SirSaxa
Silver Hoya (over 500 posts)
Posts: 747
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Post by SirSaxa on May 11, 2009 16:54:42 GMT -5
I was in LA over this past weekend and walked threw a large group of high school kids and when I say large I basically felt like a midget. At the end of the pack, I said to my friend oh my god thats hollis thompson... he is going to play next year for Georgetown. Hollis heard me and stopped me and was exactly what you would want a Hoya student athlete to be like. An older guy came over and said yeah you know a bunch of these kids are going to Carolina and Wake. I looked at him and was like the only team I give a crap about is Georgetown. Big smile from Hollis and he promised that the team will be better next year. I think he was surprised that some random girl recognized him as he hasn't even started to play yet. If his personality is any indicator he will be yet another great Hoya student athlete. Is it basketball season yet? Nice work JJ! You handled that beautifully, and thanks for the report too. I am sure Hollis appreciated it too. You get a gold star today! mmmm, make that a Blue&Gray Star!
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prhoya
Blue & Gray (over 10,000 posts)
Posts: 23,264
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Post by prhoya on May 11, 2009 17:46:04 GMT -5
Great job, jj, and thanks. Any word on whether he'll be a starter?
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superan
Golden Hoya (over 1000 posts)
Posts: 1,900
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Post by superan on May 11, 2009 18:17:11 GMT -5
Great job, jj, and thanks. Any word on whether he'll be a starter? if he doesn't start over nikita....
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Buckets
Golden Hoya (over 1000 posts)
Posts: 1,656
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Post by Buckets on May 11, 2009 19:21:56 GMT -5
I honestly wouldn't be astonished to see him start at the 4 at some point. I'm not sure whether it's been discussed here, but the 6'6" recruiting sites have him at is selling him way short. He is easily 6'8", almost 6'9", and I imagine he's hitting the weights this summer. I think it comes down to whether or not III would rather start Clark or Sims.
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blueandgray
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
Posts: 6,748
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Post by blueandgray on May 11, 2009 19:33:24 GMT -5
I do think Hollis starts, however there is no way he ever sees any time at PF. He is skiiny as a rail and tops out at 6'6".
He's got the right attitude in saying the team will be "better" next year. Gotta love that.
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alleninxis
Golden Hoya (over 1000 posts)
Posts: 2,216
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Post by alleninxis on May 11, 2009 19:41:37 GMT -5
If Sims does not start next to Greg next year, it'll be the first time I strongly disagree with something III has done
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hoya73
Golden Hoya (over 1000 posts)
Posts: 1,222
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Post by hoya73 on May 11, 2009 20:41:10 GMT -5
If Nikita gets starter minutes next year, we're in big trouble. Whether Hollis technically "starts" is not that important, but by the first month in, he should at least be getting the bulk of the minutes at the 3.
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MCIGuy
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
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Post by MCIGuy on May 11, 2009 23:22:00 GMT -5
1)I believe III has indicated a few times that he sees Sims starting alongside Monroe next seson.
2)III is also reportedly very high on Thompson and thinks he will start at the three.
3)III also told one guy at HR that he thinks very highly of Nikita and feels he has the tools. He told him that in practice Nikita plays like a star but he looks like a totally different person in games. He doesn't know if Nikita will ever display that ability in games that matter, and that will determine the amount of minutes he gets. But what III said explained to me why Nikita got the minutes over a guy like Omar who was impressive early on and possibly why he got the nod over Jesse. He wasn't doing it for charity. He wasn't doing it as a stunt for white ticket buyers. He wasn't doing it just out of desperation. Nikita started getting minutes because he outplayed most of the other guys in practice. And that's one of the best ways a player should go about earning minutes. So can we stop the bashing of Nikita already? Can we stop whining about him not being the best defender or the quickest athlete? The way you guys tear into college kids amazes me sometimes. III loves his hustle, his wilingess to scrap, his size, his passing and his shooting. Now perhaps it will never translate on the court in a real game. But even if that's the case he is still a Hoya and he is representing the team and program well and is busting his butt in practice. Many of you may not want him to get many minutes but can you at least remember he's a kid playing hard for a team you love?
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SirSaxa
Silver Hoya (over 500 posts)
Posts: 747
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Post by SirSaxa on May 12, 2009 5:24:51 GMT -5
1)I believe III has indicated a few times that he sees Sims starting alongside Monroe next seson. 2)III is also reportedly very high on Thompson and thinks he will start at the three. 3)III also told one guy at HR that he thinks very highly of Nikita and feels he has the tools. He told him that in practice Nikita plays like a star but he looks like a totally different person in games. He doesn't know if Nikita will ever display that ability in games that matter, and that will determine the amount of minutes he gets. But what III said explained to me why Nikita got the minutes over a guy like Omar who was impressive early on and possibly why he got the nod over Jesse. He wasn't doing it for charity. He wasn't doing it as a stunt for white ticket buyers. He wasn't doing it just out of desperation. Nikita started getting minutes because he outplayed most of the other guys in practice. And that's one of the best ways a player should go about earning minutes. So can we stop the bashing of Nikita already? Can we stop whining about him not being the best defender or the quickest athlete? The way you guys tear into college kids amazes me sometimes. III loves his hustle, his wilingess to scrap, his size, his passing and his shooting. Now perhaps it will never translate on the court in a real game. But even if that's the case he is still a Hoya and he is representing the team and program well and is busting his butt in practice. Many of you may not want him to get many minutes but can you at least remember he's a kid playing hard for a team you love? Well said re: Nikita MCI!
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Post by dcc33 on May 12, 2009 7:38:17 GMT -5
3)III also told one guy at HR that he thinks very highly of Nikita and feels he has the tools. He told him that in practice Nikita plays like a star but he looks like a totally different person in games. He doesn't know if Nikita will ever display that ability in games that matter, and that will determine the amount of minutes he gets. But what III said explained to me why Nikita got the minutes over a guy like Omar who was impressive early on and possibly why he got the nod over Jesse. He wasn't doing it for charity. He wasn't doing it as a stunt for white ticket buyers. He wasn't doing it just out of desperation. Nikita started getting minutes because he outplayed most of the other guys in practice. And that's one of the best ways a player should go about earning minutes. So can we stop the bashing of Nikita already? Can we stop whining about him not being the best defender or the quickest athlete? The way you guys tear into college kids amazes me sometimes. III loves his hustle, his wilingess to scrap, his size, his passing and his shooting. Now perhaps it will never translate on the court in a real game. But even if that's the case he is still a Hoya and he is representing the team and program well and is busting his butt in practice. Many of you may not want him to get many minutes but can you at least remember he's a kid playing hard for a team you love? +1, well said. Nikita has done nothing other than give his best on (and presumably, off) the court, and if III sees something special, then we should all wish him the best and hope it translates to games. Having a 6-8 guy who can really shoot it (as he reportedly does in practice) is a huge asset, and he also was the only guy on the entire team willing and able to get it to Greg down low. If he can shoot and pass - those are two gaping holes in our team from last year. Keep in mind that he was essentially a freshman last year - had never played in a college basketball game, so the deer in headlights response is not entirely surprising. I don't think he is a game changer, but I look forward to watching his development, and see him contributing over his next 3 years in a very positive way.
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tashoya
Blue & Gray (over 10,000 posts)
Posts: 12,319
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Post by tashoya on May 12, 2009 7:50:55 GMT -5
I'm all for rooting for Nikita. By all accounts, the kid works hard and he sure seems to be trying his best when he sees time. That being said, it's not bashing the kid to say that he's laterally slow. That's a fact. His shooting was far from stellar. Fact. His defense was less than great. Fact. I'm sure we all hope to see him improve. For him to do so, I'm sure someone has informed him of his weaknesses and that's some of what we discuss here. Maybe that somewhat overshadows the underlying fact that I think at least the majority of us really like his hustle and his heart. Maybe some do bash him during the course of a seriously disappointing season and that is a shame. But let's not get all noble after the season and act like the kid doesn't have some deficiencies.
I really rooted for DaJuan to pull it together too. Doesn't mean I don't remember him flying out of control on a break or stepping on the baseline at an alarming rate or him thinking his foot was a good place to dribble the ball.
During the season, likely due to disappointment after disappointment, posters, myself included, got a bit overzealous with regard to negativism. In the decompression period of the offseason, let's not make a complete 180 and stray to far to the other side of the spectrum. I hope all of the guys improve. But to act like Nikita didn't have his struggles and get crazy about people pointing them out is ludicrous. If he looks like a star in practice, I hope it shows up in his game. I like him on the floor if only for his passing and his ability to shoot over his defenders from 3. I hope it all comes together for him and for each and every Hoya (Go Hollis! Go Free!).
And do people actually think that playing Nikita is a stunt for white ticket buyers? If that's the case, and even worse if white ticket buyers are more willing to buy a ticket because Nikita is on the floor, well I don't even know what to say to that. That's more than disappointing and disgusting. That's flat-out shameful. What year is this?
Hoya Saxa.
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Post by bigelephant on May 12, 2009 8:16:28 GMT -5
Nikita will get playing time (hopefully not as a starter) if he continues to impress III in practice. If this practice performance doesn't translate into game performance, then III will move on from that point. I can see him coming off the bench to add some energy and spark..Unfortunately he looked overmatched in BE play last year. Maybe it was a case of nerves which could disappear this year due to last year's experience - but it's hard to see how nerves affect quickness on defense. I think Nikita could be player in the Mid-Majors and a star in D-3.
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Boz
Blue & Gray (over 10,000 posts)
123 Fireballs!
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Post by Boz on May 12, 2009 8:29:34 GMT -5
3)III also told one guy at HR that he thinks very highly of Nikita and feels he has the tools. He told him that in practice Nikita plays like a star but he looks like a totally different person in games. He doesn't know if Nikita will ever display that ability in games that matter, and that will determine the amount of minutes he gets. But what III said explained to me why Nikita got the minutes over a guy like Omar who was impressive early on and possibly why he got the nod over Jesse. He wasn't doing it for charity. He wasn't doing it as a stunt for white ticket buyers. He wasn't doing it just out of desperation. Nikita started getting minutes because he outplayed most of the other guys in practice. And that's one of the best ways a player should go about earning minutes. So can we stop the bashing of Nikita already? Can we stop whining about him not being the best defender or the quickest athlete? The way you guys tear into college kids amazes me sometimes. III loves his hustle, his wilingess to scrap, his size, his passing and his shooting. Now perhaps it will never translate on the court in a real game. But even if that's the case he is still a Hoya and he is representing the team and program well and is busting his butt in practice. Many of you may not want him to get many minutes but can you at least remember he's a kid playing hard for a team you love? +1, well said. Nikita has done nothing other than give his best on (and presumably, off) the court, and if III sees something special, then we should all wish him the best and hope it translates to games. Having a 6-8 guy who can really shoot it (as he reportedly does in practice) is a huge asset, and he also was the only guy on the entire team willing and able to get it to Greg down low. If he can shoot and pass - those are two gaping holes in our team from last year. Keep in mind that he was essentially a freshman last year - had never played in a college basketball game, so the deer in headlights response is not entirely surprising. I don't think he is a game changer, but I look forward to watching his development, and see him contributing over his next 3 years in a very positive way. Mark me down in the 'kudos to MCI' column as well. And we should remember that Hollis Thompson is going to be a freshman (for all intents and purposes) next year who has also not played a single college game yet. Not saying he isn't a great player and that I'm not looking forward to great things from him. But Greg Monroe is a great player too and he had his share of freshman moments last year. Let's try to remember to give the guy (Hollis, that is) a break once in a while next season. ......Just don't screw up against Syracuse, kid.
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guru
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
Posts: 6,599
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Post by guru on May 12, 2009 8:37:06 GMT -5
1)I believe III has indicated a few times that he sees Sims starting alongside Monroe next seson. 2)III is also reportedly very high on Thompson and thinks he will start at the three. 3)III also told one guy at HR that he thinks very highly of Nikita and feels he has the tools. He told him that in practice Nikita plays like a star but he looks like a totally different person in games. He doesn't know if Nikita will ever display that ability in games that matter, and that will determine the amount of minutes he gets. But what III said explained to me why Nikita got the minutes over a guy like Omar who was impressive early on and possibly why he got the nod over Jesse. He wasn't doing it for charity. He wasn't doing it as a stunt for white ticket buyers. He wasn't doing it just out of desperation. Nikita started getting minutes because he outplayed most of the other guys in practice. And that's one of the best ways a player should go about earning minutes. So can we stop the bashing of Nikita already? Can we stop whining about him not being the best defender or the quickest athlete? The way you guys tear into college kids amazes me sometimes. III loves his hustle, his wilingess to scrap, his size, his passing and his shooting. Now perhaps it will never translate on the court in a real game. But even if that's the case he is still a Hoya and he is representing the team and program well and is busting his butt in practice. Many of you may not want him to get many minutes but can you at least remember he's a kid playing hard for a team you love? Good stuff MCI. I don't think I've ever seen anyone advance the theory that Nikita was starting to appease "white ticket buyers" though. Was that ever really thrown around on this board? If so, it's beyond ridiculous.
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kellycpcm
Bulldog (over 250 posts)
Posts: 318
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Post by kellycpcm on May 12, 2009 8:39:29 GMT -5
We sometimes forget that Nikita was only a red-shirt freshman and missed a whole year of competition as a red-shirt. When he came in, he did what III told him to do- he fed Greg as his first option, and he took open threes, which didn’t always fall. He did the stuff that III couldn’t get the starters to do. He showed great hustle and intensity, but unfortunately he doesn’t have the quick to be a star defender or the handle to penetrate. With that said, Hollis will be a red-shirt freshman and face some of the same issues, but not the lack of athleticism that hindered Nikita.
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NCHoya
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
Posts: 2,924
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Post by NCHoya on May 12, 2009 8:44:54 GMT -5
1)I believe III has indicated a few times that he sees Sims starting alongside Monroe next seson. 2)III is also reportedly very high on Thompson and thinks he will start at the three. 3)III also told one guy at HR that he thinks very highly of Nikita and feels he has the tools. He told him that in practice Nikita plays like a star but he looks like a totally different person in games. He doesn't know if Nikita will ever display that ability in games that matter, and that will determine the amount of minutes he gets. But what III said explained to me why Nikita got the minutes over a guy like Omar who was impressive early on and possibly why he got the nod over Jesse. He wasn't doing it for charity. He wasn't doing it as a stunt for white ticket buyers. He wasn't doing it just out of desperation. Nikita started getting minutes because he outplayed most of the other guys in practice. And that's one of the best ways a player should go about earning minutes. So can we stop the bashing of Nikita already? Can we stop whining about him not being the best defender or the quickest athlete? The way you guys tear into college kids amazes me sometimes. III loves his hustle, his wilingess to scrap, his size, his passing and his shooting. Now perhaps it will never translate on the court in a real game. But even if that's the case he is still a Hoya and he is representing the team and program well and is busting his butt in practice. Many of you may not want him to get many minutes but can you at least remember he's a kid playing hard for a team you love? MCI, I Agree completely about Nikita. It is amazing we can jump all over a kid who is a freshman and dissect all the things he does wrong. There was quite a lot that he did right . . . as a freshman. He was our best entry passer, hands down. He was a willing rebounder, which we cannot say for many members of last year's team. Nikita also used his fouls, many times wisely. JT3 even complimented him about this, he mentioned he wished other guys would sometimes use a foul rather than giving an open look. I think we can all agree Nikita has some inherent shortcomings, lateral quickness, uses his hands to defend, etc. However, he has a lot of upside and he has THREE more years to show it. Tossing him out of the rotation like a few of you suggest is just dumb. The kid can play. He plays very well in practice and gets nervous in games. That is the definition of low confidence due to freshman inexperience. After another year or two of the same game performance issues, I will agree with the masses on this, but give the kid chance. It sounds like if he gets comfortable on the court, he will be a very valuable player. I just wish JT3 would have played him earlier last season against the early low and mid major opponents. This is likely a confidence issue and against that level of competition he would have built some. Hopefully next season we will see this and he will blossom.
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MCIGuy
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
Anyone here? What am I supposed to update?
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Post by MCIGuy on May 12, 2009 9:49:58 GMT -5
Good stuff MCI. I don't think I've ever seen anyone advance the theory that Nikita was starting to appease "white ticket buyers" though. Was that ever really thrown around on this board? If so, it's beyond ridiculous. I should have made that more clear. I read that stuff on a couple of other message boards (non-Hoya boards). Typical type of stuff I guess from extreme rival fans
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EasyEd
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
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Post by EasyEd on May 12, 2009 10:04:30 GMT -5
Thanks, MCI. Good input on Nikita. Should also point out that Nikita got almost no playing time during the first half of last season so his experience level in actual games is only about half a season. Give him time to see if he develops further.
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swhoya
Golden Hoya (over 1000 posts)
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Post by swhoya on May 12, 2009 10:12:50 GMT -5
Gosh MCI, don't you realize that most of the posters on this board played ball in middle school and know FAR more than III?!?
Put me in the category of wait-and-see on next year's team. On the one hand, I want to be optomistic and think we have a lot of talent, but I'm still so stunned by what happened this year that I need to see how this team operates before I get really psyched.
But all in all, I agree with your assessment. I believe in III and trust that he knows what he's doing (at least more so than us guys posting on the internet).
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Omega
Silver Hoya (over 500 posts)
Posts: 556
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Post by Omega on May 12, 2009 10:40:17 GMT -5
That's nonsense about Nikita. There are great practice players and then they are great game players. Give me and the majority of coaches the great game player! How does a guy who is great in practice and melts when the lights come on help your team. What it does is causes confusion because the coach wants to reward him for his great play in practice so he plays him and he melts when the lights come on.
If the version of Nikita we saw in games this year was killing the other players in practice, then that answers why the Hoyas had such a bad year.
Rumor has it that Shaq is a great free throw shooter in practice! maybe the NBA should add his practice percentage to his actual game percentage.......
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