[quote="redmannorth" post=321750][quote="Mean Gene" post=321633]Ponds is an immensely talented college player but he is not a leader and does not have the killer instinct, size or outside shooting ability to play at the next level. He plays with the attitude that he is already an NBA All-Star meanwhile he hasn’t even really accomplished anything at the College level yet.[/quote]
Good Guy Gene is unfortunately feeling mean today after the loss. Sorry that you see this loss being all on Ponds. I thought he showed up. We lost not because Ponds was not spectacular but rather because Herron was injured and DNP , Simons and Clark had very poor games, Figueroa was average, Trimble and Williams were below average and Keita did not grab a board. I won’t even mention the staff. But if the only players that had good games were Ponds and Roberts we are certainly not going to win many games.[/quote]
Agreed Redmennorth. It’s not all on Ponds by any stretch. My point is that this entire team just seems lackadaisical and lacking effort and energy at times. That includes Ponds albeit not nearly as much as the other players on this team. Maybe it just seems like that with him because he’s tired of being double teamed al the time and switched defensively on to bigger stronger players , I don’t know. I do wish he would be more of a vocal leader although I understand that is not his style but sometimes you need to break out of your comfort zone to do what needs to be done or accomplish what needs to be accomplished.
I am on the Executive Board of the largest independent union in the country. Getting up in front of people and speaking at membership meetings and board meeting still makes me nervous to this day and I have been doing it for years. My stomach still gets nervous before a meeting where I have to speak and I have done it 100 times. But, there is a greater cause that needs to addressed and goals that need to be accomplished. So. I need to overcome all of that and I need to do what needs to be done to be successful personally and to ensure the success of our union. Point being, It seems Ponds is not comfortable being that vocal guy and vocal leader but he needs to do what he needs to do even if it’s uncomfortable for him. It’s what this team needs and he is our best player. It’s what being a leader is all about. He might not be comfortable in that role but his stature on this team has almost forced him into that role and this team needs someone to step up in that space because it’s vacant right now and out coaching staff doesn’t seem to be filling the space either. Not bashing the kid, he’s a kid, but I just feel that we really need the complete package from him right now in addition to just putting up great numbers. I also feel that if he shows that type of leadership potential it will only help his prospects for the next level. Sometimes we have to do things that make us uncomfortable or that are contrary to our personalities in order to acive our goals in life. Every successful person does to some extent. Again, I know Shamorie is a great kid by all accounts.
