Felix Balamou

[MarkRedman]

As a result of Jordan's absence, several tweets have stated that Balamou has been "activated" for today's game
The pundits surmise that this decision may mean that Jordan will miss more than one game

 

[ccnobz]

Lavin said one had nothing to do with the other.

 

[jumbo_peanuts]

and now he is starting....

 

[psk938]

There was no reason to activate him... they dont need him this year even if he is healthy. They have plenty of guys that can play the guard position and keeping him as a redshirt helps us out in evening out of scholarship situation. Some decisions I just do not get.

 

[mjmaherjr]

There was no reason to activate him... they dont need him this year even if he is healthy. They have plenty of guys that can play the guard position and keeping him as a redshirt helps us out in evening out of scholarship situation. Some decisions I just do not get.

Agreed. But a little St Johns Christmas Chaos always makes the day go by a little quicker

 

[beast of the east]

There was no reason to activate him... they dont need him this year even if he is healthy. They have plenty of guys that can play the guard position and keeping him as a redshirt helps us out in evening out of scholarship situation. Some decisions I just do not get.

Agreed. But a little St Johns Christmas Chaos always makes the day go by a little quicker

I happen to think this kid can play. He actually turned heads today simply by getting WAY WAY above the rim on an offensive rebound.

 

[bucketshardy]

There was no reason to activate him... they dont need him this year even if he is healthy. They have plenty of guys that can play the guard position and keeping him as a redshirt helps us out in evening out of scholarship situation. Some decisions I just do not get.

Agreed. But a little St Johns Christmas Chaos always makes the day go by a little quicker

I happen to think this kid can play. He actually turned heads today simply by getting WAY WAY above the rim on an offensive rebound.

I was rim high in section 7, both my father and I could not get over how high he got fOr that rebound. This is a kid, if he can develop some confidence, could be a true asset.

 

[monte]

I just don't see Felix being much of a contributor any time soon. I hope I'm wrong and you guys are right.

 

[Marillac]

I just don't see Felix being much of a contributor any time soon. I hope I'm wrong and you guys are right.

You are wrong The kid is a beast. He instantly becomes our best offensive rebounder and defender. He plays with great pace and I think he will be one of our top outside shooters as well as one of the best threats on the baseline. Time to turn up the pressure!

 

[Andrew]

I just don't see Felix being much of a contributor any time soon. I hope I'm wrong and you guys are right.

You are wrong The kid is a beast. He instantly becomes our best offensive rebounder and defender. He plays with great pace and I think he will be one of our top outside shooters as well as one of the best threats on the baseline. Time to turn up the pressure!

I actually agree with you on something. The shooting may take some time but this kid can play.

 

[dee]

There was no reason to activate him... they dont need him this year even if he is healthy. They have plenty of guys that can play the guard position and keeping him as a redshirt helps us out in evening out of scholarship situation. Some decisions I just do not get.

He is a sophomore, they dont need to worry about his time. He has two more years after this. I say it is good because he gives us another player to use on the press

 

[monte]

I just don't see Felix being much of a contributor any time soon. I hope I'm wrong and you guys are right.

You are wrong The kid is a beast. He instantly becomes our best offensive rebounder and defender. He plays with great pace and I think he will be one of our top outside shooters as well as one of the best threats on the baseline. Time to turn up the pressure!

Lets revisit this debate in a few weeks, after Felix has logged more than 10 minutes of playing time. Besides, right now I'm still trying to determine who's more valuable to this team, Marco or Max.

 

[Class of 72]

I just don't see Felix being much of a contributor any time soon. I hope I'm wrong and you guys are right.

You are wrong The kid is a beast. He instantly becomes our best offensive rebounder and defender. He plays with great pace and I think he will be one of our top outside shooters as well as one of the best threats on the baseline. Time to turn up the pressure!

And you gathered all this player insight from his first 10 minutes of the season where he shot 0-1 and grabbed 1 rebound? What offensive rebounds? I counted 16 for Youngstown and 9 for us. Some unknown snowflake named Hain out rebounded Gift, Obekpa and Sanchez.

 

[bk8664]

and now he is starting....

Good for him for starting. I like that move by Lavin. Rewarding hard work.

 

[monte]

I just don't see Felix being much of a contributor any time soon. I hope I'm wrong and you guys are right.

You are wrong The kid is a beast. He instantly becomes our best offensive rebounder and defender. He plays with great pace and I think he will be one of our top outside shooters as well as one of the best threats on the baseline. Time to turn up the pressure!

And you gathered all this player insight from his first 10 minutes of the season where he shot 0-1 and grabbed 1 rebound? What offensive rebounds? I counted 16 for Youngstown and 9 for us. Some unknown snowflake named Hain out rebounded Gift, Obekpa and Sanchez.

Yeah but live reports have it that it was one hell of a rebound

 

[Section3]

and now he is starting....

Good for him for starting. I like that move by Lavin. Rewarding hard work.

Probably more about keeping the rotations consistent...I think Orlando replaced Obekpa in starting lineup because we Balamou's offense is limited

 

[beast of the east]

and now he is starting....

Good for him for starting. I like that move by Lavin. Rewarding hard work.

Probably more about keeping the rotations consistent...I think Orlando replaced Obekpa in starting lineup because we Balamou's offense is limited

I think its more of establishing that there are more than 5 starters on this team, that there are a ton of contributors to the team's success, and anyone can be called on at any given moment or situation to log key minutes. Good call by Lavin.

 

[Class of 72]

and now he is starting....

Good for him for starting. I like that move by Lavin. Rewarding hard work.

Probably more about keeping the rotations consistent...I think Orlando replaced Obekpa in starting lineup because we Balamou's offense is limited

I think its more of establishing that there are more than 5 starters on this team, that there are a ton of contributors to the team's success, and anyone can be called on at any given moment or situation to log key minutes. Good call by Lavin.

A good move based on what Lavin said in a press release that Felix's practices have been impressive??
Max Hooper once started because he hit 12 threes in a practice. The reward of starting rings hallow when the effect is negative. That he played only 10 minutes was also a hallow gesture and reminds me of all the starts given to Dwayne Polee who never finished the games. Branch must be really sucking big time in practices as the only point guard left on the team! Obepka started all of last year as the only choice in the middle while Gift was mysteriously red shited but today we did not start anyone at the 5 and the YState center had a career rebounding day!
No starting lineup the wizard puts on the floor surprises me.

 

[Marillac]

I just don't see Felix being much of a contributor any time soon. I hope I'm wrong and you guys are right.

You are wrong The kid is a beast. He instantly becomes our best offensive rebounder and defender. He plays with great pace and I think he will be one of our top outside shooters as well as one of the best threats on the baseline. Time to turn up the pressure!

And you gathered all this player insight from his first 10 minutes of the season where he shot 0-1 and grabbed 1 rebound? What offensive rebounds? I counted 16 for Youngstown and 9 for us. Some unknown snowflake named Hain out rebounded Gift, Obekpa and Sanchez.

I saw him plenty last season and I watched about 10 games of his in high school. The kid skies for blocks and rebounds like he's 6'9.

I understand you are the ultimate glass half-empty guy, but I would think even you couldn't deny Balamou's obvious tenacity on the glass and defensive end.

As a team our offensive rebounding has been awful. Sampson spends too much time forgetting that he cannot be stopped on the offensive glass when he wants it. Sanchez could also be force if he played closer to the basket.

 

[lawmanfan]

I am mystified by the comments about Balamou. He is athletic, and so far that is all you can say about him. Right now he looks like a poor man's Alpha Bangura. Maybe he will have a Lavor Postell-like developmental curve. We'll see.

Regardless, the decision to activate him makes zero sense unless a guard is leaving for good, imminently (or perhaps unless Balamou indicated he would transfer if he didn't get some time). The backcourt is fully stocked with Harrison, Jordan, Greene and Branch. If the staff managed to get over its love affair with the 3-guard lineup then there would be barely enough minutes for the 4 guards we have.

There's another shoe here somewhere.