[Rosiak's Blog] McNeal on top defensive list

[ToddRosiakSays]

McNeal on top defensive list


The McSteal train keeps on chugging.

ESPN.com's Jay Bilas lists Jerel McNeal among his six candidates for defensive player of the year. The others are: UConn center Hasheem Thabeet, Mario Chalmers of Kansas, Stanley Burrell of Xavier, UCLA guard Darren Collison and Kyle Weaver of Washington State...

With the help of a much-needed quality victory Friday, Marquette is now seeded No.6 in Joe Lunardi's weekly bracketology pairings. Lunardi has the Golden Eagles facing the 11th seeded Dayton Flyers. 

Why is Dayton still even being considered for the field? They have three victories over teams in the RPI top 25. Speaking of the RPI, those who pay attention to NCAA seeding will be happy to know that Marquette's RPI rating is 16. Four Big East teams are rated in the Top 20...

MU climbed back into the Associated Press poll Monday. However, the victory over Pittsburgh wasn't enough to sway 18 voters. Check out Pollspeak for the results.



http://blogs.jsonline.com/muhoops/archive/2008/02/19/mcsteal-on-top-defensive-list.aspx

[AlumKCof93]

Am I the only one who thinks DJ's played better defense than McNeal?  I think DJ is slightly underrated defensively and McNeal is slightly overrated.

[HarveysWallbangers]

I agree. James' defense has been great this year. McNeal is good, but he gambles way too much. Mentioning him as a national DPOY candidate is mind-boggling. I mean, Thabeet is a game-changer.

[reesiecup210]

Spot on fellas.

[Henry Sugar]

I've heard numerous people state that James plays better defense on the ball, where McNeal plays better defense off the ball.  I think is fair to say that they are both good, but different types of defenders.

OTOH, I just posted something at Cracked Sidewalks saying that we didn't agree with McNeal being considered.  His Defensive Rebounding Percentage, his Block Rate, his Steal Rate, and his overall Defensive Rating are worse than last year. 

Basically, by all statistical measures he's not as good defensively as last year.

[mosarsour]

IMHO I don't think McNeal has been the defensive force that he's been in the past. Like harvey stated earlier he gambles too much and it usually ends up hurting us. I'd rate James and Cubillan ahead of McNeal on defense right now. I'm not saying that he's a horrible defender, because he is good. But he's no where near the presence of a Thabeet, now that guy changes games like Jimmy Mac did against Kentucky.

[WashDCWarrior]

The nomination is obviously influenced by McNeal's play over the entire two and a half years he's been at MU.  If he was having this season as a freshman, there's no way he'd be nominated.  Bilas (and others) know he's a top-notch defender, so when Jay needed to come up with six players, it's not too surprising McNeal was one of them.

Congrats Jerel on getting some well-deserved recognition.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

IMHO I don't think McNeal has been the defensive force that he's been in the past. Like harvey stated earlier he gambles too much and it usually ends up hurting us. I'd rate James and Cubillan ahead of McNeal on defense right now. I'm not saying that he's a horrible defender, because he is good. But he's no where near the presence of a Thabeet, now that guy changes games like Jimmy Mac did against Kentucky.

McIlvaine had a poor game against Kentucky and, in fact, was ineffective that entire post season. That's why his inclusion in the top 10 of that top 100 list was so completely absurd. The guy doing the rating claimed Jim "led" the team to the Sweet 16, when nothing could be further from the truth. I'd bet even McIlvaine would tell you that. That little run we made was "led" by Tony Miller, Damon Key and Roney Eford. McIlvaine was a presence, but McCaskill really came on strong in the NCAA.

Offensively, McIlvaine may have been even more awkward than Barro. He was borderline uncoordinated.

[mosarsour]

IMHO I don't think McNeal has been the defensive force that he's been in the past. Like harvey stated earlier he gambles too much and it usually ends up hurting us. I'd rate James and Cubillan ahead of McNeal on defense right now. I'm not saying that he's a horrible defender, because he is good. But he's no where near the presence of a Thabeet, now that guy changes games like Jimmy Mac did against Kentucky.

McIlvaine had a poor game against Kentucky and, in fact, was ineffective that entire post season. That's why his inclusion in the top 10 of that top 100 list was so completely absurd. The guy doing the rating claimed Jim "led" the team to the Sweet 16, when nothing could be further from the truth. I'd bet even McIlvaine would tell you that. That little run we made was "led" by Tony Miller, Damon Key and Roney Eford. McIlvaine was a presence, but McCaskill really came on strong in the NCAA.

Offensively, McIlvaine may have been even more awkward than Barro. He was borderline uncoordinated.

I remember that game vividly. He altered many if not most of Kentucky's shots simply by being in the paint and challenging their shots.  I'll give you the fact that offensively he was no where close to what Thabeet and Hibbert currently are.

[mwbauer7]

I'm not going to argue with the nomination on the basis of "(almost) any publicity is good publicity"

just as I won't argue if he doesn't win the award.

[77ncaachamps]

IMHO I don't think McNeal has been the defensive force that he's been in the past. Like harvey stated earlier he gambles too much and it usually ends up hurting us. I'd rate James and Cubillan ahead of McNeal on defense right now. I'm not saying that he's a horrible defender, because he is good. But he's no where near the presence of a Thabeet, now that guy changes games like Jimmy Mac did against Kentucky.

McIlvaine had a poor game against Kentucky and, in fact, was ineffective that entire post season. That's why his inclusion in the top 10 of that top 100 list was so completely absurd. The guy doing the rating claimed Jim "led" the team to the Sweet 16, when nothing could be further from the truth. I'd bet even McIlvaine would tell you that. That little run we made was "led" by Tony Miller, Damon Key and Roney Eford. McIlvaine was a presence, but McCaskill really came on strong in the NCAA.

Offensively, McIlvaine may have been even more awkward than Barro. He was borderline uncoordinated.

Borderline Uncoordinated...and RICH!

[MUFanInGreenBay]

IMHO I don't think McNeal has been the defensive force that he's been in the past. Like harvey stated earlier he gambles too much and it usually ends up hurting us. I'd rate James and Cubillan ahead of McNeal on defense right now. I'm not saying that he's a horrible defender, because he is good. But he's no where near the presence of a Thabeet, now that guy changes games like Jimmy Mac did against Kentucky.

McIlvaine had a poor game against Kentucky and, in fact, was ineffective that entire post season. That's why his inclusion in the top 10 of that top 100 list was so completely absurd. The guy doing the rating claimed Jim "led" the team to the Sweet 16, when nothing could be further from the truth. I'd bet even McIlvaine would tell you that. That little run we made was "led" by Tony Miller, Damon Key and Roney Eford. McIlvaine was a presence, but McCaskill really came on strong in the NCAA.

Offensively, McIlvaine may have been even more awkward than Barro. He was borderline uncoordinated.

Borderline Uncoordinated...and RICH!

Like 33 million rich too.

[21Jumpstreet]

McNeal is a much better all around defensive player than James.  When it comes to gambling remember James' two mistakes during Notre Dame that really hurt.  The only issue I have with McNeal is his reaching.  In addition, if he played smarter on offense and didn't waste so much energy making wild plays, he would be on top of his defensive game like last year.

[CTWarrior]

Defense is hard to quantify.  I think James is much better than McNeal on defense.  Fact is, I'm sure McNeal made Bilas' final 6 defensive players list before the 2007-8 season even started.  Once you gain a rep as a great defensive player in any sport, it is almost impossible to lose it.  Witness Jason Kidd getting on all defensive team in the NBA later in his career when his team tries to hide him on defense and Derek Jeter winning gold gloves despite having some of the worst defensive numbers in the history of the sport.  The nickname McSteal pretty much guarantees his inclusion on lists like this.  McNeal is like the gambling defensive back who gets more than his fair share of interceptions but gives up a big play or two more than he ought to.  Anyway, he is still an excellent overall defender.  Our overall defense at the guard position is perhaps our biggest strength, IMO.  Cubillan is also very good.  Matthews is a solid position defender.  Acker is also pesky but cannot handle a top line guard.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

Defense is hard to quantify.  I think James is much better than McNeal on defense.  Fact is, I'm sure McNeal made Bilas' final 6 defensive players list before the 2007-8 season even started.  Once you gain a rep as a great defensive player in any sport, it is almost impossible to lose it.  Witness Jason Kidd getting on all defensive team in the NBA later in his career when his team tries to hide him on defense and Derek Jeter winning gold gloves despite having some of the worst defensive numbers in the history of the sport.  The nickname McSteal pretty much guarantees his inclusion on lists like this.  McNeal is like the gambling defensive back who gets more than his fair share of interceptions but gives up a big play or two more than he ought to.  Anyway, he is still an excellent overall defender.  Our overall defense at the guard position is perhaps our biggest strength, IMO.  Cubillan is also very good.  Matthews is a solid position defender.  Acker is also pesky but cannot handle a top line guard.

This is so true and definitely, as you mentioned, in baseball. There has actually been discussion of Albert Pujols as a Gold Glover. He's a butcher over there. And Greg Maddux has had a fantastic career, is one of the best field pitchers ever, but you can't tell me he was the best fielding pitcher LAST YEAR!

In basketball, I'd put Ben Wallace in this category now. His best days are behind him, yet he's still considered some kind of defensive specialist.

[Pago Warrior]

DJ may stay in front of his guy a little better, but McNeal is far and away the most disruptive player.  Even when he's not making steals, he's making it hard for his man to set up, get to their desired spot, and causes the oppenent to think twice about passing in his direction.  In the instances where he gambles, its not often that we get totally burned on it either because he also relies on help, which thankfully for him, the other guards are normally quick enough to assist.

No way he's overrated.

OT - Pujols is not overrated either, he may not be the quickest and most nimble at that position but he's usually in proper position and he makes the right play when it comes to him.  He's hardly "a butcher over there"

[AlumKCof93]

Baseball is notorious for giving out gold gloves based on reputation, instead of the year a given player had.  I think you can add any number of examples to gold glove winners that didn't deserve it for a particular year.

But I'm responding to PRN's message about Ben Wallace.  Any time he is quoted, he mentions what a hard worker he is.  BS.  I'm sure the Bulls are trying to unload his contract but I doubt they'll get any takers.  The Bulls are paying a has-been, lazy, undersized, terrible offensive player $15/mil when he's worth about $2m.  The Bulls will be better when he's gone.

[dwaderoy2004]

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: DJ is the better on the ball defender.  McNeal is better off the ball and playing the passing lanes.  He is ok on the ball, but can get burned off the dribble due to lack of lateral quickness, and his tendency to reach, putting him off balance.  Mcneal is an awesome defender...just not as good as DJ.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

Baseball is notorious for giving out gold gloves based on reputation, instead of the year a given player had.  I think you can add any number of examples to gold glove winners that didn't deserve it for a particular year.

But I'm responding to PRN's message about Ben Wallace.  Any time he is quoted, he mentions what a hard worker he is.  BS.  I'm sure the Bulls are trying to unload his contract but I doubt they'll get any takers.  The Bulls are paying a has-been, lazy, undersized, terrible offensive player $15/mil when he's worth about $2m.  The Bulls will be better when he's gone.

Wallace is also a pouter (headband, sitting in the 4th, etc.)...terrible signing by Paxson.

Incidentally, Pujols is so jacked up on HGH that he can't get to ground balls or popups. Oh -- and he can't throw. Other than that, he's a great first baseman.