EtomicB
Blue & Gray (over 10,000 posts)
Posts: 14,962
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Post by EtomicB on Dec 4, 2010 11:33:55 GMT -5
Hard to read this type of discussion without screaming in frustration. Greg was a very good player who left after two years to capitalize on an opportunity presented by his talents and hard work. Greatest center who ever played at Georgetown? Clearly not. Would the team have been better off with him this year? Ridiculous question and the obvious answer is that this year's team with Greg would be one of the odds on favorites to win it all and potentially one of the best teams in Hoya history. As someone who roots hard for Henry Sims, I can say that Greg's presence this year would have probably hindered Henry's growth, but it would have clearly been worth it for the results. Imagine the scoring options that others would have to defend. Imagine the ball movement with an incredibly skilled passer at the 4 position. I know that people like to speculate about these things and I have no problem with that. Let's just remember that just as Austin, Jason and Chris have improved and toughened as they matured, a 21 yeaer old Monroe would have done so as well. I really don't get why many of you believe if GM had stayed he would have stunted Henry's growth. Greg started at the 4 every game last year, a spot Henry no longer plays. Greg being here would impact JB, Nate and Hollis a little too(coach would have been forced to find time for Hollis) but not Henry. I said this in the Henry thread also, that I really believe Henry's emergence has more to do with position change than anything. The 5 spot fits him and the 4 spot didn't. As Cal wrote above, this squad with GM at the 4 would be off the charts good and would have the flexibility coaches dream about. I Also believe coach 3 would encourage Greg to be a much more aggressive defender because he'd have players to take up the slack or even better the personel to play different styles if GM did get in foul trouble. It's been pointed out many times in the thread how much the returning players have improved their games this year which is very true. However we should also give props to JT3 for improving his coaching skills as well! He's playing more people, utilizing a trap/press, encouraging a more free flowing offense ect.. It shows everyone took the loss to Ohio hard.
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MCIGuy
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
Anyone here? What am I supposed to update?
Posts: 9,427
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Post by MCIGuy on Dec 4, 2010 11:55:05 GMT -5
In his interview with the media the other day III was asked about his use of more players; the improved depth of the team, etc. III said it wasn't something planned; the reason why there is greater depth is because the improvement of individual players. He said that guys who hadn't shown they were ready to be on the court last season are showing (in practice) that they belong out there this season. He rejected the notion of putting players on the floor simply for depth purposes; he only plays guys whom he thinks will bring a positive contribution to the floor.
This could be typical coach speak and I don't necessarily agree with III's philosophy (I think some players get better only by being put out there on the court when it counts). However if III does really feel this way it suggests that even if Monroe came back he would be playing less minutes so far just as Austin, Chris and Jason have been playig less minutes. And that's all because the guys on the bench are apparently more ready to be productive players during games. So Henry would be getting some runregardless.
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Filo
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
Posts: 3,910
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Post by Filo on Dec 4, 2010 15:41:23 GMT -5
Bronxie, this whole referring to yourself in the third person is making me sick. Filo agrees. Bronxie is a piece of work.
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nychoya3
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
Posts: 2,674
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Post by nychoya3 on Dec 4, 2010 18:47:17 GMT -5
Can I just point out that the season isn't even a third over with and we haven't hit the really tough part yet? This team is playing well, but there were definitely portions of last season (like blowing out eventual national champions Duke, embarrasing Nova, beating a red hot Cuse team in the BET etc.) where we looked every bit as good, if not better. Last year's team was pretty damn good, in no small part because Greg Monroe was one of the best big men in America, and there's no way we don't miss that.
Enjoy the ride and see how it all shakes out.
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chep3
Golden Hoya (over 1000 posts)
Posts: 2,314
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Post by chep3 on Dec 4, 2010 18:59:35 GMT -5
Don't think last year's team goes undefeated in this stretch. That's why we're all excited.
And not sure we haven't hit the tough part yet. First off, the whole thing is tough. But going to ODU, essentially @ NC St and Mizzou, and a home game against USU which could have been a huge trap show a mental toughness that wasn't there last year. That being said, I'd rather have that mental toughness plus Greg.
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tashoya
Blue & Gray (over 10,000 posts)
Posts: 12,330
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Post by tashoya on Dec 4, 2010 21:23:34 GMT -5
He was not soft? And his turnovers were maddening. You can disagree because you are in hero worship mode. I actually discussed this topic with the man who runs the most successful basketball team in the world. He agreed so what you or anyone else says means nothing to Bronxie. Somewhat off topic but who DOES run the Harlem Globetrotters now?
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tashoya
Blue & Gray (over 10,000 posts)
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Post by tashoya on Dec 4, 2010 21:30:05 GMT -5
More on topic, I love this team. I loved the team last year. We ran through Greg because he was our best option and our best chance at winning. If Greg was still here, him being our best option would be a debatable topic. What would not be remotely debatable would be whether that team would be, on paper, a better team than the team we have if only for the flexibility that has been mentioned. Not a slight to Julian or Henry in the least but Greg was exceedingly unique and would have made this year's team insanely balanced. What's so great about us this year was demonstrated today. Austin wasn't shooting well and so he didn't shoot. The maturation of the guys that we have has been amazing and a helluva lot of fun to watch. I'd argue that Greg would have been more dominant on this year's squad because he wouldn't have to shoulder so much of the burden as he'd have much more solid players around him. That being said, best of luck to Greg on his new team. I'll gladly take this iteration of Hoyas and never again wonder what if Greg stayed because I love THIS team. Hoya Saxa. And, I love the twitter smack talk from CW about Cuse.
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prhoya
Blue & Gray (over 10,000 posts)
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Post by prhoya on Dec 4, 2010 23:47:11 GMT -5
And, I love the twitter smack talk from CW about Cuse. What's this? I haven't read through the different threads.
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joey0403p
Golden Hoya (over 1000 posts)
Posts: 1,586
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Post by joey0403p on Dec 5, 2010 12:14:24 GMT -5
i usually can't make any sense from people's tweets - but the best i can tell - Chris said he hates cuse and its fans.
anything along those lines from any hoya is fantastic.
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prhoya
Blue & Gray (over 10,000 posts)
Posts: 23,358
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Post by prhoya on Dec 5, 2010 12:27:46 GMT -5
So nothing new?
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joey0403p
Golden Hoya (over 1000 posts)
Posts: 1,586
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Post by joey0403p on Dec 5, 2010 13:01:48 GMT -5
I think the difference between this years team and last year's team is the efficiency of the offense. Last year there was A LOT of standing around passing around the perimeter and or dumping it into greg and waiting to see what happens. I think this year's team is constantly in motion. I just have a better feel for the team this year when they are on offense. I don't worry about the shot clock winding down and the team throwing up a bad shot (though that will always happen - even in the nba). I am not sure the team makes that change if Greg is still here. Granted I think the team would be bette rwith Greg - and the ceilling would be higher with him - i think we'd drop a few more games and be susceptible to trap games as we were last year.
Last year if we came out flat or we weren't hitting our 3's we were in for a struggle. This year with the way the offense is moving; if we are stuggling I htink we have a better chance of pulling out Ws. We can't draw too many conclusions from an 8 game OOC sample - but the early returns are good.
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Post by bronxhoya87 on Dec 5, 2010 13:35:40 GMT -5
Last year Duke loses their best player and wins a national title. Anything can happen. Loved Greg when he was here but at this point as a team we do not miss him. This team actually shows some aggression and hunger on the backboards.
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tashoya
Blue & Gray (over 10,000 posts)
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Post by tashoya on Dec 6, 2010 8:39:17 GMT -5
Anything can happen when you are the one in Duke's bracket last year. I still refuse to believe that they were the best team in the country last year.
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