Pitt Fan Here

[nparker1]

My observations from the heavens of the Shoe last night:
1) Shaq has to play more...he brings a different element/threat to the floor...and at this pace, he is going to enter his third year at UC (2nd eligible year) with hardly any minutes played in BEast play
2) Gaines has progressed more in 2 weeks than Mbodj has in a year...while no offensive threat, he provided solid minutes last night
3) Guyn looked solid last night in limited minutes...great pressure as usual...beautiful drive to the basket
4) Cash is not healthy...he has no legs...his burst is gone and his shot (normally a set shot) is more flat than normal...
5) Parker's ankle must be shattered...every time he falls (which I respect because at least he scraps and fights) he comes up lame...
6) someone please tell Rubles no one is falling for the his fake alley oop from the top of the key on every play...
7) I really believe mick and the analysts that say these kids aren't listening to Mick and the gameplan...last night, Mick on numerous occasions was emphatically motioning to get the defense to pressure before mid-court...the players kept their backs turned and did not provide pressure...
8) sanders' shot is sooo smooth looking
9) I am tired of losing at home...
10) did I mention shaq needs to play more...we don't know if he can rebound like Rubles because he hasn't been given the opportunity...which is ironic because Mick said Shaq was going to bring so much this year

I am very frustrated with this team...the word apathy came to mind as I walked out of the Shoe last night...I hope the find some intensity soon because these guys have zero competitive edge...

Go Bearcats!

 

[JumpinJack5]

My observations from the heavens of the Shoe last night:
1) Shaq has to play more...he brings a different element/threat to the floor...and at this pace, he is going to enter his third year at UC (2nd eligible year) with hardly any minutes played in BEast play
2) Gaines has progressed more in 2 weeks than Mbodj has in a year...while no offensive threat, he provided solid minutes last night
3) Guyn looked solid last night in limited minutes...great pressure as usual...beautiful drive to the basket
4) Cash is not healthy...he has no legs...his burst is gone and his shot (normally a set shot) is more flat than normal...
5) Parker's ankle must be shattered...every time he falls (which I respect because at least he scraps and fights) he comes up lame...
6) someone please tell Rubles no one is falling for the his fake alley oop from the top of the key on every play...
7) I really believe mick and the analysts that say these kids aren't listening to Mick and the gameplan...last night, Mick on numerous occasions was emphatically motioning to get the defense to pressure before mid-court...the players kept their backs turned and did not provide pressure...
8) sanders' shot is sooo smooth looking
9) I am tired of losing at home...
10) did I mention shaq needs to play more...we don't know if he can rebound like Rubles because he hasn't been given the opportunity...which is ironic because Mick said Shaq was going to bring so much this year

I am very frustrated with this team...the word apathy came to mind as I walked out of the Shoe last night...I hope the find some intensity soon because these guys have zero competitive edge...

Go Bearcats!

I agree, Shaq needs more minutes. Rubles has done nothing recently, I want to see Sanders be more aggressive, I like his game. Gaines flat out sucks, hopefully next year is the break out year. I like David and think he will be much improved next year. Hope they just demo Rubles shot and start over this summer. JJ has been playing much better recently, I like him. Guyn, as much as I can't stand him, looks better, but I still like JD3 a little more. We don't realize how much we miss JD3, someone else who has good scoring ability.

 

[CaptDale]

My observations from the heavens of the Shoe last night:
1) Shaq has to play more...he brings a different element/threat to the floor...and at this pace, he is going to enter his third year at UC (2nd eligible year) with hardly any minutes played in BEast play
2) Gaines has progressed more in 2 weeks than Mbodj has in a year...while no offensive threat, he provided solid minutes last night
3) Guyn looked solid last night in limited minutes...great pressure as usual...beautiful drive to the basket
4) Cash is not healthy...he has no legs...his burst is gone and his shot (normally a set shot) is more flat than normal...
5) Parker's ankle must be shattered...every time he falls (which I respect because at least he scraps and fights) he comes up lame...
6) someone please tell Rubles no one is falling for the his fake alley oop from the top of the key on every play...
7) I really believe mick and the analysts that say these kids aren't listening to Mick and the gameplan...last night, Mick on numerous occasions was emphatically motioning to get the defense to pressure before mid-court...the players kept their backs turned and did not provide pressure...
8) sanders' shot is sooo smooth looking
9) I am tired of losing at home...
10) did I mention shaq needs to play more...we don't know if he can rebound like Rubles because he hasn't been given the opportunity...which is ironic because Mick said Shaq was going to bring so much this year

I am very frustrated with this team...the word apathy came to mind as I walked out of the Shoe last night...I hope the find some intensity soon because these guys have zero competitive edge...

Go Bearcats!

Well put. One more note on Cash: he's still good defensively, but his steal total is down significantly. Why? Because he no longer reaches in to attempt steals lest Mick yank him out and chew his ass. Let him play his game, Mick. He's not your "foul-out" type player. He has very fast hands. His shooting slump is unfortunate.

 

[CaptDale]

I agree, Shaq needs more minutes. Rubles has done nothing recently, I want to see Sanders be more aggressive, I like his game. Gaines flat out sucks, hopefully next year is the break out year. I like David and think he will be much improved next year. Hope they just demo Rubles shot and start over this summer. JJ has been playing much better recently, I like him. Guyn, as much as I can't stand him, looks better, but I still like JD3 a little more. We don't realize how much we miss JD3, someone else who has good scoring ability.

So, exactly what do you like about David - other than he's tall?

 

[JumpinJack5]

So, exactly what do you like about David - other than he's tall?

Potential, he seems to be somewhat coordinated for being such a big man. He has showed flashes this year, so I think he could be better next year if they can bulk him up. He runs like a giraffe, but he has showed a few decent post moves and is a good shot blocker. I doubt he will ever be amazing, but he could be a solid player next year. 7-8 ppg and 5-6 boards next year would be nice.

 

[CaptDale]

Potential, he seems to be somewhat coordinated for being such a big man. He has showed flashes this year, so I think he could be better next year if they can bulk him up. He runs like a giraffe, but he has showed a few decent post moves and is a good shot blocker. I doubt he will ever be amazing, but he could be a solid player next year. 7-8 ppg and 5-6 boards next year would be nice.

His problem is he has no basketball "smarts". A good player has them naturally. They're not taught over the course of one or two seasons. Being in the right place at the right time is what it's all about. He doesn't seem to grasp that concept. He should just park himself under the rim on D for starters. And on offense, instead of just trying to lean his way in like so many bulky bigs do, he needs to be in motion, as do Cheik and Kelvin. Maybe then we could get the ball in to them occasionally.

 

[JumpinJack5]

His problem is he has no basketball "smarts". A good player has them naturally. They're not taught over the course of one or two seasons. Being in the right place at the right time is what it's all about. He doesn't seem to grasp that concept. He should just park himself under the rim on D for starters. And on offense, instead of just trying to lean his way in like so many bulky bigs do, he needs to be in motion, as do Cheik and Kelvin. Maybe then we could get the ball in to them occasionally.

See, I think he has decent basketball smarts, especially considering he hasn't played the game for that long. Gaines has horrible b-ball iq, but has the perfect body for a big. Gaines is definitely our most boneheaded big, he drives me crazy.