EJ's passing, rebounding

[MdWIldcat55]

Re-watching the game, I noticed that EJ made several effective passes. He only got credited with two assists -- which I think is low. But he moved the ball well and contributed to a number of easy scores. He also had seven rebounds in 21 minutes, which tied for team high and was best on a per-minute basis.

That tells me his head is in the game, he's working, and he makes good decisions. He's not where anyone wants him to be as a player yet, but his value is higher than his critics on this board suggest.

 

[ChicagoCat90]

Just made a thread saying the same thing lol he might of had only two assists, but they were two quality assists that the coaching staff can work on to get him focusing on being a facilitator instead of trying to force some shots.

 

[K_TIME]

He started the game with some great rebounding moments and Cal high fived in a huddle for it....if we can get his motor going on energy plays along with some passing, he can fill a role we need.

 

[502 Wildcat]

With Nate and especially Nick playing the way they are, we don't need a ton out of EJ. We just need to him to play good defense, make good decisions, and grab rebounds. It's still a bit frustrating given his potential and how talented and athletic he is, but that's all we need out of him at this point.

 

[GonzoCat90]

I think EJ, like Nick for the previous two seasons, knows exactly what he wants to do.

In his brain, he is catching the ball at 18 feet, pump faking, and driving past the defense for a monster dunk. He's blocking shots. He's running in transition.

And then he (to borrow from John Mulaney) has to outsource the job to his body.

You can almost feel it that every time he starts to shoot or dunk or dribble or rebound or whatever, that his brain screams "dont mess up!" and he's off the mark.

He just has to build consistent success and it'll be rolling from there. He doesn't lack skill. He doesn't lack physical gifts. He doesn't lack heart (despite what some fans say because of his demeanor). He's just pressing and can't get out of his own way.

 

[Dr. H Lecter]

Oh thank god. I thought he died.

 

[Montana81]

His demeanor remains strong as well. He was invested, happy for his teammates when they did good, up and cheering from the bench. That’s always good to see from a good that went into the season probably thinking the Offense would run through him only to be relegated to role player status.

I just hope if he’s not a projected draft pick at the end of the season he remains patient and comes back.

 

[jimmybuffet123]

I love EJ, but he either needs to build his body and be a post presence or get in the gym and put up 10000 shots. He Hurts us too much from a scoring a defensive standpoint.

 

[Titpwhami2014]

There’s no denying he has been a bust until this point. I still want to see him succeed and quite frankly, he needs to be ready to step up in March. There is absolutely no way Nick Richards stays out of foul trouble for six straight games. We’ve seen how he’s been officiated dating back to the Ohio State game.

 

[SPECT imaging]

Re-watching the game, I noticed that EJ made several effective passes. He only got credited with two assists -- which I think is low. But he moved the ball well and contributed to a number of easy scores. He also had seven rebounds in 21 minutes, which tied for team high and was best on a per-minute basis.

That tells me his head is in the game, he's working, and he makes good decisions. He's not where anyone wants him to be as a player yet, but his value is higher than his critics on this board suggest.

Right now, Montgomery is a better passer and interior defender than scorer. When his scoring improves, he will be one of the SEC’s better bigs. No doubt KP is working with him. I expect him to be a different player by March.

 

[Cats192]

To sort of credential myself: I've been one of the most critical posters of the kid. Even after the past few games, people have arguments in support of him, and I've strongly disagreed.

There is no excuse not get 5-6-7 rebounds. And any other argument does not computer until we agree he has to be able to rebound.

Well...guys...he rebounded. He just has to keep doing it. He doesn't have to give us anything offensively. Would be nice if he blocked a few shots. He needs to let go of that 18 footer for now.

All that said, I'm pretty happy with his performance vs Georgia.

 

[CELTICAT]

Both assists were critical, and he had some Erik Daniels/Chuck Hayes type interior passing vision going. If that's an element he starts bringing every game, our offense is going to get that much better.

 

[St.PatterSoN-54-]

I did notice some big rebounds and some obviously great passes. But I also noticed him letting a couple of rebounds hit the floor near him, and multiple times he let UGA guards drive for easy lay-ins. He's built to be a good defensive player, but he needs to WANT it more.

 

[hotelblue]

He started the game with some great rebounding moments and Cal high fived in a huddle for it....if we can get his motor going on energy plays along with some passing, he can fill a role we need.

it really is the motor imo. if he attacked each game like a sprinter he’d be a pretty good player. he has savoy he just needs to put that together with constant effort. if he does “find it” we may be the best team. our defense is better than just about anyone’s imo. just have to clean up the rotations and close outs.

 

[catsfanbgky]

The problem is EJ is not at his most effective self in the game with Nick. If you noticed last night, he played best with Nick on the bench with foul trouble. I do not think they can coexist in the lineup. He would be better suited backing up Nick Richards. He is actually trying and gave effort, he just need to be closer to the basket and either take the quick, short turn around shot or pass out. Which is why he is better suited to back up Nick, NR is the better player and he needs to be inside and EJ does not need to be floating around the perimeter jacking 20 footers. So if Nick is playing, EJ needs to be on the bench, then give Nick a breather and take his spot on the court, not on the outside.

 

[bigbluelou]

Oh thank god. I thought he died.

If he passed...it'd be hard to rebound from that.

 

[RalphDaltonFan]

EJ was playing with the type of intensity that he needs to right up until he got his **** thrown on that dunk. Then he tapped out for a bit. That's his MO. He's worried about appearances and how things look instead of just getting "grimy". What I always take from Cal's talk of fight is if you engage in the fight, good things happen. For instance, he was competitive/battling and the and 1 opportunity came on a play that if you are coasting/passive the refs whistle you for a travel. The minute that dunk was blocked, he was done for that half.

He's a skilled guy and has a lot of positive attributes on the court. Thought he opened the UGA game like he ended the Louisville game and that was good to see. The jumper is not a bad shot for him--but I like him facing the basket at high post more on it then baseline and like to see him dive to the rim and finish more like he's done time to time this year. He's capable of being a great runner on the court and coasts.

Little things decide minutes at big time programs. Keion Brooks was great in opening minutes and then it was him jogging/trotting up the court and UK was playing a man down on offense/defense. You have to sprint. Getting beat for balls/rebounds...just can't happen and they'll learn or they'll leave. Simple as that. The lesson is what any great teacher does-they hold you to a standard that you don't even know your capable of achieving. Now if you buy in and listen, it'll happen. Might take longer then others but you'll get it. If you fight it--you'll get passed by and move onto another place that usually accepts you for what you do/how you play and never grow or improve. Not a case of PT-there is plenty available for the guys who are getting minutes cut, just about who is willing to push past the point of accepting mistakes instead of correcting them? Doesn't need to be perfection, just effort and fight. EJ and Whitney showed some steps and Brooks did too, now be consistent with it and you have a contending team.

 

[Dr. H Lecter]

If he passed...it'd be hard to rebound from that.

That would require an EJster celebration.

 

[bigbluelou]

That would require an EJster celebration.

LOL outstanding.

 

[jameslee32]

The pass on the break to Nick was a key point in the comeback and he was decisive with it. Mostly he never brought the ball back down from the catch which was key. He can be most effective on the break and finishes well yet he needs work in half court sets. He needs to be better but we really missed him when he was out also.

 

[Canned Heat]

Good post, not every top recruit can make an immediate impact but when they play hard and focused that is all we can ask for. Some classes are stronger than others and EJ is learning and will get better.

As the one and done era comes to an end, we will be able to adjust our expectations better (like the old days) and enjoy the growth of players over time instead of immediate success.

 

[HerrosHeroes]

Oh thank god. I thought he died.

He did but he rebounded....

imp:

 

[carolinacat]

He started the game with some great rebounding moments and Cal high fived in a huddle for it....if we can get his motor going on energy plays along with some passing, he can fill a role we need.

Yep, he's a role player...a left handed Marcus Lee. We need him because he's the only other big we have. He's not a star but that's ok.

 

[anon1763419335]

ej did have some nice passes. and he did play hard and get after it. but in general....

nick and ej are our best interior defenders.
nick and nate are our best interior offensive options

 

[Catzman]

His ppg are inflated from his one big game but if can honestly and consistently score a true 6-8ppg to go with his rebounding and everything else, I'd honestly be fine. You'll have games where you grab 3 rebounds and others you'll get 10. But outside of that one good game he almost never scores more than 1, MAYBE 2 baskets. He needs to make several buckets and learn to hit an effing free throw.

Also, no more jump shots.

 

[pascat]

A few thoughts about EJ...

(1) When Calipari-coached teams at UK "turn the corner" or "tweak" things, there is very little more to this than having post players play higher and play off of the guards. This poses two problems for EJ: (a) it moves him over to the weak side in an offense where he gets few touches, and (b) it squeezes him out of the rotation because Richards and Sestina are better in the high post than EJ at this time. Everyone knows he's frustrated and that's understandable.

(2) EJ must be given credit for accepting a weak side role in the offense and doing his best in that role. It means he's going to have to find a way to get his points on the offensive glass or by taking the occasional 3-pointer, but he has played his role without complaining. He played very heady basketball yesterday. I felt for him because he got called for a ridiculous foul last night that saw him getting yanked for Richards, but other than that, I though he played well.

(3) As I posted in another thread, I think the player EJ needs to base his game on is Tayshaun Prince. They have similar builds and similar mindsets. EJ is nowhere near the shooter Tayshaun is, but let's not forget that Tayshaun became an All-American not from his 3-point shooting, but from his play in the high post. When Tayshaun would receive the ball in the high post, he had the ability to pull up, shoot a baby hook, shoot a fade away jumper, pass, or (occasionally) drive. This needs to be EJ's mindset. Each of those skills are in his wheelhouse. 15 feet and in. One poster above said that in EJ's mind, he gets the ball 25 feet out and drives for a dunk. I think that assessment hits the nail on the head. But that part of his game should come later. First get comfortable in the high post.

 

[AllBall]

Both assists were critical, and he had some Erik Daniels/Chuck Hayes type interior passing vision going. If that's an element he starts bringing every game, our offense is going to get that much better.

Man I miss the interior passing from that 02-03 squad. Going undefeated in SEC play says a lot.

 

[KyFaninNC]

I think EJ, like Nick for the previous two seasons, knows exactly what he wants to do.

In his brain, he is catching the ball at 18 feet, pump faking, and driving past the defense for a monster dunk. He's blocking shots. He's running in transition.

And then he (to borrow from John Mulaney) has to outsource the job to his body.

You can almost feel it that every time he starts to shoot or dunk or dribble or rebound or whatever, that his brain screams "dont mess up!" and he's off the mark.

He just has to build consistent success and it'll be rolling from there. He doesn't lack skill. He doesn't lack physical gifts. He doesn't lack heart (despite what some fans say because of his demeanor). He's just pressing and can't get out of his own way.

Could be right. He and Nick progressed really slow. EJ needs to come back.

 

[WildMoon]

The pass on the break to Nick was a key point in the comeback and he was decisive with it. Mostly he never brought the ball back down from the catch which was key. He can be most effective on the break and finishes well yet he needs work in half court sets. He needs to be better but we really missed him when he was out also.

I feel like he's indecisive because of his ability(? Still) to pass and score...

Which leads to doing neither well. He seems very hesitant on both and that play he was extremely aggressive like he knew what he wanted to do there.

Well I should say part of the problem.

 

[WildMoon]

Could be right. He and Nick progressed really slow. EJ needs to come back.

Really slow? :joy::joy::joy::joy:

 

[GonzoCat90]

Could be right. He and Nick progressed really slow. EJ needs to come back.

I sort of agree, but one caveat. EJ didn't play the minutes or role of our typical top-10 recruits. He was behind PJ and Reid last year.

So him being a sophomore isn't the same as, say, Hagans being one. He's closer to a March freshman with regards to minutes and game reps.

For the elite guys, the light has usually come on by then (or before). But he can still be a good player at some point this season and especially next. I just hope he stays patient. I know he hates it and it's not what he (or we) expected, but if he comes back and makes a leap like Nick, we're unstoppable next season.

 

[so_obvious]

EJ needs to learn how to use his right hand. If he can’t go to his left or shoot some unadvised long jump shot he has no offense aside from an occasional put-back. And he even makes a lot of those look much harder than they have to be.

As long as he can continue to play with lots of energy and bring his defense I think he will continue to get better.

 

[Cobb4uk_rivals287622]

EJ just needs to get more comfortable and just allow his instincts to kick in and he will be ok. Trying to concentrate on what to do instead of doing it instinctively keeps players from excelling early in their careers, which we used to call experience, in the old days. That's Whitney' problem and to some degree Brook's also. This is one reason Cal's teams do well in March, they are much more comfortable, not thinking to much just reacting on instincts.

 

[Bluegrassking]

Motor, motor, motor!

Work on the core.

Be a 4 not a fake 3.