I just wanted to write that, I love the way Kansas plays basketball! Always on the attack, offensively and defensively. Fantastic conditioning. Ball movement in the half-court, inside-outside balance, great finishers... If only the Rockets could play that way....(SIGH!) That's all, folks!
I love the way the play, too. I don't love the way they play in the first and second rounds of the tournament, though. Boschee made some really big shots when it counted the most, which is even more impressive considering he had a really tough time shooting in the first half. Mouton all but disappeared in the last 10 minutes after an incredible game.
He is still a tweener...would he play for the 3 or the 4 in the nba? looks like another robert horry to me
I think this season has definitely proven that Drew Gooden will be a true 4 in the pros. The only reason people might have described him as a potential three is because he could have the ABILITY to play the three. But I don't think it would be a good idea to take a player's best strengths and move them out beyond the 3 pt line. He will never be a bruising type of forward, but he will certainly be able to hold his own in the paint.
Man, everyone seems to be on the Gooden bandwagon. I think he will end up being like a Joe Smith. Solid, decent big guy, but falls way short of the hype. I don't know if he's physical enough to be the player he can be. Sometimes having a good jumper is the worst thing that can happen to a PF.
Gooden's jumper is not what impresses me, because as far as I can tell he's still kind of inconsistent with it. I think Joe Smith is a good comparison in terms of body types and athleticism, but Smith has always been much more comfortable facing the basket and shooting jumpers as opposed to having his back to it, whereas Gooden is adept at both. Gooden has really developed this awkward looking, but effective, one handed leaner that is good from as far as 10-12 feet out. It is tough to block because he gets full extension on that shot. He also makes quick, decisive moves in the post--you won't see him get the ball, survey the court, taking his time, a la Barkley--it's always one dribble then spin, or one dribble then fade baseline. Physically he could definitely stand to add a few pounds if he wants to really handle himself at the next level, but if the tradeoff is losing a step of quickness, I don't think it would be worth it.
Premp-Though I was only 13 at the time, I recall that Smith had a pretty good post-up game, from what I can remember. I think he used a hook shot as his main weapon. One thing for certain was that Smith was an athletic freak.
At Maryland Smith did use his post game a lot more often, and I think part of that was because he played center for that team, and also Williams would have gotten pissed if he strayed too far from the paint, given that he was such a force in there against athletically inferior talent. I was kind of referring to your "jumpshot being the worst thing that could happen to a PF" comment, which is on the money in terms of Joe Smith when he came into the league with GS. That's when he fell in love with that 18-20 ft jumpshot and neglected his post game. I don't think it was ever a question of whether he could play down low--whenever he does post up it seems like he is pretty effective, it's just that you don't see him do it all that much. With Gooden, tho, I don't think his jumpshot is consistent enough for it to be a real weapon at the next level (at least not right now), which is why I imagine he should be more comfortable working with his back to the basket in the early going. If he falls in love with the J like Smith did, he will be ignoring what is perhaps his best attribute--offensive rebounding--which would definitely be a shame.
I didn't start this thread as a means of praising Drew Gooden. Sorry if it's was interpreted that way. I was merely stating that I really enjoy the way KU is playing this season. And I really would like to see the Rocks play like them, but they just don't have the personnel. As a matter of fact, their style has a lot to do with Gooden's success this year, and vice versa. I've always believed that one of the NBA's biggest problems, as well as other professional sports leagues, is the practice of recycling the same coaches year after year. Same old coaches = the same old philosophy = the same old problems. It would just be refreshing to see some new blood in the NBA coaching ranks, like KU's Williams or Majerus, or more ex-players. So 'Hat's Off!' to Roy Williams and his staff.
There was an article in SI, I think, about 2-3 years ago, talking about which college coaches would make the best pro coaches...Not, I might emphasize who was the best college coach, although there was some correlation, but whose methods/style/perosnality would translate best to the pros, and this was also citing people such as Jerry West, etc. about which college coach they would most want...and the answer was Roy Williams. They ranked Coach K as probably the best college coach, Williams close, but they said Williams would make an ideal pro coach. Interesting re: having the Rockets play like KU, although don't get your hopes up...Even back then the article said Williams had turned down several pro offers, including the pre-Jackson Lakers, and the only job he might even consider leaving Kansas for would be UNC...and we know how that turned out.
What I really like about Kansas is how no matter what happens on their defensive end they have a set break and run it every time, even on a made free throw. It definitely is exciting basketball. Maybe that's why they tend to fail in the tournament on a regular basis--perhaps they are not used to when games bog down sometimes in the tournament and it turns into a possession game.
Premp- I don't think KU has had this kind of uptempo style the last 2 years or so. I thought of them as more of a half court team before the year.
Well, Roy Williams has always had that break--it's a set play--everybody has assigned lanes to run and everything. A lot of times the break is just not there...and their secondary break usually just gets them into their offense, so it's hard to tell the difference.
