RC and MC-W

[ORANGEsPHK]

I don't think there is any reason to over analyze Rak's demeanor on the court, out what it means. By this measure, Triche absolutely hates playing on this team

 

[CorduroyG]

I saw a locker room interview with him after the game where he scored the first 7 points of the game or whatever it was. He was very soft spoken, gave 1 word answers, and didnt look happy. Thats just how he is, whether he scores 20 points or 2 points. He'll be a good one.

 

[arbitragegls]

It's not necessarily his effort I am referring to, as much it is his expressions and body language. He just doesn't seem like he is enjoying his time when out there, unlike MCW who does. Not saying he should have a smile on his face all the time, but he just seems to give off this perception that he is not having fun and not completly happy. Could be me, and I made this thread wondering if anyone agreed or disagreed.

Why are we commenting on facial and body language...heck, Triche would not be a player if that is the case...maybe he isnt having fun because he is not dominating the way he thought...but lets not get to the point that we read facial expressions and body language as a means of guaging a players feelings...

 

[SkanSU]

Guess I gotta add something. First, as a projection, I think that Rak will be a monster next year ... he has shown some real flashes of great play ... what 2 games back I believe where he took over the game in the first minutes ... he had a lot of early pt then as well. He has certainly shown that he can block shots and jam the ball down. Second, he is in situation in which he is moving from a 5 in high school to a 4 at SU... that can be confusing. I think that Hop and the coaches have been placing a lot of emphasis on Fab but need to work with Rak more closely ... they have done a great job with Fab and need to do an equally great job with Rak b/c I feel he has unlimited potential. Third. Remember Fab last year? It takes a while to develop a good big man. Fourth. I watch Rak when he goes back to the bench. I don't see the same demeanor that I saw with Dion last year and even Fab when he got the hook quick. He is into the game and rooting on the other players. I like Rak ... I have a lot of confidence in his skills ... and think he will be a great one in time. Remember that Rick wasn't being overwhelmed with PT in his freshman year as well.

 

[pearl31]

either way, I'd venture to guess there have been some ego-soothing sessions between RC and the coaches

 

[SkanSU]

Didn't JB say in his interview that SWC posts on Wednesday that he thought 3 people might leave after this year - and Rak was one of them (or maybe that scouts thought he might be ready)??

Hey Ghost ... I didn't read that post from SWC and don't recall JB saying that at a presser. We know that 2 will be leaving after this year (Scoop and KJo) ... and Mookie graduates so he could leave and that would be 3. I'm thinking that its a tad early to project anyone else leaving ... altho if I were to guess (duh) I would say Fab and Dion if they keep playing and improving throughout the rest of our schedule and we have a deep run in the NCAAs. I have a hard time believing that Rak would leave ... next year the 4 is his. He needs to develop and he will be huge forus next year. ... and he probably did think that he would be a one-and-done and then realiity hit when he stepped on a college floor.

 

[Bornorange]

Rak , as well as most freshmen, needs to adjust to the speed of the game and trust his instincts.
He is a second or two behind the play right now.

 

[AirForceOrange]

Why are we commenting on facial and body language...heck, Triche would not be a player if that is the case...maybe he isnt having fun because he is not dominating the way he thought...but lets not get to the point that we read facial expressions and body language as a means of guaging a players feelings...

First, I thought the whole point of a message board is to post comments, whether its on facial/body language, how someone plays, etc. Instead of just blowing one small part of my comments out of proportion, you may want to try to read everything I have posted here.

All, I am trying to find out is more information, which I have gained from this thread. Based on that, I have more information to determine that what I have seen/heard (remember I am not in Syracuse) is not entirely accurate. Apparently that is how he plays and possibly a bit more introverted off court, which could correspond to my perceptions I have previously mentioned. Again, for the third time, I only brought this topic up as one of the commentators from last night's game made a similiar observation. They were talking about Dion and his change of attitude and then referred to Rak and his apparent/perceived attitude, which they gleaned from his body language on the court.

 

[General20]

I have no idea how happy Christmas is while playing, there must be some really astute people on this board to figure out something like that. Of course, I really dont care how happy Christmas is either. I only care about how good he is at basketball. And I have a feeling he is going to be very good at basketball. People are way too hard on him.

 

[AirForceOrange]

My main point was wondering if Rak was having the same type of attitude issue that Dion had last year.

 

[HouseOfCuse]

I wouldn't worry too much about it. As far as I can tell he hasn't told off any coaches, posted on Twitter or facebook that he is unhappy about playing time, or done interviews complaining about anything. Maybe I missed something like this but I think there would be a big thread on this board if anything did happen.

As far as Body language there are plenty of guys there aren't any different especially as freshman. Rick jackson and Triche come to mind.

The guy has steadily improved each game and for a freshman at Su has gotten good minutes on a deep team. That doesn't happen often. There will be games where he gets 2 min. a game in a close one and some where he gets 10-15 min. this year. Then next year he starts with Fair and gets major minutes.

 

[Orangeyes]

Here's JB, Scoop, Rakeem himself, Fab & K-Jo on Christmas

Here's Rakeem's Sports Center Moment

Here's An Interview With Him At The Jordan Brand Classic

Here Are Some Of His High School Highlights

 

[TheRoyalIveyFund]

I like what I see from Rak in limited minutes, and I think he looks like the kind of guy who makes the huge sophomore year leap. I think he is going to be a stud next season.

Completely agree - by the end of his soph year, he has the potential to be real good*. He has a nice touch on the line and better post moves than I thought (the bar was real low, however). I see some Hakim in him. When Hak was a frosh, he oozed potential but his post-up moves were not existent but got the time he got because we were not good. By the time at the end of the year (final four NIT), he was developing some decent inside presence.

*Note: I think Dejaun is going to be a major impact next season as a guy, that from day one, that we can toss the ball down into and get some easy baskets, something we don't have now. His footwork is something that a jun or sen usually have at the college level. Similar to Arinze's senior year. If Fab stays, Dejaun will impact Rak's learning curve.

That said, if Fab were to stay, next year's rotation of James/Fair at the 3, Dejuan/Rak at 4 and Fab at 5 will be devastating. I'd strongly consider going with those 5 in rotation and RS Baye.

 

[moqui]

That said, if Fab were to stay, next year's rotation of James/Fair at the 3, Dejuan/Rak at 4 and Fab at 5 will be devastating. I'd strongly consider going with those 5 in rotation and RS Baye.

I agree . . . RS for Baye has to be in play with the potential depth of quality at the 4/5 spots

 

[SkanSU]

A thought and an observation on that 1-handed alley oop that was given to us by OE (Thanks as usual OE). After that alley oop and one handed dunk watch the expression on Rak's face ... also his body language. See anything? Nope ... me either. No fist pump. No hand slap ... not even a smile. That is just Rak. Love the guy ... but he's gotta get angry ... pissed ... really aggressive. BTW I love how Fab got in whats-his-names face last night after swatting that dunk attempt at the end of first half. That's how Raks gotta play ... with attitude... like he''s good and he knows it.

 

[Antiprodigy]

In a Post Standard after game interview, they asked Rak if he was a cheer/get in your face kind of person, and he replied that he was not at all. He was quiet, reserved, and didn't seek the limelight. I think that's your answer, right there. Triche is the same way. He will either take longer to break out of that, or never will, hard to say.

 

[cliftonparksufan]

A thought and an observation on that 1-handed alley oop that was given to us by OE (Thanks as usual OE). After that alley oop and one handed dunk watch the expression on Rak's face ... also his body language. See anything? Nope ... me either. No fist pump. No hand slap ... not even a smile. That is just Rak. Love the guy ... but he's gotta get angry ... pissed ... really aggressive. BTW I love how Fab got in whats-his-names face last night after swatting that dunk attempt at the end of first half. That's how Raks gotta play ... with attitude... like he''s good and he knows it.

That's a great observation. Everyone is different. I haven't seen anything from his play yet that would indicate that Rak is unhappy. I think we have seen some things that shows that he oozes potential. I respect everyone's opinions but I think this is a reaching for the stars post.

 

[realorange]

For those of us who saw Alonzo Mourning play for Georgetown, how many times did he give you much beyond the stone faced, lets play ball, look?

If we can translate looks into how good a player you'll be, I'll take that comparison.

 

[pfister1]

Hey Ghost ... I didn't read that post from SWC and don't recall JB saying that at a presser. We know that 2 will be leaving after this year (Scoop and KJo) ... and Mookie graduates so he could leave and that would be 3. I'm thinking that its a tad early to project anyone else leaving ... altho if I were to guess (duh) I would say Fab and Dion if they keep playing and improving throughout the rest of our schedule and we have a deep run in the NCAAs. I have a hard time believing that Rak would leave ... next year the 4 is his. He needs to develop and he will be huge forus next year. ... and he probably did think that he would be a one-and-done and then realiity hit when he stepped on a college floor.

SWC reported the conversation from JB's showing saying that he (JB) thought 1 or 2 guys other than KJo and Scoop might leave after this year and specifically named Fab, Dion and Rak.

I'll cut and paste the quote (from SWC's recap) because I can't figure out how to link the discussion.

Jeff in San Francisco, (yes, San Francisco), asked how JB will find a place for Coleman and Grant next year, (he said Blair and Cooney at first but correct himself-of course we’ll have to find a place for Cooney as well). JB: “We know that KJ and Scoop will be gone. My gut tells me that we might lose 1-2 other guys. I actually thought Scoop would be gone this year- that’s why we got Cooney. But Scoop came back and we are glad to have him. You have to be realistic My best feeling is that it might be Waiters, Fab or Christmas, if they play well in the tournament. You have to be prepared in case guys leave.”

 

[SkanSU]

Thanks Pfister... That would be a major blow losing all those guys.
I don't think that this was a bad thread and op at all. Legitimate question from another SU fan who is unfamiliar with 1) the board, and 2) the individuals on the team ... especially after the comments by the stupid commentators for the game. So please posters ... chill a tad and give other posters a break. I''ve been on the bad end of some nastys and it pisses me off. That's how we lose good fans on the board. Be nice and simply answer questions that other people have. Thank you for listening. Hey, AirForce ... good question and it got the board going.

 

[CJSyr]

Rak is this way on and off the court. I recently got to meet him at Liverpool HS when he and Kris Jo came for a pep rally (right before Christmas break). I'm not sure he smiled once. He is quiet and reserved. It comes off as arrogance or anger, but it's not. When he gets to talking, you can tell he's just that way. At one point, the song "Do the Dougie" comes on and Rak busts out his moves for the audience...pretty funny stuff (actually, he's pretty good). Kris Jo is just shaking his head and can't be swayed to participate. At another point, as several of the LHS bball players are trying to dunk, one of the smaller players succeeds and Rak jumps up and chest bumps him all excited, like he just won an SU game. Of course, it was more like a belly-to-head bump, because of the kid's size! If you were far away, you'd think, based on his expression, that Rak didn't want to be there. If you were close up and you talked to him, which I did, you had a different opinion. As others have said, he's just this way.

 

[zhanjuzi]

In the post Bucknell interview, KJ makes a point that Rak "sometimes fades away from the contact" and that he did a better job in this game. When this kid does get stronger and learns how to bang more with the big boys, he will definitely be a stud .. this guy is VERY athletic; that one hand alley oop dunk was nasty!