One thing's for sure: I love having Deonte as a Cyclone. He is so incredibly entertaining.
BLUM: Deonte Burton, The Enigma
- Thread starter ChrisMWilliams
- Start date
Hah! From a realist's perspective, I know you're right. From an idealist's perspective, I hope you're wrong;-)
I just felt compelled to make that announcement (I seem to do it a couple times a basketball season) just to try to head off the onslaught. Nothing irks me more than attacking the players personally or calling out their bad plays.
As the year has gone on, I've enjoyed watching Deonte more and more. I can see his effort on the floor. And he seems to be trying to improve in areas of weakness -- he has passed the ball out to open shooters on drives more often lately, and he's been driving to his right once in a while to keep defenders honest (with an inevitable pivot back to the right shoulder/left hand finish,but still better than always driving left to start). Seeing that effort from him makes it a lot easier to not be "infuriated" when he does something that doesn't work out -- the guy is working hard out there and trying to do things that help the team win. He also handles himself well on the floor (our whole team does), not a lot of showboating, taunting, or complaining from our guys.
Certainly gives meaning to his pink shoes. As the season has gone on, he's done more and more of the little things, even when his offensive game is not going.
I've noticed the passing. Specifically, in the Kansas State game, his defender fell down and he had a wide open jumper. Instead, he shot fakes and passes to an equally wide open Matt Thomas for 3 because Matt's defender crashed the rebound.
We talk a lot about Burton's inconsistency, but hasn't he actually become much more consistent?
Also, he is getting a lot of attention because of his offense, but he also seems to make a few big plays each game on defense also, such as the blocked shot or stripped ball that seems to come out of nowhere.
Also, he is getting a lot of attention because of his offense, but he also seems to make a few big plays each game on defense also, such as the blocked shot or stripped ball that seems to come out of nowhere.
Wow. That is a great article in the ISD. Surprised there isn't more talk about it. How long has it been posted?
It has been several months. They did I think at least three of these. One was about Matt. I think maybe the other was Monte but wouldn't swear to it. I read them all at the time, but Deonte's story was the one I had not heard before. I think there was a thread here at the time, but can't remember for sure if it was specific to these articles, or just popped up in some random thread. I thought they were all exceptionally well done.
http://cyclonefanatic.com/forum/thr...ll-articles-from-the-iowa-state-daily.224407/
Found the thread, there were more than I was remembering and it has only been two months.
Found the thread, there were more than I was remembering and it has only been two months.
I decided before Vanderbilt that I was just going to put on my seatbelt and go wherever Burton goes and enjoy the ride.
