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True but I had a lot more free time in those 17 years. Check in on the bills now and then, assume they would end up within a game of .500 and move on with your life. There was a certain freedom in that.

Not caring about what 99.99% of people think isn't a great way to live your life or run your business (or, as we're seeing, a country) so far as I can tell. And, not for nothing, the most powerful person in an organization can also be the person holding the organization back the most. See Jones...

Yeah, I think it'll be worth watching to see if it becomes a pattern. We were able to win off the dribble a bunch but made some not great decisions with the ball. We had one trip where the lob was there and we didn't throw it (JJ or Nate, can't remember which) and then a possession or two later...

Yeah, when you play Barnes/Tenn it's going to be a physical, ugly game that most of the time you're going to have to win with effort. This team scrapped from start to finish. Nice W. Let's hope it's the start of something.

Didn't get a chance to actually see the game until last night. Figured I'd put a few thoughts together as we head into Houston. Things I didn't like Rebounding is not awesome and FT shooting is atrocious. I won't say much about either as they've been covered here, but I will say playing a...

A TON of offensive rebounds allowed in particular. It’s been great overall, but something to watch for sure.

This is a good post, but I think your first open question is the key one. Agree that there are some questions about shot creation and JJ and agree that at least against a bad team the defense looked better, the pace was great and what Red decided to do rotation-wise (not my preference, but who...

Yeah, this will be the key. I think the story on his athleticism is that when you pair good (not necessarily elite) athleticism with length and high-level skill, it’s a pretty tough combination. But usually those players need some strength too. So tougher, more athletic, physical defenders...

Yeah, I’m not doubting any of that. But the way we’ve used him is basically reducing him to Bell’s role. Defensively I think he’s been engaged but I wouldn’t say he’s blown me away. But that can take time and practice with new teammates, etc. so jury is out — not trying to draw any hard and fast...

yeah, agree with this. If anything, I think Kingz is kinda eerily similar to Bell so far in terms of what he's doing other than shooting. Not much in the stat sheet and I haven't noticed his defense jumping off the screen. Far too early to say that, though, so i look forward to seeing him play...

Yeah, especially with the speed at which JJ plays. I wouldn't pretend to know how long it would be for him, but I also would think they'd be careful with it so it's not lingering all year. So hopefully it's nothing and he's back soon, but it could be something that takes some time.

Yeah, i think this is a pretty fair read based on what we've seen the past two years and so far this preseason. If we stumble onto an identity and maybe a key player or two take a big step forward in some way (maybe Donnie and White?), then things could be different. But it's why I was looking...

Yeah, this is a good observation. Typically the difference between decent teams and good teams (great teams are another story) is that ability to execute and get good looks at key moments. I don't know where we turn for that. In each of these exhibitions we've had a possession to hold for one...

Yeah, also seems like it would have been a good time to run a press just to get some practice with it if nothing else. Also likely bumps the energy level up a bit. But the intensity is really lacking and when you pair that with major questions strategically, it's hard not to feel like Red is in...

Good post. I'm with you on most of it. Coaching is a major concern at this point after two scrimmages. They're just scrimmages and we're playing a bunch of lineups ... OK, we're playing division II pace. You just have to be able to win comfortably. And, by the way, you can play a ton of lineups...

I hope this is true but I find myself wondering if JJ is just simply streaky. When he's feeling it they go in in bunches. When he's not, he can be open by a mile and it's not going in. That three he shot last night was WIDE open and he was like a foot short. Devo even said 'JJ's gotta make that...

I’m always sucker for kids with vision who move the ball. Add in the length and I’ll be optimistic to the end. I still rank guys like Andy rautins and mcw way too high on my list of best players for that very reason.

Good post. I don't quite know what the benefit of running those screens with Kyle would be in terms of teams scouting this team, but perhaps you're right. I thought one thing that frustrated me was the possession at the end of the first half. Dribbling away 24 seconds and ending up with freeman...

Don't know that I know enough about these guys to understand yet what lineups work, but I would say that when Kyle is out, that lineup is probably in a bit of flux. My guess is one game Souare might be the best option and then the next maybe it's Betsey and White with Freeman. I'd guess it'll be...

Yeah, it was an uneven performance but I really liked the vision and tempo he played with. He was a bit out of control but I'd rather have it be something where you have to get him to dial back the creativity. Is he a high-end player right now? No, but I think he has something going forward...

Fair point, and no, I didn't really look that closely. I'd still say i'm probably more concerned with how this team is playing, but a bit of a break schedule-wise certainly wouldn't hurt.

This is the point I was trying to convey. When I say 18/19 wins, I’m really only saying we’re not so loaded that we’re going to sleepwalk our way to 20+. If the chemistry and effort is there and this team is well-coached the potential to exceed 20 is there. The only thing I’m less confident of...

I’m don’t really disagree with your general point but I’m not sure I’m exactly aligned on the roster. So as for Red, we agree. I would say he has enough to win 20+ and push for the tourney. If he doesn’t get in, I think his job would be in jeopardy and it should be. I’m rooting for him but I’m...

So, we got an intro to this year's team last night and figured it might be a decent time to throw together quick preview with the larger storylines that tend to determine how the season goes. We'll all have our favorite nits to pick and players who should be playing more, etc. But this is an...

It would be nice to see one of Red’s teams do that one day.

Eh, I’d say red has a ton to prove. I’m rooting for him and this seems to be a significantly improved roster. But there needs to be an offensive identity, some cohesion on the floor, some evidence of advanced scouting/game-planning, a defense that is something other than five guys each playing a...

I wanted to respond to the original post ... even though I'm very late here. I always appreciate people willing to defend players under any circumstance because I think we, as fans/fanatics, often have outsized expectations and then hold it against the Scoop Jardines (or fill in any other player...

Those guys also played in a system that was designed to produce an effective and at times devastating team defense. That is not what we have currently. I'm not sure what we have but in two years I've only seen this team play quality team defense intermittently. Even something as simple as...

I would say Forth was a below-average shot-blocker -- short arms for a guy his size, limited mobility -- but I agree he functioned well in there not only in terms of blocks but he was a big boy who took up a lot of space, communicated well, understood the rotations and did a nice job of walling...

Yeah, we shall see. I agree that's a possibility. Really hard to make any judgments off a pretty short highlight clip. There certainly appears to be potential but it looked (from the short clips I've seen) like more of a shooter to me. Should be interesting.

I think this is an interesting debate. Agree that JJ is not selfish -- seems like a good kid who has some elite athletic traits. My primary concern, however, is does JJ do enough to be an integral part of a good/very good/elite team? I hope he blows it out in his final season (at least I think...

This is a good breakdown. I'd like to go Melo/DC/Sherm/Hughes and take my chances with a walkon. But to actually play the game, I'll take: Melo/DC/Scoop/Brissett/Hughes

Yeah, I think to do this exercise you have to draw a line somewhere around 1995 or so. You're just talking about a different era of basketball. With no line, I think you'd have to put Bing, Melo, and then basically guys from teh mid-to-late 80s -- so sherm/pearl, DC, Billy O, Rony. Maybe Hackett...

Rooting for Red but it’s been discouraging so far. I go back and forth between talent eval, defensive philosophy, and advanced scouting/game-planning as the things I’m the most concerned about. To your point — building around Chris bell, then seeing him struggle a bit and put him on the bench...

Defense is as much a systemic problem as it is an individual problem. Do we know how long that foot was bothering freeman? I was a little underwhelmed by his raw athleticism really from the jump. Just didn’t seem to get off the ground all that well. The length and skill is there, definitely...

My nephew is buddies with him at JMU. Says he’s a great kid. Rooting for him regardless. I’m sure there’s a health thing but there was definitely a confidence thing here. Hope he is able to right the ship.

Watching his team close that win with five guys working together on the defensive end was a joy to watch. Rooting for red but we need MAJOR changes in not only roster but philosophy if he’s going to get a third year. That was really evident watching that game.

I like JJ the kid a lot. Seems like a hard-worker and a positive influence on a team. That said, JJ the player has been a lot of empty calories. It’s points on an iffy shooting percentage with almost nothing else. Can’t be the best player on a good team at this level.

So I disagree slightly on two points, at least for me personally: 1) I never believed we were at the nadir last season. First, JB could coach. The talent and roster construction was sub-optimal and he had things that drove everyone crazy, but the guy was a basketball junky who knew the game. It...

agree with all of this. Not sure it makes me feel much differently about red in general, but thought he was fine relatively speaking tonight. And that's not just because we won, so much as I thought we at least deployed some strategy (played under on the GT PG, made an effort to pound down low...

I’m pretty sure all could conceivably be parts of a decent team. But they can’t be the core of it. The only thing I’ll say, however, is that this is a terribly coached team. May be slightly unfair to entirely judge any of these guys absent any sort of cohesive strategy on either end of the...

I hear you but it doesn’t matter. A backcourt of Moore/taylor or Moore/cuffe or cuffe/Taylor won’t get it done. The problems run much deeper.

As opposed to our ‘defensive system’. lol. Feel for red but … not good.

Yup — I would have bet my life’s savings that red would get year 3 before the season. Now, I really doubt he sees year 3. I almost wonder if they let Melo know so kiyan can plan accordingly. This doesn’t feel like it can be salvaged.

True. The idea doesn’t really excite me either, just throwing stuff at the wall at this point.

To clarify: not saying the kids can’t play, but that we seem to have miscast some of them in particular roles. My thought is maybe the call on who to hire isn’t red’s — or not red’s solely. Or maybe it is Red’s but the edict is to clear house essentially and start over and we try to find a way...

Not sure if anyone else brought this up but what about forcing his hand on his staff? Could we allocate more money for assistants and require him to replace at least two, or maybe the whole crew? Maybe Red is a decent CEO but needs X’s and O’s help? Not unheard of. My biggest concern with...

His total transformation form mostly standstill shooter to do-it-all scorer/playmaker in his second season here was outrageous. Really, really good player and, I agree, largely underrated.

What's hard to know is what it might have looked like if he had ever been on the floor with good talent around him. I mean, last year when JJ broke out, McLeod got injured and wasn't an option, and Taylor got fewer minutes, we started rolling offensively. Mintz's assist numbers went up and his...

Yeah. Yet to hit double-figures this year. Even his per 40 stats are down. Not sure if he was dealing with an injury because he did play more the first five games but it’s been brutal so far, unfortunately.