Baye Keita is just too weak

[STEVEHOLT]

I was watching the game online at work yetserday so I only had a chance to snatch a few glances here and there. What was alarming to me was the number of times Keita was flopping around on the ground. I swear he was on the floor half the times I looked over. He is a high energy guy with good spring and exellent motor, but he just needs to get a LOT stronger.

 

[Noexcuse]

I was watching the game online at work yetserday so I only had a chance to snatch a few glances here and there. What was alarming to me was the number of times Keita was flopping around on the ground. I swear he was on the floor half the times I looked over. He is a high energy guy with good spring and exellent motor, but he just needs to get a LOT stronger.

Worse than that, it seemed to me that he was being bodied too deep under the basket to be a rebounding threat.

 

[jec1521]

To be fair, he was going up against a guy that had around 70 lbs on him. Yes, Baye needs to gain weight and strength, but Gardener is a LOAD.

 

[OrangeCrush22]

Plus Baye was just coming off an injury.

 

['72 Orange]

Despite Baye's shortcomings, I would much rather have him out there on defense than Christmas - but then again that's not sayin much. He gave us some valuable minutes yesterday. He runs the floor well and despite his lack of bulk is active on the glass. Not sure if he will ever be able to add enough muscle to his frame to compete with the thugs in this league. If he can't be effective underneath on the offensive end, I'd like to see him develop a consistent mid range shot.

 

[NineOneSeven]

Something else--

Our guards were doing a poor job at the beginning of the half of keeping their guards out of the paint. Their bigs would seal our bigs (melo/Keita) off downlow, and when marq guards drove in no one was there.

How many points in the paint did Marquette have the first 10 minutes of the second half? I bet it was a lot.

 

[orangepassion]

As I posted late last night, I give credit to Baye for the putback and 2 free throws, but other than those, the only time I'd know Baye is playing is when he's called for a foul. He was getting shoved around all night and guys like Fair and Triche get more rebounds than him. I think Boeheim waiting so long to put Melo back in could have caused us the game, but happy it didn't. Might as well play Southerland in the middle if Keita's not going to rebound. He has some talent, but needs to add strength like Fab needed to lose weight to be a big factor. It's amazing that Fab and Keita were on a similar level last year.

 

[orangecuse]

Plus Baye was just coming off an injury.

I think that was a key fact. Baye's strength is his quickness and agility. The hip injury definitely limited his mobility and movement and keeping him in front of that rotundiness (as our favorite commentator Jason Williams would say). Once Gardener got the ball...well...forget about it...

 

[Gabjon]

I think that was a key fact. Baye's strength is his quickness and agility. The hip injury definitely limited his mobility and movement and keeping him in front of that rotundiness (as our favorite commentator Jason Williams would say). Once Gardener got the ball...well...forget about it...

The biggest issue for any big with a leg injury is getting pushed around. Boxing out and fighting for boards is all leg strength. Plus pure foot speed Baye is one of the fastest guys on the team, a healthy Baye would have had 3 or 4 dunk opportunities just by out running Gardener down the floor. If you listen to the players in the post game a lot of guys are starting to get banged up!

 

[SWC75]

As I posted late last night, I give credit to Baye for the putback and 2 free throws, but other than those, the only time I'd know Baye is playing is when he's called for a foul. He was getting shoved around all night and guys like Fair and Triche get more rebounds than him. I think Boeheim waiting so long to put Melo back in could have caused us the game, but happy it didn't. Might as well play Southerland in the middle if Keita's not going to rebound. He has some talent, but needs to add strength like Fab needed to lose weight to be a big factor. It's amazing that Fab and Keita were on a similar level last year.

He had 4 points, 5 rebounds and two blocks. He wasn't expected to play but he played more than Fab did, (20 minutes to 19) due to Fab's foul trouble. I think the guy deserves more credit that to say "the only time I'd know Baye is playing is when he's called for a foul".

 

[orangepassion]

He ahd 4 points, 5 reboduns and two blocks. He wasn't expected to play but he played more than Fab did, (20 mintues to 19) due to Fab's foul trouble. I think the guy deserves more credit that to say "the only time I'd know Baye is playing is when he's called for a foul".

I gave him the credit for the 4 points, but that's the way I was feeling during the game as he was getting pushed out of position.

 

[Ghost]

He ahd 4 points, 5 reboduns and two blocks. He wasn't expected to play but he played more than Fab did, (20 mintues to 19) due to Fab's foul trouble. I think the guy deserves more credit that to say "the only time I'd know Baye is playing is when he's called for a foul".

I agree. I didn't think he played a strong game, but I'm willing to cut him some slack due to his injury. He still came up with some big plays and the effort was there even if the results were lacking. That putback was huge.

 

[SWC75]

I gave him the credit for the 4 points, but that's the way I was feeling during the game as he was getting pushed out of position.

How aobut the 5 rebounds and 2 blocks?

 

[arbitragegls]

my favorite word..whoa...i do agree that Keita needs some weight and muscle; however, without him we probably lose the game...he played more minutes than Melo and we saw what took place with Xmas, CJ, and Dirty in the middle or playing together game before...be pleased we have Keita and that next year...hopefully he has more muscle and weight; Xmas plays better and DC2 plays well...

 

[SWC75]

my favorite word..whoa...i do agree that Keita needs some weight and muscle; however, without him we probably lose the game...he played more minutes than Dion and we saw what took place with Xmas, CJ, and Dirty in the middle or playing together game before...be pleased we have Keita and that next year...hopefully he has more muscle and weight; Xmas plays better and DC2 plays well...

Scoop on Keita:

“What he gave us tonight was great,’’ SU senior guard Scoop Jardine said. “That kid was really hurt. He didn’t practice with us. For him to come in and play 20 minutes was crucial for us. He gave it everything he’s got. That’s the type of kid he is."

http://blog.syracuse.com/orangebasketball/2012/01/syracuses_baye_keita_returns_p.html