I agree. A lot of snarkiness and disrespectful posters in this thread.
Outsiders Take on Team
- Thread starter RalphDaltonFan
- Start date
I think Bam will sneak up on you with numbers like that most all year,we will look at the box score and say damn Bam where'd that come from
The problem with Monk isn't his lack of effort...It's that he's projecting his effort in the wrong areas, right now. He flies passing lanes and leaves his teammates out to dry when he misses. He missed a few shots to start, so he was pressing offensively. Those are things that young players tend to do. He'll be fine, and I'm not worried. Although I would like to see how his intensity would be affected if he were used as a substitute. Bring him in inside the first 5 minutes, and maybe he comes out guns blazing. Who knows? Regardless, Cal has a lot of flexibility and who gets the bulk of the minutes will likely change from game-to-game, with Fox and Briscoe being exceptions.
I think the two players with the greatest upsides are Adebayo and Gabriel, who has easily been the most pleasant surprise. We heard a lot about Humphries in the offseason, and he does look better. But I think Gabriel is going to end up being one of the most important players on the team, and Bam...Sky is the limit. Like the OP said, we won't recognize him 5 months from now.
I think the two players with the greatest upsides are Adebayo and Gabriel, who has easily been the most pleasant surprise. We heard a lot about Humphries in the offseason, and he does look better. But I think Gabriel is going to end up being one of the most important players on the team, and Bam...Sky is the limit. Like the OP said, we won't recognize him 5 months from now.
We will know more after tomorrow's game,who is willing to step up in prime time,and who isn't afraid of the bright lights.I think the OP had some good thoughts given the limited amount of info we have.Some here seem to be scared to death if anyone even remotely questions anything Cal says or does.We couldn't come close to making a 3 in the first half last night but we would have needed a search warrant to find Mulder on the bench in the first half
Cal is great at what he does and there is no one else I would want here at this time but he is not right all the time.Look at last year,he tried to remake Skal,he wouldn't play Willis till he had to do so.He figured it out and did one of his better coaching jobs since he has been here to win as many as he did.
Cal is great at what he does and there is no one else I would want here at this time but he is not right all the time.Look at last year,he tried to remake Skal,he wouldn't play Willis till he had to do so.He figured it out and did one of his better coaching jobs since he has been here to win as many as he did.
They are and were really bad defensively right now. No guy who defends the rim. Giving up way too may layups and drives.
I would start Hump or Gabriel right now. Rebounding is another area that is not where it needs to be. If the opposing team goes zone. Mulder is in immediately.
Shooting is a problem right now. It's why Mulder needs more PT IMO.
Good news though. It's early. I believe these kids want to improve and listen to Cal and I believe they will.
I would start Hump or Gabriel right now. Rebounding is another area that is not where it needs to be. If the opposing team goes zone. Mulder is in immediately.
Shooting is a problem right now. It's why Mulder needs more PT IMO.
Good news though. It's early. I believe these kids want to improve and listen to Cal and I believe they will.
The issue is defense, not offense with Monk, just like with Murray.
If Cal had a deeper bench, he might have used the bench to force Murray to step up the D. He didn't have that option with Murray, but he does with Monk. Murray did not have to worry about losing minutes, so he made minimal improvements on defense.
I agree with ralphdaltonfan, Cal needs to use his bench a little to send a message. At least early.
His offense is going to improve, but his defense probably won't unless Cal forces his hand a little.
Haven't had time to watch the recording yet, but this talk of Willis being a no show is worrisome. Between he and Hawkins, we should have an element on this team that's rare for Cal - senior leadership. But with a young group, there is one thing that is much worse than a lack of senior leadership - and that's seniors who aren't committed, don't buy-in, aren't fully vested, are unreliable game to game and practice to practice. Hopefully this is an overreaction to a onetime thing....
It seems like UK fans identify a player early in the season to critique their every move. Andrew Harrison, Briscoe, Goodwin, Teague, and now Monk.
So does "you can never have enough shooters", but you don't see me bitching about it. [laughing]
Fox is the best player now and with the most upside and it's not even close. Those who tried to compare Jamal and Malik don't know what they are seeing. Malik is a guy who has never been a great shooter and offensively has always used raw athleticsm to get buckets. Jamal was a the very definition of a shooter and crafty bucket getter who didn't have the raw athletiscm of other guys. If you have any doubt about upside look at draft projections Fox will be the highest guy on this team drafted. His speed with the ball, along with his ability to finish around the rim makes him a future all star. Now don't get me wrong for us to be good Monk has to get better but this is where the divide happens for some fans. I don't think playing Mulder or Wenyen more minutes to light a fire under Malik to improve his defense and work harder on his offense is a bad thing. 2 games so still lot of ball left, but De'Aron Fox what a player.
Fair assessment, I like the idea of have guys like skj for more than one yr he will be a stud by his jr ur. Furthermore, I would love to see a sophomore Gabriel which I don't think is out of the realm of possibility. His upside is as good as anyone's but if a guy like stein or even Terrance jones can return for more than a yr I can see him doing it as well.
Yeah, I was just being sarcastic with both posts. Nothing personal @treyforuk. I think you're one of the better posters.
Good to hear from another outsider, Ralph.
A lot this is really good points but from a coaching aspect I would keep the 3 guard lineup. It plays towards their strengths in March when guard play becomes key. In March, if you have dominating guards you can win against anyone even if your overall team isn't as good. Guards are the great equalizer.
Bam is going to be fine, I tend to remember how Towns didn't develop into a beast until later in the year. Everything I've known about the kid is that he works hard and is coachable.
Rim protection is going to be a little issue, but with guards that can heat up the ball it helps negate that.
The issue with Monk is getting out of his bad high school habit and playing towards his strengths. Sometimes as coaches you got to get all that on film to show him. FILM DON'T LIE! It's typical players who have been so much more athletic than their peers.
Don't know much about Mulder or Hawkins other than they're seniors and they're good enough to be put into a game and won't hurt you.
Lastly, FOX is a bad bad man. Wouldn't trade him for anything if I were Cal.
I've seen bits and pieces of UK this year and I really enjoy watching from the outside because I know these are a bunch of really good and pretty humble kids. You all should be happy Cal doesn't risk character issues for talent.
Good luck tonight with Michigan State. I think Michigan State doesn't match up well with you all. Assuming Michigan State will try and pull bigs outside the paint to negate size advantage.