Not a knock, just an observation as the season approaches......we have threads on Sampson and Harrison and posts and posts of comparisons of this player to that player and who and how many are going to the next level, etc., etc. Me, I want to see a TEAM, one committed to defense and rebounding and sharing the ball, one with a single goal, WINNING. Talent is important, obviously vital and we have talent but equally vital is chemistry and a singular, shared committment to winning as a team. The Butlers and VCUs of the past few years have illustrated the importance of chemistry and hopefully this team has taken the next step mentally and realizes and committs to what it takes to win.
Chemistry and Winning
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You bring up great points. The one thing that I will say is that it is much easier to play team ball, winning ball as you said, when you have legit passers and play makers. We added two really good ones in Jordan and Sanchez and we have another one who is finally healthy and adjusted in Branch. Can't wait for November 8th! Really I can't wait for tomorrow night lol.
Ray Morgan
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Great point. Chemistry happens when you have unselfish players. You also need guys playing in their natural positions. For those reasons, this team should be better than any team on the SJU campus since Barkley and Artest left for the NBA. Two natural point guards, including one with serious upside. Greene and Harrison at their natural spots, with far less of a scoring burden, and far less defensive attention, on Harrison. There are zero excuses this year. There is ample experience, more than enough talent, and elite athletes few division one programs can match. Shot blocking totals that may lead the nation. The rebounding woes could be offset by Gift and Sanchez. Three pointing shooting problems may be, and this is a hope, resolved by Hooper. I am not drinking the kool aid, but it's the NCAA with a top 4 seed or something isn't right. If not this year, it may take awhile.
Great post. This team seems to genuinely like each other and to be rooting for each other which is a good start. The "players don't have to be friends off the court/field" applies more to football (53 guys) and baseball (individual performance driven) than hoops IMO. Not a necessity, but makes things much easier. This squad seems to have it, in interviews they are always heaping praise on everybody but themselves. Good to see.
The only chemistry I saw at all last year was between Branch and Harrison. I think Sanchez and Jordan will jump right into that group. I think Max has the respect of the entire team and he will get touches when he's open.
Defense and rebounding will key this season. This team simply has to be dominating on the defensive end. They were built to do just that by Lavin. Reading that Jordan is embracing this aspect in practice was the best thing I've heard all off-season.
Defense and rebounding will key this season. This team simply has to be dominating on the defensive end. They were built to do just that by Lavin. Reading that Jordan is embracing this aspect in practice was the best thing I've heard all off-season.
Wholeheartedly agree. We will go as far as our defense takes us. Scoring can be up or down, but we need to play good team defense. We have all the tools. If everybody sells outfor the good of the team, with wins in mind, we can be beastly. Sanchez added up front will be huge for us as will have an entire healthy backcourt and Hooper to gun when we need him to. Time to take it at people.