Bear Down Wildcats

if Jaime Juaquez doesn't play we will beat them handily. Tyger is huge but Juaquez may be equally huge.

Bordercat wrote: Thu Feb 03, 2022 5:17 am if Jaime Juaquez doesn't play we will beat them handily. Tyger is huge but Juaquez may be equally huge.

Is Juzang definitely playing?

g32knights wrote: Thu Feb 03, 2022 6:29 am

Bordercat wrote: Thu Feb 03, 2022 5:17 am if Jaime Juaquez doesn't play we will beat them handily. Tyger is huge but Juaquez may be equally huge.

Is Juzang definitely playing?

Hansen reported that UCLA confirmed he is cleared.

g32knights wrote: Thu Feb 03, 2022 6:29 am

Bordercat wrote: Thu Feb 03, 2022 5:17 am if Jaime Juaquez doesn't play we will beat them handily. Tyger is huge but Juaquez may be equally huge.

Is Juzang definitely playing?

Of course he is. We've seen this play before.

UCLA will have everyone suiting up... Including Reggie Miller and Lew Alcindor

Don't forget Bryce Alford!

Shoot 50% and win.

Olsondogg wrote: Thu Feb 03, 2022 8:00 am Shoot 50% and win.

I'm hoping for 45%!

MrBug708 wrote: Thu Feb 03, 2022 7:23 am Don't forget Bryce Alford!

If Lorenzo Mata suits up he has to wear a mask for all of our safety.

Chicat wrote: Thu Feb 03, 2022 8:20 am

MrBug708 wrote: Thu Feb 03, 2022 7:23 am Don't forget Bryce Alford!

If Lorenzo Mata suits up he has to wear a mask for all of our safety.

Same goes for Welsh. Dude looks like Ichabod Crane.

Chicat wrote: Thu Feb 03, 2022 8:20 am

MrBug708 wrote: Thu Feb 03, 2022 7:23 am Don't forget Bryce Alford!

If Lorenzo Mata suits up he has to wear a mask for all of our safety.

Bug, as a UCLA fan, can you explain what's up with those earlobes?

Bordercat wrote: Thu Feb 03, 2022 5:17 am if Jaime Juaquez doesn't play we will beat them handily. Tyger is huge but Juaquez may be equally huge.

Jamie is the player I fear the most from the Bruins. He has a excellent midrange game and he has the size to bring it inside. I would bet he is one of the strongest Bruins also. If you are to have a chance to win you must control him.

Local radio in L.A. is reporting Jaquez is playing. It's better. You wanna play (and hopefully beat) them at full strength.

TheCat wrote: Thu Feb 03, 2022 12:16 pm

Bordercat wrote: Thu Feb 03, 2022 5:17 am if Jaime Juaquez doesn't play we will beat them handily. Tyger is huge but Juaquez may be equally huge.

Jamie is the player I fear the most from the Bruins. He has a excellent midrange game and he has the size to bring it inside. I would bet he is one of the strongest Bruins also. If you are to have a chance to win you must control him.

Totally agree.

And yeah I'd rather beat them with him. Hope he plays I guess. But if he doesn't play we win easily. What happened to him anyway?

Bordercat wrote: Thu Feb 03, 2022 2:59 pm

TheCat wrote: Thu Feb 03, 2022 12:16 pm

Bordercat wrote: Thu Feb 03, 2022 5:17 am if Jaime Juaquez doesn't play we will beat them handily. Tyger is huge but Juaquez may be equally huge.

Jamie is the player I fear the most from the Bruins. He has a excellent midrange game and he has the size to bring it inside. I would bet he is one of the strongest Bruins also. If you are to have a chance to win you must control him.

Totally agree.

And yeah I'd rather beat them with him. Hope he plays I guess. But if he doesn't play we win easily. What happened to him anyway?

He sprained his covid.

Bordercat wrote: Thu Feb 03, 2022 2:59 pm

TheCat wrote: Thu Feb 03, 2022 12:16 pm

Bordercat wrote: Thu Feb 03, 2022 5:17 am if Jaime Juaquez doesn't play we will beat them handily. Tyger is huge but Juaquez may be equally huge.

Jamie is the player I fear the most from the Bruins. He has a excellent midrange game and he has the size to bring it inside. I would bet he is one of the strongest Bruins also. If you are to have a chance to win you must control him.

Totally agree.

And yeah I'd rather beat them with him. Hope he plays I guess. But if he doesn't play we win easily. What happened to him anyway?

He plays very hard and gets a little beat up. Rolled his ankle.

Holmgren does not remind me of Karl Malone at all!

U.P. Zona Fan wrote: Thu Feb 03, 2022 5:08 pm Holmgren does not remind me of Karl Malone at all!

Holmgren is fool's gold at the next level, imo. I would not use a high lotto pick on him. Gimme Banchero or Smith ffs.

Kerr
Larrson
Terry
Ballo
Koloko

On the floor in the final 5ish minutes vs UCLA is interesting.

Dalen Terry MVP of the game!!!!!

Observations:
- Good to see we have the mental toughness to hit back after the game got within three.
- UCLA has very good defense. Their pressure on the handoffs really made it hard to run our offense.
- 9 blocks is nothing to scoff at, very impressive.
- The offensive glass really kept UCLA in the game and gave them life in the second half.
- Terry played maybe his best game all season.
- When Ballo plays within the game, he is great out there.
- Tubelis played solid, but his lateral movement is not there (probably the ankle).
- As a team we do not have anyone that can create their own shot. That puts a lot of pressure on us to execute our offense. But we seem to manage alright thus far.

We need this Dalen Terry in March

RondaeShimmy wrote: Thu Feb 03, 2022 8:07 pm Kerr
Larrson
Terry
Ballo
Koloko

On the floor in the final 5ish minutes vs UCLA is interesting.

Dalen Terry MVP of the game!!!!!

Benn and Zu need to give more effort on D. Maybe they get the clue here.

Beachcat97 wrote: Thu Feb 03, 2022 5:20 pm

U.P. Zona Fan wrote: Thu Feb 03, 2022 5:08 pm Holmgren does not remind me of Karl Malone at all!

Holmgren is fool's gold at the next level, imo. I would not use a high lotto pick on him. Gimme Banchero or Smith ffs.

Shawn Bradley?

I am not crazy about Kerr taking 10 threes. What happened to the nice little foul line floater he brought out for one game and we haven't seen since?

jsbowl16 wrote: Thu Feb 03, 2022 9:24 pm I am not crazy about Kerr taking 10 threes. What happened to the nice little foul line floater he brought out for one game and we haven't seen since?

He shot one tonight (first half I think) and he missed it.

He made his first floater, it was in the paint but looked nice.

if Koloko and Ballo can guard any position on the floor Arizona becomes a completely different team.

that length and defensive versatility on display tonight was unreal...overwhelmed UCLA.

wow

Guys, as far as I’m concerned, sky is the limit this season. That’s a very good team we just beat, and they had the advantage of nearly a full week’s rest, which we didn’t have in the loss at Pauley.

If our turnovers ever improve and we start hitting FTs, this team can absolutely make the FF. And I say that really regardless of what happens the rest of the way. If we can beat a top 5 team in February, no reason we can’t catch a little magic in March and go on a run.

BTFD!

Oh, and Etienne is a POS. I hope Micro Mic kicks him off the team.

97cats wrote: Thu Feb 03, 2022 10:24 pm if Koloko and Ballo can guard any position on the floor Arizona becomes a completely different team.

that length and defensive versatility on display tonight was unreal...overwhelmed UCLA.

wow

Ballo blocking threes on the perimeter was amazing. The finger wag after stuffing Juzang was delicious.

Thought it was genious to put Koloko on Juaquez.

9-1 blocks. Eat that shit UCLA. Nobody is talking about that stat. We are the more physically imposing team. As these youngsters learn how to play in big moments we negate UCLA's experience factor and are a better team than UCLA.

After watching both games I think both teams are elite and each game could go either way. UCLA is talented and experienced. You are going to have to bring your A game to beat them as they don't beat themselves.

They won at home. We won at home. Next game, possibly, will be on a neutral site - should be interesting.

97cats wrote: Thu Feb 03, 2022 10:24 pm if Koloko and Ballo can guard any position on the floor Arizona becomes a completely different team.

that length and defensive versatility on display tonight was unreal...overwhelmed UCLA.

wow

Ballo is something else. I've loved his game since game 1, but I didn't see how his defense would translate to playing against elite offenses. Now I see it. I don't understand it, but I see it. So, I suggest we call him "Buddha". Why Buddha? Why not?

Ballo is awesome, so much fun to watch.

CTL obviously knew more than us about Ballo. Some people were not very high on him in the beginning if my my memory serves me right.

Love watching him play.

EastCoastCat wrote: Fri Feb 04, 2022 8:06 am CTL obviously knew more than us about Ballo. Some people were not very high on him in the beginning if my my memory serves me right.

Love watching him play.

I was not super positive on Ballo. I'll offer my thoughts having seen him get more PT. For what it's worth, I never have been negative about him on a personal level or even really as a player. I always thought the issue was more fit for him as opposed to just not being a rotational player.

The good:

He's shown more ability to play more minutes and minutes alongside Koloko without reducing our defensive effectiveness. This matters because it gives positional flexibility we need with him being our only big on the bench. We had 6 of 8 rotation players between an 84 and 94 Drtg last night, and Ballo was in that group. That's a positive, that he's keeping the D where it otherwise would be. It's also better than the first game vs UCLA, where he had the second worst Drtg on the team (although in fairness to him, not too many people stood out in that game). I wouldn't say he's standing out on D, but he's more solid, especially alongside Koloko, than I'd thought he would be.

Minutes don't seem to be affecting his productivity. I'd wondered at the beginning when he was getting less rotation time whether he'd sustain productivity into the rotation or whether he was gorging himself on garbage time. By and large, his production has sustained relatively consistently into more rotation minutes, which is a positive.

The bad:

Other than shotblocking, not much stands out to me. Every other one of his metrics is decent but not much above average. The shotblocking...this is eye test, but I also don't think he affects shots like Koloko does. I think he gets some blocks because teams challenge him more than Koloko. To be fair, he does well in understanding his role and staying within it. He gets that he's not out there to be more than a finisher on offense and handles that.

The unknown:

So he had a RS year. Usually I'd say by midway through year 3 in college, if a guy isn't a starter, he isn't gonna be. Ballo is only 19 though. I hedge more than I would with someone who was older.

What's his role long term in the program? Like I said, I'm not trying to rip him. I think I've always said I can see him as a backup for Koloko and he's recently shown ability to play alongside him without cutting down our overall efficiency. I tend to like him more in that limited role long term as I struggle to see the aspects of his game that make you want him to get 30 mpg. I just worry he winds up like PJC, in that he looks worse not because he's not a decent player, but because he gets pushed into a needed role that's beyond his skills.

I'm not trying to be a buzzkill after a big win, just flesh out my thoughts on Ballo since I have been critical of adding him in the past. Hopefully it's also clear I don't dislike the kid and I hope he succeeds here. It would be awful of me to root against him just to justify some of my opinions.

EastCoastCat wrote: Fri Feb 04, 2022 8:06 am CTL obviously knew more than us about Ballo. Some people were not very high on him in the beginning if my my memory serves me right.

Love watching him play.

He was supposedly "raw." But since game 1, he's been one well-roasted head of broccoli. He has an extremely high basketball IQ.

He has full command of what his body can do in space and time even while space and time warp under the speed of Division 1 basketball. Somehow, he's always in the same position relative to the fluid dynamism of everything changing around him, like a firmly rooted tree, and then a pelican impossibly suspended in mid-air with wings that blot out the sun.

Longhorned wrote: Fri Feb 04, 2022 9:18 am

EastCoastCat wrote: Fri Feb 04, 2022 8:06 am CTL obviously knew more than us about Ballo. Some people were not very high on him in the beginning if my my memory serves me right.

Love watching him play.

He has full command of what his body can do in space and time even while space and time warp under the speed of Division 1 basketball. Somehow, he's always in the same position relative to the fluid dynamism of everything changing around him, like a firmly rooted tree, and then a pelican impossibly suspended in mid-air with wings that blot out the sun.

You my friend remind me of the Winston Churchill line "a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma."

A healthy Tubelis is key for a deep run.

Longhorned wrote: Fri Feb 04, 2022 9:18 am

EastCoastCat wrote: Fri Feb 04, 2022 8:06 am CTL obviously knew more than us about Ballo. Some people were not very high on him in the beginning if my my memory serves me right.

Love watching him play.

He was supposedly "raw." But since game 1, he's been one well-roasted head of broccoli. He has an extremely high basketball IQ.

He has full command of what his body can do in space and time even while space and time warp under the speed of Division 1 basketball. Somehow, he's always in the same position relative to the fluid dynamism of everything changing around him, like a firmly rooted tree, and then a pelican impossibly suspended in mid-air with wings that blot out the sun.

I feel honored Bill Walton posts here.

Olsondogg wrote: Fri Feb 04, 2022 9:33 am A healthy Tubelis is key for a deep run.

Couldn’t agree more. The low post action he brings makes our offense significantly better. With him and CK on the low block, Benn getting dribble drive penetration, and our other guards swarming the perimeter hitting an occasional three, we’re one of the best offenses in the country.

Kier and Larsson have been huge.

Spaceman Spiff wrote: Fri Feb 04, 2022 9:14 am

EastCoastCat wrote: Fri Feb 04, 2022 8:06 am CTL obviously knew more than us about Ballo. Some people were not very high on him in the beginning if my my memory serves me right.

Love watching him play.

I was not super positive on Ballo. I'll offer my thoughts having seen him get more PT. For what it's worth, I never have been negative about him on a personal level or even really as a player. I always thought the issue was more fit for him as opposed to just not being a rotational player.

The good:

He's shown more ability to play more minutes and minutes alongside Koloko without reducing our defensive effectiveness. This matters because it gives positional flexibility we need with him being our only big on the bench. We had 6 of 8 rotation players between an 84 and 94 Drtg last night, and Ballo was in that group. That's a positive, that he's keeping the D where it otherwise would be. It's also better than the first game vs UCLA, where he had the second worst Drtg on the team (although in fairness to him, not too many people stood out in that game). I wouldn't say he's standing out on D, but he's more solid, especially alongside Koloko, than I'd thought he would be.

Minutes don't seem to be affecting his productivity. I'd wondered at the beginning when he was getting less rotation time whether he'd sustain productivity into the rotation or whether he was gorging himself on garbage time. By and large, his production has sustained relatively consistently into more rotation minutes, which is a positive.

The bad:

Other than shotblocking, not much stands out to me. Every other one of his metrics is decent but not much above average. The shotblocking...this is eye test, but I also don't think he affects shots like Koloko does. I think he gets some blocks because teams challenge him more than Koloko. To be fair, he does well in understanding his role and staying within it. He gets that he's not out there to be more than a finisher on offense and handles that.

The unknown:

So he had a RS year. Usually I'd say by midway through year 3 in college, if a guy isn't a starter, he isn't gonna be. Ballo is only 19 though. I hedge more than I would with someone who was older.

What's his role long term in the program? Like I said, I'm not trying to rip him. I think I've always said I can see him as a backup for Koloko and he's recently shown ability to play alongside him without cutting down our overall efficiency. I tend to like him more in that limited role long term as I struggle to see the aspects of his game that make you want him to get 30 mpg. I just worry he winds up like PJC, in that he looks worse not because he's not a decent player, but because he gets pushed into a needed role that's beyond his skills.

I'm not trying to be a buzzkill after a big win, just flesh out my thoughts on Ballo since I have been critical of adding him in the past. Hopefully it's also clear I don't dislike the kid and I hope he succeeds here. It would be awful of me to root against him just to justify some of my opinions.

See, I think you are missing a number of key good points considering he is only averaging 15 minutes a game and people thought he was more of a project:

- he averages 7.4 pts/4.6 rebounds a game coming off the bench
- besides C-Lo who is a block machine, he has the most blocks on the team averaging a little more than 1 a game
- he doesn't turn the ball over. Just 17 in 20 games.
- he doesn't take many poor shots and shoots 64% from the field
- he shoots 68% from the line. Not great but much better than anyone expects from a guy without a faceup shot. Btw, his % is better that AT's and the team shoots just 73%.
- He's an aircraft carrier in the lane on D which helps to bottle up driving lanes
- He's all business; no theatrics or huge hi/lo stretches
- He loves his teammates and the feeling appears to be mutual

Spaceman Spiff wrote: Fri Feb 04, 2022 9:14 am

EastCoastCat wrote: Fri Feb 04, 2022 8:06 am CTL obviously knew more than us about Ballo. Some people were not very high on him in the beginning if my my memory serves me right.

Love watching him play.

I was not super positive on Ballo. I'll offer my thoughts having seen him get more PT. For what it's worth, I never have been negative about him on a personal level or even really as a player. I always thought the issue was more fit for him as opposed to just not being a rotational player.

The good:

He's shown more ability to play more minutes and minutes alongside Koloko without reducing our defensive effectiveness. This matters because it gives positional flexibility we need with him being our only big on the bench. We had 6 of 8 rotation players between an 84 and 94 Drtg last night, and Ballo was in that group. That's a positive, that he's keeping the D where it otherwise would be. It's also better than the first game vs UCLA, where he had the second worst Drtg on the team (although in fairness to him, not too many people stood out in that game). I wouldn't say he's standing out on D, but he's more solid, especially alongside Koloko, than I'd thought he would be.

Minutes don't seem to be affecting his productivity. I'd wondered at the beginning when he was getting less rotation time whether he'd sustain productivity into the rotation or whether he was gorging himself on garbage time. By and large, his production has sustained relatively consistently into more rotation minutes, which is a positive.

The bad:

Other than shotblocking, not much stands out to me. Every other one of his metrics is decent but not much above average. The shotblocking...this is eye test, but I also don't think he affects shots like Koloko does. I think he gets some blocks because teams challenge him more than Koloko. To be fair, he does well in understanding his role and staying within it. He gets that he's not out there to be more than a finisher on offense and handles that.

The unknown:

So he had a RS year. Usually I'd say by midway through year 3 in college, if a guy isn't a starter, he isn't gonna be. Ballo is only 19 though. I hedge more than I would with someone who was older.

What's his role long term in the program? Like I said, I'm not trying to rip him. I think I've always said I can see him as a backup for Koloko and he's recently shown ability to play alongside him without cutting down our overall efficiency. I tend to like him more in that limited role long term as I struggle to see the aspects of his game that make you want him to get 30 mpg. I just worry he winds up like PJC, in that he looks worse not because he's not a decent player, but because he gets pushed into a needed role that's beyond his skills.

I'm not trying to be a buzzkill after a big win, just flesh out my thoughts on Ballo since I have been critical of adding him in the past. Hopefully it's also clear I don't dislike the kid and I hope he succeeds here. It would be awful of me to root against him just to justify some of my opinions.

I will admit I was much more critical of Ballo then most of the people on this board. I just didn't see him developing here after watching him after he chose the Zags over us. His level of play there left much to be desired. I thought we had dodged a bullet, but after watching his development over the last couple of months, I think he could be very solid piece in the future. I will give credit where credit is due, CTL has done a bang up job of getting him up to speed and making sure that he plays within himself.

The PJC situation always bugs me, because I really liked him as a player and person, but felt that his recruitment went the wrong direction (through overpromising) and it hurt the program in the process. A blue blood should never be hamstrung by the demands of a player and his camp, a problem I don't see recurring in the future with CTL. That being said I had a few takeaways from our performances:

I love the passion that the players have, but would rather they reserve it for the defensive end, i.e. 50/50 balls, steals, DRB, and closeouts. They have the ability to make teams uncomfortable offensively and I would really like to see them getting more focused on cleaning up turnovers and becoming stronger and more focused on the defensive side.

I love Kriisa's passion but feel he needs to channel it better. He reminds me of Christian Laettner in some ways. When a player has the gift of getting under other player's skins, it can work for him or against. Coach K always said that Laettner was one of the most misunderstood players in basketball. His passion is like fire, if used correctly it can heat up the entire house, if used incorrectly it can burn the house down. This is effectively Kriisa's first year, but I feel he needs to make strides in his maturity because all of the tools are there for him to be an exceptional player.

Tubelis is a huge question mark for me. I see Tubelis differently than most guys on this board. I looked at Tubelis long before he committed here and feel he has levels to his game that are absolutely frightening if he ever tapped into it. For his size, the way he covers space, his agility and explosion and his touch around the basket are phenomenal. I was super stoked when he committed here, because he has skills and athleticism that I don't see in most Euros. He plays more timid here. When I see him play FIBA it's almost like a different person. And for the pure basketball junkies, his body composition seems to change when he gets here. When he's back home he seems more lithe, quicker, engaged. He appears spacey on the court from time to time, something that I never saw when he played back home.
I don't like Tubelis getting too big, because I think it takes away from his game. In any event, I hope he has his David Banner/Hulk moment before he gets drafted, because I think fans would really enjoy it. Lastly, I think he needs to tighten up his handle (actually him and Kier) because stronger, talented teams will exploit it in the near future if not addressed.

Mathurin has been great but seems to have lost a little zip on the offensive side, it could be midseason fatigue, hopefully he re centers and is able to get back to the Mathurin we've watched over the last two years. Btw, that block against Jules was awesome. Loved the way that he went vertical and blocked him without losing balance. One of the best blocks I've ever seen.

Lastly, I really like what CTL has done adjustment wise. As long as the team pays the bills with defense and never forgets that, I think our prospects in the tourney look bright.

When do we start looking like the 8th best team in the conference, Mr. Pascoe? Mr. Wilbon? Anyone?

EastCoastCat wrote: Fri Feb 04, 2022 9:48 am See, I think you are missing a number of key good points considering he is only averaging 15 minutes a game and people thought he was more of a project:

- he averages 7.4 pts/4.6 rebounds a game coming off the bench
- besides C-Lo who is a block machine, he has the most blocks on the team averaging a little more than 1 a game
- he doesn't turn the ball over. Just 17 in 20 games.
- he doesn't take many poor shots and shoots 64% from the field
- he shoots 68% from the line. Not great but much better than anyone expects from a guy without a faceup shot. Btw, his % is better that AT's and the team shoots just 73%.
- He's an aircraft carrier in the lane on D which helps to bottle up driving lanes
- He's all business; no theatrics or huge hi/lo stretches
- He loves his teammates and the feeling appears to be mutual

I'm gonna disagree a bit. First, I did not the shotblocking both in my good and bad sections as the skill of his that stands out the most.

I'd argue your offensive stats are contained in my comment that he has a limited offensive game but plays within those limits. He has 17 to's but only 11 assists. It's because he doesn't try to create and doesn't get offense run through him. He gets the ball for dunks and latups, but to his credit, he understands that and does not try to do too much. He knows why he's out there and sticks to it.

On the more intangible qualities, I never really profess to know much on those. Again, no disrespect for Ballo.

IMNSHO, I think it's great to be watching players develop over multiple years, again! I enjoy that immensely more than watching some guy come, and then leave, just as I'm getting to know him...

RawleArenas wrote: Fri Feb 04, 2022 9:54 am Lastly, I really like what CTL has done adjustment wise. As long as the team pays the bills with defense and never forgets that, I think our prospects in the tourney look bright.

It's a credit to Lloyd for developing the team and also Miller for laying a solid basis on D. This team is 5th in the nation in AdjD and it's the factor that has stood out most consistently.

People talk about offense a lot, but that's not why we are where we are. The 5th defensively in Kenpom is reminiscent of Miller's 13-14 and 14-15 teams and that's why the wins and losses are reminiscent of those teams too.

Longhorned wrote: Fri Feb 04, 2022 9:18 am CTL obviously knew more than us about Ballo. Some people were not very high on him in the beginning if my my memory serves me right.

I have more confidence in Ballo making FTs than Tubelis. Figure that out.

EastCoastCat wrote: Fri Feb 04, 2022 8:06 am Sometimes I crouch down and then spring upward and hurl my body through the tight space between two women waiting in the bathroom line at sporting events, then prance toward the concessions stand screaming, "They keep the mustard under the TV screen like I do at home!"

Try a laxative.

Spaceman Spiff wrote: Fri Feb 04, 2022 10:06 am

EastCoastCat wrote: Fri Feb 04, 2022 9:48 am See, I think you are missing a number of key good points considering he is only averaging 15 minutes a game and people thought he was more of a project:

- he averages 7.4 pts/4.6 rebounds a game coming off the bench
- besides C-Lo who is a block machine, he has the most blocks on the team averaging a little more than 1 a game
- he doesn't turn the ball over. Just 17 in 20 games.
- he doesn't take many poor shots and shoots 64% from the field
- he shoots 68% from the line. Not great but much better than anyone expects from a guy without a faceup shot. Btw, his % is better that AT's and the team shoots just 73%.
- He's an aircraft carrier in the lane on D which helps to bottle up driving lanes
- He's all business; no theatrics or huge hi/lo stretches
- He loves his teammates and the feeling appears to be mutual

I'm gonna disagree a bit. First, I did not the shotblocking both in my good and bad sections as the skill of his that stands out the most.

I'd argue your offensive stats are contained in my comment that he has a limited offensive game but plays within those limits. He has 17 to's but only 11 assists. It's because he doesn't try to create and doesn't get offense run through him. He gets the ball for dunks and latups, but to his credit, he understands that and does not try to do too much. He knows why he's out there and sticks to it.

On the more intangible qualities, I never really profess to know much on those. Again, no disrespect for Ballo.

Yes, he has only 11 assists but C-Lo has only 24 and he has played 200 more minutes. He is never going to be a Bill Walton type center but I'd rather he not turn the ball over by forcing a pass or taking a bad shot when he does get the ball. That's the point I was trying to make.

Oh, and I'm sure CTL understands intangibles a little.

EastCoastCat wrote: Fri Feb 04, 2022 10:51 am

Spaceman Spiff wrote: Fri Feb 04, 2022 10:06 am

EastCoastCat wrote: Fri Feb 04, 2022 9:48 am See, I think you are missing a number of key good points considering he is only averaging 15 minutes a game and people thought he was more of a project:

- he averages 7.4 pts/4.6 rebounds a game coming off the bench
- besides C-Lo who is a block machine, he has the most blocks on the team averaging a little more than 1 a game
- he doesn't turn the ball over. Just 17 in 20 games.
- he doesn't take many poor shots and shoots 64% from the field
- he shoots 68% from the line. Not great but much better than anyone expects from a guy without a faceup shot. Btw, his % is better that AT's and the team shoots just 73%.
- He's an aircraft carrier in the lane on D which helps to bottle up driving lanes
- He's all business; no theatrics or huge hi/lo stretches
- He loves his teammates and the feeling appears to be mutual

I'm gonna disagree a bit. First, I did not the shotblocking both in my good and bad sections as the skill of his that stands out the most.

I'd argue your offensive stats are contained in my comment that he has a limited offensive game but plays within those limits. He has 17 to's but only 11 assists. It's because he doesn't try to create and doesn't get offense run through him. He gets the ball for dunks and latups, but to his credit, he understands that and does not try to do too much. He knows why he's out there and sticks to it.

On the more intangible qualities, I never really profess to know much on those. Again, no disrespect for Ballo.

Yes, he has only 11 assists but C-Lo has only 24 and he has played 200 more minutes. He is never going to be a Bill Walton type center but I'd rather he not turn the ball over by forcing a pass or taking a bad shot when he does get the ball. That's the point I was trying to make.

Oh, and I'm sure CTL understands intangibles a little.

You think Tommy Lloyd has anything on my internet knowledge? I have like 10 years on this board and he's a first year HC.

I agree Ballo and Koloko have done well understanding their offensive roles and fitting within them.