I understand those worries. I think it says a lot that Pitino is not only playing him a lot, but also letting him play through mistakes. The only other person he affords that privilege to is Jenkins. You have to assume that means CRP thinks highly of his talent, work ethic, etc.
@Georgetown, Wed., Feb. 21, 7p, FS-1
- Thread starter Knight
- Start date
I know Luis has a lot of lows, but I actually think he deserves better treatment on the board. People really forget the huge offensive rebounds he's gotten late in games (Providence, Marquette), on-the-floor dives in others, big defensive plays and some of the really impressive plays on offense that he makes himself that no one else can on our roster.
I'd even say he's equally frustrating. He looks to score way too much, and makes himself an easy person to defend. Mindless turnovers. And his bad offense turning into bad defense. His defensive effort is inconsistent, at best. Too much fouling. Doesn't have a reliable jumper.
But for people to say that he sucks, has no talent, isn't a Big East player, etc. is so ludicrously over the top.
I'd even say he's equally frustrating. He looks to score way too much, and makes himself an easy person to defend. Mindless turnovers. And his bad offense turning into bad defense. His defensive effort is inconsistent, at best. Too much fouling. Doesn't have a reliable jumper.
But for people to say that he sucks, has no talent, isn't a Big East player, etc. is so ludicrously over the top.
About the smallest of small glimmers last night; down the “early” stretch Luis was being Luis, a couple of shake your head TOs, a couple or three even more shake your head fouls.
Pitino took him out, I assume a quick chat, and put him right back in. Luis carried himself like a ball player the last 3-4 minutes or so, meaning nothing crazy, played within the team and time and score. Nothing more, nothing less to me than a baby step in the right direction but it kept him on the court for the duration. Hopefully, it made an impression on Luis.
I wonder about the whole shin splint recovery. Pitino seems frustrated with the practice regimen family probably insisted on and that may have set him back initially. When finally back, Luis imo clearly rushed things as soon as he entered a game to RP’s chagrin and for a while he lost his coach’s trust perhaps. In an event, he is getting time now and let’s see how consistent he is a both ends of court in remaining games
Hope he does not expect an NIL raise
Agree. I think if he wasn't part of the long term plans + CRP didn't think highly of him, he would be with Glen Taylor in the dog house.I wonder about the whole shin splint recovery. Pitino seems frustrated with the practice regimen family probably insisted on and that may have set him back initially. When finally back, Luis imo clearly rushed things as soon as he entered a game to RP’s chagrin and for a while he lost his coach’s trust perhaps. In an event, he is getting time now and let’s see how consistent he is a both ends of court in remaining games
Hope he does not expect an NIL raise
It’s amazing what a win ,even an unimpressive one, can do for your psych. After Sundays game and theatrics you are ready to pack it in. Now I am looking at the schedule considering if they can win three out of the remaining four, can they finish sixth or seventh and get a break in the big east tournament , maybe win a couple there and somehow make the tournament.
A long shot but then Mike Repole comes to the rescue and I am out of the doldrums till Sunday.
A long shot but then Mike Repole comes to the rescue and I am out of the doldrums till Sunday.
Yeah Luis should have passed up those layups and dunks to the tune of 19 points ( on 9-14 shooting) and passed it back out so another Johnny could have shot another clunker.
Marillac’s favorite son Walter Clayton put up 27 shots for UF vs Bama last night.
He needs to watch some tape of Kolek, the best passer in the BE and maybe all of collegiate bball.
jimredd517
Active member
I think RJs biggest issue is his basketball IQ. I think because of his talent, he probably never had a coach really work with him on floor awareness and balance. If I was an opposing coach I would tell my team that every time RJ drives to the hoop, everyone run to defend him because he won't kick it out. That happened a couple of times last night and resulted in bad shots or turn overs. If the SJU coaches can show him tape of this and convince him by kicking the ball out, defenders will stop converging on him in the paint and make it easier for him to score, maybe he will see the light. Not to say they haven't done this but sometimes it takes a while to get through to 19 year old's who think they know more than the adults in the room... lol. I truly think we'll see a different RJ after a year under his belt working with coach. This is a super talented kid that just needs to "study".
And imagine if we had actual three point shooters he can pass the ball too. Or, gasp, he develops a three point shot (something Pitino alluded to).
jimredd517
Active member
Agreed. Thought the shooting would be better but hopeful that next year with Wilcher and Dunlap getting more time and hopefully some high end transfer shooters, they will be there....
MugCostanza
Well-known member
Until Luis develops a respectable 3 point shot his NBA dreams are just that, a dream. Lots of 6'6 and 6'7 guys with his athleticism but shooting is what separates them and makes them tens of millions of dollars
And he needs a reliable motor on defense w/out fouling.
Luis can be maddening but without him we lose to GT yesterday.
Luis has limited court time in practice because of his shin splints. He will eventually get it.
All true . Luis has a lot of Athletic ability which can be spectacular at times. But , has he mastered Basketball skills , like shooting , dribbling , defending , thinking , passing ?
The Jury is out on that question . Can they be learned ? Will he change his often reckless play ?
It’s a difficult question . He has played that way for his entire career and that Athletic ability has covered up those other deficiencies ..
Pitino will decide in the off season , if he can be schooled in those Skills .
Luis will decide if he wants to be a complete basketball player or , continue as he is .
G’Town is not exactly a barometer of Players skill .
True but, have you factored in that he is playing hurt ?
He sustained a Ankle injury that kept him out of the line up for a week . Since his return , probably prematurely , he has not been as effective as previously .
Alleyne has a College Career at Va Tech and UCONN that present him as being better a capable player , when healthy .
He’s in his last year and probably wants to play , even if not 100 percent .
He was a valuable Shooter and Defender for the Huskies . Even Hurley went on record to confirm that fact .
Barzini in the Godfather movie .
“ Tattagglia is a Pimp, it’s Barzini who arranged killing Sonny and shooting me .”
Or , something to that effect .
Like Jenkins last night towards the end of the game when things were getting very dicey. He dribbles into traffic, I think 3 defenders, travels (no call), and let's them tie the ball up by putting it right in the defenders' face/hands. Smooth move that was.
Jenkins, though Marillac, did make up for it down the stretch when he hit a dagger of a leaner to put us back up by two scores.