Unsung

[NavinRJohnson]

McNeal will deservedly be names Stud of the Game, but Matthews and Blackledge made an awful lot of plays tonight.

[MUUWUWM]

Trend needed some quality minutes in a big game, it will help as we progress in this or the next tournament.

[WashDCWarrior]

I'll give my unsung props to Acker.

[ONeills Barstool]

Acker!!!  His second half buckets were HUGE.

[nyg]

Trend for sure with his energy, minus his free throws.  But Wes?  He was 1 for 11 from the field and took a horrible shot at the end, when we were running out the clock.  Acker gets the unsung for two crucial baskets.

[farmdaddy]

When Acker shot the ball with 2 seconds to go on the shot clock and it went in on a prayer, I swear I yelled the loadest I had all night. ( and there was plenty of yelling by me during the game).  He gets unsung hero...he put the game away in the second half

[NavinRJohnson]

Trend for sure with his energy, minus his free throws.  But Wes?  He was 1 for 11 from the field and took a horrible shot at the end, when we were running out the clock.  Acker gets the unsung for two crucial baskets.

Didn't say he made a lot of shots, I said he made a lot of plays. I guess I just watch games differntly. Shooting is generally a little further down my list. BTW, Hayward should get a mention as well...w/out looking, both he and Matthews made their FT's and grabbed a bunch of rebounds.

[spiral97]

McNeal will deservedly be names Stud of the Game

right you are - only consistent player through the _whole_ game.

[RawdogDX]

ugh, every time acker hits a big shot the same people come out.  And the reason he needed to hit that long two as the shot clock expired is because he can't run the offence effectivly enough to get a good shot off.

[WashDCWarrior]

We have two backup PGs who play relatively mistake-free basketball.  I'll take that.

[augoman]

McNeal will deservedly be names Stud of the Game

right you are - only consistent player through the _whole_ game.

soooo, two in a row!

[ChicosBailBonds]

Acker's shots were huge, but he was such a liability defensively and on the defensive glass.  They just posted him up and out rebounded him every time.

[2TimeWarrior]

Acker's shots were huge, but he was such a liability defensively and on the defensive glass.  They just posted him up and out rebounded him every time.

I couldn't agree more.  I like the kid's hustle and I'm glad he made a couple shots, but he really hurts us on the defensive end of the floor.  He can't clear a screen to save his life!  He cuts behind the screen instead of in front of it and leaves his man open for a shot almost everytime.  The difference between he and James is staggering jsut in the way James plays D!

Sorry, I can't agree that Acker is a unsung hero in this game.

[AlumKCof93]

I was really impressed by McNeal last night.  The team won b/c of its energy and toughness on the boards.  Those two characteristics define Jerel.  I'm often very critical of his game b/c his fearlessness often leads to carelessness, but he played a great game last night.

[Pago Warrior]

I hate to pile on the guy, because I really do like him, but Acker's poor defense just about cancels whatever he brings offensively.
On offense he effectively provides the things that don't make the stat sheet: makes few mistakes running the team, pushes the ball up the court, can handle the ball, and can hit the occasional open 3.  Stuff that every team needs out of a back up point.  But on defense besides a sneaky steal/deflection from the side as a guy is blowing past him, he does not pose much threat.  His size cancels out his quickness regardless of where he is on the floor defensively.  Every team is instructed to take it right at him and while our defense is set up to rotate and help on just about every play, it takes more effort on the part of the other 4 when Mo is on the court.
A play last night where Mo is out on the perimeter and a SH guard drives right past him forcing Ooze to step up and ends up fouling the shooter in the lane happens far too often when Mo is out there.
I do like the guy but particularly this time of year, I'd prefer playing the guys who can provide the better defense first (i.e. Coobey).

[BrandonA]

Trend needs to stop going for ESPN top 10 on every play.  There were two or three shots he would have made had he not tried to dunk over someone with his 120 lb body.  Not to mention his free throw shooting.  I liked him getting playing time, but it was a good performance.

[2TimeWarrior]

A play last night where Mo is out on the perimeter and a SH guard drives right past him forcing Ooze to step up and ends up fouling the shooter in the lane happens far too often when Mo is out there.

What really rubbed me the wrong way is the look that Mo gave Ooze after that play.  It was as if to say "WTF...it's your job to cover my man because I can't!"

[AlumKCof93]

Trend needs to stop going for ESPN top 10 on every play.  There were two or three shots he would have made had he not tried to dunk over someone with his 120 lb body.  Not to mention his free throw shooting.  I liked him getting playing time, but it was a good performance.

Agreed.  When he first got in the game, I didn't think he played well at all as he demonstrated his lack of experience and poor hands.  But his energy was really good when he got back in played pretty well, his fts notwithstanding. But it seemed he was trying to be sensational around the basket instead of effective.

[Pago Warrior]

A play last night where Mo is out on the perimeter and a SH guard drives right past him forcing Ooze to step up and ends up fouling the shooter in the lane happens far too often when Mo is out there.

What really rubbed me the wrong way is the look that Mo gave Ooze after that play.  It was as if to say "WTF...it's your job to cover my man because I can't!"

Agreed!  That only further angered me.  Ooze would have been better served if he'd just gone straight up on that play, but then again, the team would have been better served if Mo posed more of a threat to stay in front of his man.

[AlumKCof93]

Is there any question that Ooze is the team's whipping boy?