Shaka and Oso

[21Jumpstreet]

Shaka laid into Oso after a poor effort play. By the end of the game, Oso was showing more emotion, mean muggin' to the bench multiple times, than I have ever seen out of him. Kid is special.

[rocket surgeon]

loved the chest bump between jop and shaka

  showed the special relationship shaka has with his players=priceless

[21Jumpstreet]

loved the chest bump between jop and shaka

  showed the special relationship shaka has with his players=priceless

That was awesome

[BLWarrior91]

Watching Oso the past couple of games, I see a young Scottie Pippen.  Oso has the length and athleticism but Pip was a better shooter.  In today's NBA, Oso's skills will translate quite well.

[Goose]

BL

I see some Tim Duncan. That observation is more off of body language and demeanor.

[BLWarrior91]

I see that, too.  Although we saw some emotion from Oso today which is out of character from his typical stoic demeanor.  As you said, if we get 80% of what he's done lately in March, we are in great shape for a deep run.  Especially when teams have never faced us before. 

[WarriorFan]

I don't think we will have anything more than an average point guard next year if we don't utilize the portal.  If the portal isn't used...I think he'll do it by committee to a certain extent, we'll live with growing pains, and MU will compete for a bid.

I beg to differ.  Along the same lines of player development, the next step for Stevie is PG skills and vision.  If he can develop those for next year, his ceiling is Jrue Holiday.

[Viper]

The concern next year is PG with TKO leaving and Sean's injury.

With Shaka's track record of developing bigs, I'm comfortable with a frontcourt next year of Jop, Ben, Caiden, and Al (and anything Royce can provide).

what are you aware of that speaks to Caiden, Al and current HS players being any good next season?

[Viper]

Yes, I saw it all from the beginning with all of these players, though I also never envisioned that Shaka and staff would do with all of these players, though I also knew how amazing Shaka would be.  I am amazing at predicting how amazing our players will be, but actually still even more amazing in predicting how much more amazing they will be with the coach who I alone predicted would be amazing! (Just in case you all forgot how amazing I am)

I amazed that Shaka can't beat the BIG.

[Viper]

Vander
I, like many, absolutely loved TK from the first time I saw him in an MU uniform. I thought he was the George Thompson recruit of the Shaka era but I never envisioned that he would be anywhere near as spectacular as he has been.
Shaka found the right guy and they built the offense around that guy and that was as impressive as Oso.

I have zero concern on PG, with or without Sean for the start of next season. If he turned TK into a first team AA I trust that the PG will be covered post TK.

Goose, come clean. You loved TK from the start? TK wasn't very good that first season at MU. A George Thompson -type recruit? You're saying TK is Brute Force? Come on, man!!!! Shame on you! In year two, obviously, a big time step-up. BE POY step-up. This season opponents in conference play are adjusting to TK. But when his floor game is solid like yesterday, MU should win most of the time. But comparing Kolek to Brute Force George Thompson?

[Goose]

Viper

Yes, I loved TK for day one, but never expected this type of success. Blew away any expectations that anyone could have had. I believe that I made the George Thompson comparison, as an important recruit for the program, during his first year at MU. But, if you feel that my statement is false, I'm fine with that.

[The Lens]

Goose, come clean. You loved TK from the start? TK wasn't very good that first season at MU. A George Thompson -type recruit? You're saying TK is Brute Force? Come on, man!!!! Shame on you! In year two, obviously, a big time step-up. BE POY step-up. This season opponents in conference play are adjusting to TK. But when his floor game is solid like yesterday, MU should win most of the time. But comparing Kolek to Brute Force George Thompson?

The day Tyler committed Shaka was tweeting out Travis highlights.  You could see it his first year, you had to look for it but you could see it. 

Shaka knew. 

[rgoode57]

Watching Oso and Tyler play together is so enjoyable. What a special combo - the likes of which we are not likely to see again. Goose is absolutely right - enjoy it while you can.

[tower912]

Viper, I compared Kolek to Brunson after the Illinois game his first year at MU.   First team all American?  Please.   A point guard who could facilitate for others, score double digits and be an overall pain to opponents?    Abso-frickin-lutely.   

[Uncle Rico]

Goose, come clean. You loved TK from the start? TK wasn't very good that first season at MU. A George Thompson -type recruit? You're saying TK is Brute Force? Come on, man!!!! Shame on you! In year two, obviously, a big time step-up. BE POY step-up. This season opponents in conference play are adjusting to TK. But when his floor game is solid like yesterday, MU should win most of the time. But comparing Kolek to Brute Force George Thompson?

Goose and Tower were the first two who
bought in on TK and it was from day one.  Tower compared him to Jalen Brunson and that comp was spot on

[rocket surgeon]

love the brunson and diener comparisons!  i can also see a little bit of jrue in him as well.  note how jrue changed his game from milwaukee to boston-yes, he had to, but the willingness and the wherewithal to do whatever a team needs. 

    that's what TK did yesterday.  the nonverbal communication with the players, specifically his roomie oso is going to continue to be a force. 

other teams can scout, but they cannot scout the mind of TK except his F'em play 'tude

[The Sultan]

Viper

Yes, I loved TK for day one, but never expected this type of success. Blew away any expectations that anyone could have had. I believe that I made the George Thompson comparison, as an important recruit for the program, during his first year at MU. But, if you feel that my statement is false, I'm fine with that.

You were spot on. Different games but same impact.

[withoutbias]

I beg to differ.  Along the same lines of player development, the next step for Stevie is PG skills and vision.  If he can develop those for next year, his ceiling is Jrue Holiday.

Jrue Holiday was the number 1 recruit in his class, a 1 and done lottery pick, and an NBA All Star by year 4. He was averaging 14 ppg by year 2 in the NBA. I love Stevie. But his ceiling is a lot lower than Jrue Holiday.

[The Sultan]

Jrue Holiday was the number 1 recruit in his class, a 1 and done lottery pick, and an NBA All Star by year 4. He was averaging 14 ppg by year 2 in the NBA. I love Stevie. But his ceiling is a lot lower than Jrue Holiday.

I absolutely love Stevie, but I don't think he's a NBA player. Too small to disrupt the perimeter like he does now.

[Newsdreams]

We need a blender for Oso

[Frenns Liquor Depot]

We need a blender for Oso

Scott Merritt and Tony Smith??

[Goose]

Sultan

Yes, no doubt different players across the board. My comment, like you know, was based off of a single recruit changing the trajectory of a program, for the long haul. TK changed MU basketball and how it is viewed nationally.

DWade is the greatest recruit but it did not change the trajectory for the long haul. My comment on TK is 100% based off my assumption that Shaka is here another 7-8+ years. If not, that changes things on the significance of TK's arrival.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

what are you aware of that speaks to Caiden, Al and current HS players being any good next season?

I literally wrote it in my post.

[MU82]

what are you aware of that speaks to Caiden, Al and current HS players being any good next season?

On Jan. 28, 2021, what were you aware of that spoke to Oso being a good rotation player as a sophomore and being a likely first-round draft pick as a senior?

I am not saying any of the players you mentioned will come close to replicating Oso's success. I'm saying we don't know ... and some of us choose to be optimistic that Shaka and his assistants will be able to develop them into being good college basketball players.

[Shooter McGavin]

The day Tyler committed Shaka was tweeting out Travis highlights.  You could see it his first year, you had to look for it but you could see it. 

Shaka knew.

Bottom line is we all should trust Shaka's evaluations.  He knows talent.  He sees these guys ceilings with such clarity.  It allows him recruiting flexibility and to land prospects others may not be as high on. Truly impressive.