Malik Ellison

[quote="SLYFOXX1968" post=300436]I agree with Beast on Malik Ellison . He got a lot of minutes here in his 2 years to show what he could do .In Retrospect , he might have played more last year than he anticipated at the time of his transfer . Lovett leaving would have moved him up in playing time and he could have spelled both, Clark and Ahmed as well . Accepting a meaningful Role , while not starting , might have been a Choice he didn’t consider enough . But, freedom to leave was certainly his . I also think , with the Lovett defection , Mussini would have contributed some solid offense and good 3 point shooting , again in a supporting role ., We could have used his sharpshooting skills in quite a few of the close games last year .[/quote]

One of the hardest things about building a team from scratch is that playing time can be inverted. On a barren roster, a reasonably good role player can get a ton of minutes, and have them diminish as the roster improves. What kids don't see if that they have an opportunity to be vital role players three years down the road even as playing time diminishes. Ellison is not the only kid who left under those circumstances; Owens certainly did as well, if not for minutes, then for touches. Most find that they aren't the players they thought themselves to be.

Hopefully in Ellison's case, on a not so good Pitt team, he will garner significant minutes and contribute more than he would have had he stayed here.
 
[quote="Beast of the East" post=300432][quote="Monte" post=300388][quote="Beast of the East" post=300344][quote="redken" post=300343][quote="Section3" post=300340][quote="redmannorth" post=300320]More than a tad surprised anyone finds the need to criticize Malik. He came here when we were desperate for players and gave us his best for 2 seasons. He practiced with and against Simon and Clark his second season and it had to be obvious they were clearly a notch or two above him in talent and were seriously going to take away his minutes. Malik was and is a very good kid I wish him all the very best.[/quote]
Don’t think anyone is criticizing him. If anything, he is complaining about how he was used while at SJ.

The fact is, while at SJ, he had a starting position. While here he played ok but had a tendency to want to be “the man” which he was never qualified to be.

Any comments made were in response to his criticism of SJ.[/quote]
Does it really surprise anyone that a kid who leaves this program (or any program, for that matter) is going to have some negative comments on the time spent here (or wherever)? Regardless of the validity of transfers' takes on things, they're giving the reasons why they left from their perspective. What else does anyone expect, love letters? Malik's comments were neither harsh nor vindictive ... so I, too, wish him the very best. He played hard while he was here and apparently was a good teammate, and that's all that counts as far as I'm concerned.[/quote]
I think everyone wishes him the best. He was a solid citizen here.

New rules: From now on, no criticizing players. No one can say anything critical of bad shots, turnovers, defense, fouls,etc.

However feel free to crap on the coaches for their stupidity, laziness, eating habits, stubbornness, failure to close on recruits, how they staff, how often they go home, why they aren't out recruiting 24/7.

Forms will be created listing all the complaints beginning with Looie onward. It will be much easier. And these forms be used for annual reviews. Attendance at games not necessary, nor is watching games. Parroting others on here is allowed. Crackers not included.[/quote]

I find the word “Crackers” highly offensive.[/quote]

I kind of knew someone would. PM or text me. It's been too long, M.[/quote]

lol. Will do.
 
[quote="Monte" post=300388][quote="Beast of the East" post=300344][quote="redken" post=300343][quote="Section3" post=300340][quote="redmannorth" post=300320]More than a tad surprised anyone finds the need to criticize Malik. He came here when we were desperate for players and gave us his best for 2 seasons. He practiced with and against Simon and Clark his second season and it had to be obvious they were clearly a notch or two above him in talent and were seriously going to take away his minutes. Malik was and is a very good kid I wish him all the very best.[/quote]
Don’t think anyone is criticizing him. If anything, he is complaining about how he was used while at SJ.

The fact is, while at SJ, he had a starting position. While here he played ok but had a tendency to want to be “the man” which he was never qualified to be.

Any comments made were in response to his criticism of SJ.[/quote]
Does it really surprise anyone that a kid who leaves this program (or any program, for that matter) is going to have some negative comments on the time spent here (or wherever)? Regardless of the validity of transfers' takes on things, they're giving the reasons why they left from their perspective. What else does anyone expect, love letters? Malik's comments were neither harsh nor vindictive ... so I, too, wish him the very best. He played hard while he was here and apparently was a good teammate, and that's all that counts as far as I'm concerned.[/quote]
I think everyone wishes him the best. He was a solid citizen here.

New rules: From now on, no criticizing players. No one can say anything critical of bad shots, turnovers, defense, fouls,etc.

However feel free to crap on the coaches for their stupidity, laziness, eating habits, stubbornness, failure to close on recruits, how they staff, how often they go home, why they aren't out recruiting 24/7.

Forms will be created listing all the complaints beginning with Looie onward. It will be much easier. And these forms be used for annual reviews. Attendance at games not necessary, nor is watching games. Parroting others on here is allowed. Crackers not included.[/quote]

I find the word “Crackers” highly offensive.[/quote] In todays year of the snowflakes personally I'm offended also. I prefer saltines :)

I'm going to go to my safe spot now.
 
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Malik played 33 minutes for Pitt last night, had 13 points and 6 rebounds. As suspected, Pitt will be a good spot for him from a PT perspective.

On another note, Tariq Owens played 10 minutes for Texas Tech in their blowout win - 4 fouls, 6 blocks and 2 shots in those 10 minutes.
 
[quote="NCJohnnie" post=300732]Malik played 33 minutes for Pitt last night, had 13 points and 6 rebounds. As suspected, Pitt will be a good spot for him from a PT perspective.

On another note, Tariq Owens played 10 minutes for Texas Tech in their blowout win - 4 fouls, 6 blocks and 2 shots in those 10 minutes.[/quote]

How many goaltends? :)
 
[quote="NCJohnnie" post=300732]Malik played 33 minutes for Pitt last night, had 13 points and 6 rebounds. As suspected, Pitt will be a good spot for him from a PT perspective.

On another note, Tariq Owens played 10 minutes for Texas Tech in their blowout win - 4 fouls, 6 blocks and 2 shots in those 10 minutes.[/quote]

Wait, didn't he think he was starting and getting tons of time?
 
Mike Zaun: Wait, didn't he think he was starting and getting tons of time?

Looks like he did start, but I suspect 4 fouls (and huge blowout) severely limited his minutes. Not much to take from that, will be interesting to see how it plays out over the year.
 
[quote="Mike Zaun" post=300738][quote="NCJohnnie" post=300732]Malik played 33 minutes for Pitt last night, had 13 points and 6 rebounds. As suspected, Pitt will be a good spot for him from a PT perspective.

On another note, Tariq Owens played 10 minutes for Texas Tech in their blowout win - 4 fouls, 6 blocks and 2 shots in those 10 minutes.[/quote]



The grass ain't always greener. Since Tariq can't create for himself, he needs to play with people who complement him. He found a level of comfortability with his teammates last year and had a nice year. Instead of trying to build on that, he moved on.

Damn shame.

Wait, didn't he think he was starting and getting tons of time?[/quote]
 
[quote="panther2" post=300744][quote="Mike Zaun" post=300738][quote="NCJohnnie" post=300732]Malik played 33 minutes for Pitt last night, had 13 points and 6 rebounds. As suspected, Pitt will be a good spot for him from a PT perspective.

On another note, Tariq Owens played 10 minutes for Texas Tech in their blowout win - 4 fouls, 6 blocks and 2 shots in those 10 minutes.[/quote]



The grass ain't always greener. Since Tariq can't create for himself, he needs to play with people who complement him. He found a level of comfortability with his teammates last year and had a nice year. Instead of trying to build on that, he moved on.

Damn shame.

Wait, didn't he think he was starting and getting tons of time?[/quote][/quote]
Yes ... and lots of shots.
 
It is a shame. We could have used him a lot on this team and he would have gotten plenty of time. He’s not going to be the focal point of any offense no matter what school he goes to. Oh well..
 
I agree, in this case, we did a bad job of re-recruiting our own player, who we had a huge need for. I guess sometimes it doesn't work out and from the kid's perspective the grass is greener elsewhere. I just don't know why he couldn't have been sold on the prime opportunity for big minutes, in a setting in which he had done well in since arriving. It's not like he was going somewhere to be the featured guy. But, water under the bridge.
 
The problem is but for Lovett getting hurt, which no one could have predicted, he wasn't going to get big minutes - at best would have gotten Trimble's minutes and he wanted more. He is starting for Pitt and never would have started here as a junior or senior.
 
NCJ, I was actually referring to Owens (who I thought Marcus was referring to, even tho this is an Ellison thread). I have no reason to quarrel with or question why Ellison left (from either side). I appreciate that he came here when we were down and helped us get back on our feet. I agree he would have had limited minutes, especially how the roster has developed, so it makes sense for him to have moved on. With respect to Owens, I believe he left a better opportunity for a worse one. Sorry for the confusion.
 
Redmanwest wrote: NCJ, I was actually referring to Owens (who I thought Marcus was referring to, even tho this is an Ellison thread). I have no reason to quarrel with or question why Ellison left (from either side). I appreciate that he came here when we were down and helped us get back on our feet. I agree he would have had limited minutes, especially how the roster has developed, so it makes sense for him to have moved on. With respect to Owens, I believe he left a better opportunity for a worse one. Sorry for the confusion.

Got it, RMW. I think I actually caused the confusion by mentioning Owens game 1 stats in a thread on Malik. We are on same page on Malik. On Owens, while I wish he would have stayed as he'd be the second solid big we may miss having, I think it remains to be seen whether Texas Tech will be a good fit for him. I suspect his playing only 10 minutes in their first game was due to early foul trouble similar to Keita's limited minutes in our first game. We'll see.
 
[quote="redmanwest" post=300873]NCJ, I was actually referring to Owens (who I thought Marcus was referring to, even tho this is an Ellison thread). I have no reason to quarrel with or question why Ellison left (from either side). I appreciate that he came here when we were down and helped us get back on our feet. I agree he would have had limited minutes, especially how the roster has developed, so it makes sense for him to have moved on. With respect to Owens, I believe he left a better opportunity for a worse one. Sorry for the confusion.[/quote]

I agree with this. I do think Owens is in a good situation, but given our current roster, I think he would have had a better senior experience here.
 
I'd rather worry about players who are here and want to be here. Today, players leave for different reasons and for the most part you can't blame them. They are chasing their dream and if they think they can do better elsewhere who can blame them? College basketball is more year to year than its ever been. You are lucky if kids stay a couple of years. We have a good looking team this year and I can't wait to see how this season turns out.
 
[quote="redmanwest" post=300873]NCJ, I was actually referring to Owens (who I thought Marcus was referring to, even tho this is an Ellison thread). I have no reason to quarrel with or question why Ellison left (from either side). I appreciate that he came here when we were down and helped us get back on our feet. I agree he would have had limited minutes, especially how the roster has developed, so it makes sense for him to have moved on. With respect to Owens, I believe he left a better opportunity for a worse one. Sorry for the confusion.[/quote]

I was also referring to Owens, sorry for diverging from thread topic. Ellison did fine by leaving. He would have lost most of his minutes here. Owens we really could have used....
 
sjc88 wrote: I'd rather worry about players who are here and want to be here. Today, players leave for different reasons and for the most part you can't blame them. They are chasing their dream and if they think they can do better elsewhere who can blame them? College basketball is more year to year than its ever been. You are lucky if kids stay a couple of years. We have a good looking team this year and I can't wait to see how this season turns out.

I agree scj88. Players leave for lots of reasons and that doesn't diminish the value and dedication they gave us while here. I posted first game stats of Owens & Ellison because with very few exceptions (one from last year comes to mind) I like to keep up with what they do after leaving SJU, whether to the NBA, Europe or another college and assume many other redmen.comers do as well. As you say, we will have plenty to cheer about with current group!
 
NCJohnnie, I wasn't trying to throw shade on the topic. As a matter of fact, I was looking at box scores of USC looking to see what (if anything) J'Raan Brooks did. He's the player we recruited and then he decided not to come. He didn't play. I was just curious to see if he was as good as some speculated at the time. My point is more player transfers and movement are now the norm and I expect it. I certainly don't lose sleep anymore. I would guess a couple of our current guys will leave after this year. I just expect it. The four year kid in college ball is more the exception than the rule or at least that is how it feels!
 
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