Bradley's players vs Butler's players

[Bravesfan]

Just a hypothetical question here. Are Butler's players that much more talented, or are they just better natural shooters and defenders than we are? If so, does being more athletic really matter?

[Da Coach]

Veasley, Nored, Howard, and Mack were all recruited by Bradley. There may be others, too. The notable difference is their ability to make the jump shot, especialy the three.

[georgethedog]

Just a hypothetical question here. Are Butler's players that much more talented, or are they just better natural shooters and defenders than we are? If so, does being more athletic really matter?

I would rather have great basketball players that are not great athletes instead of great athletes. With great athletes you get some really nice highlights like alley-oop dunks, etc., but with great (or even good) basketball players you get wins.

[BUBraves06]

The notable difference is their ability to make the jump shot, especialy the three.

And hit free throws ...

[ph]

I think we run a more complex system with less margin for error.

In the pre-game JL was almost rolling his eyes as he stated that Butler still ran the "same sets" as if it was not as satisfying as running his system..

[pfunk880]

High Basketball IQ > Athleticism

[Braves4Life]

Butler had talent, IQ and length. We have always lacked the athlete with length.

[georgethedog]

Butler had talent, IQ and length. We have always lacked the athlete with length.

Except Boogie.

[romar]

Another thing I've noticed in the last two games is that both MSU & Butler came out & played very physically on the defensive side in the first half almost doubling the number of fouls. I think that it's fine to try not to foul when you are winning or trading baskets, but you have to meet your opponents tenacity when they are playing in-your-face on defense and you're not scoring or making your free throws to stay even.

[Disturbed]

Butler had talent, IQ and length. We have always lacked the athlete with length.

I think it's finally time to say that BU isn't as talented as originally thought. Butler lost a bunch of guys last year, and has reloaded well. While BU has some decent post recruits coming in next year, it's foolish to think that they will be immediate contributors, and really that's where the problems begin. One man's opinion, but I think you have to consider the fact that JL's seat may be getting hot.

[georgethedog]

I think it's finally time to say that BU isn't as talented as originally thought. Butler lost a bunch of guys last year, and has reloaded well. While BU has some decent post recruits coming in next year, it's foolish to think that they will be immediate contributors, and really that's where the problems begin. One man's opinion, but I think you have to consider the fact that JL's seat may be getting hot.

It should be hot as BU has never finished higher than 4th in the league in 6 years and this year will probably be worse. That would be 7 years... I like Coach Les, but the numbers are what they are.

[Bravesfan]

Veasley, Nored, Howard, and Mack were all recruited by Bradley. There may be others, too. The notable difference is their ability to make the jump shot, especialy the three.

Agreed. This is not an indictment on Les, but maybe he needs to shift his recruiting emphasis from athletes to more fundamentally sound players. Not that he can't coach the fundamentals, but it takes time for players to develop these skills. While this is happening, a team will go through bad stretches that can make the difference between a good season and a great season. I'm hoping Les can coach some fundamentals in time for a solid Valley season.

[georgethedog]

No way JL's seat is getting hot. He has lost 2 players to injury. The new paractice facilities will help in defense, intensity, rebounding and free throw shooting. Be patient, changes are coming as was stated on the post game show.

I am not the one that needs to be patient because I have no say in it and I don't want to see him leave, but it could be hot--who knows...

[Disturbed]

Veasley, Nored, Howard, and Mack were all recruited by Bradley. There may be others, too. The notable difference is their ability to make the jump shot, especialy the three.

They recruited a bunch of other guys that went somewhere else too. Bottom line is they didn't get any of them.

[Bravesfan]

I think we run a more complex system with less margin for error.

In the pre-game JL was almost rolling his eyes as he stated that Butler still ran the "same sets" as if it was not as satisfying as running his system..

If I were coaching, I would rather have my players perfect the same five sets to the point where no opponent can "break" them. I think you can fool opponents more that way than fielding a team that would not be able to run a more complicated system.