Great season for a very fun team to watch, can't be too upset.
But about Junior, obviously he didn't make a field goal all season, but personally I really liked what saw in one respect...his aggressive attitude. Clearly he wasn't full strength, but he almost always drove hard to the basket at least once when he was in. I like that swagger. I am expecting really exciting things from him next year, just get a good feeling.
Honestly, Junior driving to the basket irritated me. He's tried it, let's say 8 times year with zero success. His 9th attempt had the same, expected, result - no points. Seemed like every time he tried it, it was just his ego, trying to get one bucket on the year. That doesn't help the team win.
Quote from: mu_hilltopper on March 19, 2010, 10:03:53 AM
Honestly, Junior driving to the basket irritated me. He's tried it, let's say 8 times year with zero success. His 9th attempt had the same, expected, result - no points. Seemed like every time he tried it, it was just his ego, trying to get one bucket on the year. That doesn't help the team win.
Yep, it was his ego that inspired him to drive to the hoop.
Give me a break.
His ego gave up a year of eligibility to try and help this team.
Quote from: mu_hilltopper on March 19, 2010, 10:03:53 AM
Honestly, Junior driving to the basket irritated me. He's tried it, let's say 8 times year with zero success. His 9th attempt had the same, expected, result - no points. Seemed like every time he tried it, it was just his ego, trying to get one bucket on the year. That doesn't help the team win.
Similar to Acker driving to the basket--only difference--Acker had it repeatedly blocked--or bricked it!
I was going to say that ego might be the wrong word, but can't think of a better one. What else describes doing something that has repeatedly been shown to not help the team?
As Buzz says, our margin for error is zero. Him executing a zero percent success play instead of trying to get it to someone with a higher %age chance .. not helpful.
My guess is that he is used to those plays working. Maybe it is better competition, but maybe it is the injury limiting him just a little. What I like is that normally a player with an injury like that is very, very tentative. Kind of gets in their head. I know Junior struggled, but I just got a good feel from him still believing he could do the exact same things he did before while he was recovering from a bad injury. Definitely somewhat irritating this year as it didn't work, but I think a good sign for next year personally.
Junior is less than 6 months away from a torn achilles tendon, shows the ability to handle in traffic and get into the lane against top defenders, and some people are worried that his touch on the teardrop isn't there. Sigh. Let's try looking at it this way. Just 6 months after a torn achilles tendon, after missing 2/3 of a season worth of practice, the dude is able to turn the corner and get into the lane against top defenders on SHEER ABILITY!
Quote from: tower912 on March 19, 2010, 12:04:17 PM
Junior is less than 6 months away from a torn achilles tendon, shows the ability to handle in traffic and get into the lane against top defenders, and some people are worried that his touch on the teardrop isn't there. Sigh. Let's try looking at it this way. Just 6 months after a torn achilles tendon, after missing 2/3 of a season worth of practice, the dude is able to turn the corner and get into the lane against top defenders on SHEER ABILITY!
First, I didn't say that. But regardless, yeah, I'm "worried" that his "teardrop isn't there" while we are playing the most important game of the year. Aren't you?
The scoreboard doesn't register "turning the corner and getting into the lane" regardless of health or injury.
It was a bad decision with predictable results in a game with zero margin for error.
Quote from: willie warrior on March 19, 2010, 10:20:47 AM
Similar to Acker driving to the basket--only difference--Acker had it repeatedly blocked--or bricked it!
Acker's ego drove him to the hoop.
Quote from: mu_hilltopper on March 19, 2010, 10:40:15 AM
I was going to say that ego might be the wrong word, but can't think of a better one. What else describes doing something that has repeatedly been shown to not help the team?
As Buzz says, our margin for error is zero. Him executing a zero percent success play instead of trying to get it to someone with a higher %age chance .. not helpful.
eh, Insanity? Doing the samething hoping for different results?
I find it offensive that you would insinuate that JC is insane!
Beating your man off of the dribble and getting into the lane is what this offense is predicated on. Junior did and took an open shot. It didn't go. I am not worried about him for next season.
Quote from: tower912 on March 19, 2010, 01:07:41 PM
Beating your man off of the dribble and getting into the lane is what this offense is predicated on. Junior did and took an open shot. It didn't go. I am not worried about him for next season.
+1
Open shot? I don't have the game DVR'd, but I'm pretty sure there were guys close around him in the paint.
And again, I didn't say anything of the sort, that I was worried about him for next season. I said it was irritating he executed a play that he has never succeeded with yet.
Hasn't succeeded with in game situations since he rushed back from his achilles tear. IMO, his ability to make that play is (A) one of the reasons we recruited him, and (B) so intrinsic to his style of play and ability that Buzz would be ticked if he didn't take it.
He reminds me of a Fields. I think he will do well here.