Anybody else underwhelmed by Lockett thus far?

[Wade for President]

Since we're all in the MU trust tree, it's okay (some deem it therapeutic and healthy) to dip below the line from time to time.  I was curious to see where the board stands with regards to Lockett's contributions thus far.

Maybe it's because he's shooting 6 for 24 over the last 3 games, had 7 turnovers against Wisco, or has only hit double figures once this year, but I was under the impression that Lockett was going to be a big part to the success of this year's squad.

I don't see it, at least not yet.  He has difficulties creating his own shot (which often leads to a traveling or charging call), isn't going to wow you with his athleticism, and doesn't seem to contribute in many other areas.

His senior leadership is welcomed, but I'm hoping that Trent can show us more throughout the season (fortunately it's still early December).

I can't be alone on this.

[tower912]

I am disappointed in his production so far.  I have said as much multiple times elsewhere.   It appears to me that he and Jake have yet to really find their way in Buzz's offense during games.    When to shoot, when to defer.    And everytime he decides to drive, it seems that it is the wrong decision.  There is a lot of practice and only a few games in the next 3 weeks.   Hopefully for both of them, the tumblers fall into place.   

[MarquetteDano]

I am disappointed in his production so far.  I have said as much multiple times elsewhere.   It appears to me that he and Jake have yet to really find their way in Buzz's offense during games.    When to shoot, when to defer.    And everytime he decides to drive, it seems that it is the wrong decision.  There is a lot of practice and only a few games in the next 3 weeks.   Hopefully for both of them, the tumblers fall into place.   

He was terrible against UW.  He should have been more of factor given the slower pace of the game.  Dont know what is going on but history says he will turn it around.

One thing I don't understand is his need to drive all the way to the hoop ala Blue. He has a nice pull-up shot like Cadougan has shown lately. Use it.

[hairy worthen]

He does not look comfortable in the offense. Hopefully that will come with time. He is forcing it and not letting the game come to him. He hurt the team Saturday night with turnovers and poor decisions on shots. One time he had a wide open shot for 3 from the corner with plenty of time to shoot it but he drove to the basket instead and turned it over. The shots are there it just looks like he is trying to do too much.

[CTWarrior]

I had said over the summer that I wasn't expecting as much from Lockett as some of you.  Based on the team and conference he was coming from, I looked at him like we were getting a 13 ppg guy from Marist or Hofstra or something.  A nice role player.  I do think he will get better as the season progresses and he gets acclimated to the speed at which we're trying to play.  

The guy who had disappointed me the most thus far is J Wilson.  I thought he was the guy that was going to make the leap.  I still think he will play a lot better as the season wears on.  He started slowly last year but finished strong.  Otule is a mild disappointment because he does not appear to be the player he was before he got injured last year.  Though it's really hard to say you are disappointed with a guy who has overcome as much as he has and gives the effort he does.

On a happier note, Vander Blue has lifted his offensive game in ways I did not think he was capable.  D Wilson looks like a guy who can be more than just someone who can avoid turnovers for a spell, which is what he looked like to me last year.  I think he can grow into a guy who can initiate offense.

Everybody else is playing about how I expected.  Besides, it is still very early and we could all be singing a much different tune in a month.

[Dr. Blackheart]

With TJ Taylor and Mayo gone, can you imagine where MU would be without him? Clearly, he is forcing it within the offense, trying fill the Jimmy Butler role of the banger to the hole within Buzz's offense, where most of his turnover and shooting issues seem to occur with the physicality of the lower body checks. PAC 12 is not a physical league, so I think it will work itself out as he adjusts to style of play.  Defense and rebounding have been great.

[tower912]

I remember a couple of short years ago when we were despairing of Jae ever being as good as Lazar.   There is clearly a learning curve with Buzz's offense.   Hopefully, Trent can figure it out.    I agree that the biggest puzzle/disappointment has been JWilson not taking the next step.    But again, there are 3 games in the next 3 weeks.   I am cautiously optimistic that with everybody gets it by the start of conference play. 

[GGGG]

He was second on the team in minutes Saturday night.  He defended Dekker very well.  Needs to cut down on the turnovers, but as long as he plays within himself he does enough to earn his spot.  If he wasn't on the floor, I cannot imagine the issues they would be facing.  Too much Taylor and he's not quite ready.

[MerrittsMustache]

Written for a different thread but I cut and pasted it here (numbers updated and edited slightly)...

Lockett played in a slow, deliberate system at ASU. That's very different than what MU plays. He hasn't scored a lot which means he doesn't stand out to a lot of fans but he's averaging 8 ppg, leads the team in steals, is second in FT%, third in rebounding, third in assists and plays very good defense. His shot isn't falling right now and he's pressing a little bit. It'll get there.

It's very similar to Vander the last couple of seasons - far too many people are quick to claim that he's a bust because he doesn't score a ton of points but they are ignorant to all of the other positive contributions that he makes.

[MerrittsMustache]

He was second on the team in minutes Saturday night.  He defended Dekker very well.  Needs to cut down on the turnovers, but as long as he plays within himself he does enough to earn his spot.  If he wasn't on the floor, I cannot imagine the issues they would be facing.  Too much Taylor and he's not quite ready.

I thought the same thing but it turns out he had only 9 TOs in the first 7 games. The Wisco game was an outlier.

[hairy worthen]

He was second on the team in minutes Saturday night.  He defended Dekker very well.  Needs to cut down on the turnovers, but as long as he plays within himself he does enough to earn his spot.  If he wasn't on the floor, I cannot imagine the issues they would be facing.  Too much Taylor and he's not quite ready.

Playing within himself is the thing because as others have stated he is doing other things well. However I think it is ok to question aspects of his play. He leads the team in turnovers, outliers or no outliers. He is shooting 36%. That’s not good and it’s the lowest percentage on the team.  It seems like he is trying to be the go to guy and he just can’t do it right now and it hurts the team.

Not ripping the guy, I think he will improve offensively, but until he does he should stop trying to be something he isn't right now and  keep doing all the other things he is doing to help the team.

[GGGG]

I never said people can't question aspects of his play, but despite his issues Saturday, he was second on the team with 34 minutes.  So obviously Buzz doesn't feel that his play "hurts the team" that much...or he wouldn't be on the floor.

Now part of that is who else do you have?  Neither Anderson nor Taylor have much of an offensive game, and both are step-downs from Lockett defensively. 

YA reason why we need Mayo back.

[hairy worthen]

I never said people can't question aspects of his play, but despite his issues Saturday, he was second on the team with 34 minutes.  So obviously Buzz doesn't feel that his play "hurts the team" that much...or he wouldn't be on the floor.

Now part of that is who else do you have?  Neither Anderson nor Taylor have much of an offensive game, and both are step-downs from Lockett defensively. 

YA reason why we need Mayo back.

You answered the question of why Buzz keeps him on the floor. Who else do we have? All I am saying is if you are turning the ball over and shooting 36% then defer to someone else  offensively instead of forcing the issue.

[chapman]

I agree that the biggest puzzle/disappointment has been JWilson not taking the next step. 

Agree.  He just seems so soft.  Kind of want some thuggish player to give him a couple hard fouls and see if it gets his blood to boil a little.  But not even thuggish players bother to foul on 16 foot jumpers.

[muwarrior69]

YA reason why we need Mayo back.

So is he comming back on the 15th or 16th of this month?

[GGGG]

So is he comming back on the 15th or 16th of this month?

Still to be determined....obviously partially based on how he does this week.

[ErickJD08]

Honestly, I hope Buzz just yanks the chains a bit and tells him to focus on offensive boards and shooting threes.  Don't worry about finding the open guy or making your own shot or your own play.  We have Junior, Otule/Garnder, Blue, and Wilson out there.  They can make the offense run.  I think Buzz will work this out by the new year.

[MU82]

Lockett certainly hasn't been a disaster but he has been a disappointment based on what most of us might have expected from him. He is a decent defender and an OK rebounder who seems either 1. lost offensively or 2. not gifted offensively.

The biggest surprise for me continues to be how athletic he isn't. He's not fast, he has poor body control on drives, he is not strong around the rim, etc.

Judging by his minutes, Buzz trusts him to do the little things reasonably well, to not make many mistakes and to play decent defense. If the rest of our guys were doing better offensively, his role-player status probably would be easier on our eyes.

[brewcity77]

I imagine what we've seen is about the worst case scenario. If Lockett can continue to play this kind of D and rebound well while chipping in 8 ppg, he'll be a solid addition. If he acclimates to the offense, all the better.

[Nukem2]

Trent will win a couple games for us.  His defense on Dekker was key for MU on Saturday, along with Juan.  Right now, he seems to be feeling his way into Buzz's offense.  His athleticism has probably been hurt by his multiple injuries at ASU.  Glad we have him as Thomas is not a reasonable alternative.

[Lennys Tap]

I think Lockett will end up being a smaller but slightly more versatile version of Oluma Nnamaka (sp?) - not outstanding at anything, not terribly athletic but solid all around.

I agree with those most concerned about J Wilson. We've been in 3 physical battles this year - UW, Florida and Butler. He was ok in one (UW) and was timid/schooled in the other two. He's gotta be tougher for MU succeed this year.

[JD]

I know Trent has had some struggles, but I've been more frustrated with J-Wilson than anybody.  He was supposed to be our next Jae Crowder/Jimmy Butler type player.  He has shown absolutely nothing other than one game in Maui.  

I don't know what his stat line was from Saturday night, but i remember he was in foul trouble and looked lost on offense.  His play on defense seemed lazy and he kept reaching once his man turned the corner on him.  I really hope he gets it going soon, it's imperative in conference play.

Trent is a new player to MU, Jamil has been here and knows what is expected of him.  I find him a lot more frustrating then Trent.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

I think Lockett will end up being a smaller but slightly more versatile version of Oluma Nnamaka (sp?) - not outstanding at anything, not terribly athletic but solid all around.

I agree with those most concerned about J Wilson. We've been in 3 physical battles this year - UW, Florida and Butler. He was ok in one (UW) and was timid/schooled in the other two. He's gotta be tougher for MU succeed this year.

That's a decent comparison.

I would hope for Lockett is to be a good defender and efficient on offense. Maybe he can't be a volume scorer, but if he can be efficient and score 10pts per, I think that is realistic.

Admittedly, I was projecting him (based upon his stats and highlights) to be more like Wes Matthews. I don't envision that happening at this point.

[Stretchdeltsig]

Lockett has been disappointing so far.  Don't think he's had a really good game yet.  He seems a step slow and a bit stiff.  Surprised by his poor shooting and turn overs.  Can see his minutes decreasing unless he turns it around in the next couple of games.

[Goose]

I hope I end up only being underwhelmed by the end of the season.