Boo Harvey
Well-known member
Agree with your earlier comment about Ejiafor. I was hoping he would be better. Unfortunately I don’t even see glimpses of an offensive game from him. Would be nice to have Stanley.
Positives to think about after this game for the season
- Thread starter mjmaherjr
- Start date
Zuby already has improved under Rick. He is focusing on defense and rebounds now and holding his own. Smart kid, very teachable, and I'm told he has a decent shot. Post play is very new to him, so watch out if Rick does with him what Soriano has become.
Sorry, but Joel, obviously progressing under Rick, always had good hands and some offensive skills back to high school. I don’t see much chance of progression offensively w Zuby who really has poor hands and limited moves. Essentially he is a banger who can hold his own in post on D and that is a positive. Hope I am wrong & respect your opinion.
Of course respect the counter opinion, but know Rick has told Zuby to focus on rebounding, defense, and being a rim protector this season. He is working with him on all other facets of his game and no question is a project. I think zuby has the potential to be a much greater defensive force than Joel and is more athletic.
Joel arrived here after 2 seasons at Fordham and was a miserable offensive player who took 12 foot jump hooks when pushed out of the post, who had bad footwork on offense and no outside shot till this year (his 5th) Joel has improved miles, and Zuby at this point has 1 college season with almost no court time under his belt. Not a fair comparison. Maybe comparing the statue of David to a block of marble.
You could be right but I'd say we wont know how much zuby can improve till end of junior year.
I hope I am wrong but don’t see it happening. There seems to be little or no glimmer of an offensive game for him. I understand the need to try to focus on rebounds and D would you would think a player at this age could score on put backs alone close to the basket. And let’s give credit where it is due Joel’s huge improvement incurred under CMA. The last 2 games we would love to see the Joel of 2022-2023.
No question Joel improved dramatically under CMA, but this year in particular Soriano has been a beast with radically improved footwork in the hole. Gone are the long jump hooks and rushed mid range jumpers. Most importantly when joel has tge ball down low, is patient and uses his strength and pivot foot to create space and easy shots or throw downs - noticeably absent under Cma. He dkicks out when he has nothing and now looks for cutters when surrounded. Not to mention that Pitino demanded 8% body fat and joel got there.
No question Joel improved under CMA but Pitino has brought him to an entirely new level including an accurate 3 point shot.
I'm reviving this thread for a few of you who claimed you were on board with Zuby from the beginning.
It's not aimed at the contrary opinions to mine from december 30, 2023 thread except to correct those of you who say you were on board with zuby from the beginning. I
greatly respect the guys who posted low expectations about Zuby in this thread.
I had this conversation with Panther a few weeks ago about posters who pick apart player's games and say negative things about them on this site. Panther basically said "Hey, I'm not a coach, and our coaches know a lot more about basketball than I do, so I just watch and root for these kids."
Certainly all players have limitations and weaknesses and it's fairnto discuss them.
I came from a naleoghborhood and parish where a crazy number of kids played d1 and d2 basketball. Some were always good, others dramatically improved from.being less than average schoolyard players to starters on their hs teamand even college players.
Basketball is less of a skill sport than say baseball. Kids even at 19-22 can improve dramatically with the right coaching and hard work.
I'd rather be overly optimistic than proclaim a kid just doesn't have it and never will.
Zuby was a case in point, but if if he didn't improve the way he has, would still try to see ways he has improved.
Last night this older woman who obviously knew some basketball but was so damned negative from the opening tap that afyer a few minute turned around to say something but just glanced for a half second at her and her husband. Thank God that was enough and she shut up till the closing.moments when she said with a 6 point lead under a.minute, "It's a 2 possession game, we could still lose" Aggravating as shit because she said it in a tone that sounded like she was wishing for that.
Just rooting for Vince to be the best Vince he can become.
It's not aimed at the contrary opinions to mine from december 30, 2023 thread except to correct those of you who say you were on board with zuby from the beginning. I
greatly respect the guys who posted low expectations about Zuby in this thread.
I had this conversation with Panther a few weeks ago about posters who pick apart player's games and say negative things about them on this site. Panther basically said "Hey, I'm not a coach, and our coaches know a lot more about basketball than I do, so I just watch and root for these kids."
Certainly all players have limitations and weaknesses and it's fairnto discuss them.
I came from a naleoghborhood and parish where a crazy number of kids played d1 and d2 basketball. Some were always good, others dramatically improved from.being less than average schoolyard players to starters on their hs teamand even college players.
Basketball is less of a skill sport than say baseball. Kids even at 19-22 can improve dramatically with the right coaching and hard work.
I'd rather be overly optimistic than proclaim a kid just doesn't have it and never will.
Zuby was a case in point, but if if he didn't improve the way he has, would still try to see ways he has improved.
Last night this older woman who obviously knew some basketball but was so damned negative from the opening tap that afyer a few minute turned around to say something but just glanced for a half second at her and her husband. Thank God that was enough and she shut up till the closing.moments when she said with a 6 point lead under a.minute, "It's a 2 possession game, we could still lose" Aggravating as shit because she said it in a tone that sounded like she was wishing for that.
Just rooting for Vince to be the best Vince he can become.
L J S A
Well-known member
Sounds like Realfan was there and resurrected that one quickly banned female persona.
If we’re playing the receipts game,
Respectfully beast, your post earlier today said this time last year you were “alone” in believing in Zuby
I posted this in what will be a year ago on Sunday. Respect that you were in on Zuby early, but once a lot of us got to see him play more, we liked what we saw
Respectfully beast, your post earlier today said this time last year you were “alone” in believing in Zuby
I posted this in what will be a year ago on Sunday. Respect that you were in on Zuby early, but once a lot of us got to see him play more, we liked what we saw
Great post beast, but I disagree about basketball not being a highly skilled sport. Even the guys we view as “just athletes” have a certain level of skill that is required to function on bball court.
I know you used baseball, but for football as an example. The best athletes in football, with no basketball experience, would have zero chance to compete at the highest level of bball. On the other end, the best athletes in basketball, with no football experience, could compete at the skill positions and have a chance to compete. We’ve seen examples of this.
All just my opinion fwiw
Agree with you. Although the stuff some receivers can do is off the charts. Good, 3 beer, larger discussion
In terms of skill: Baseball then basketball then a cliff and football.
c'mon... 3?
Embarrassingly, I drink like a grandma.
Anthony Mattia
Well-known member
Anthony Mattia
Well-known member
For those in the know, is there any chance we go after Zuby Ejofor to start at the 4 and backup Joel at the 5?I didn't make the above post the second he entered the portal because I wasn't all in on him. He is who I wanted all along, if we're checking receipts