Post by jerseyhoya34 on Nov 18, 2008 22:21:38 GMT -5
Some thoughts from my spot in 118 -
1. I say this having not watched too many KL games or much all-star tape. Greg Monroe was the best player on the floor last night. Period. Our team was better with him on the floor to the degree that I asked my neighbor what he thought about when to bring him back in when he got in foul trouble. Greg's role as "facilitator" is a great description, and I hope teammates recognize/appreciate this because it is a key to our success. His appreciation of the game is the best we've seen in the JT3 era for players at the same stage, and we've seen some players with high hoops IQ, particularly Wallace and Green as frosh. What struck me, though, was his defensive presence. Sure, we played a weaker team, but he did exactly what JT3 has asked in terms of staying big in the paint. Only complaint is that we should see Greg in the high post every possession against a zone.
2. For the talk of Dajuan's big 2nd half, which was helpful, the lack of defense was not. He got burned too many times for a junior. We don't have the luxury this year of funneling down to Greg like we could with Roy sometimes. Plus, the funneling and switching along the perimeter caused us rebounding problems because guys could not find assignments. Our rebounding probably won't be great, but we can make it better with better defense.
3. Too many guys ran into the DJ Owens problem with settling for perimeter shots early in the game and after entering the game for the first time. If you have an opening, drive early or take a pull up so you can get your feet wet (especially in an early game). Worst that can happen is you get your legs and are better able to shoot the 3.
4. The key for Wattad/Nikita is to watch the game and find a role. I was surprised that JT3 went to Wattad as early as he did, but that's fine. We just need all to appreciate that we don't need everyone to score 20 points. We just need everybody to find/understand the team concept. That will come with time and appreciate the aggression and eagerness to help.
5. Making FT's is key. My one complaint with Wright is his FT misses. Teams will foul him more if he does not get consistent at the line.
That's all that comes to mind right now. I don't think there are too many take-aways from this game one way or the other. We got the job done. It wasn't pretty, but it wasn't trash. Time to slay the Dragons.
On Edit:
6. We hedge too high on the wings especially toward the offender's strong side. Dajuan et al. got burned a couple times low when the offender drove. Some got beat on base line. We can't afford that. Play guys straight up and don't cheat.
1. I say this having not watched too many KL games or much all-star tape. Greg Monroe was the best player on the floor last night. Period. Our team was better with him on the floor to the degree that I asked my neighbor what he thought about when to bring him back in when he got in foul trouble. Greg's role as "facilitator" is a great description, and I hope teammates recognize/appreciate this because it is a key to our success. His appreciation of the game is the best we've seen in the JT3 era for players at the same stage, and we've seen some players with high hoops IQ, particularly Wallace and Green as frosh. What struck me, though, was his defensive presence. Sure, we played a weaker team, but he did exactly what JT3 has asked in terms of staying big in the paint. Only complaint is that we should see Greg in the high post every possession against a zone.
2. For the talk of Dajuan's big 2nd half, which was helpful, the lack of defense was not. He got burned too many times for a junior. We don't have the luxury this year of funneling down to Greg like we could with Roy sometimes. Plus, the funneling and switching along the perimeter caused us rebounding problems because guys could not find assignments. Our rebounding probably won't be great, but we can make it better with better defense.
3. Too many guys ran into the DJ Owens problem with settling for perimeter shots early in the game and after entering the game for the first time. If you have an opening, drive early or take a pull up so you can get your feet wet (especially in an early game). Worst that can happen is you get your legs and are better able to shoot the 3.
4. The key for Wattad/Nikita is to watch the game and find a role. I was surprised that JT3 went to Wattad as early as he did, but that's fine. We just need all to appreciate that we don't need everyone to score 20 points. We just need everybody to find/understand the team concept. That will come with time and appreciate the aggression and eagerness to help.
5. Making FT's is key. My one complaint with Wright is his FT misses. Teams will foul him more if he does not get consistent at the line.
That's all that comes to mind right now. I don't think there are too many take-aways from this game one way or the other. We got the job done. It wasn't pretty, but it wasn't trash. Time to slay the Dragons.
On Edit:
6. We hedge too high on the wings especially toward the offender's strong side. Dajuan et al. got burned a couple times low when the offender drove. Some got beat on base line. We can't afford that. Play guys straight up and don't cheat.