Howland raised expectations....

[Philly Dawg]

...making the way we've played to start this season amazingly disappointing. We are playing extremely poorly.

 

[57stratdawg]

We look like an AAU team.

 

[BoDawg.sixpack]

I understand we're not overly talented, but some of the stuff we do has nothing to do with not being athletically gifted. It's just pure unadulterated stupidity.

 

[codeDawg]

I don't think Howland's claim to fame is coaching up players. I doubt Cal would be doing much better with this group.

 

[Philly Dawg]

I think he has a reputation as a good all around coach. In addition to top recruits, he's had a number of Westbrook type unheralded players who became stars and went to the NBA.

 

[codeDawg]

No doubt that he's a good coach, but he's also coached good talent. Most of the guys on our roster just are not very good at basketball and there are very few people that could change that. We also don't have the bigs we need, but are coming.

What Ray did was make bad basketball players play as hard as they could on defense. You don't have to be that talented to play balls out on defense. You just have to be athletic.

 

[expireddog]

2 games so far where we have had possession with chance to tie or take the lead and Howland hasn't called timeout. Weatherspoon needs ready's minutes in crunch time. Man I was so excited about this season, but the group of Seniors just don't know how to win. Ray may have changed the culture that Stans left but he created a dumb basketball iq and losing culture.

 

[hailstate19]

with all the fouls called the last play should have been a foul.

 

[bassdawg]

We look like an AAU team.

I was thinking more like a special olympics team.

 

[DerHntr]

Maybe Howland will stay around longer than we thought**

 

[karlchilders.sixpack]

Making headway, but work to do.

.

 

[Requiem For A Dawg]

2 games so far where we have had possession with chance to tie or take the lead and Howland hasn't called timeout. Weatherspoon needs ready's minutes in crunch time. Man I was so excited about this season, but the group of Seniors just don't know how to win. Ray may have changed the culture that Stans left but he created a dumb basketball iq and losing culture.

He can't call a timeout. The players have to call it on the floor.

 

[codeDawg]

I don't mind not calling the TO there. The inbounds play is just added complexity for a team that has trouble turning the ball over. We already know the play call is give it to Newman and see what he can make of it, so it just gives the defense time to collect itself.

I appreciate Ray for working really hard and making the players play hard, but the upperclassmen on this team are not going to win a lot of basketball games.

 

[Philly Dawg]

Frankly, I don't think we played any harder than anyone else under Ray and were certainly not taught to play defense. Ray inherited some good players but they never learned basic fundamentals and Howland is having to teach seniors things they should have been taught as freshmen.

 

[Philly Dawg]

We got two layup attempts, didn't need the timeout.

 

[mcdawg22]

The title of the thread is all we need.

Part of these expectations are due to guys that will not be playing at all this year, except for high school teams. He gets a complete free pass this year, just ignore the press clippings.

 

[57stratdawg]

Hahah ouch.

 

[DudyDog]

Picture this team less Malik with Ray on the sidelines. We all have to realize there is a reason that Howland is here. Better days are coming.

I may print this out and put it on my TV to remind me every time we play.

 

[Dawg1976]

Damn, we only lost by 2 points? That's a victory in itself.

 

[dogfan96]

Newman maybe, but we DEFINITELY got fouled on the 2nd shot attempt nm

nm

 

[HD6]

Nailed it.

 

[dickiedawg]

If Ray was still the coach no one here would be defending him after the last 3 games. He'd be run out of town.
Why should Howland, a better coach in everyone's estimation, have lower expectations?

That's not to say of course that I want Howland gone, 17 no. But I don't understand giving him a free pass. This team has PLENTY of talent to be 3-1 right now. Ben's a big boy, he can handle some well-earned criticism.

 

[leeinator]

Yeah, that's a new rule this year I don't understand. A lot of teams this year are going to mess up close games because of that rule. Players are mostly used to the coaches calling the time outs. That's where you need a real savvy floor player who communicates well.

 

[pmack65]

Unfortunately he doesn't have "PLENTY" of talent! Has no depth, especially at the power forward and post positions. He has good guards, two who are very talented freshman, one who can't play defense and the other whos best game is taking it to the basket with a below average outside shot. Forwards are Zappardo who IMO is outside player, Daniels who at best is inconsistent and Thomas has never found his shot and at times will pay defense. Ware has been very good so far offensively but struggles with defense which could be attributed to the new rules, It seems if you sneeze to hard on defense its a dam foul. Also a few players are hurt Struggs and Holman, Houston suspended and Ndyoe is just plain bad, so no there isn't any depth. It appears to save player fouls and keep the better players on the floor Howland will probably play a lot more zone then he likes. Talent is coming and will be well coached, but there isn't plenty of talent on this team right now.

 

[121Josey]

^^^^Basketball IQ Left with Ray^^^^

 

[pmack65]

At least I have a basketball IQ and know talent . U not so sure

 

[121Josey]

At least I have a basketball IQ and know talent . U not so sure

Is that you, Ray?**

 

[KurtRambis4]

What exactly

was he wrong about in his assessment of our players?