I don't think that Rahshon has received enough credit this year for his outstanding transition from an athlete playing freelance defense in WM's zone concept to the man-to-man defensive stopper he has become. Despite his offensive struggles, he has continued to work hard and hustle on the defensive end resulting in consistently holding the other team's primary offensive threats to less than their average. Since I have to believe he has been frustrated by his own shooting woes, his continued commitment and leadership deserves recognition and I hope that he receives credit for those efforts with a 1st team All B-12 Defense selection.
Rahshon's D = Impressive
- Thread starter klerme
- Start date
I love Clark. His attitude has been great and he's always giving 100%.
I will say though - in a couple games - I've wondered if Ceaser has done a little better job on the defensive end.
I will say though - in a couple games - I've wondered if Ceaser has done a little better job on the defensive end.
I agree that Ceasar has also been excellent at times on the defensive end. The difference is that when Rahshon is playing D, he is also trying to provide help to teammates off of screens and then hustling back to his assignment whereas Ceasar is essentially being told to commit only to the player he is on and not worry about anything else. I think that is reflected in the overall stats where Rahshon is among the team leaders in blocks, steals and rebounds.
Perfectly said. Ceasar has quicker feet (in my opinion) than Clark does, so he is to come in and shadow usually the biggest scoring threat. GMac essentially tells Ceasar to come in and stay in front of his man and keep a hand up at all times. Rahshon has a little more size (hard to imagine
) than Ceasar so Clark is usually put on the 3-position type player because he's still quick and has amazingly long arms and timing. Both have been huge on the defensive end and they are fun to watch. One last point, I like watching Ceasar play D because he always has one arm out and the other right by the guy he's guarding. He rarely gets caught under screens and is always running 100%....he's fun to watch.
Good points by both of ya.
Crazy to think we'd be saying this, yet I wish we had one more year of Ceaser.
Crazy to think we'd be saying this, yet I wish we had one more year of Ceaser.
Doubtful, then again - you just never know.
If someone said Ceaser would be a hidden "gem" this year - I would have also responded with "doubtful".
I would like to see Rahshon more assertive on offense and stop playing scared on that end all together. This guy plays like a walk-on offensively(minus the occasional ridiculous highlight dunks), like he didn't average double figures just 1 season ago. I realize he's putting a lot of focus on defense and he's been effective there, but we need him on offense too.
I have not been a fan of Brock but I think that late three he hit could do wonders for his head. I wouldn't cry if he gets put in the lineup for a couple minutes tomorrow.
I have not been a fan of Brock but I think that late three he hit could do wonders for his head. I wouldn't cry if he gets put in the lineup for a couple minutes tomorrow.
He's playing the same as he's always played offensively, except this year he doesn't have two guys that can create easy layups/dunks on fast breaks for others. He also isn't shooting very well from 3 land. His points last year NEVER came from creating them himself, it's the reason he isn't scoring much this year.
Excellent point. A pair of good guards made a lot of guys on our team look better than they really were. I do think Clark is much better offensively than what he's shown us this year.
Just think what could've been last year with some discipline on the court and a big man or two.
Just think what could've been last year with some discipline on the court and a big man or two.
No doubt Blalock was probably responsible for 7-9 of his points per game last year but he did occasionally create his own points. I remember last year in the game at Oklahoma he got called for the offensive foul late (he hooked the guy) taking it to the rim. I can't think of one time he has attempted to do that all year. You would "think" as athletic as he is and at his size he could create some stuff once in awhile. Maybe not, but I would think he could. And he turns down open shots, I don't understand why. Last year he fired up too many three pointers IMO and now this year he's going Jacy Holliway on us. Last year he took 285 shots(30 gms), to just 178(in 28 gms)this year. Hope he keeps bustin his butt on defense.
I agree that he's not a great shooter.
Although, he did shoot well from 3-point land in his first 2 years.
'04/'05 - 40.4% (19/47)
'05/'06 - 37.2% (45/121)
Yet this year so far...
'06/'07 - 25.2% (16/63)
Is he getting rusty being he's taking fewer shots? Well, he took fewer his freshmen year and shot pretty well from behind the arc.
Is he too tired from playing defense? Well, he gives 100% on that end yet he's not playing the minutes he did last year.
So what gives?
Oh, and you're spot-on with Jiri. He's shooting just over 30% from 3-point land this season. :laugh8kb:
Yeah, I'm not sure what's up with Clark. His shot has always looked horrid to me so maybe that's why it doesn't surprise me that he's struggling this year to make outside shots. I really think his ball handling skills limit him...it'd be nice if he could fake the 3 and drive past his man to the basket once in a while.
It's really quite unfortunate. Before the season there was talk/worry this would be his last year in Ames. Now - well - I doubt he's on anyone's radar at the next level.
This season has really exposed his offensive deficiencies. He plays great defense yet we all know the NBA isn't a league based on defense.
This season has really exposed his offensive deficiencies. He plays great defense yet we all know the NBA isn't a league based on defense.
