Don't know how you guys will take it

[cole256 17,039]

I guess most will just wait for somebody else to say it, but....we need a major upgrade from Brown/Lang. Either they have to start playing better or like I suggested we move Herron there and Purifoy to the 3. But that's where we are pretty bad at, and right now they are liabilities to the team

[bigbird 60,367]

7 minutes ago, cole256 said:

I guess most will just wait for somebody else to say it, but....we need a major upgrade from Brown/Lang. Either they have to start playing better or like I suggested we move Herron there and Purifoy to the 3. But that's where we are pretty bad at, and right now they are liabilities to the team

You're right that they're the weak link. I thought Spencer did well at the 4. If we keep him there, it adds more rim protection and, IMO, his quickness would create a mismatch against other 4s. I would then move Purifoy to 3 and Heron to the 2.

[Mikey 16,545]

I can't figure out what's gone wrong with those two. They have been better players in the past than they are right now.

[boomstick 1,315]

30 minutes ago, cole256 said:

I guess most will just wait for somebody else to say it, but....we need a major upgrade from Brown/Lang. Either they have to start playing better or like I suggested we move Herron there and Purifoy to the 3. But that's where we are pretty bad at, and right now they are liabilities to the team

I agree. I think Bryce has the potential to be a good player, but he's too inconsistent and too emotional. He seems better suited as an off-the-bench energy guy who can knock down a few shots when he's on. Defensively, I thought he was pretty good last night. Lang just looks lost right now. I like the idea of moving Heron and Purifoy, and I was wrong about Spencer playing the 4. Spencer was impressive last night.

[AUTigersfan89 256]

Bryce plays good D. He can turn the defender away from the basket using his quickness. Too often this season though he nearly looks disinterested, as if he doesn't care. Lang and Brown just don't give us enough scoring ability. They're both 3-point shooters (average at that) and that's all they really do.

[GordoAU 87]

 

31 minutes ago, AUTigersfan89 said:

Bryce plays good D. He can turn the defender away from the basket using his quickness. Too often this season though he nearly looks disinterested, as if he doesn't care. Lang and Brown just don't give us enough scoring ability. They're both 3-point shooters (average at that) and that's all they really do.

I would never say Brown does not care and his defense is very valuable at that position. Look at Andre Roberson for the OKC Thunder for an example of this on the biggest stage. Brown will get it together and last night he went on a streak that brought our scoring back up. I do not know what is going on with Lang and I feel bad for him honestly because when he is on he is a sniper.

[AuburnNTexas 7,127]

A while back I mentioned that I liked Spencer as a 4 now that we have Wiley but that he would need to improve his O a little and his rebounding a little. That would allow Purifoy play 3. It looked pretty good yesterday against LSU even without Purifoy.  Spencer still needs to work on blocking out more instead of trying to block every shot. Mclemore also did well at 4 yesterday.  

With a healthy Purifoy I think we will see a different rotation when he comes back with less of Brown and Lang. Right now if Brown isn't shooting lights out on three's he is a liability as he is playing a little out of control.

The best player over last two games is Dunans as he is playing fast but in control he is doing a little of everything and he is helping us to get away from being a three shooting team only. Witha healthy Purifoy Dunans could be the backup for Purifoy at 3 or Herron at 2, Johnson who has also played well last two games for Harper, Mclemore for Spencer at 4 and Spencer and Smith for Wiley. We can't have Spencer and Smith on court at same time as we lose to much on offense.

Man where did that Free Throw shooting come from yesterday. That was the key to the win.

[cole256 17,039]

1 hour ago, Mikey said:

I can't figure out what's gone wrong with those two. They have been better players in the past than they are right now.

Well from what I have seen and I've written this a couple of times, they do not possess the creativity and the dexterity required to create enough space to get them good shots off. They have to rely on others to create for them. Our point is a freshman himself learning as he go. He really can't carry these guys yet offensively.

[cole256 17,039]

25 minutes ago, AuburnNTexas said:

A while back I mentioned that I liked Spencer as a 4 now that we have Wiley but that he would need to improve his O a little and his rebounding a little. That would allow Purifoy play 3. It looked pretty good yesterday against LSU even without Purifoy.  Spencer still needs to work on blocking out more instead of trying to block every shot. Mclemore also did well at 4 yesterday.  

With a healthy Purifoy I think we will see a different rotation when he comes back with less of Brown and Lang. Right now if Brown isn't shooting lights out on three's he is a liability as he is playing a little out of control.

The best player over last two games is Dunans as he is playing fast but in control he is doing a little of everything and he is helping us to get away from being a three shooting team only. Witha healthy Purifoy Dunans could be the backup for Purifoy at 3 or Herron at 2, Johnson who has also played well last two games for Harper, Mclemore for Spencer at 4 and Spencer and Smith for Wiley. We can't have Spencer and Smith on court at same time as we lose to much on offense.

Man where did that Free Throw shooting come from yesterday. That was the key to the win.

I'm sure you remember I said this before the season started, but I certainly agree with you

[cole256 17,039]

2 hours ago, bigbird said:

You're right that they're the weak link. I thought Spencer did well at the 4. If we keep him there, it adds more rim protection and, IMO, his quickness would create a mismatch against other 4s. I would then move Purifoy to 3 and Heron to the 2.

I was telling people about the type of athlete he was, I didn't see why people were questioning him playing the 4. On any other team that's what they would've had him in the beginning. Everything he showed is what I said, especially defending the rim part

[bigbird 60,367]

If we to compare players to NBA players, I would say that Bryce reminds me of Danny Green except far less consistent. Neither are good ball handler, neither are special when passing, neither drive very well. Both play pretty good on ball defense, but Danny is a consistent shootwe...something Bryce has not found yet.

[cole256 17,039]

I haven't watched every game, but the games I did watch I don't see why people say Brown is a good defender.  I think he did ok last night but I also think it's more about the guy for lsu isn't that good himself. 

[AuburnNTexas 7,127]

5 minutes ago, cole256 said:

I'm sure you remember I said this before the season started, but I certainly agree with you

I do remember you saying it. Maybe that is where I got the idea from. I still think that until Spencer develops his game a little more he can't play 4 for long periods of time unless he concentrates more on Blocking out and rebounding and adds a little more to his offensive repertoire. LSU big men were big but not super fast so Spencer was able to score by out quicking them that won't be the case against all teams. Still like him at 4 though.

[bigbird 60,367]

1 minute ago, cole256 said:

I was telling people about the type of athlete he was, I didn't see why people were questioning him playing the 4. On any other team that's what they would've had him in the beginning. Everything he showed is what I said, especially defending the rim part

Exactly his weakside help when they post Wiley and against drives is very good, especially with his quick up and down.

[bigbird 60,367]

1 minute ago, cole256 said:

I haven't watched every game, but the games I did watch I don't see why people say Brown is a good defender.  I think he did ok last night but I also think it's more about the guy for lsu isn't that good himself. 

Its two parts to me, he does pretty well moving his feet and keeping the ball in front of him as well as okay hands, but his D drops when he has to play through a screen. He seems to get lost and is indecisive as to go under or over it.

[cole256 17,039]

1 minute ago, bigbird said:

If we to compare players to NBA players, I would say that Bryce reminds me of Danny Green except far less consistent. Neither are good ball handler, neither are special when passing, neither drive very well. Both play pretty good on ball defense, but Danny is a consistent shootwe...something Bryce has not found yet.

I could see that. I had just wrote that I'm not too impressed with his defense either, but I do admit I haven't seen every game....But yeah I'll put him as that, a streaky shooter specialist who isn't that consistent right now. Like reddick or korver. These are guys who show if in the right system they can light it up, we don't have the threats to draw doubles and etc for those type of players to shine yet IMO

[cole256 17,039]

1 minute ago, bigbird said:

Its two parts to me, he does pretty well moving his feet and keeping the ball in front of him as well as okay hands, but his D drops when he has to play through a screen. He seems to get lost and is indecisive as to go under or over it.

That's what I see as far as the screens and in college basketball that will kill you...it may sound funny but I could see him being a better defender in the NBA than college, just the way the game is played in college

[bigbird 60,367]

1 minute ago, cole256 said:

I could see that. I had just wrote that I'm not too impressed with his defense either, but I do admit I haven't seen every game....But yeah I'll put him as that, a streaky shooter specialist who isn't that consistent right now. Like reddick or korver. These are guys who show if in the right system they can light it up, we don't have the threats to draw doubles and etc for those type of players to shine yet IMO

I agree, our floor spacing isn't very good, IMO. Otherwise our dribble-drives could open up a shooter. Also, IF we can ever get an entry pass to Wiley we don't seem to move to space for him to kick it when doubled. We seem to watch a lot of basketball.

And speaking of Wiley, if he does kick it, we never seem to be able to repost him.

[bigbird 60,367]

3 minutes ago, cole256 said:

That's what I see as far as the screens and in college basketball that will kill you...it may sound funny but I could see him being a better defender in the NBA than college, just the way the game is played in college

I could see it too. He has to improve his fg pct though...or go to Europe

[cole256 17,039]

2 minutes ago, bigbird said:

I could see it too. He has to improve his fg pct though...or go to Europe

I was strictly talking defense...no way in hell he's going to the NBA right now with this production lol

[gonefhin 8]

2 minutes ago, bigbird said:

Its two parts to me, he does pretty well moving his feet and keeping the ball in front of him as well as okay hands, but his D drops when he has to play through a screen. He seems to get lost and is indecisive as to go under or over it.

Brown is the best perimeter defender we got, that was proven when he was suspended and we got hurt by the three's.  Lets hope he gets his act back together on offense.

If Spencer is to play 4, he has got to block out, him standing 6 feet from the bucket and watching the other team make offensive rebounds is a problem.

Wow, I was there last night and I am pretty sure I saw a miracle, 19 for 22 from the line. 

[bigbird 60,367]

1 minute ago, cole256 said:

I was strictly talking defense...no way in hell he's going to the NBA right now with this production lol

I know.

Gotta run. Good talk, Cole

[cole256 17,039]

I really wish we could've gotten Petty from Huntsville....He is EXACTLY what we need from that position. Spot up shooter/slasher, long, confident....But maybe we'll get somebody in the next cycle

[cole256 17,039]

If Brown is our best perimeter defender then we can just call this year off now....

[Tiger 8,817]

I wouldn't mind seeing Lang get the Laron Smith treatment when Purifoy is back. Maybe give him a couple minutes and see if he's on that day and if not keep the better players on the floor. But I agree with others Lang is not bringing anything to the table if his shot isn't on and he is slow to rotate on defense. 

I was on the side of the lineup of Harper, Heron, Purifoy, Spencer, Wiley when WIley came on board and even though we still got crushed on the boards it gave us a fighting chance. I know Pearl said Horace had never played any 4 in his life so I think that's why he has been reluctant to put him there and he will only improve if he stays there. I know it goes against Pearl's philosophy of having his 4 man to have a perimeter skill set/point forward but it may be to our advantage to play that way -- when the matchup dictates it at least.

BTW Big shoutout to Anfernee McLemore getting big, crunchtime minutes and being a key reason for us to win last night. He is undersized but can still block shots and does a good job of going straight up on defense rather than fouling. I'm looking forward to watching him progress over the next few years. Ronnie Johnson also played extremely well and that crucial and-1 at the might have sealed it. Wiley may have played his best game so far. Heron was solid as always. As he adjusts more to the college game he will be even better, which is exciting to think about.