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[Gnomey]

What are all the Gaines supporters basing it on? Lay-up lines in warmups? In warm-ups, he looks...tall. There are plenty of tall guys who have been terrible.

He was redshirted 2 years ago and had minimal time last year. I just don't see where all the optimism is coming from.

Right now, I see this guy as Donald Little without any tendencies to torture his roommate. Is he dominating in the Devereoes league or something? Have people been going to open practices or something? Am I missing something?

Why do I keep having to repeat myself?
He has all the tools physically to be a dominant center.
He has elite athleticism, the frame, the length, just not the skills.
That's the last time I'm going to say this, since I dived into why I felt this way, over and over again in this thread.
We know he is raw, has been raw and will still be raw this year.
That's beside the point.

My first post, I said "if he puts it together, he could be unstoppable".
Based on everything he has going for him, other than basketball skill, I feel he can thrive at his position. Donald Little had nowhere near the mass, speed, leaping ability or strength. If that's all he becomes, again, I feel it's a project that never came to fruition.

 

[Bearcat_NTS]

Well interesting that this thread turned into a large debate about a player who will barely see any time this year. I am more interested in seeing how Rubles will adjust to D-1, saw him a little in summer league and he is such a throw back Bearcat.

 

[Gnomey]

Well interesting that this thread turned into a large debate about a player who will barely see any time this year. I am more interested in seeing how Rubles will adjust to D-1, saw him a little in summer league and he is such a throw back Bearcat.

I think he'll be a more productive, better rebounding 4 than what we've had with Justin Jackson.
My only question is how does he adjust to the level of competition he'll be facing? He seems like a gamer/highly competitive.
His shot is a bit weird but highly effective from mid range.
I like seeing him take it to the rim.
He can put it on the floor fairly well too. I'd like to see him gain some bulk, as he could be a big help with the interior.

 

[bearcat jeff]

No I don't think you are missing anything. I think anyone who thinks he is going to be a great player are fooling themselves. I think most of us are hoping that he can give some quality minutes this year and maybe, MAYBE, develop enough in the next two years to start his senior year.

My only point with Gaines was that he can be a valuable member of this team if he can learn to play defense without fouling, block some shots, and most importantly rebound. He has the athletic ability to play the up tempo style Mick wants and if it ever does click for him, look out. That said, now is not the time to hold your breath.

I do think Gaines will give good minutes this season. Not as a dominant 5 but as an energy/defense/rebounding guy off the bench. I don't believe he will ever be a big offensive threat but think with the style the Bearcats have turned to, his natural gifts will fit in well and help his development.

 

[CPAW29]

I do think Gaines will give good minutes this season. Not as a dominant 5 but as an energy/defense/rebounding guy off the bench. I don't believe he will ever be a big offensive threat but think with the style the Bearcats have turned to, his natural gifts will fit in well and help his development.

totally agree and can't put it any better plus I think jj will help him too since they played high school ball together.

 

[dp3113]

totally agree and can't put it any better plus I think jj will help him too since they played high school ball together.

that is fair, but to be an energy guy you need to play with a lot of energy and to be a rebounding guy you need to be a good rebounder. kelvin is neither. he gets lost on the court, cant rebound outside of his zone, and doesnt rebound any better than our guards do.

 

[david aka the TYZ]

I'm just glad we got to the point where we can argue about whether a player is worthy or good and not arguing those things about Cronin. That is progress...

 

[BearcatMick]

I'm just glad we got to the point where we can argue about whether a player is worthy or good and not arguing those things about Cronin. That is progress...

Cronin has clearly proven he's more than capable for the job. Anyone who argues otherwise is delusional

 

[JasonS]

Why didn't you just state this from the start instead of comparing him to kenyon, dikembe and chandler? Your statements above are accurate

Apparently reading comprehension is not your strong suit.

 

[handwaver]

Why do I keep having to repeat myself?
He has all the tools physically to be a dominant center.
He has elite athleticism, the frame, the length, just not the skills.
That's the last time I'm going to say this, since I dived into why I felt this way, over and over again in this thread.
We know he is raw, has been raw and will still be raw this year.
That's beside the point.

My first post, I said "if he puts it together, he could be unstoppable".
Based on everything he has going for him, other than basketball skill, I feel he can thrive at his position. Donald Little had nowhere near the mass, speed, leaping ability or strength. If that's all he becomes, again, I feel it's a project that never came to fruition.

I have the body to be an elite billiards player, or bowler....my 5'9' 160 lb. frame could dominate at these sports...I lack just the skills...
.
Don't you kind of need the whole package?

 

[CPAW29]

If gaines can't give you a little something this year than I don't have much confidence in this team going forward because you can't rely on the backcourt all season. And the way some guys negatively talk about gaines, we dont know what rubles and thomas will do, they haven't played d-1 yet. This team will be to damn small if gaines can't contribute in some form or fashion

 

[Gnomey]

I have the body to be an elite billiards player, or bowler....my 5'9' 160 lb. frame could dominate at these sports...I lack just the skills...
.
Don't you kind of need the whole package?

There's an ideal frame for billiards?
Skills like foot work, a jump hook and the ability to go either hand; can be built over time. Speed, athleticism, length and girth, not so much.
No. You do not need the whole package. Few college players have the whole package.
If he becomes even moderately skillful, watch out.

 

[Gnomey]

If gaines can't give you a little something this year than I don't have much confidence in this team going forward because you can't rely on the backcourt all season. And the way some guys negatively talk about gaines, we dont know what rubles and thomas will do, they haven't played d-1 yet. This team will be to damn small if gaines can't contribute in some form or fashion

I think Rubles is a fairly safe bet, but I understand what you are getting at.
I'm more concerned with whether Cheikh will contribute.
If he can, it's a load off.

 

[ready2go]

Id rather have Gaines than Chek out there

 

[psax889906]

Id rather have Gaines than Chek out there

Paul Dehner Jr. recently did an interview with SK and Cash and he asked them who they thought has improved the most in the offseason. FWIW, they said Mbodj.

 

[cincycpaw]

Paul Dehner Jr. recently did an interview with SK and Cash and he asked them who they thought has improved the most in the offseason. FWIW, they said Mbodj.

Sometimes, the most improved are so simply because they have the most room left to improve.

 

[BearcatMick]

Apparently reading comprehension is not your strong suit.

Now you are just way out of line with these insults

I complimented you on your last post because you finally saw the light.

 

[ready2go]

Paul Dehner Jr. recently did an interview with SK and Cash and he asked them who they thought has improved the most in the offseason. FWIW, they said Mbodj.

And Mbodj was also that guy last year who Mick and the gang kept raving that when we get him back things will be different....

 

[Gnomey]

I would say Mbodj has visibly improved, in so far as his conditioning goes. He is faster. Beyond that, I don't know.
I'm not sure of his ability, high ankle sprains are more apparent when bigs get them. Added to that, he did have his suspension. I think he'll be of limited ability.
I said I hoped he'd contribute, because I know his defense is absolutely necessary. Gaines just wasn't there last year. He got eaten alive that Oklahoma game. Based on what I know of both, I'd prefer Mbodj. If Gaines has improved, great. I've yet to hear any buzz about him though.


I listened to that interview on gobearcats, they seem to also be saying he's faster. "When Cash runs the outlet he beats the other bigs by 4 or 5 steps." + he's finishing around the rim better was the jist of what SK said.