Who will lead this team?

[PistolPete]

Among a number of issues this past season, what stood out to me was a lack of leadership. I was disappointed that Jamil did not embrace the role, but had not fully expected him to. While we certainly missed Vander's scoring, I felt that his on court leadership was missed even more.

Given the insight we've learned of in the last week, perhaps we can presume that the void of leadership started from the top.

With a fresh face at the helm and a clean slate to work with, who do you expect to take on a leadership role for the team this year?

[Skatastrophy]

Derrick.

[ZiggysFryBoy]

Duane and Deonte.  no doubt.  Milwaukee's Best.

[Litehouse]

Duane and Deonte.  no doubt.  Milwaukee's Best.

Yep.

[PVMagic]

Burton.  I felt like it was clear (based on very scientific analysis of his youtube/paper interviews) when he signed in HS that he would become a leader of this team sooner rather than later.

[brandx]

Derek and Juan. Fits their personalities.

I think they will both play under 20 minutes a game, but you need upperclassmen to lead and Steve and Todd don't have the personality type to do it.

[Windyplayer]

Derek and Juan. Fits their personalities.

I think they will both play under 20 minutes a game, but you need upperclassmen to lead and Steve and Todd don't have the personality type to do it.

You don't NEED upperclassmen to lead. If none are willing, and an underclassman steps up who is on the floor a lot, a la Burton or Duane, the team will respond to their leadership.

[Nevada233]

Derrick.

Wasnt April Fools Day Yesterday????

[wadesworld]

Derrick.

[mugrad2006]

Wojo

[slack00]

Duane and Deonte.  no doubt.  Milwaukee's Best.

+1

These two were the first to say they were staying no matter what.

[NotBuzzWilliams]

I see Todd leading more by example, but yes I agree with Deonte leading as well

[mattyv1908]

I think a reinvigorated Todd Mayo will have a great senior season as he has someone on the sidelines who will recognize and trust the kid's talent.  Plus, they're going to have to rely on him without a recruiting class (I am assuming all will leave until proven otherwise).

This upcoming season the team will have to weather the storm until January and Fischer returns.  Hopefully they get lucky and win a few meaningful games in the non conference because if they gel as a team come conference time they could win 10-11 games with an outside shot at the dance.

[brandx]

You don't NEED upperclassmen to lead. If none our willing, and an underclassman steps up who is on the floor a lot, a la Burton or Duane, the team will respond to their leadership.

True, but it helps.

Kentucky is a great example. Davis and Kidd-Gilchrist were great leaders as freshman and they had the talent and won it all. But it is extremely unusual for star players in HS to become leaders in college as freshman/sophomores. They were always "the man" and didn't have to worry about team dynamics.

[Tums Festival]

Duane and Bane. Duane's already taken the leadership role with his encouragement of JJJ to stay with the team, plus his reaching out to Fischer earlier this year. It's one of the best things about him.

[brandx]

I think a reinvigorated Todd Mayo will have a great senior season as he has someone on the sidelines who will recognize and trust the kid's talent.  Plus, they're going to have to rely on him without a recruiting class (I am assuming all will leave until proven otherwise).

This upcoming season the team will have to weather the storm until January and Fischer returns.  Hopefully they get lucky and win a few meaningful games in the non conference because if they gel as a team come conference time they could win 10-11 games with an outside shot at the dance.

I agree Todd will have a great season, but his personality doesn't lend itself to a leadership role. I don't know about Burton either. I expect him to be the best player on the floor for us next year, but he may be to easy-going to be the leader.

I think Dawson has a lot of leadership qualities and could emerge as one of the team leaders.

[Nevada233]

What about Luke Fischer is he the goods???

Never seen him play... Whats his ceiling a Spencer Hawes/Brad Miller or Dirk/Kevin Love??

[MarsupialMadness]

Duane and Deonte.  no doubt.  Milwaukee's Best.

Boom.  Put it on a t-shirt.

[Skatastrophy]

Wasnt April Fools Day Yesterday????

Derrick is a pretty good PG, and I expect him to see a lot of minutes again this year.

You haters will see the light.

[Litehouse]

What about Luke Fischer is he the goods???

Never seen him play... Whats his ceiling a Spencer Hawes/Brad Miller or Dirk/Kevin Love??

I think he'll be a good player, but he doesn't strike me as the rah rah team leader type.  Seems to be a little quieter.

[MUpugnacity]

Chris Otule

[willie warrior]

Hopefully Wojo will lead and the players will follow.

[WellsstreetWanderer]

I like to believe Todd will lead by example. Based upon the quotes here that he has made he seems to have a clear grasp of things and will be THAT guy in the locker room that keeps everybody focused.

[mujivitz06]

Derrick is the conscience of this team. It's him.

[frozena pizza]

I like to believe Todd will lead by example. Based upon the quotes here that he has made he seems to have a clear grasp of things and will be THAT guy in the locker room that keeps everybody focused.

Agreed.  Single handedly kept our season on life support last year.  Like it or not he is the face of the team going into next season.