Here’s what I would say after watching both games live in Brooklyn…
They are far from the most talented team we’ve had, but it’s probably been Floyd/Larry years since we’ve had a team play this hard.
Memphis has at least 2 future lottery picks on their team and you could tell from the first possession no one on our team gave a $hit. Our defensive intensity is off the charts and more impressive in person than I expected. there was absolutely zero intimidation. If anything, we were totally in their head and they had no idea what hit them.
Gabe forced Bates to over dribble, take pull up fade always from deep, and had him totally gassed within minutes. Brockington was not playing well tonight after a career game Wednesday, but is as tough a player as we’ve had in a long time. Kunc is getting blocks and rebounds over a top 5 pick despite the fact he’s probably giving up 50 pounds. Tyrese got a little flustered tonight with the press, but literally no one on the team hung their head or fussed about it. He does some things you expect from a true freshman, but is fearless and has elite athleticism.
You can tell no one needs or wants to be the hero. Seems like very little ego on this team. Only thing that makes me sad is to think what could have been if guys like Foster, Hinson, Coleman Lands, and Bolton didn’t completely give up if the program. But maybe that’s what makes this team what it is.
If Gabe shoots like he has been up to this point it’s a tight game tonight, but I still think we would have won because of defense, rebounding, ball movement, and effort. Which is what’s been missing for years. Truth be told we could have won by 30 tonight.
Gabe stole the show with his stat line, but was most impressed by Kunc to be honest given the talent he was matched up against.
I’m not sure if I’m “all in” in terms of them having a really high ceiling, but if they continue to play like this there isn’t a game they’ll be completely out of.
It’s been a different guy each of the last few nights. Kunc goes off, Brickington goes off, now Gabe. TJ is getting more ROI from the talent level than any coach/team of ours I’ve seen in a long time.
I just hope we don’t get ranked and it goes to their head. They’ve got plenty of confidence right now and don’t want them to lose the chip on their shoulder.