I know it is only 4 warm-up games against bad competition. But something is going on here:
James -- much better in finding positions for his shots; more effort on defense; demon on the in-bound pass, top of the press. Step by step improvement in his handle. Trying to recall any player who was that weak a couple of year earlier, suddenly turning into a player. We have had players who showed up as juniors (Howard Triche is an example), but often those guys had no chance to get off the bench in the prior year, then blossomed when they had their first chances.
Dion -- had all the talent (except an outside shot), now seems to be focusing on team-play and defense. Difficult to recall any SU player who seemed to be a head case, but found the cure. We have had plenty of head cases . . . but now you have Dion saying all the right things, and also living the talk.
Baye -- finding some skills on offense; last year didn't show much. And, sure, he has a ways to go before he will score much against real competition, but his quick inside moves ought to translate. We do have examples of very raw, 6ft 10 in guys who found skills year to year. Baye isn't strong like Seikaly, but it is a similar case of a raw, athletic big, not having played a great deal of ball in his youth, finding some offense at SU.
Some of the other year over year improvements (CJ and Fab) are great, but seem more predictable. CJ had a range of skills, just needed to mature (still looks to be 17 years old) and add some range to his shot. Fab needed to get into condition, and then exploit his natural size advantages.
Don't like the Fine story; really like what some of our players are doing.
James -- much better in finding positions for his shots; more effort on defense; demon on the in-bound pass, top of the press. Step by step improvement in his handle. Trying to recall any player who was that weak a couple of year earlier, suddenly turning into a player. We have had players who showed up as juniors (Howard Triche is an example), but often those guys had no chance to get off the bench in the prior year, then blossomed when they had their first chances.
Dion -- had all the talent (except an outside shot), now seems to be focusing on team-play and defense. Difficult to recall any SU player who seemed to be a head case, but found the cure. We have had plenty of head cases . . . but now you have Dion saying all the right things, and also living the talk.
Baye -- finding some skills on offense; last year didn't show much. And, sure, he has a ways to go before he will score much against real competition, but his quick inside moves ought to translate. We do have examples of very raw, 6ft 10 in guys who found skills year to year. Baye isn't strong like Seikaly, but it is a similar case of a raw, athletic big, not having played a great deal of ball in his youth, finding some offense at SU.
Some of the other year over year improvements (CJ and Fab) are great, but seem more predictable. CJ had a range of skills, just needed to mature (still looks to be 17 years old) and add some range to his shot. Fab needed to get into condition, and then exploit his natural size advantages.
Don't like the Fine story; really like what some of our players are doing.