Homer Initiation

[beast of the east]

The trend is to jump on Lavin. He should be getting some heat but i truly believe that he does not deserve it all.
*Our players act like divas!- We were out hustled in 90% of games this year. The reason we won against the likes of Wagner and others is based on having much more talented players. 90% of our opponents put in more heart and hustle into the games WE DON'T!
*Suspensions/rule violations-I don't agree with not starting your top players and sitting them for first 2/3 minutes is a punishment. I would respect the decision if he sat them down for the entire game. I know from experience violating a rule and having the same punishment(not starting for 2 minutes) was always viewed as a joke.

Lavin didn't take all the shots on Saturday that barely hit the rim. He also didn't instruct Sampson, Harrison, and Jordan to total something like 10 points while the game mattered.

 

[ctstorm]

The trend is to jump on Lavin. He should be getting some heat but i truly believe that he does not deserve it all.
*Our players act like divas!- We were out hustled in 90% of games this year. The reason we won against the likes of Wagner and others is based on having much more talented players. 90% of our opponents put in more heart and hustle into the games WE DON'T!
*Suspensions/rule violations-I don't agree with not starting your top players and sitting them for first 2/3 minutes is a punishment. I would respect the decision if he sat them down for the entire game. I know from experience violating a rule and having the same punishment(not starting for 2 minutes) was always viewed as a joke.

Lavin didn't take all the shots on Saturday that barely hit the rim. He also didn't instruct Sampson, Harrison, and Jordan to total something like 10 points while the game mattered.

You mean he told them to be more productive than that? That is a great strategic decision.

 

[Jack Williams]

The team looks like it has no gameplan ever. So either Lavin and the staff are doing a poor job of preparing the team for the games or the players aren't buying into what the coaches want them to do.

I sense it's a little of both based on lavins quote after the game, saying that Khadim got the start for being "coach able" there's definitely something going on behind the scenes, and if we keep losing games like this, it will all come out eventually.

 

[beast of the east]

The team looks like it has no gameplan ever. So either Lavin and the staff are doing a poor job of preparing the team for the games or the players aren't buying into what the coaches want them to do.

I sense it's a little of both based on lavins quote after the game, saying that Khadim got the start for being "coach able" there's definitely something going on behind the scenes, and if we keep losing games like this, it will all come out eventually.

I think the grand plan starting vs. Georgetown was you'd better bust your butt on defense, and move on offense, and practice like you need to prove something, or you will sit.

I'll be stunned if we don't return to starting the guys that are among our best players this Saturday vs. Nova..

 

[beast of the east]

The trend is to jump on Lavin. He should be getting some heat but i truly believe that he does not deserve it all.
*Our players act like divas!- We were out hustled in 90% of games this year. The reason we won against the likes of Wagner and others is based on having much more talented players. 90% of our opponents put in more heart and hustle into the games WE DON'T!
*Suspensions/rule violations-I don't agree with not starting your top players and sitting them for first 2/3 minutes is a punishment. I would respect the decision if he sat them down for the entire game. I know from experience violating a rule and having the same punishment(not starting for 2 minutes) was always viewed as a joke.

Lavin didn't take all the shots on Saturday that barely hit the rim. He also didn't instruct Sampson, Harrison, and Jordan to total something like 10 points while the game mattered.

You mean he told them to be more productive than that? That is a great strategic decision.

The point is, General Eisenhower could have devised the strategy, but if you can't execute, you are going to get whooped. Sadly, this team didn't lose because of strategy, they lost because they collectively stunk up the place.

 

[paultzman]

The trend is to jump on Lavin. He should be getting some heat but i truly believe that he does not deserve it all.
*Our players act like divas!- We were out hustled in 90% of games this year. The reason we won against the likes of Wagner and others is based on having much more talented players. 90% of our opponents put in more heart and hustle into the games WE DON'T!
*Suspensions/rule violations-I don't agree with not starting your top players and sitting them for first 2/3 minutes is a punishment. I would respect the decision if he sat them down for the entire game. I know from experience violating a rule and having the same punishment(not starting for 2 minutes) was always viewed as a joke.

Lavin didn't take all the shots on Saturday that barely hit the rim. He also didn't instruct Sampson, Harrison, and Jordan to total something like 10 points while the game mattered.

You mean he told them to be more productive than that? That is a great strategic decision.

That's a great post by you. The point is, General Eisenhower could have devised the strategy, but if you can't execute, you are going to get whooped. Sadly, this team didn't lose because of strategy, they lost because they collectively stunk up the place.

Ike didn't hand pick his guys, Lavin did. He still can achieve his stated goal for the season, but it is his job to figure out how to make this group work. Recent odd decisions, post game quotes, February prognostications and absence of stated responsibility to turn things in a positive direction concern me. Man up Coach and get your hand picked, ranked recruits to compete & achieve.

 

[Jack Williams]

The team looks like it has no gameplan ever. So either Lavin and the staff are doing a poor job of preparing the team for the games or the players aren't buying into what the coaches want them to do.

I sense it's a little of both based on lavins quote after the game, saying that Khadim got the start for being "coach able" there's definitely something going on behind the scenes, and if we keep losing games like this, it will all come out eventually.

I think the grand plan starting vs. Georgetown was you'd better bust your butt on defense, and move on offense, and practice like you need to prove something, or you will sit.

I'll be stunned if we don't return to starting the guys that are among our best players this Saturday vs. Nova..

If our walk on starts yet another game, we have confirmation something had is going on with this team. But I'm with you, I think the source of this issue is kids not trying in practice.

 

[redfazed]

The team looks like it has no gameplan ever. So either Lavin and the staff are doing a poor job of preparing the team for the games or the players aren't buying into what the coaches want them to do.

I sense it's a little of both based on lavins quote after the game, saying that Khadim got the start for being "coach able" there's definitely something going on behind the scenes, and if we keep losing games like this, it will all come out eventually.

I think the grand plan starting vs. Georgetown was you'd better bust your butt on defense, and move on offense, and practice like you need to prove something, or you will sit.

I'll be stunned if we don't return to starting the guys that are among our best players this Saturday vs. Nova..

If our walk on starts yet another game, we have confirmation something had is going on with this team. But I'm with you, I think the source of this issue is kids not trying in practice.

If that is the case , I am very surprised at Sampson. He just has never given any indication of being a "problem child" or lacking effort. It's puzzling.

 

[Ray Morgan]

The team looks like it has no gameplan ever. So either Lavin and the staff are doing a poor job of preparing the team for the games or the players aren't buying into what the coaches want them to do.

I sense it's a little of both based on lavins quote after the game, saying that Khadim got the start for being "coach able" there's definitely something going on behind the scenes, and if we keep losing games like this, it will all come out eventually.

I think the grand plan starting vs. Georgetown was you'd better bust your butt on defense, and move on offense, and practice like you need to prove something, or you will sit.

I'll be stunned if we don't return to starting the guys that are among our best players this Saturday vs. Nova..

If our walk on starts yet another game, we have confirmation something had is going on with this team. But I'm with you, I think the source of this issue is kids not trying in practice.

We don't need to wait. Something is going on. The proof is in the product on the floor, the activation of Balamou, and the walk on starting. The real question is why don't multiple players respect this coach? It' snot just one guy. It's also not 2 months into the freshman season for most of this team. Something is very wrong.

 

[salty dog]

Imagine these guys having to play for John Chaney at Temple and 6:00 am practices.

 

[NYCRedmen]

Like I said in my thread "Moving Forward", until someone on this team steps up and becomes a consistent perimeter threat, we are going to be an offensively challenged team on most nights, in the half court game. Yes, we will have the occasional "clicking on all cylinders" game, like Fordham, but what you've seen this season is ugly half court offense because we can't shoot, period. Harrison will have his moments, but he isn't a Dwight Hardy type who can carry a team, at least not yet. There is no magic formula to make bad shooters into good ones, if there was, we would have used it by now. We're going to have to win with defense, transition offense and hope. The hope being that one of our guys can make outside shots.

NYC, what if several of them already are and the coaching staff has not put out the point guard and inside threat that can catch the ball with them that are necessary to take advantage of their skill. It's not just the shot but the pass and the space to take it in rhythm that makes the outside shot work. I played center (in football) and I can assure you that no QB or place kicker ever thrived without me or my replacement doing our job.

YOU ARE CORRECT It takes 5 players doing their role for success

I agree with both of your points, but there have been plenty of times this year where we had guys wide open after they had a good pass made to them & they clanked the jump shot. If you think that guys like Pointer, Greene, Balamou, Obepka, Sanchez & Achiuwa are suddenly going to be big time threats from the perimeter b/c of the pass & rhythm, you will be disappointed in the results. Harrison & Sampson can score from the outside but they are consistently inconsistent. I played football as well & basketball (I was a forward though), I can assure you that no matter how good my point guard is, even if he gets me the ball when I am wide open, I will still miss my jump shot more often than not if I am not a good shooter. Look it's who we are as a team, it's not a knock, it's just the makeup of our roster. Outside shooting is not our strength. That doesn't mean we still can't win games but our half court offense is not going to be where we win a majority of our games.

 

[ras]

Like I mentioned in another thread . Did Starting and playing Khadim put us in a better position to win as opposed to starting Gift?

 

[redfazed]

Imagine these guys having to play for John Chaney at Temple and 6:00 am practices.

My fear is that Jordan will soon find out what that's like.

 

[paultzman]

Imagine these guys having to play for John Chaney at Temple and 6:00 am practices.

Just can't envision Lav's private car from SoHo arriving for that either.

 

[redfazed]

Imagine these guys having to play for John Chaney at Temple and 6:00 am practices.

My fear is that Jordan will soon find out what that's like.

minus Chaney that is >-)

 

[NYCRedmen]

Like I mentioned in another thread . Did Starting and playing Khadim put us in a better position to win as opposed to starting Gift?

Yes, Khadim hit his jump shot Obviously I'm kidding. That whole "starting lineup" thing is a whole other issue.

 

[Section9]

The team looks like it has no gameplan ever. So either Lavin and the staff are doing a poor job of preparing the team for the games or the players aren't buying into what the coaches want them to do.

I sense it's a little of both based on lavins quote after the game, saying that Khadim got the start for being "coach able" there's definitely something going on behind the scenes, and if we keep losing games like this, it will all come out eventually.

I think the grand plan starting vs. Georgetown was you'd better bust your butt on defense, and move on offense, and practice like you need to prove something, or you will sit.

I'll be stunned if we don't return to starting the guys that are among our best players this Saturday vs. Nova..

If our walk on starts yet another game, we have confirmation something had is going on with this team. But I'm with you, I think the source of this issue is kids not trying in practice.

If they're not "trying in practice" then it's on the coach(es) to get them motivated. Every single kid is a Lavin recruit, most of them top talent coming out of HS, so it's on him to motivate them or recruit kids that are not just talented but want to play.

Starting walk-ons is getting old and beginning to look like a coach who is either egomanical or can't motivate/control his team, maybe both.

 

[monte]

Why must there always be so much drama surrounding this team?

 

[Class of 72]

The team looks like it has no gameplan ever. So either Lavin and the staff are doing a poor job of preparing the team for the games or the players aren't buying into what the coaches want them to do.

I sense it's a little of both based on lavins quote after the game, saying that Khadim got the start for being "coach able" there's definitely something going on behind the scenes, and if we keep losing games like this, it will all come out eventually.

I think the grand plan starting vs. Georgetown was you'd better bust your butt on defense, and move on offense, and practice like you need to prove something, or you will sit.

I'll be stunned if we don't return to starting the guys that are among our best players this Saturday vs. Nova..

If our walk on starts yet another game, we have confirmation something had is going on with this team. But I'm with you, I think the source of this issue is kids not trying in practice.

If that is the case , I am very surprised at Sampson. He just has never given any indication of being a "problem child" or lacking effort. It's puzzling.

Not puzzling at all. He is not playing within the team concept.