Amar Has Returned

Amar actually never left. Apparently Kostas Antetokounmpo and Anthony Livingston were not going to be in the cards and Amar is a terrific teammate. I think he knows his playing minutes will be minimal compared to last season but playing against some very talented teammates in practices may be better than playing at Iona or elsewhere while he ponders playing in Europe as is Federico after next year. They will always have a roster shot in the Italian league. Jordan Tucker is the only 2017 recruit in the local area we seem to have a shot at so all sights are set for the 2018 class while we try to regain national respectability. In retrospect, I think we did well to grab the Arizona and Michigan state transfers for 2017 since they (a) not be inexperienced freshmen, (b) were coached by excellent coaches, and (c) are apparently very coachable and team oriented.
The staff have some very talented players next year. Yes, still young but a nice mix of talent and experience and with some hopefully rapid development, we will be middle of the pack Big East.
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Great post and glad to see you posting on the main board again 72
 
Great post and glad to see you posting on the main board again 72
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What am I, small potatoes or something?
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You were always great. But 72 got downgraded to the rookie forum for what seems like an eternity

BTW Cool brewery in Northport if you are ever in that area. Sand City Brewery. Just went last week for 1st time. Liked it a lot
 
Hahaha, MJ, just breaking balls.

Edit: I've heard a lot of people raving about Sand City actually. I'm off Memorial Day week, I might have to check it out.
 
Hahaha, MJ, just breaking balls.
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Been up since 3:30 am and it took me 3 hours driving into the city this morning at 6 freaking am. Went right over my head. lol
 
Hahaha, MJ, just breaking balls.
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Been up since 3:30 am and it took me 3 hours driving into the city this morning at 6 freaking am. Went right over my head. lol
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Driving in on a Wednesday brother? I'd call that quick.
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meeting on the upper west side and didnt feel like trains. Figured 9am meeting I'd have been there in 2 hours if I left at 6. Accident on LIE accident on grand central near st johns and monster backups on the triboro. At one point I was ready to call in and cancel meeting because I thought I might not get there. Miraculously the 59th st bridge wasnt crazy jammed and I got to meeting at 5 minutes to 9
 
I am happy for him as well as us! Great attitude, great energy, and at 6'9" he will give us some meaningful minutes!
 
I am happy for him as well as us! Great attitude, great energy, and at 6'9" he will give us some meaningful minutes!
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That other stuff is fine and I am a big proponent of only playing 8 or 9 guys anyway. If Amar is one of those 8 or 9 guys, well it will be a very long year.
 
The thing about Amar is maybe he's like a cake that is missing one ingredient. As a Euro player, he is skilled for a big guy - he has range on his jumper, can handle the ball well for a kid his size, and even mix it up a little down low. Maybe it's being half a step too slow, maybe just not as strong as he should be, maybe not a killer mentality - maybe all three, I'm not sure. But I do believe there is a lot there that could develop. His wingspan is enormous, he gets off the floor okay, and when he raises his arms on defense reminds me a little of Ewing with that wingspan (okay - the comparison ends right there).

All in all, at the college level at least, I love having a kid that may be a little short in terms of production, but has a huge heart. Giving it his all, and rooting like hell for his teammates aren't shortcomings. After all, what makes college special is all the rah rah stuff that pros are too cool to display.
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Missing one ingredient? Is that ingredient shooting (awful percentages), quickness, better judgment (those cross-court passes drive me crazy), mixing it up inside, or not making dumb fouls? ... or maybe all five? Look, I like the kid,will root like hell for him, and will be very happy if he ends up being a key on-court contributor, but I would've preferred that we held the scholarship for someone who's not only a great kid, but a more talented one to boot. (And, Beast, I'm tempted to bust your chops about Amar's wingspan reminding you of Ewing's, but I've enjoyed reading your posts for too long to go that route ... and besides, you aptly self-edited the comparison with the qualifying "a little" and "the comparison ends right there." :))
 
The thing about Amar is maybe he's like a cake that is missing one ingredient. As a Euro player, he is skilled for a big guy - he has range on his jumper, can handle the ball well for a kid his size, and even mix it up a little down low. Maybe it's being half a step too slow, maybe just not as strong as he should be, maybe not a killer mentality - maybe all three, I'm not sure. But I do believe there is a lot there that could develop. His wingspan is enormous, he gets off the floor okay, and when he raises his arms on defense reminds me a little of Ewing with that wingspan (okay - the comparison ends right there).

All in all, at the college level at least, I love having a kid that may be a little short in terms of production, but has a huge heart. Giving it his all, and rooting like hell for his teammates aren't shortcomings. After all, what makes college special is all the rah rah stuff that pros are too cool to display.
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Missing one ingredient? Is that ingredient shooting (awful percentages), quickness, better judgment (those cross-court passes drive me crazy), mixing it up inside, or not making dumb fouls? ... or maybe all five? Look, I like the kid,will root like hell for him, and will be very happy if he ends up being a key on-court contributor, but I would've preferred that we held the scholarship for someone who's not only a great kid, but a more talented one to boot. (And, Beast, I'm tempted to bust your chops about Amar's wingspan reminding you of Ewing's, but I've enjoyed reading your posts for too long to go that route ... and besides, you aptly self-edited the comparison with the qualifying "a little" and "the comparison ends right there." :))
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I see your point and like your posts
but I ask myself ("Says I to Myself")- in being glad Amar is back -
1. Are we better with him or without;
2.would we be better without him and an empty roster spot?
3..do we trust the staff that this was the best alternative?
4.has not that same staff done a remarkable - not perfect - job in all categories (to earn our trust) since April 2015 or what?
:)
 
I think that Amar will take a big leap forward after the coaches had a year to become familiar with his strengths and weaknesses. Look for him to work in closer and help on the boards.
 
Forget who stays or goes.. The most important returning factor is this coaching staff who need just as much improvement as any player on this team.
 
I think that Amar will take a big leap forward after the coaches had a year to become familiar with his strengths and weaknesses. Look for him to work in closer and help on the boards.
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I think he's ready, willing and able to battle down low, but can he do it in a "smart" way?...the guys who effectively move the paint have a way of doing it in a subtle fashion and don't pick up a foul every time they battle in the box. I think he improves, and our coaches define his role. I'll predict he earns himself 5 - 10 minutes per game.
 
The thing about Amar is maybe he's like a cake that is missing one ingredient. As a Euro player, he is skilled for a big guy - he has range on his jumper, can handle the ball well for a kid his size, and even mix it up a little down low. Maybe it's being half a step too slow, maybe just not as strong as he should be, maybe not a killer mentality - maybe all three, I'm not sure. But I do believe there is a lot there that could develop. His wingspan is enormous, he gets off the floor okay, and when he raises his arms on defense reminds me a little of Ewing with that wingspan (okay - the comparison ends right there).

All in all, at the college level at least, I love having a kid that may be a little short in terms of production, but has a huge heart. Giving it his all, and rooting like hell for his teammates aren't shortcomings. After all, what makes college special is all the rah rah stuff that pros are too cool to display.
Click to expand...

Missing one ingredient? Is that ingredient shooting (awful percentages), quickness, better judgment (those cross-court passes drive me crazy), mixing it up inside, or not making dumb fouls? ... or maybe all five? Look, I like the kid,will root like hell for him, and will be very happy if he ends up being a key on-court contributor, but I would've preferred that we held the scholarship for someone who's not only a great kid, but a more talented one to boot. (And, Beast, I'm tempted to bust your chops about Amar's wingspan reminding you of Ewing's, but I've enjoyed reading your posts for too long to go that route ... and besides, you aptly self-edited the comparison with the qualifying "a little" and "the comparison ends right there." :))
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Did you miss the part where i listed 3 deficiencies and then said maybe he is missing all 3? Its fine to disagree but i think he has an upside and ceiling he hasnt reached yet. :)
 
The thing about Amar is maybe he's like a cake that is missing one ingredient. As a Euro player, he is skilled for a big guy - he has range on his jumper, can handle the ball well for a kid his size, and even mix it up a little down low. Maybe it's being half a step too slow, maybe just not as strong as he should be, maybe not a killer mentality - maybe all three, I'm not sure. But I do believe there is a lot there that could develop. His wingspan is enormous, he gets off the floor okay, and when he raises his arms on defense reminds me a little of Ewing with that wingspan (okay - the comparison ends right there).

All in all, at the college level at least, I love having a kid that may be a little short in terms of production, but has a huge heart. Giving it his all, and rooting like hell for his teammates aren't shortcomings. After all, what makes college special is all the rah rah stuff that pros are too cool to display.
Click to expand...

Missing one ingredient? Is that ingredient shooting (awful percentages), quickness, better judgment (those cross-court passes drive me crazy), mixing it up inside, or not making dumb fouls? ... or maybe all five? Look, I like the kid,will root like hell for him, and will be very happy if he ends up being a key on-court contributor, but I would've preferred that we held the scholarship for someone who's not only a great kid, but a more talented one to boot. (And, Beast, I'm tempted to bust your chops about Amar's wingspan reminding you of Ewing's, but I've enjoyed reading your posts for too long to go that route ... and besides, you aptly self-edited the comparison with the qualifying "a little" and "the comparison ends right there." :))
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Did you miss the part where i listed 3 deficiencies and then said maybe he is missing all 3? Its fine to disagree but i think he has an upside and ceiling he hasnt reached yet. :)
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I plead guilty to the 3 deficiencies oversight. Believe me, Beast, now that Amar's back with the team -- and what's done is done -- I would like nothing better than seeing him reach, or even break through, that ceiling and becoming the force that we need him to be. Despite his driving me crazy with his decision-making and maddening inconsistencies in his first two years, I've always pulled for him, and I'll continue pull for him for the next two years.
 
BTW, am I the only one who think Yakwe will be more than able to hold his own size wise in the front court? Seems everyone is mentioning him along with sima and owens as rail thin but I think hes got quality size and will only add more. We will need him to be more productive from 5 feet and in this year.
 
BTW, am I the only one who think Yakwe will be more than able to hold his own size wise in the front court? Seems everyone is mentioning him along with sima and owens as rail thin but I think hes got quality size and will only add more. We will need him to be more productive from 5 feet and in this year.
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The way you soeak of him you would think he was team MVP or something
 
BTW, am I the only one who think Yakwe will be more than able to hold his own size wise in the front court? Seems everyone is mentioning him along with sima and owens as rail thin but I think hes got quality size and will only add more. We will need him to be more productive from 5 feet and in this year.
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Yakwe obviously has tremendous upside & to me will be a major player this season. I also expect Sima, if he can avoid injury, to show a lot of improvement. Another key for Sima is to get some quality relief, enabling him to stay fresh. He got worn out last year. Bigs take a little time, but this tandem will be among the best interior duos in the BE very soon. Hopefully Owens can be a nice complementary piece in that equation. I just don't think he commands more time than Sima & Yakwe, as some do. We'll see.

Lastly, with infusion of speedy guards, both guys will benefit immensely. They really run the court well.
 
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