Hart was the major guy for Syracuse. He was on fire. Etan Thomas got some quick fouls. When Moiso went out, UCLA had no height. Hart just had a field day flying over Gazuric without Moiso there. Its only half time but here's what i have... Either Richardson is having a bad shooting day or Mickeal's defense is great. Richardson first half 1-8. I can see why people say Mickeal is a winner. He takes over the game. When Martin went out with 2 fouls(not exactly real fouls, ticky tack), Mickeal took over the game. Mickeals plays astoudning defense(who exactly makes people go laterall? Shandon defense here), can shoot from anywhere, and very iq smart(noticing the time, etc.). He has some bad shot selection however, lots of acrobatic shots. Not a high percentage free thrower. I watched Martin closely cuz this is the first time I've seen him on TV. He's commands attention like Brand did last year. He make be 6'9" but he plays big. He jumps high. This guy knows his fundamentals well. He rebounds very good, good boxing out. His post up game could use some work, but its still good nonetheless. Many teammates get open jumpers becuase of them trying to help out. He will continue his blocking presence into the pro, he understand how to time the block. Martin has great vision too. I wonder how he did some of those passes, finding the cutters. Martin also sets picks too. I have no idea what happened to Demarr Johnson but I guess too many stars on the team. Second half starting...brb
It's DerMarr, not DeMarr. Anyways, couldn't do too much analysis on those games since I only caught the tail end of the Bearcats' game.
well unfortunely I didn't get to see much of secondd...cuz I was busy doing something else. What I did notice was Martin's ability to rebound. 3 DePauls guys sandwiching Martin and guess who gets the rebound: Martin. Man this guy can jump.
You guys might think I'm crazy (correction: will think) but I was not at all impressed by Kenyon Martin. Sure he had some nice blocked shots, and grabbed every rebound in sight, but come on, he is playing against players who are at a great athletic disadvantage to him. He will not be able to use that in the NBA with his 6'9 frame. I thought his low post game, even though it was effective, looked very awkward, and again...won't equate into a pro-ability. On the positive side, he showed good quickness in facing his man up and driving around to the basket. IMHO, Kenyon is the ideal college player because there are few quality big man who have NBA athletic ability. He can keep jumping over these guys, but won't be able to do it in the pro-game. On the other hand, I was very impressed by Pete Mickeal. He has a good pro-body, terrific defender, does all the intangibles. Even though Quentin Richardson had a horrid game from the field, he has a NBA-type body.
Cabbage, that's how I thought before the season, but after witnessing how Brand is doing, I'm confident enough to say Kenyon will succeed in pros. If you watch his defensive rebounding, he actually boxes the guy out. Some of the offensive rebounds were just athletic ability I have to admit. The blocks weren't backside either. Kenyon just has great hops and great timing. He understands how to block and in the pros should get one or two each game. On offense, I have to admit, his post up moves aren't perfect, but are decent nonetheless. Could use some work but he at least has the basics down. Sort of like Cato. I also watched Etan Thomas, same height. There is a totally difference b/w them. Thomas doesn't even command half the attention Kenyon does. Kenyon Martin may be short to NBA standards, but he makes for it in his jumping ability. Pete Mickeal also showed me why he is winner. This guy TOOK over the game when Kenyon went out. I just love his defense. Forcing them to go laterall, sign of a great defender. I can see why Francis3 is so hyped about the Cinci players.
