Bradleyfans Offseason thoughts: JJ TAUAI

[MikeCash]

If you all don't mind, I would like to go through the entire roster and give each player his own thread at some point throughout this offseason. I would love to get everyone's thoughts, projections, predictions for the '06-'07 Braves.

I wanted to start with JJ Tauai. How do people feel about him now? Should he have been starting? Will he ever be an offensive force? I am assuming he was just trying to be unselfish this year with Cellus and Bennett getting their shots. Will he step up his senior year and be a threat? Let's not forget he averaged over 28 points a game his last year of high school. Has he just lost confidence?

I'm assuming he will be at least a co-captain again next year. Do you expect him to start at the three again? Discuss...

[BradleyBrave]

Re: Bradleyfans Offseason thoughts: JJ TAUAI

If you all don't mind, I would like to go through the entire roster and give each player his own thread at some point throughout this offseason. I would love to get everyone's thoughts, projections, predictions for the '06-'07 Braves.

I wanted to start with JJ Tauai. How do people feel about him now? Should he have been starting? Will he ever be an offensive force? I am assuming he was just trying to be unselfish this year with Cellus and Bennett getting their shots. Will he step up his senior year and be a threat? Let's not forget he averaged over 28 points a game his last year of high school. Has he just lost confidence?

I'm assuming he will be at least a co-captain again next year. Do you expect him to start at the three again? Discuss...

One way or another, we're going to need some perimeter point production. If JJ can have a Jerome Robinson-like senior year, then we may end up back in the Sweet 16. If he continues to average 1 ppg, and RB and JC don't become double-digit scorers, we're in trouble. JJ is going to have to score some points, it's as simple as that.

[mike radigan]

Along the way he somehow lost his confidence prior to this year. That said, although he didn't shoot much, his averages were very good. From the field he was 19 for 38 right at .500 and from beyond the arc he was 5 of 11 for .455. Maybe he can have a break out offensive year.

[tornado]

Re: Bradleyfans Offseason thoughts: JJ TAUAI

....
I'm assuming he will be at least a co-captain again next year. ......

Why co-captain....perhaps he will be sole captain?

[thefish7]

Didn't Les once say on the radio that JJ is the hardest player on BU to guard one-on-one? I think his offensive idea this year was related to his role on the team, and I wouldn't be surprised if he isn't a bigger scorer next year with a whole year off for the team to adjust and prepare to not have Cellus, Boogie, and TB.

I sure hope he's a scoring monster.

[Majik45]

For Bradley to have any chance at winning the Valley next year, I think we need JJ to average double figures next year. Hopefully he'll have a Jerome Robinson type awakening.

[molar50]

JJ

I was down on JJ last year. I perceived him rushing his shots and playing too fast when handling the ball. He only shot about .500 at the free throw lane last year. I am happy for him and think he will improve next year. I have heard he works hard in practice and makes his shots in practice. Most seniors are mentally tough in tight games. I feel his success this year will help him next season.

[braves12]

It would be nice and probably likely that JJ can pick it up on the scoring next year, but even if he doesn't, he makes everybody else on the floor better. He also plays very good defense and does all the little things that help BU win. I'm not worried about his scoring average. He is apparently a very good leader for the team. If he just improves a normal amount from his Jr. year to his Sr. year, it will be all good. I also like that JJ doesn't need to get 35 minutes per game to be a factor in the results.

[tornado]

For Bradley to have any chance at winning the Valley next year, I think we need JJ to average double figures next year. Hopefully he'll have a Jerome Robinson type awakening.

I like that comparison to Jerome Robinson who really stepped it up and became a scorer as the need presented.

[Fetz86]

yeah the "take out J.J." chants stopped from the student section by the end of the year as he really turned himself around. Last year he would turn the ball over seemingly every time he touched it, and this year he did much better. We saw in the kansas game and at isu that he can score points when needed. If he can just pick it up like that on a daily basis, and i think he can, than he could be the most valuable player next to Pat with his ability to defense.

[Heemeskerk]

J.J

I think J.J will pick up scoring. I think he can shoot and also has the ability to finish. J.Js problem in my opinion has never been ability but mental. If you remember during J.Js sophomore year he had a few games where he really shot well.

However last year he dipped in scoring and you could tell by the way he was playing (tentative, unsure) that his confidence was down. I got so tired of hearing the bleacher critics rip on J.J. As soon as I heard those comments my first reaction is they have never played organized competitive basketball -- and never had a time when their confidence was a big factor.

The mental aspect of the game is so important and as fans we only continue to distroy a players confidence by chanting and jeering at the playerer. As Bradley fans we need to encourage and not tear down a player. Degrading a player will only worsen the problem.

Okay I am off my soap box.

I was so excited to see J.J turn the corner. When I first saw J.J play I could tell he had the ability and I am happy to see him do well and be an integral part of a special team.

Look forward to watching J.J continue to progress next year.

Go Braves!

[New Guy]

I look for his leadership role, minutes, and points to go up, I also see him as a stoper on defense against the other teams top scorer. Even with PO'B back (please) I think JJ will make himself the team leader because he is the more vocal of the 2. I think his defense in the second half of the year has impressed the coaching staff. His senior year should be his time to shine. I can't wait.

[Big Mike]

Not worried about JJ at all.............he got his feet wet this year and overcame all the ghost of his past..........HE WILL TAKE THE NEXT STEP HIS SR SEASON.......ALL WILL BE FINE!

[BuBraves55]

first off, glad to see another heemer supporter
anyway, i think that Tauai could be better if he stepped up but one think is for sure-he defintley got some oppurtunities especially compared to whom i think is the most underrated player on the team- Ray Brown(Minneapolis HS player of the year) and others who didnt quite get the same pt at all as jj and i think could have easily posted better numbers but jj apparently does some stuff right because les has faith in him, but personally other than his D im not so sure any player on the BU bench couldn't of posted better numbers.

[braves12]

I understand how many fans would like to have seen Ray Brown play more, but I am going to assume that the coaching staff saw more out of JJ in practice and thus he got the minutes. It is difficult for a freshman to come into a very strong Valley and perform consistently. JJ proved the coaches correct by helping turn the season around when he began to start and get a few more minutes. I will say that JJ's value is under valued simply because he did not put up offensive numbers. His defense and team play were crucial to the teams Sweet 16 run. That being said, I like that Ray Brown went into the coaches office and said he wanted to start working next year right away. Good for him. I expect to see much more of him next year, and he will have plenty of chances with Tony graduating.