The offense is stagnant, like last year's offense, with way too much standing-and-staring-at-the-ball-handler-to-dribble-drive-into-triple-teams crap. (Sound familiar, Rocket fans?) The defense is still the best Longhorn offense. If the kids can defend the perimeter a little better-- and with fewer fouls, J'Covan-- they might have a nice run. If they can also learn to work as a team, with ball and player movement to create uncontested shots, they could take the whole enchilada. They just gotta get smarter.
on point, cept i have to vehemently disagree about jcovan. Yeah, he's a solid shooter, and is great on the charity stripe, but i think his court vision and passing are both pretty terrible. I felt like last year he was always looking for his own shot, rarely to set up the team offense, and constantly missed open teammates. I'm not saying he's a poor player, i just think his strengths are better suited for a 2 instead of a 1. And its evidenced by barnes' rotations this year, jcovan generally comes in off the bench at the 2, with either balbay or joseph running point.
I was impressed... Hamilton has taken a massive step forward in terms of his ability to create off the dribble. In OT last night, he didn't just take a few dribbles and shoot an off-balance fadeaway, as he typically did a year ago... he took the ball hard into the paint and either scored or drew fouls. He'd really be deadly if he could master a quick little dumpoff pass when he collapses the lane... but one step at a time. Rick Barnes has never been a master of motion offenses. Even his good years have largely been the likes of Ford, Durant and Augustin initiating things themselves. You just have to hope he has players smart enough to figure things out on that end. Last year, the freshmen were too inexperienced and unskilled (fundamentally) for it to work, and they were exposed in halfcourt sets. It looked rough late in the second half last night, but thankfully they figured it out. Defensively goes without saying... they're going to be fantastic there. Thompson's timing and feel for the game as a shotblocker are outstanding. Great to see.
I'm excited and amazed. Zero expectations this year and now we have a good and fun team to watch. Balbay has impoved over last year a bit. Johson has improved also. Hamilton has improved markedly. Brown has improved a bit, but unlike Hamilton he has allegedly not improved totally on his attitude. At least he is in better shape. Tristan is a revelation. Much better than Pittman including dfensively. The guy has amazing stamina along with the rest of his athleticism. Corey is better than Avery Bradley. He had the balls as freshman to step up and make the big shot at the end of regulation The only real lost from last year is Dameon James and at least from a leadership standpoint he has been largely replaced by Balbay and Gary Johnson who has great character. Below is an amazing link of how Barnes with the help of Bobby Knight and Jerry Sloan has changed his whole approach to offense, though it is still in the making. Folks are blown away by Barnes self refelction and desire to accept advice and we can only hope that Mack Brown is so open. Be sure to read both parts! http://barkingcarnival.fantake.com/2010/11/16/inside-texas-basketball/
Great read. Thanks for sharing. One can only hope that Rick can implement a consistent offense. Even though the win last night was great, the second half was brutal as the offense broke down. Movement slowed and it became evident that we are really lacking confidence on the offensive side. Unfortunately, I think this keeps Brown in the rotation as he is only one of three that can create his own shot. I'm excited about this year.
Hopefully this flowchart of Jordan Hamilton's brain will need to be redrawn some this year - yesterday was the first game I saw. While there was still bad Hamilton, there seemed to be more good Hamilton as well. <img src=http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/theropods/jordanhamiltonflowchart.jpg>
Thanks for posting that article. This is really what all coaches should be. I've met Barnes (briefly), and know people close to him - and everything I hear is that he's an incredible person. I'm glad to see it translate to what you want on the court, and Mack Brown could really learn from this. On the flipside, I'd have thrown J'Covan Brown off the team based on the crap in that article.
I went to high school with J'Covan, but he didn't even do anything THAT bad then. However he was terrible, got ejected from games for throwing his headband at the refs, got into fights. One of his coaches came up to me and asked what was the project that he needed to do since we were in the same class. His Dad is arrogant as hell, and obviously never disciplined him. J'Covan got kicked out of the school I was at, then got kicked off the next team he went to. The guy will never straighten out
J'Covan was kicked off-- and kept off-- the high school varsity early his senior season. Missed the whole season. In summer ball, I've witnessed his antics up close and personal. Kid acted like he needed an exorcism. He has some sort of explosive personality disorder, just totally loses it when frustrated. He's had anger management training, and years to mature, and yet... It looked like he was going to draw a technical after every foul called on him last night-- notice how his teammates rush between him and the ref every whistle? I suppose there's some deep-seated, dark, sick reason he treats ball-boys as described in that article. I've always rooted for him, because I've heard stories about him shooting baskets all night long. He's an amazing talent, and lucky to still be with the program. If he can't control himself, he'll be a terrible waste.
Damn, that was a nail biter... dk why Joseph just threw it up there like that... but it was a hell of a game. Texas still struggling with half court execution on offense.. but that defense was stellar. Great effort.
The downside of playing a true freshman in a critical situation against the #4 team in the nation... hideous attempt by CoJo to end the game. Great team defense, and J. Ham was on fire from downtown. The ball should've been in his hands to close the game.
Get up, J-Ham: <object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ruZsYSaMTUE?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ruZsYSaMTUE?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>
Hamilton dropped 25 on 9-12 (2-2 3P), snagged 9 boards, and only hit 5-6 FT in a drubbing of SHSU tonight.
Yep... it's almost like a routine performance. I can't wait until this guy matures even more.... he's slowly going to become the leader of this team. Maybe not this year, but next year for sure... he has the talent, he just need maturity.
Exactly, I can't wait for him to explode on to the scene and take control of this team -- he's definitely harnessed his talents and made significant strides mentally. Hamilton did himself a huge favor by opting to return to Texas amidst "one and done" rumors, and I think he'll turn out to be a better pro than Avery Bradley. He's averaging 25 and 7, and has already been named Big 12 Conference Player of the Week for two consecutive weeks. If he keeps it up, I'm worried this might be his last season in Austin. Still very early, but Chad Ford already has him projected as a late lottery to mid first round selection. NBADradt.net compares him to former Rocket Walt Williams, and Dime Magazine even labeled him the "next Carmelo Anthony" a couple of years ago. Kid's got a bright future, and the Horns are a legitimate darkhorse this season thanks to his improved game.
