I wish I could say that I'm ready for the B12 season to begin, but from what I've seen, the team is not yet ready for B12 play (and hence, I cannot get excited for them). Of course, last season I had this same opinion at this time, and Royce completely blew my expectations out of the water in the first game. Still, there are some striking similarities between last year's team and this year's team. Similarities that are negatives, and cannot be ignored. They are:
1. Inability to shoot free throws. Last season this affliction was somewhat limited to Royce, but there were other very well respected players on the team who could be counted upon to miss key free throws during the game. I don't remember a lot of this during the Orr era, nor even during the eras of any of the coaches preceding Fred. Orr used to whine constantly how he didn't have a guard who could shoot the long ball, but they usually hit most of their free throws.
2. Inability to finish at the hoop. This was widely noted last year, and seems only slightly better this season. Still, I am dumbfounded by the lack of basketball knowledge our players exhibit when playing in traffic.
3. Selfishness with the ball. Royce and Christofferson were certainly the exceptions to this during last season. And there are players on this team who often have good assist numbers. However when in traffic, the game seem to change for most of these players. It seems that they are more interested in making the play all by themselves, rather than dishing the ball off and hopefully getting it back in a better position to make a play. Perhaps I should have titled item #3 as TRUST, as there is a lack of trust in others on most of the players in this very talented team.
Well these are my views. I hope you will post yours below; keeping in mind that constructive criticism is what will provide the most benefit for our players. I hope they are more ready for the b12 season than I believe they are.
1. Inability to shoot free throws. Last season this affliction was somewhat limited to Royce, but there were other very well respected players on the team who could be counted upon to miss key free throws during the game. I don't remember a lot of this during the Orr era, nor even during the eras of any of the coaches preceding Fred. Orr used to whine constantly how he didn't have a guard who could shoot the long ball, but they usually hit most of their free throws.
2. Inability to finish at the hoop. This was widely noted last year, and seems only slightly better this season. Still, I am dumbfounded by the lack of basketball knowledge our players exhibit when playing in traffic.
3. Selfishness with the ball. Royce and Christofferson were certainly the exceptions to this during last season. And there are players on this team who often have good assist numbers. However when in traffic, the game seem to change for most of these players. It seems that they are more interested in making the play all by themselves, rather than dishing the ball off and hopefully getting it back in a better position to make a play. Perhaps I should have titled item #3 as TRUST, as there is a lack of trust in others on most of the players in this very talented team.
Well these are my views. I hope you will post yours below; keeping in mind that constructive criticism is what will provide the most benefit for our players. I hope they are more ready for the b12 season than I believe they are.