Does MU have a team leader?

[warriors1965]

IMO, a big part of the reason MU falters so badly down the stretch of close games is that they don't have that one guy who wants the ball on and will step up to make the big play (offensively or defensively).  They seem almost rudderless in those situations.

Just who is the team leader of MU?  Butler?  DJO? Crowder?

It would be nice to have a PG who can lead the team through tough spots, but that isn't the case this season, imo.  But I do think Cadougan has the potential if he can develop an outside shot.  He's probably the best passer on the team right now.

[Bobby Finstock]

I totally agree.

[Blackhat]

Buzz Williams.

Teams reflect your coach's attitudes and demeanor. 

[MattyWarrior]

DJO looks like he was really trying to lead against g-town. I think it is the key for a team like this that is so close to being really good, someone has to stand up and be the lead dog, and take it on..

[mikem91288]

Announcers commented that DJO was trying everything he could to get to the rim towards the end there.

But I agree. This team does not have that 'go to' guy when we are down 5 on the road to a team like Gtown.

I am ok with that right now, these guys still have a lot of time to grow. Maybe this is a dumb comparison, but not many people on the national stage heard of a guy named Kemba Walker before Maui....... just saying

[chren21]

Anyone notice that when crowder has a good game we win?  We will won the rest of our hOme games but he has to steP up

[GGGG]

I'm sorry, but this "team leader" is a bullsh*t excuse for the fact that they just aren't very talented.  Lazar was a "team leader"...but he is in the NBA.  The year before, the amigos were team leaders...and one of them is in the NBA.

It's not lack of leadership...it's lack of talent.  We don't have an NBA player on this roster.

[Doris Burkes Thong]

I'm sorry, but this "team leader" is a bullsh*t excuse for the fact that they just aren't very talented.  Lazar was a "team leader"...but he is in the NBA.  The year before, the amigos were team leaders...and one of them is in the NBA.

It's not lack of leadership...it's lack of talent.  We don't have an NBA player on this roster.

I agree with this as being true most of the time, but not always. Some teams don't have any NBA players, however, they're experienced and just find ways to score enough, do the little things, and make their free throws. But Gtown basically won today because they have an NBA player in Chris Wright who just took over in the 2nd half.

[GGGG]

I can agree with that DBT, but I think the problem is that many people attribute this to a concept like "leadership" because they don't know what they are talking about. 

[mr.MUskie]

Buzz Williams.

Teams reflect your coach's attitudes and demeanor.  

And at the end of the game he turned around and the back of his sport coat was soaked.  He needs to keep his wits about him a little bit.

[chren21]

Sorry this loss on Jae.  Butler is not a go to guy

[4everwarriors]

I'm sorry, but this "team leader" is a bullsh*t excuse for the fact that they just aren't very talented.  Lazar was a "team leader"...but he is in the NBA.  The year before, the amigos were team leaders...and one of them is in the NBA.

It's not lack of leadership...it's lack of talent.  We don't have an NBA player on this roster.

But, we got a whole lotta switchable.

[MUfan12]

The leadership bit is played.

What is missing on this year's team is a solid PG who steadies the ship down the stretch. This team misses Mo Acker more than anyone, myself included, thought possible.

[brewcity77]

It's not lack of leadership...it's lack of talent.  We don't have an NBA player on this roster.

Really? Not one? I'd wager that within 5 years at least one guy on the current roster will play in the NBA.

[4everwarriors]

Beertown, any hints as to who that might be?

[willie warrior]

Yeah, its Buzz

[MU86NC]

Willie Warrior - that is LOL funny!

[groove]

our leader

[brewcity77]

Beertown, any hints as to who that might be?

I think that Butler could catch on for a bit. He has the right body type to play SF. He won't be a star, but I could see him being a bench player. I also think DJO will have a shot. He's a great shooter when he's on, and reminds me a lot of Ben Gordon. His stature will keep him from ever being a star (too small to play the 2, not enough handle for the 1) but off the bench he could be a valuable piece. Crowder will probably get a shot too. Good outside shooter, hard worker, he's very much in the Hayward mold. I don't forecast a lot of success for him, but I think he'll get some time. And the other guy I think will have a chance is Blue. The defense is solid, the athleticism is there. He has to improve his shooting, obviously, but from a talent perspective, he has a chance to make it, though I'm starting to think it won't be until after his junior or senior year, not his sophomore year as some may have feared when he committed.

Again, I'm not saying that we have the next D-Wade or Wes Mat on our roster right now. I'm not saying any will be a surefire NBA starter. But I find it very hard to believe that none of these guys will ever play in the NBA. There's no shame in having a Diener or Novak type career, and I'm guessing we have 2-3 of those guys right now.

[lab_warrior]

This "team leader" crap is mostly sportswriter/sports talk radio cliche.  Would you rather have our "leaderless" bunch where we are now, or have "undisputed team leader" Marshon Brooks of PC, and be 3rd to last in the conference?  Garbage. 

[lab_warrior]

Just want to add, "team leader" is right up there with "game face."  /Bob Knight

[tower912]

No.  Last year, Lazar, Mo and Cubi could seize the moment.   They weren't afraid of it.   They would generally make the right play.    This year, I don't see anybody want the ball in crunch time on a consistent basis.   Part of it is that the seniors, part of it is not starting a true point guard, part of it could be that none of our upperclassmen are in their 4th year at MU.    Buzz isn't blameless, but he can only set up the offense and the defense.   Somebody on the floor has to grab the game by the scruff of the neck when things aren't going well, demand the ball, demand excellence and hold his teammates accountable.  IMO, that, more than anything else, is the missing ingredient/achilles heel of this team.    All of the stats, all of the quantifiables, show that we should have a better record than we do.   The intangibles, that which can't be measured, senior leadership and a refusal to lose, are what is missing.