A Tale of Two Teams...

[Anthony Parker is my Hero]

They need to find the equivelant of the alley-oop dunk to start the game that they used last year. I'm not saying it has to be that play, but it often worked and really energized the team from the get-go.

Wilson would be a prime recipient of that in my opinion.

[TheHeemyMonster]

While the general public can judge a player based on 15-30 minutes played in a game, let us not forget that the coaches get to judge each player based on 10-12 hours of practice each week. If DC could clearly contribute more on both sides of the floor than MS at this time then he would be getting the minutes. Why would JL sit out his best chance to win the basketball game if he is, as you say?

appearently JJ dominated on the offensive end in practice last year. Did he do anything offensively at gametime? No. I am glad that Sally dominates in practices and appearently looked like Randal Faulker in practice as reported by some people but he hasnt shown it on the floor and thats where it matters

[basketball nut]

Heemy, you need to watch the game a lot closer. It was just a couple games ago that Jc threw at least 2 passes and I really think it was more like 3 or 4 to DC that were 10 feet past him before he even realized that the ball had been thrown to him. I saw JC throw oneof his patened no-look passes that was literally out of bounds before DC even moved his hands to try to catch the ball, that is how far behind DC is this year compared to ZA last year. That is the reason I will continue to say that DC is going to be OK when he realizes how good he can be and starts to wake up when in the game. He often has the ball taken out of his hands and doesn't go strong enough to the hoop and gets stripped by guys that are 6" shorter then he is.
I realize that he is your favorite player but lets get realistic, JL isn't going to play anyone at the end of the game except the best players he feels that he is most comfortable with.

[ph]

They need to find the equivelant of the alley-oop dunk to start the game that they used last year. I'm not saying it has to be that play, but it often worked and really energized the team from the get-go.

Wilson would be a prime recipient of that in my opinion.

Exactly. This team needs a dunk to start the game. Not because a dunk looks cool. Not because a dunk demoralizes the other team. It is because usually 90+ % of dunks go through the rim. You rarely hear of a cap on the rim when a team regularly dunks.

I was encouraged that TW did take the first few shots of the game on what sounded to be somewhat near the rim last night, but they need to be dunks, they need to be makes.

Teams can currently start strong on D vs BU because Salley is not an O option. Bring in Singh if he is good on a pick and roll and start the game that way. Or have TW dunk to start the game, something, anything to get the ball through the rim.

[ser_solace]

Yeah, I was thinking something similar about the alley-oop play we did last year for Zach. We don't seem to have that this season. I'm not saying that's the only reason we start slow, but maybe we need something to kick-start the offense like that. A guaranteed play to get the players in the flow of things.

Maybe Salley needs something like that. Don't think he can do the alley-oop like Zach, but something to get him started.

Regarding David Collins and his minutes, I agree with some of the previous posters that said if he's not doing it enough in practice then he won't get the minutes. What kind of precedent would Coach Les set if he's giving more PT to Collins despite a so-so performance in practice relative to Salley or some of the other players? I don't think that would be best for the team or Collins. If he wants minutes, let him EARN it.

I don't think there's some secret agenda here about DC not getting enough minutes. Coach Les would probably play him more if he's confident DC can do it and is satisfied with the performance in practice. A 7 ft. true center helped Coach Les get to the Sweet Sixteen. I don't think he's forgotten that fact.

[mexicobufan]

Basketball nut wrote.....I must be watching a different player then some of you are. I see the "above" DC but I also see the DC that has caused both DR & JC to increase their turnovers by about 2 or 3 a game each. He has no hands and is out of position defensively about as much as he is in the right position. I watched everything you stated but at the same time I also saw 2 or 3 baskets scored that he should have altered or even blocked the shots but was way out of position. Egolf, on the other hand, would be a great fit in the middle w/ his jumping ability but he also plays out of position defensively a lot. They are both getting a lot better and will see more time as the season goes along but until they can stay home on the defensive end and DC can start to catch the passes that come his way the are both playing about the right amount of minutes.......

We must be watching different games. I watched DC last night off the ball the entire time he was in and I still see a guy that needs more minutes. I know the box score doesnt show everything but it was pretty impressive as well.

What did you see last night Basketball Nut?

[Big Mike]

By my count....DC had 14 pts in 15 minutes? I'll take that any day....and on the turnovers...some of the passes to a 7 footer need to be above his ankles!

[jasonpeoria911]

I'll agree that DC looked a little lost on the D last night a few times and that may lead to later foul trouble if he keeps it up. However for now, he's doing just fine. Ruff and gang are getting better at dumping the ball inside to him and from there, it's all the hook shot baby. Shooting freakin 70% for the season, thats unbelievable. Has only gone 2 games where he's missed 2 shots. Not to mention the great FT shooting. He'll be a great asset to rely on when the threes aren't falling or we need to open up some space. If he can work on his D a little better, Les might be able to work him into NBA material next season.

Jason