Butler, Tue., Jan. 2, 8:30p, FS-1

[panther2]

At my age I also have 1/4 of my brain working as well so doesn't bode well for when I get to your age!

Nobody here knows that's for certain, but our 'beat writers' are paid to ask the questions about the game and seems like a simple easy question to ask. Maybe its a one word answer, maybe its a Lavin esque 20 minute ramble. Just seems odd to miss that. Then again don't know what questions that were asked.

In hindsight, I realize that Jack's and others frustration is with the beat writers not dot doing their jobs, more so than with Taylor's playing time.

Apologize for misunderstanding. I had my two cups of coffee this morning so I am good to go for a couple of hours.

 

[Jack Williams]

In hindsight, I realize that Jack's and others frustration is with the beat writers not dot doing their jobs, more so than with Taylor's playing time.

Apologize for misunderstanding. I had my two cups of coffee this morning so I am good to go for a couple of hours.

haha yes Panther, I am mad at our beat writers. As many others have discussed in this thread, there could be endless reasons why Taylor didn't play the other night.

I am not upset with Rick for making a decision, I am mad that our candid/honest coach wasn't asked to explain that decision or the process behind it.

You could feel Pitino's star power scaring our reporters in that press conference. Shaky voices, bad questions, etc.

As our team improves hopefully Braziller and co do as well.

 

[Knight]

Our free-throw shooting has been very inconsistent this season. Some games we look like world-beaters, other games, like Butler, me look awful.

Does anyone that has attended practice know if there is an effort to "coach" free throw shooting? And I don't mean having a player go to a basket and shoot free throws. Does a coach analyze the stroke and follow through, the arc, concentration, etc.?

 

[gonzalo]

Our free-throw shooting has been very inconsistent this season. Some games we look like world-beaters, other games, like Butler, me look awful.

Does anyone that has attended practice know if there is an effort to "coach" free throw shooting? And I don't mean having a player go to a basket and shoot free throws. Does a coach analyze the stroke and follow through, the arc, concentration, etc.?

Surprised that the Louisville teams (with Coach Pitino in the Big East) were not spectacular with the free throw shooting. Of the then 16 Big East teams Louisville was:

2005-06: 9th best team in free throw percentage.
2006-07: 9th.
2007-08: 15th.
2008-09: 14th.
2009-10: 6th.
2010-11: 16th.
2011-12: 11th.
2012-13: 5th.

 

[Section9]

Going by that it means the average age of suffering seat fans in Carnesseca is much younger than I thought. Probably 50 years old

Right in your wheel house!

 

[SJU61982]

Our free-throw shooting has been very inconsistent this season. Some games we look like world-beaters, other games, like Butler, me look awful.

Most teams are probably like that, when you break it down on a game-to-game basis. We just see all of our games, so it's more noticeable.

 

[SJUDave]

haha yes Panther, I am mad at our beat writers. As many others have discussed in this thread, there could be endless reasons why Taylor didn't play the other night.

I am not upset with Rick for making a decision, I am mad that our candid/honest coach wasn't asked to explain that decision or the process behind it.

You could feel Pitino's star power scaring our reporters in that press conference. Shaky voices, bad questions, etc.

As our team improves hopefully Braziller and co do as well.

I agree that the beat writers should have asked - i had two of them on the podcast to discuss it - they both felt it wasn't a main story of the game, which i disagree with - it might not be first second or third but it's definitely important to hear what coach had to say about Taylor not playing specifically.

When you go from starting every game to playing 8 seconds something has to have triggered that. Rick is not shy with his words he would have said something note worthy even if it was a that Taylor had a bad few days of practice or it had something to do with what he saw in Hofstra game etc.

 

[MainMan]

Rick told the writers not to ask those questions or else they'd be assigned to cover Fordham hoops.

 

[dk423]

I agree that the beat writers should have asked - i had two of them on the podcast to discuss it - they both felt it wasn't a main story of the game, which i disagree with - it might not be first second or third but it's definitely important to hear what coach had to say about Taylor not playing specifically.

When you go from starting every game to playing 8 seconds something has to have triggered that. Rick is not shy with his words he would have said something note worthy even if it was a that Taylor had a bad few days of practice or it had something to do with what he saw in Hofstra game etc.

It's also literally just asking one question -- not like we should have an in-depth investigation about it or anything.

 

[SLYFOXX1968]

Our free-throw shooting has been very inconsistent this season. Some games we look like world-beaters, other games, like Butler, me look awful.

Does anyone that has attended practice know if there is an effort to "coach" free throw shooting? And I don't mean having a player go to a basket and shoot free throws. Does a coach analyze the stroke and follow through, the arc, concentration, etc.?

Good points all. I am equally in the dark about Coaches j helping Players with foul shooting . Or, the more current free throw shooting .

I would think , for the most part , free throw shooting isn’t much different than regular Shooting , although it should be easier as no one is guarding the Player.

We , here at St John’s a myriad of Players passing through that can’t shoot free throws any better than they did in HS . Some worse .

I think we have mostly agreed that there are only limited adjustments that a Coach can make at this level , to improve shooting in general or., Free throw shooting in particular. It’s almost like trying to improve some body playing the Violin at this age and, expect them to become Itzak Perlman . Not going to happen .

I would say , by this time , only marginal increases in a individuals free throw shooting are possible .
They tried everything with Wilt Chamberlain and he was a poor free throw shooter , his entire career .

Zuby was shooting Free throws pretty well , early in the season but , seems to be clanking then of late .

 

[L J S A]

Rick told the writers not to ask those questions or else they'd be assigned to cover Fordham hoops.

If I hadn't just read Dave's comment right before yours, I would have speculated that there was some truth in yours -- not the Fordham part, but Rick asking certain guys to not ask.

Is it journalistically ethical? Probably more so in sports than in White House coverage.

 

[Jack Williams]

I agree that the beat writers should have asked - i had two of them on the podcast to discuss it - they both felt it wasn't a main story of the game, which i disagree with - it might not be first second or third but it's definitely important to hear what coach had to say about Taylor not playing specifically.

When you go from starting every game to playing 8 seconds something has to have triggered that. Rick is not shy with his words he would have said something note worthy even if it was a that Taylor had a bad few days of practice or it had something to do with what he saw in Hofstra game etc.

Thanks for bringing it up on the pod Dave. Tuning in now

 

[Marillac2]

I don’t see it as big of an issue as others. Reason #1 is that it was Taylor — who is a great teammate and was cheering his tail off and smiling.

Reason #2 is Luis and Dunlap needed time and had good matchups with slower Butler forwards at home.

When Dunlap started going off you had to stick with him. Any time Wilcher or Dunlap can play even or better you have to leave them in.

 

[Moose]

If we lost the game I guarantee it would have been a bigger issue for fans and the writers.

 

[Knight]

Good points all. I am equally in the dark about Coaches j helping Players with foul shooting . Or, the more current free throw shooting .

I would think , for the most part , free throw shooting isn’t much different than regular Shooting , although it should be easier as no one is guarding the Player.

We , here at St John’s a myriad of Players passing through that can’t shoot free throws any better than they did in HS . Some worse .

I think we have mostly agreed that there are only limited adjustments that a Coach can make at this level , to improve shooting in general or., Free throw shooting in particular. It’s almost like trying to improve some body playing the Violin at this age and, expect them to become Itzak Perlman . Not going to happen .

I would say , by this time , only marginal increases in a individuals free throw shooting are possible .
They tried everything with Wilt Chamberlain and he was a poor free throw shooter , his entire career .

Zuby was shooting Free throws pretty well , early in the season but , seems to be clanking then of late .

FYI—In the game where Wilt scored 100 points, he was 28 for 32 from FT line.

 

[JohnnyFan]

I know I am a little late on the response, but I just read two posts wondering why Thad got ejected. I was close enough to the action. He had been trying to get a 3-seconds call against either Ledlum or Soriano for a couple of possessions and then finally just lost it after we got a bucket down low.

Another update.....my son and I were fortunate enough to catch up with Panther for a quick chat before the game. Don't let him fool you with that old age talk. Sharp and insightful as ever.

 

[SLYFOXX1968]

FYI—In the game where Wilt scored 100 points, he was 28 for 32 from FT line.

A remarkable game for the Big Dipper , a nick name that Wilt approved of .

For his career , Wilt shot 51.1 percent on his free throw attempts .
I think his various Coaches tried everything with Wilt . Underhand like Rick Barry , one hand push shot , etc .

I’m sure there were multiple theories on Wilt’s troubles at the line . But , little results .

 

[otis]

I know I am a little late on the response, but I just read two posts wondering why Thad got ejected. I was close enough to the action. He had been trying to get a 3-seconds call against either Ledlum or Soriano for a couple of possessions and then finally just lost it after we got a bucket down low.….bg

I watched the game on TV and it looked like Matta may have unintentionally bumped into the ref while voicing his protest which triggered his ejection. Did he bump the ref?

 

[Knight]

I watched the game on TV and it looked like Matta may have unintentionally bumped into the ref while voicing his protest which triggered his ejection. Did he bump the ref?

I think on the broadcast I heard them say he was already tossed and that occurred when he was leaving the court.

 

[Silly Donovan]

I don’t see it as big of an issue as others. Reason #1 is that it was Taylor — who is a great teammate and was cheering his tail off and smiling.

Reason #2 is Luis and Dunlap needed time and had good matchups with slower Butler forwards at home.

When Dunlap started going off you had to stick with him. Any time Wilcher or Dunlap can play even or better you have to leave them in.

While an agree with the fact that once Dunlap started playing well he kept him in, what I don’t believe at all is that Coach Pitino would use this game to give Dunlap an opportunity to play. This is a Big East game, there is much on the line here. If he was going to do such a thing with Dunlap it would have been in a not so critical game. If Dunlap played it’s cause he earned it in practice period. If he played more then Taylor it’s caused he outperformed him on the court in practice. My thought is that Brady has demonstrated more of an ability to put points on the board while Taylor has contributed little in that was as of late.

The made up story that Pitino went to Taylor and said,”I hope you don’t mind but I want to give Brady a chance to play” is pure nonsense and those who believe that have a vivid imagination.