Team Chemistry

[daytonahoya31]

Does anyone remember Rhonda Pearlman and Jimmie McNulty from the Wire?

When things were good between them, things were good. When it went bad, they hated each other for life.

That's the chemistry of this team right now. We are a bunch of individuals out there. Everyone's playing for himself, with the exception of Greg.

Dajuan's clearly trying to go pro after this season, but he doesn't know that scoring isn't the only thing that makes you stick in the league. The NBA tends to demand that its small forwards, like, have the ability to handle and pass the ball, and play a little defense.

Jessie wants to be the man, but he's angry that his talent level doesn't suggest that on this team.

Chris has always been the man, and now doesn't understand the line between being aggressive and running the offense, sacrificing scoring in the process.

Austin's just lost. He's the one guy on our team that needs people creating for him, yet none of his teammates seem interested in doing so.

Jason seems to have been infected with the egos and the alpha dog clashes of the upperclassmen.

Greg should be beside himself. He doesn't get fed for the first 30 minutes, dominates the next nine, and goes hungry in our two most important possessions.

Ladies and Gentlemen of Hoya talk, this is our team chemistry as of 1/25/09.

And I don't know is this can be fixed

[SFHoya99]

You're making a lot of assumptions.

Everyone just needs to be aggressive again, like a few weeks ago, when everyone was claiming that this year's chemistry was the best ever.

[daytonahoya31]

I'm not making assumptions.

Let's just leave it at that

[blueandgray]

Well said.

If I had to criticize JT3 for one thing over the last 5 years its that his teams do not do a good job of feeding the big man. A pattern has emerged where if we go down low for a possession or two and nothing positive comes out of it... we forget about the post for the next 10 or 15 possessions.

This is exaxtly what happened against WV. The first shot of the game was taken by Monroe and he was blocked from behind on a lay up. Something similar happened the very next play... and we never went back to him the rest of the game.

FEED THE BEAST EARLY AND OFTEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[rccoleon]

i love the wire references. greatest show ever.

[strummer8526]

Jan 25, 2009 18:04:44 GMT -5 daytonahoya31 said:

I'm not making assumptions.

Let's just leave it at that

Is this a man on the inside?

[blueandgray]

With regard to chemistry problems...and there ARE some major chemistry problems....one thing is for certain....JT3 is sticking with his starting line up in hope that they can come together and work through it.

[hometownhoya89]

consider dujuan never had a good handle, but he's again flourishing this year with an effective passer in the post (Green --> Monroe). i won't believe dajuan is leaving early until he hires his agent.

jessie is simply putting too much pressure on himself, because he realizes he has exactly 1 season to get drafted. mentally, he's fried. there is no 'angry' here.

chris is getting yanked out of the game to give omar & clark more reps. his rhythm gets erased, and when you're the starting PG for the first time ever, you NEED some rhythm.

clark is a freshman. good try.

greg and austin are making the best of playing with teammates who are imploding around them.

we have no set rotation yet, so our players have been unable to gel. we played clark and omar against duke. case closed.

[daytonahoya31]

Blue,

I wish he didn't. I would love to see Greg at the four and the rest slide back a position with Austin coming off the bench. This team needs to be structurally sound. I wish it would happen.

[SirSaxa]

Daytona. I would like nothing better than to disagree with you and to point out exactly how wrong you are. Unfortunately, with the exception of your assessment of Sapp, I can't.

I was at the game today. First one this year. I arrived shortly after tip off.
My seats were about 15 rows up, behind the GU bench. I couldn't hear a word, but the body language was very clear.

This team has no chemistry and no fire. No life. No togetherness. No T-E-A-M!
I kept thinking of Pat Jr. How every break when guys would approach the bench he'd be out there cheering, waving his towel, slapping butts, firing everyone up. No one does anything like that. They don't even talk to one another.

These guys looked like pros playing on a team that is 40 games out of playoff contention, playing out the string, the last few games, can't wait to pack their bags, get out their golf clubs and set off in 13 different directions until next season.

I am not kidding and not exaggerating.

Jessie Sapp did miss a big three at the end, and badly. But he is not the problem on this team. He hit 2/5 from three, 3/8 overall, had 9 boards and 4 assists. Should have had more. Showed a little fire and determination, and some NYC street moves.

Greg Monroe did see the ball down the stretch... right up until the Hoyas had a chance to tie or take the lead when Summers decided to fire up another three before Monroe even touched the ball. Where was Summers' head today? 6 Turnovers?

This probably was not visible on TV. But Monroe was SOOOO upset at the end of the game, he walked off the court without even going near the standard post game greeting line. Walked off the court.. straight to the locker room... alone.

Jessie Sapp, on the other hand, went through the line congratulating and hugging the Pirates -- one by one.

At least Monroe was upset. He was Editeded. The rest of the team looks clueless and worse.... they don't really seem to care all that much.

How a team as good as this one, that beat UCONN at their house, demolished 'Cuse 10 days ago, can suddenly look completely lost vs. WVU and Seton Hall???

Something really bad must have gone down that we are not yet aware of. Some big fight, or internal strife or something. It beats me what it is, but this was not just a tough loss. This was a really really poor showing. And I, for one, have no idea what the answer is.

[daytonahoya31]

Hometown,

you couldn't be more off based.

But nice try.

[daytonahoya31]

Sir Saxa,

Regarding Sapp, He's one that I thought showed fire and hustle, so I'm not trying to kill him. And maybe the word "angry" was a little strong. But he did come into this season thinking he was going to be the main backcourt option. And the fact that it hasn't happened is a huge adjustment for him.

So with the exception of the word angry, I do stand by what I said.

[gtown34]

I agree Sirsaxa, I too believe there is something more going on. Sapp and Wright were arguing with each other shortly before halftime at the Duke game,than they both were benched.Things haven't been the same since.Someone correct me if i'm wrong,but i seen waht i seen.

[RDF]

One thing that never changes in sports--the talk of "team chemistry". Tell you what you need--guys who play unselfishly--and that has nothing to do with chemistry and a lot to do with ego. Last year's team had issues and they found a way to win 28 games. According to the players-this year's team is "much closer on/off the court....."--their words--not mine. So why do some of the players in rotation play like they would rather score then win?

I'll say that this season seems to have turned when everyone was talking about the EXPLETIVE NBA in regards to every damn player and not focusing on the fact this particular team has done nothing to warrant any praise. Great wins over UConn and Cuse--good--but that is 2 games in toughest league in country. Now team is 3-4 and facing a Cincinnati team who will beat you up and play tough--which means the Hoyas need to play tougher--physically and mentally. Will they? Can they? Chemistry is great to talk about--but I'll take a bunch of guys who dont' get along off the court for some guys who will do what they are told by coaches and care more about winning then their ego being stroked by some guy who invents information about imaginary people he speaks with on NBA "potential". Chad Ford spends more time playing Dungeons and Dragons and TIVO-ing Cinemax for his personal life then talking with anyone associated in the NBA--and yet there was an update every other hour as if Hoyas had Michael Jordan and Bill Russell on same team and were winning by 100 pts each game.

Whether coaches/players admit it--they read the boards and like anyone who gets smoke blown up their rear constantly--they will start believing it. How about playing some good basketball and doing what is asked and seeing if you can win a GAME? That's all I care about as a fan and if you can make the NBA--good for you--but last time I checked the Draft is in June--and calendar says January--so let's focus on Hoya basketball and getting things straightened out--and not whether this team needs a picnic to get their game back.

Screw the "Hoya Picnic" and get some good play going! Where's the bread Dajuan?----Hey Chris--can you get the potato salad and Austin--the carrots and Weight Watchers is over there. Greg--did you bring the gumbo? Henry--where are the Crab Cakes? Jason--you and Jessie get the Juicy Juice out of the trunk and where is Jansen with the Milkshakes?

[gtown34]

Couldn't have said it better RDF,did you coach before or something?Cause i do,and you say it like i would have preached it .Good writing. It is also obvious for anyone who truly knows bball.

[OldHoyafan]

SirSaxsa because of the history of your posts on this board, your comments trouble me the most. If what you observed is in fact so, I don't think this team can come together without a drastic move by JT3 i.e. benching one or more of the starters and not for just a couple minutes at the start, but the whole game. This has to be done for JT3 to regain control of this team. Your description of Monroe leaving the court alone troubles me the most. Why would a guy of his talent stay another year to play with guys who don't want to play as a team. There are 4 guys on the stating 5 who were the BMOC when they played high school ball, now 3 have been asked to subjugate that individual talent to a team dominated by a freshman. All the press this year has gone to Monroe and rightfully so because of what he means to the team. But it was on Monroe when he was not the high scorer in the game. I think Summers Freeman and Summers have shared that distinction more than once but the press has mostly been about Monroe. It may be that 3 of the other starters feel a little slighted and that frustration is causing a loss of team chemistry.

[hoyalawyer]

bench the starters except for greg. shelve the egos. I'd rather see 5 guys who care to win than a crew of selfish "talents."

Greg is the Kevin G/Tim Duncan/Kobe of the squad. The offense should go "through" him not necessarily "to" him but he should be involved in every possession.

If DaJuan/Austin/Chris have ANY serious pro aspirations, this year or next, they need to involve the best player on the team, Greg.

[SirSaxa]

Jan 25, 2009 19:29:27 GMT -5 OldHoyafan said:

SirSaxsa because of the history of your posts on this board, your comments trouble me the most. If what you observed is in fact so, I don't think this team can come together without a drastic move by JT3 i.e. benching one or more of the starters and not for just a couple minutes at the start, but the whole game. This has to be done for JT3 to regain control of this team. Your description of Monroe leaving the court alone troubles me the most. Why would a guy of his talent stay another year to play with guys who don't want to play as a team. There are 4 guys on the stating 5 who were the BMOC when they played high school ball, now 3 have been asked to subjugate that individual talent to a team dominated by a freshman. All the press this year has gone to Monroe and rightfully so because of what he means to the team. But it was on Monroe when he was not the high scorer in the game. I think Summers Freeman and Summers have shared that distinction more than once but the press has mostly been about Monroe. It may be that 3 of the other starters feel a little slighted and that frustration is causing a loss of team chemistry.

IT troubles me too OldFan.
I think JT3 has a helluva tough challenge to get this team back on track.

[JohnnyJones]

Jan 25, 2009 19:29:27 GMT -5 OldHoyafan said:

SirSaxsa because of the history of your posts on this board, your comments trouble me the most.

You took the words right out of my mouth.

[justabballfan]

There are a lot of good posts in this thread.

Dajaun is really focused on himself and getting to the NBA this season. After last year, he spent sometime in Miami and was exposed to the NBA lifestyle. I think he wants to be there making the bucks, and be there now. He did not spend the summer on the Hilltop playing in the Kenner League. He needs to just worry about winning and everything will come from that. The scoring, the NBA, the money, and the girls.

Wright is having a hard time adjusting to not being the "only" man. In high school he was Jesus Shutlesworth. His coach let him shoot any and every shot, and a lot of the stuff went it. Those that watched him over the summer in the Kenner league saw that style of play. No pass, jack up a 3, drive to the lane, hopefully get a call, and if you dont, cry about it. Now he is being forced to run the offense as a pass first PG and that is just not him. He is an Allen Iverson type player. He looks frustrated out there.

Jessie is clearly pressing. I think Daytona pretty much summed it up pretty accurately in the opening post.

Don't really have an opinion on Freeman.

I don't think anything is wrong with Clark. He had a rough game at Duke, and his confidence might be a little shaken, but I know he is a high character guy who is not going to clash with other teammates of egos. He is just going thru the struggles that come with the territory of being a freshman playing for a top program in the Big East. Other guys have fared a lot worse than Jason. Look at the 5 star recruit on Duke. He has been terrible. He will be fine, and will never be a chemistry issue over his years at Georgetown.