminds me a lot of Kemba. Even better than Kemba's frosh year, as Kemba accepted the role of being a roleplayer and let AJ be the leader... Kemba was the energy off the bench player and was excellent at it. Maybe Boat can be compared a bit more to Kemba's soph year... leadership qualities definitely there but a bit out of place with older players that were expected to be leading the team.
Bottom line: I love Boat on this team... and can't wait to watch him mature over the years. Thank god he didn't go to WVU!
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Boat is a natural leader, its the followers that's the issue. They haven't brought in, for many reasons stated above. If they haven't brought into Bazz then Ryan's attempt will be even more challenging. Interestingly. it only takes one maybe two upperclassmen to buy in, or recognize him, then he will be 'instantly' respected and promoted. We might have 3 captains next year.
As long as the players know who the leader is, it's not a problem. However, they seem conflicted. It should be Lamb but he is not vocal enough and does not have the ball enough. Shabazz is next but does not drive/penetrate enough to set up Lamb. Boatright wants to take charge but there's too much one on one stuff. That's why they miss Calhoun. When there's no clearly defined leader he recognizes it and takes it on himself.
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