Dominic Pointer

[boo haarvey]

A common theme throughout a lot of the threads since the Rutgers game is our rotation. Seems very few agree with the minutes distribution and lineup combinations currently being deployed (myself included), so I'm wondering if there is any sort of consensus on how we should be going?

The first 7 are pretty straightforward in my opinion: Branch, Harrison, Garrett, Sampson, and Obekpa start, with Greene and Pointer off the bench getting significant minutes.

I don't see us consistently going 10 deep with Felix, Marco, and Jones (nor do I think we should), but at the same time we aren't using depth to our advantage at all. Rutgers may as well have been last year, and there is a middleground to be found here. I'm not in practice, but my guess is the staff doesn't see Jones as ready defensively and on the glass, but I don't think we're scoring the ball well enough - especially in the frontcourt - to completely ignore a kid who flashed an ability to contribute offensively early in the season. At least in terms of keeping him in the flow of the season with 6-8 minutes a game, so that he can give us more if it's warranted/needed. Tough to have a string of DNPs and then do so.

Definitely agree that CJones should get in the flow of the game. I would like to see a rotation down low of Chris/Karr/Amir/Jones. I know Amir can also flex to the wing, but has been producing on the hustle points (putbacks, etc)

Cjones is so buried on the bench I want to send condolence flowers. This eas a guy that Lavin had seen so much promise in practices that he started him!! Those practices must be pretty soft effen practices because in real games he rebounded as if he was on the women's team.
I like Felix's game and his potential is a sign that this team will be deep next year.....God willing!

He made those comments after 2-3 weeks of practice. Is it not natural for the dark horse under recruited guy to work really hard from day one to try and get some minutes? And is it poor tactics by the coach to highlight the kids effort to light a fire under the a$$es of the more heralded recruits and returnees?

I think you have to look at it in context. Lavin has a habit of grossly over-hyping his players. He made comments about Dwight Hardy -- who I love by the way -- being the best shooter he ever saw. He also compared Frenchy to Paxon or some other former NBA sharp shooter.

Assuming you are correct, and Lavin did not reach a hasty conclusion about Jones' present value to the team, then at least he can be accused of giving the poor kid unrealistic expectations. Going into the first game, Lav is talking about how impressed he is with Jones and what an impact he'll make. The kid starts the first game and plays 29 minutes. Now he's getting a string of DNPs. What is the message Lavin is sending? I'll light a fire under the rest of the team's collective asses by giving PT to a player who doesn't deserve more than 10 minutes the rest of the season.

 

[austour]

Kids are expendable.

 

[bobo]

Kids are expendable.

and so are bad coaches

 

[Redmenguy]

Lavin said Hardy was the best shooter he ever "coached" not "saw" - pretty big difference. I think it's healthy for a coach to be confident in his players and set high expectations for them.

 

[Class of 72]

Kids are expendable.

Watch it!
Fun may accuse you of stealing his intellectual property!

 

[boo haarvey]

I've taken some negative hits to my karma over the years, but think I deserve some positive karma points for starting this thread when everyone was lambasting the team following the grown game.

Btw -- interesting interview with lavin after the game. Lavin made a crack about being on the hot seat with some of the alumni after losing a few in a row. Wonder whether he reads this board.

 

[upstate redman]

Always been a huge fan of Dom, and was just waiting for all the talent to come together. He always played so hard and was great on defense , and now that his offensive game is starting to click, I think he can be a special player. I really believe that he is the catalyst for this team and when he is playing well and playing with confidence we are a dangerous team. Now that Dom has emerged as a scorer, between him, DLo, Sampson and Branch, coupled with Obekpa protecting the rim, we can be a very good team. Just need to get better at FTs and more consistent on offense.

 

[thetux1]

I've taken some negative hits to my karma over the years, but think I deserve some positive karma points for starting this thread when everyone was lambasting the team following the grown game.

Btw -- interesting interview with lavin after the game. Lavin made a crack about being on the hot seat with some of the alumni after losing a few in a row. Wonder whether he reads this board.

Lavin's making people eat some crow right now.

 

[tom in salem]

I've taken some negative hits to my karma over the years, but think I deserve some positive karma points for starting this thread when everyone was lambasting the team following the grown game.

Btw -- interesting interview with lavin after the game. Lavin made a crack about being on the hot seat with some of the alumni after losing a few in a row. Wonder whether he reads this board.

Lavin's making people eat some crow right now.

I'm another one.
Medium rare please.
My new favorite player.
Nobody plays harder.
Nobody.

 

[Moose]

I've taken some negative hits to my karma over the years, but think I deserve some positive karma points for starting this thread when everyone was lambasting the team following the grown game.

Btw -- interesting interview with lavin after the game. Lavin made a crack about being on the hot seat with some of the alumni after losing a few in a row. Wonder whether he reads this board.

People on staff and admin know of the site. Do they check it everyday? No. But they know its existence and I'm sure give it a gander once in awhile.

 

[kranmars]

At one of the MSG games, I was telling gman how much I like Pointer and his energy. I will take some of his mistakes, because he gives full effort all the time. He is my favorite player.

I remained away from this thread because I didn't want to jinx the kid. I just hope Pointer is jinx-proof.

 

[bucketshardy]

I've taken some negative hits to my karma over the years, but think I deserve some positive karma points for starting this thread when everyone was lambasting the team following the grown game.

Btw -- interesting interview with lavin after the game. Lavin made a crack about being on the hot seat with some of the alumni after losing a few in a row. Wonder whether he reads this board.

People on staff and admin know of the site. Do they check it everyday? No. But they know its existence and I'm sure give it a gander once in awhile.

Certainly hope the players don't read this thread- Ha...with some of the comments that have been said, if a kid doesn't have thick skin, their confidence would be shot. That's why i am a big proponent of "constructive" criticism.

 

[Moose]

I've taken some negative hits to my karma over the years, but think I deserve some positive karma points for starting this thread when everyone was lambasting the team following the grown game.

Btw -- interesting interview with lavin after the game. Lavin made a crack about being on the hot seat with some of the alumni after losing a few in a row. Wonder whether he reads this board.

People on staff and admin know of the site. Do they check it everyday? No. But they know its existence and I'm sure give it a gander once in awhile.

Certainly hope the players don't read this thread- Ha...with some of the comments that have been said, if a kid doesn't have thick skin, their confidence would be shot. That's why i am a big proponent of "constructive" criticism.

Put yourself in their shoes.

Would you google yourself?

 

[bucketshardy]

I've taken some negative hits to my karma over the years, but think I deserve some positive karma points for starting this thread when everyone was lambasting the team following the grown game.

Btw -- interesting interview with lavin after the game. Lavin made a crack about being on the hot seat with some of the alumni after losing a few in a row. Wonder whether he reads this board.

People on staff and admin know of the site. Do they check it everyday? No. But they know its existence and I'm sure give it a gander once in awhile.

Certainly hope the players don't read this thread- Ha...with some of the comments that have been said, if a kid doesn't have thick skin, their confidence would be shot. That's why i am a big proponent of "constructive" criticism.

Put yourself in their shoes.

Would you google yourself?

Think we all know the answer for that- BE baller with a good amount of ego- hell ya, lol. That is why i said "hope they don't read it"- If the players are reasonable/logical hopefully they just consider most of these fans bipolar with their mood swings from game to game lol

 

[doodyny33]

Dom has become the glue guy that keeps the team together

 

[Marillac]

I've taken some negative hits to my karma over the years, but think I deserve some positive karma points for starting this thread when everyone was lambasting the team following the grown game.

Btw -- interesting interview with lavin after the game. Lavin made a crack about being on the hot seat with some of the alumni after losing a few in a row. Wonder whether he reads this board.

People on staff and admin know of the site. Do they check it everyday? No. But they know its existence and I'm sure give it a gander once in awhile.

At the 2007 function at the New York Athletic Club, I got in the elevator by myself and the entire staff walked in behind me. It was literally just me and the entire staff. They were busting on posters by name and making jokes about who they'd meet. I don't think my face was ever so red.

I think those players and/or recruits that don't check message boards are very uncommon. It's human nature. Coaches are no different.

 

[Section9]

On top of all the box score numbers, Dom drew about six charges last night, kid had an incredible game.

Celestand described Poole as a blue collar player who brings his lunch pail to every game. Heck, Dom drives a food truck to every game!

 

[Marillac]

On top of all the box score numbers, Dom drew about six charges last night, kid had an incredible game.

Celestand described Poole as a blue collar player who brings his lunch pail to every game. Heck, Dom drives a food truck to every game!

He's been great the last few games. His effort is always outstanding, but I am not so sure how he'll perform against more talented and skilled teams. A lot of his boards, for example, were sloppy and the result of poor play by Rutgers.

I love how he gets his hands on so much, but he can still improve defending guards that are a threat to drive. I wonder if the addition of Branch has been the reason behind Dom's recent play or if it is just due to the poor competition. To be determined....

 

[red0356]

On top of all the box score numbers, Dom drew about six charges last night, kid had an incredible game.

Celestand described Poole as a blue collar player who brings his lunch pail to every game. Heck, Dom drives a food truck to every game!

He's been great the last few games. His effort is always outstanding, but I am not so sure how he'll perform against more talented and skilled teams. A lot of his boards, for example, were sloppy and the result of poor play by Rutgers.

I love how he gets his hands on so much, but he can still improve defending guards that are a threat to drive. I wonder if the addition of Branch has been the reason behind Dom's recent play or if it is just due to the poor competition. To be determined....

I believe the above is an unfair slap in the face to Rutgers. Although we totally outplayed them last night, I would not consider them poor competition. They are a legitimate Big East team that beat Pittsburgh and were a shot away from beating the Irish at Notre Dame. I agree that they are not a top tier Big East team, but they are definitely not poor competition. I tend to think that Dom is starting to "get it". I always thought he had the talent, but was not adjusting to the Big East mentally. I expect him to continue his good play going forward.

 

[Moose]

I've taken some negative hits to my karma over the years, but think I deserve some positive karma points for starting this thread when everyone was lambasting the team following the grown game.

Btw -- interesting interview with lavin after the game. Lavin made a crack about being on the hot seat with some of the alumni after losing a few in a row. Wonder whether he reads this board.

People on staff and admin know of the site. Do they check it everyday? No. But they know its existence and I'm sure give it a gander once in awhile.

At the 2007 function at the New York Athletic Club, I got in the elevator by myself and the entire staff walked in behind me. It was literally just me and the entire staff. They were busting on posters by name and making jokes about who they'd meet. I don't think my face was ever so red.

I think those players and/or recruits that don't check message boards are very uncommon. It's human nature. Coaches are no different.

I remember seeing you right after that happened to you.

But also that staff was extremely paranoid to boot. They were almost too attached to the boards.