Musketeer Madness

74 points and 38 rebounds

i can't remember the last player who has had a such a positive turn around from beginning of season (like first 5-7 games where we were all like "not sure how this guy is going to fit into the whole scheme") to how he's playing now.

trying to remember one.

i remember some guys who started great and then faltered (Rashid Gaston?)

anyone?

longliveskip wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 18, 2018 8:50 am

i can't remember the last player who has had a such a positive turn around from beginning of season (like first 5-7 games where we were all like "not sure how this guy is going to fit into the whole scheme") to how he's playing now.

trying to remember one.

i remember some guys who started great and then faltered (Rashid Gaston?)

anyone?

If you look at his 4 year college stats there is no indication that he would be the player that he is now. Maybe, just maybe, it is because he has better coaches that know how to utilize his talents best. Being a strong low post scorer and rebounder has not been in his DNA to date.

finalfourorbust wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 18, 2018 9:36 am

If you look at his 4 year college stats there is no indication that he would be the player that he is now. Maybe, just maybe, it is because he has better coaches that know how to utilize his talents best. Being a strong low post scorer and rebounder has not been in his DNA to date.

I agree on the coaching aspect. Reminds me a little of the transfermation of James Farr between Jr and Sr year. Big Game James embraced the big man role when in the past he was more inclined to hang outside. I have been hoping the Gates would follow, because there are games when he is a beast on the boards and when he gets aggressive on offense he is a crazy tough assignment for anyone to guard.

He's been incredible. What he lacks in raw athleticism and vertical, he makes up for in spades with elite level footwork. Has a great touch at the rim too.

longliveskip wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 18, 2018 8:50 am

i can't remember the last player who has had a such a positive turn around from beginning of season (like first 5-7 games where we were all like "not sure how this guy is going to fit into the whole scheme") to how he's playing now.

trying to remember one.

i remember some guys who started great and then faltered (Rashid Gaston?)

anyone?

I don't agree that Rashid faltered. He was always just a banger - a tough-nosed kid with limited offensive skills, but a very solid defender and rebounder. He actually developed a respectable 8-foot jumper. Though Bernard proved to be more valuable, I think Gaston really helped early on, especially while Jones was still developing.

I also think Kantner has put himself into a position to be a second-round draft choice. Typical European player: advanced offensive skills, and subpar defensive skills. He is also a good rebounder and passes out of the post well. He also has a very good 1st step taking it to the hole. If Bourdeaux comes close to his production next year, it will be another great get for X in the transfer market.

Now, X needs to aggressively recruit a sharpshooting 2 guard in the transfer market.

His vast improvement in season or between seasons reminds me of a few players from the past: 1. James Farr between Jr & Sr year. 2. Jason Love between Jr & Sr years & even in season 3. Kenyon Martin as ultimate improvement starting in Jr. year & steadily increasing til injury at end of Sr. year. As much as he is improving I simply hope O'Mara & Jones don't take a step backwards.

xu koop scoop wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 18, 2018 7:47 pm

His vast improvement in season or between seasons reminds me of a few players from the past: 1. James Farr between Jr & Sr year. 2. Jason Love between Jr & Sr years & even in season 3. Kenyon Martin as ultimate improvement starting in Jr. year & steadily increasing til injury at end of Sr. year. As much as he is improving I simply hope O'Mara & Jones don't take a step backwards.

The light also came on for Josh Duncan at about the mid point of his senior year and he started using his interior skills. Kenyon Martin was the most amazing transformation that I have seen though. His offensive skills went from 0 to 100 overnight.

longliveskip wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 18, 2018 8:50 am

i can't remember the last player who has had a such a positive turn around from beginning of season (like first 5-7 games where we were all like "not sure how this guy is going to fit into the whole scheme") to how he's playing now.

trying to remember one.

i remember some guys who started great and then faltered (Rashid Gaston?)

anyone?

Gaston actually had comparable numbers in conference play than non-conference play last year.
Avg 9.1 PPG in conference play vs. 9.6 in non-conference play
Rebounds per game were the same - 6.6.
Where his play faltered was in the BE and NCAA tournaments - avg 3.6 PPG and 2.9 RPG.
Of course, Big Sean really shined in the tournament and took a lot of Rashid's minutes from the regular season.
Rashid was a solid player and put up the same numbers as Jalen Reynolds did the year before when you look at their BE numbers.

muskieman wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 18, 2018 12:12 am

74 points and 38 rebounds

2 boards shy of averaging a double double over the last 4 games.
The competition gets harder though as X still has 2 games each with SH and Gtown's two bigs - Delgado and Govan.
Both of whom are averaging a double double.