The Maturation of A Coach

[Braveman]

JL has taken his lumps in the media and around town and the league, but I really don't think that anybody can say that he is in over his head anymore...

His change of attack, selling it to the players and coaches, getting pieces to the puzzle that all fit- even in season and in-game adjustments he didn't make two years ago are now everyday occurrences!

The pick and roll was a thing of beauty last night.. not to mention the backdoor lob to Zach to start the game.. which was a called play...

I for one am very happy for BU and JL!

[Da Coach]

I fully agree, Braveman. It has been a couple years since you could say another coach has clearly outcoached our staff. And the last 12 months the BU guys have vastly outcoached and outprepared their opponents for nearly every game .

[mexicobufan]

One of the big issues I have had over the years with some of our past Coaches is I didnt see players developing and becoming better from one year to the next. I think it is safe to say that this is not an issue with this group of Coaches. It seems players are getting better by the month not just the year.

I hope Jim is treated well by BU (Financially and other wise) and he remembers Bradley is home. I would love to keep him around for many years to come.....

[thefish7]

Yeah the way things are going, I'd like to see him compensated like a coach from a "big conference." Could be he already is, I'm not really sure, but I see no real reason for him to change programs except money.

[Da Coach]

IMO, one of the biggest "turning points" was when Jim was finally able to assemble the staff of his own choosing. Anyone who doesn't think that is essential to winning just doesn't understand basketball at this level, IMO. If the staff isn't all on the same page, so to speak, there will be problems like we saw the first couple seasons.

I wonder how much sooner Bradley could have become as successful if Jim had been given the chance to have his own people from the beginning, but we will never know.
This is not a slam against any of the other coaches (Howard Moore or Al. Biancalana), they were both great man, and fine coaches. But philosophies differ widely, and teamwork and success with any system work best with the kind of close-knit staff we have now.

I would love to hear from anyone who does not agree with this. But IMO this current team is not a lot different talent-wise from the teams in Jim's 1st, 2nd, and 3rd years, but they are a vastly better team. The credit for that goes to the coaches.

[Murph]

Players left over from the previous regime were not very cooperative either, it always helps to have your own players, unless of course you were left with 5 future NBA players like another coach in Illinois was.

[BradleyBrave]

I was thinking of making a post with very similar thoughts to a lot of you. I was very critical of JL in year 3 and part of year 4, and I still feel my criticisms were justified based on the results on the court. However, Braveman hit it right on the head with the term 'maturation'. It's been a thing of beauty to watch both the coach and the team grow into what they are today, and it's a great feeling to know that the program is heading in the right direction with the right people leading it. We have one of the best coaches and best staffs in the conference, and when you combine that with good, talented kids, you get what we have today.

[Bravesguy]

IMO, one of the biggest "turning points" was when Jim was finally able to assemble the staff of his own choosing....

I think one of the turning points was when Bradleyfans.com went online and unified the
fans base, eliminating all the bickering among fans that had been so prevalent since the Molinari era.

[Murph]

I think one of the turning points was when Bradleyfans.com went online and unified the
fans base, eliminating all the bickering among fans that had been so prevalent since the Molinari era.

Remember all the JL haters on the other board, when BU went on the the Sweet run last year they all crawled into their holes not to be seen for months. I guess it's bad for business to publicly hate the Bradley coach....

[IlliBraves]

Nice avatar, Braveman! GO COLTS!!!!

[Braves4Life]

Coach Bish

I wonder how may years Coach Bish will continue coaching? I think he is a defensive genius and learned from one of the greatest coaches/teachers ever (Coach Stowell).

Coach Bish would be hard to replace. I think Jimmy has learned alot from him. Seems almost like a father/son relationship. Does little Bish have the potential to replace his old man?

[OrangeandBlack74]

Re: Coach Bish

I wonder how may years Coach Bish will continue coaching? I think he is a defensive genius and learned from one of the greatest coaches/teachers ever (Coach Stowell).

Coach Bish would be hard to replace. I think Jimmy has learned alot from him. Seems almost like a father/son relationship. Does little Bish have the potential to replace his old man?

I've heard that CB is considering retirement after the season ends. IMO, he has been a real difference maker for JL and the team since his "official" arrival on the hilltop.

[TampaBrave]

I think one of the turning points was when Bradleyfans.com went online and unified the
fans base, eliminating all the bickering among fans that had been so prevalent since the Molinari era.

Remember all the JL haters on the other board, when BU went on the the Sweet run last year they all crawled into their holes not to be seen for months. I guess it's bad for business to publicly hate the Bradley coach....

Still as classy as ever Murph.

[BUBraves2006]

Re: Coach Bish

I wonder how may years Coach Bish will continue coaching? I think he is a defensive genius and learned from one of the greatest coaches/teachers ever (Coach Stowell).

Coach Bish would be hard to replace. I think Jimmy has learned alot from him. Seems almost like a father/son relationship. Does little Bish have the potential to replace his old man?

I've heard that CB is considering retirement after the season ends. IMO, he has been a real difference maker for JL and the team since his "official" arrival on the hilltop.

I know this is getting way, way ahead of things, but with how intelligent of a basketball mind he is, would Les/BU consider hiring Jeremy Crouch as an assistant after he graduates next year? I know Dave Snell always plays up that "Crouch is going to be one heck of a coach someday." Being a local kid, it'd make sense??

This may never happen, but what do you think about that?

[Murph]

Still as classy as ever Murph.

Just as classy as you when you were beating up on JL on a daily basis using the pile on technique, sometimes the truth hurts doesn't it.....