283 replies to this topic

[Clears Cleaver]

8 hours later and I still don't know what to think about that game vs FSU. Boatright plays the entire second half and OT??!?!? Lamb disappears for most of the last 10 minutes. Napier plays great, then horrible, then hits a big shot, then turns it over....arghhhh. Boatright in his first game hits three FTs in a row to tie the game? Oriakhi plays 10 minutes with 0 points and rebounds? Daniels disappears. Roscoe barely plays. Drummond goes 12-10-7 and had tow or three amazing plays and three or four completely idiotic plays?

a win is a win and they needed to win, especally after being up 10 with 10 minutes to go a day after blowing a 16 point lead in the second half vs UCF. But wow is there a lot to work on. It appears Calhoun wants to play Napier, Boatright and Lamb together. Who is the alpha dog? also, trnasition defnese has beeen AWFUL the last two games. Teams push and take quick shots not allowing uconn to get into defnesive sets and its hurting them. FSU is a good team, probably just a notch below Duke in the ACC, but again Uconn had no idea how to face their zone or make FTs to put them away. December should eb a good month to get roles set and defensive mistakes fixed. and play a very good Harvard team

[JesusShuttlesworth]

I am really impressed by Orlander's positioning, his help d and movement against the defensive zone. That's a smart kid. He starts knocking down that mid-range jumper and teams will not be able to play zone against Uconn, and AO is going to have a minutes problem.
The talent on this team is insane.

[RedOctober3829]

Ugly win. Sloppy play to end it. Harvard forced UConn to play their tempo, but just didn't have the athletes to keep up. I did like Olander's play tonight. He hit some jumpers and played smart. It was my first time seeing Boatright and he's so fast. Need to clean up some details, but they will be fine.

[Clears Cleaver]

I counted six unforced turnovers, four loose balls that they didn't get and should have, and four offensive rebounds where a smaller guy out-boarded a uconn player. 14 possessions lost. That's about 12 points they lost. Which is why when you watch them play and it feels like they are up 20 but then only win by 10.

Where is Daniels? I love Boatright, but I don't like Daniels losing so many minutes. Napier needs to rest more

[JesusShuttlesworth]

Need to put some Olander will in AO's body.

[Clears Cleaver]

I was listening to a podcast yesterday that had Kem Pomeroy, the guy who does the tempo-adjusted stats for NCAA teams. he said that Drummond is a terrible defnesive rebounder and because of it, Uconn has been a poor defensive reboundign team. And he's right. Uconn tries to block a ton of shots which will lead to mroe offenisve rebounds, but they need drummond to get better and securing the glass, especially vs better and bigger teams. Playing three guards doesn't hep, either. Its never been a big problem with a Calhoun team so hoepfully they get it fixed

[Dan Murfman]

It was just Holy Cross but Drummond looked good. And it was nice to see them actually blow out a team when they got them down.

[Clears Cleaver]

Some players definitely got better once finals were done. I'm talking to you deandre and Andre. Very explosive today. Still plenty of work to do in the halfcourt.

So, using the transitive property, Uconn would beat BC by 50+, right?

[Dan Murfman]

So, using the transitive property, Uconn would beat BC by 50+, right?

Maybe not now they did just beat Byrant by 20.

[Clears Cleaver]

Maybe not now they did just beat Byrant by 20.

the BC coach is pretty good Xs and Os. No way they were as bad as they showed vs HC and BU.

I am a little bummed that Uconn's OOC schedule sucks so bad. and they don't play the Cuse until February (twice). Uconn will really be off the radar nationally until then. Amazing to think that Uconn is going to sneak up on people, but they should be a lot better in six weeks than they are now, especially defensively. Of course, so will most other teams, especially Kentucky.

[RedOctober3829]

the BC coach is pretty good Xs and Os. No way they were as bad as they showed vs HC and BU.

I am a little bummed that Uconn's OOC schedule sucks so bad. and they don't play the Cuse until February (twice). Uconn will really be off the radar nationally until then. Amazing to think that Uconn is going to sneak up on people, but they should be a lot better in six weeks than they are now, especially defensively. Of course, so will most other teams, especially Kentucky.

I'm glad they don't play anybody and will be under the radar. They need time to get the young guys ready(especially Drummond and Daniels) for the spotlight of big Big East games. Drummond simply will get beat up by Fab Melo and others on offense, but will hold his own on defense.

[Williams Head Case]

Any chance they give Ollie the reins for all or part of the time when Calhoun sits his three games? Not exactly super tough competition for those games (USF, St. Johns, Seton Hall) and it might be a good opportunity to get the presumed heir-apparent some experience at the helm. Then again, with such a young team, perhaps they stick with a steady hand like Blaney who has taken over in the past. Or maybe Glen Miller? I would have to think if Ollie gets the nod for all or two of those games, that's a pretty good indication he is next in the line of succession or at least being strongly considered. On the other hand, Blaney would be a pretty fair indicator that Ollie isn't ready yet. I'm personally hoping for Ollie, but W's come first.

[JesusShuttlesworth]

Any chance they give Ollie the reins for all or part of the time when Calhoun sits his three games? Not exactly super tough competition for those games (USF, St. Johns, Seton Hall) and it might be a good opportunity to get the presumed heir-apparent some experience at the helm. Then again, with such a young team, perhaps they stick with a steady hand like Blaney who has taken over in the past. Or maybe Glen Miller? I would have to think if Ollie gets the nod for all or two of those games, that's a pretty good indication he is next in the line of succession or at least being strongly considered. On the other hand, Blaney would be a pretty fair indicator that Ollie isn't ready yet. I'm personally hoping for Ollie, but W's come first.

no.

[JesusShuttlesworth]

Miller is the best coach but that Penn job hurt him so I'm not sure about his future at Uconn, Ollie might make a good coach someday but that's not going to be any time soon.

[Burt Reynoldz]

Miller is the best coach but that Penn job hurt him so I'm not sure about his future at Uconn, Ollie might make a good coach someday but that's not going to be any time soon.

I thought it was pretty clear from the hire that Ollie was being groomed as Calhoun's successor. Clearly he's not ready right now, but I would not be at all shocked if he starts getting handed more and more responsibility over the next few years, and winds up taking over at the end of Calhoun's current contract (three more years?).

[Mike in CT]

Miller is the best coach but that Penn job hurt him so I'm not sure about his future at Uconn, Ollie might make a good coach someday but that's not going to be any time soon.

Why is it not going to be anytime soon?

Ollie was basically the "coach on the floor" for most of his NBA career. That's why he lasted as long as he did. Solid, knew the game inside out.

He was basically the poor-man's Mark Jackson, Sam Cassell type of guy for many years in the league... and Mark Jackson is coaching an NBA team with no coaching experience at any level. Avery Johnson didn't groom much. Sam Cassell is an assistant but on the fast track to an NBA HC gig soon enough.

I don't see why Ollie can't succeed Calhoun when he leaves.

[JesusShuttlesworth]

No it was assumed Ollie was being groomed to be JC's replacement, that's different from he was hired to be JC's replacement. Ollie has no head coaching experience and this is a marquee position, guys, this is not UMASS, it's not BC, it's Uconn, you don't hand that over to a wide-eyed cherry who isn't even participating in the huddle. All you have to do is watch who's running those huddles, it's JC or it's Miller, going back to last year. I'm not saying Miller is the guy because timing is real bad for him but he is doing much, much more than Kevin Ollie right now. We'll see I guess how Ollie progresses and at what point JC wants to hang it up, not so confident he's going 3 more years.

[Mike in CT]

http://www.ctpost.co...oun-1663396.php

You can't read that article and be afraid to hire him.

He has everything you look for from recruiting skills, credibility, recruiting ties to the west coast while having roots in CT, character, major recruiting success right away, ability to actually practice with players, defensive advice that helped the team win a NC, helping Lamb alot on and off court as a freshman, on and on.

I hope the school isn't going to go the safest route possible and end up boring the shit out of the fans, like they have in football too often.

[JesusShuttlesworth]

Ok I can see there's a special place in your heart for the Oll so I'm just going to say to you that I disagree, and it's not about being safe it's about him not being ready to be a head coach at this level. I promise you this, Uconn hires Ollie to be the head coach and Miller is gone (GB is gone with JC), then you'll be sorry.

[Clears Cleaver]

I was looking at the schedule. Uconn doesn't play a ranked team until February. Then it gets tough with two gaems vs Cuse, At louisville, Pitt, Marquette. Basically the toughest games they have are vs seton hall and Cincy. Yeesh. Talk about under the radar!!!

[Williams Head Case]

Ok I can see there's a special place in your heart for the Oll so I'm just going to say to you that I disagree, and it's not about being safe it's about him not being ready to be a head coach at this level. I promise you this, Uconn hires Ollie to be the head coach and Miller is gone (GB is gone with JC), then you'll be sorry.

On the one hand, you are right and by going with Blaney during this stretch, at the very least, they must not feel Ollie is ready. But you can't make it seem like these are a few fanboys with unrealistic expectations. It certainly seems as though the expectation among beat writers or at least the media in general is that Ollie could very well be the guy. There's evidence of that, and it seems credible. For whatever reason, you certainly cannot accept that idea. You say you disagree, but won't elaborate why other than to say he isn't ready, and yet act as if your view of the team is the only credible one when there is nothing but evidence to the contrary. Is it that you think Calhoun is gone after this year and Ollie won't be ready for next season? How long will it take for someone to be 'ready' in your mind? What is 'ready'? Can you please explain your attitude toward Ollie? I'm generally interested in why you have such distaste for the idea of him being next-in-line.

[Doug Beerabelli]

USF trying to put this game above the radar. UConn up 5 with 1:46 left, UConn ball 52-47. USF bigs are giving UConn's big men all they can handle. Tempo is totally being dictated and favoring USF.

[Williams Head Case]

Escape with a win. Jeremy Lamb is silky smooth.

[StuckOnYouk]

I can't imagine Blaney wouldn't get the nod at filling in for Calhoun, he's Jimmy's right hand man for years. It would be a slap in the face to have Ollie patrolling the sidelines while Blaney just sits there.

That being said, I'd bet the house that Ollie is the next head coach. Sounds like he's got it all going for him. And if Calhoun has any say at all (and I would assume he would) he'll go with Ollie IMO.

It certainly helps that Ollie is already having an impact on the recruiting trail.

[JesusShuttlesworth]

On the one hand, you are right and by going with Blaney during this stretch, at the very least, they must not feel Ollie is ready. But you can't make it seem like these are a few fanboys with unrealistic expectations. It certainly seems as though the expectation among beat writers or at least the media in general is that Ollie could very well be the guy. There's evidence of that, and it seems credible. For whatever reason, you certainly cannot accept that idea. You say you disagree, but won't elaborate why other than to say he isn't ready, and yet act as if your view of the team is the only credible one when there is nothing but evidence to the contrary. Is it that you think Calhoun is gone after this year and Ollie won't be ready for next season? How long will it take for someone to be 'ready' in your mind? What is 'ready'? Can you please explain your attitude toward Ollie? I'm generally interested in why you have such distaste for the idea of him being next-in-line.

I think I've made my position pretty clear, the reason I feel Ollie can not possibly be ready or near ready to coach at this level is he appears to be little more than a guy offering emotional support on the bench. I don't dislike Ollie I think he's had a great career and he'll probably make a good head coach one day because he's being tutored by the best, but I think writers annointing him the next head coach of Uconn are doing absolutely nothing but guess work, I don't see any reason to suggest there's a leak from the university, and there isn't a Connecticut writer who's earned credibility for having an inside track to the Uconn basketball program, I take their speculation about as seriously as I take the on-line forum speculation; maybe there's something to it if it passes the smell test and so far this one isn't passing the smell test. When Glen Miller is running the huddle, as you clearly saw last night, you can not tell me Kevin Ollie is going to be ready to head coach next year. Even if he is put in the head coaching position, I'll say someone's insane, if you can't trust the guy to lead the team in anything, at any point during any game, if he's not doing anything aside from individual instruction, which he's obviously been limited to during games, how can you tell me he's a good choice for head coach as soon as next year? What do you base that on? Did he even do one recruiting trip alone this past season? What is ready, how about more than a seasn as the guy at the end of the bench looking all pretty?

Edited by JesusShuttlesworth, 29 December 2011 - 09:04 AM.

[Burt Reynoldz]

When Glen Miller is running the huddle, as you clearly saw last night, you can not tell me Kevin Ollie is going to be ready to head coach next year. Even if he is put in the head coaching position, I'll say someone's insane, if you can't trust the guy to lead the team in anything, at any point during any game, if he's not doing anything aside from individual instruction, which he's obviously been limited to during games, how can you tell me he's a good choice for head coach as soon as next year?

I think we're all getting messed up here. Jesus, as far as I can tell nobody here is suggesting that Ollie will be ready to coach UConn as early as next year. Calhoun's contract runs until 2014 - and I don't really see him just disappearing after this year, it certainly seems as if this group of players has rejuvenated him. So I don't think anyone here is saying that if Calhoun leaves after this year, that Ollie should be the head coach. I think it's more that from the way he was brought on, and from what the chatter was when he was hired, it certainly seemed plausible that Calhoun was grooming him to take over in 2014 when his contract is up. That would give Ollie 3 more seasons (11-12, 12-13, 13-14) to learn the nuances of head coaching and gain more experience. And you're right, it could be Glen Miller, but I don't honestly know that he's the best choice to direct this program into the next era.

[JesusShuttlesworth]

I don't know why I went and made the leap to "next year" when the original question was "any time soon". You're right, my mistake, I don't see anyone suggesting he'd be ready next year, it's just difficult for me to accept speculating on what a guy is going to be capable of in 3 years when all we have is evidence of this year particularly because it's his first and we have no evidence of growth, that's all I've got to base his future on. In my opinion Miller is the best x's and o's guy to come through Uconn in the JC era and I could see the program continuing success under him because Uconn gives him access to his share of talented recruiters, but I don't see him having more than an outside shot at the job and I understand the reasons why.

[StuckOnYouk]

Jesus, maybe you should read that CT Post article. A couple of things pop out.

1) Dickenmann thinks he would be a great choice as Calhoun's successor. That's not just some online poster's thoughts.

2) Ollie apparently had a significant hand in landing Daniels this year and Omar Calhoun next year

3) He has tried to insert things in practice, and the article made mention to a defensive tactic he preached during practice that helped the team defense during last year's championship run.

Do I think he'd be ready next year? No. Do I feel that another 2-3 years under Calhoun and on the recruiting trail and with his experience as a player at UConn and in the NBA he'd be ready? Yep. When you spend so many years around coaches like Calhoun and Larry Brown some of that definitely washes off on you.

Also keep in mind that Calhoun will have at least some type of impact on who the next coach is. You better believe he'll recommend a guy like Ollie- a former player and hard worker and a guy who's kept his nose clean- over a guy like Glen Miller or someone outside the UConn family...unless Ollie appears to be dumb as a rock when it comes to game planning and X's and O's which quite frankly I'd be suprised at considering he's been a point guard at the highest levels.

[Clears Cleaver]

Barring some sort of complaiance issue, Ollie will be the next coach. Calhoun will stay on for another year or two, health allowing, and Ollie will be the guy. He has done a better job recruiting than anyone Calhoun has had. He will need Glenn Miller to stay and find a strong bench coach guy to help out, but he is the GUY. for someone who has made over $20M and has a young kid at home, he doesn't need to be flying all over the place for an assistant's pay. He is doing it becasue he knows he's going to be the guy in a few years

edit: with Hathaway gone and Herbst in place, it is almost a lock that Calhoun picks his succussor

Edited by Clears Cleaver, 29 December 2011 - 03:19 PM.

[JesusShuttlesworth]

Glen Miller isn't an "outsider". He's a graduate of Uconn, played ball for Calhoun at Northeastern and started his coaching career at Uconn in 1986, he's coached Cliff Robinson, Chris Smith, Donyel Marshall and Kevin Ollie . That doesn't make him the right guy to pick and I'm not making a case for him because he's had a very recent PR nightmare which, to me, is the only reason he isn't the favorite for the job, he's obviously more qualified with 25 years of coaching under his belt. Ollie could easily be an assistant to Miller, I find it incredibly unlikely Miller is going to be an assistant under Ollie. StuckonYouk if I'm not mistaken Ollie didn't do any trips on his own, Ollie's a west coast guy with a great resume so obviously he's got some tools for recruiting but I'd be surprized to learn he was trusted to lead a recruiting visit.

Ollie got high praise, comon man what do you want Howie to say, what's JC going to say, Ollie isn't cut out to be a coach? We have no idea what Ollie is cabable of and it's crazy to base our assumptions on what's been said about him in media. Probably he's going to be the next head coach, I guess, but cleaver you're stating it as fact just flat out annointing the guy after he's had ONE full season as a bench coach where he's obviously not participating in the huddle? Get out. Show me where I can see with my eyes he's doing coaching, actual real live coaching with a team during play and I'll buy it.

And NO, he hasn't done a better job recruiting than anyone else, that's a crazy statement, he's been here for 2 recruiting seasons and one of those offers was to Kris Dunn who's going to sit the bench for Providence.

[Dan Murfman]

Largest donation to the athletic department for the basketball practice facility. 4.5 million. Hopefully shovels are in the ground soon.

The Werth Center

[Williams Head Case]

Not to beat a dead horse, but Andy Katz just came on during the UConn - St. John's game saying that all signs point to Kevin Ollie being the successor.

[Mike in CT]

Andy Katz said on SNY (paraphrasing) "though UConn will not officially name a successor... it is clear that they would like Kevin Ollie to succeed Jim Calhoun", and proceeded to name many of the reasons I laid out a few posts ago.

[Clears Cleaver]

Andy Katz just reported that Ollie is definitely Calhoun's choice as his long-term replacement.

The offense is pretty efficient bs stj but they are not getting enough stops defensively, despite stj shooting 30% so far

[JesusShuttlesworth]

Hey, does anyone know what a guy like Andy Katz would have to say about Ollie? I don't disagree with anyone, if I do it's a fairly minor disagreement, I don't think Ollie will be ready anytime "soon", soon means before he starts showing me something. I think that's fair. I hope he's going to be the next great Uconn coach and I'd love to see a package put together that would keep as much of the existing staff as possible.

Moving on (I hope).

Who is a better point guard than Bazz right now? (honest question)

This has to be the worst team I've ever seen when it comes to mid game naps.

Edited by JesusShuttlesworth, 02 January 2012 - 08:24 AM.

[Mike in CT]

How does an assistant coach "show you something" as a casual fan? I can't help but wonder if you might be related/close friends with Glen Miller.

Do you go to the games and watch the huddles? Because the only criteria I've seen you demand is "active in the huddle". All I have is what I see on TV, but I saw Ollie in a huddle all by himself during a time out with the 5 players that would be on the floor after the whistle. Where is the line between ready and not ready in terms of the huddle?

I could understand you not liking Ollie, but you lose me when you seem to really want Glen Miller much more.

Talent kills X's and O's 98% of the time in college basketball. I want to best recruiter. Finding an X's and O's assistant is cake.

[RedOctober3829]

How does an assistant coach "show you something" as a casual fan? I can't help but wonder if you might be related/close friends with Glen Miller.

Do you go to the games and watch the huddles? Because the only criteria I've seen you demand is "active in the huddle". All I have is what I see on TV, but I saw Ollie in a huddle all by himself during a time out with the 5 players that would be on the floor after the whistle. Where is the line between ready and not ready in terms of the huddle?

I could understand you not liking Ollie, but you lose me when you seem to really want Glen Miller much more.

Talent kills X's and O's 98% of the time in college basketball. I want to best recruiter. Finding an X's and O's assistant is cake.

You can't gauge the value of an assistant by watching them in a game situation. You need to be there every day in practice to see them working with players, doing scouting reports, and recruiting.

[Mike in CT]

Absolutely atrocious effort tonight.

Got punched in the mouth early and folded like a cheap suit. Zero leadership out there.

[Future Sox Doc]

Absolutely atrocious effort tonight.

Got punched in the mouth early and folded like a cheap suit. Zero leadership out there.

Uconn did the punching early, and had an 11-2 lead, so I wouldn't agree with that statement. Seton Hall is for real this year, with quite a few quality wins. The butt kicking by Syracuse did wake us up, and the whole "Who is Herb Pope?" got the team fired up. Big win for the Hall.

[Williams Head Case]

I was at the game...









Fuck.

[Williams Head Case]

But really, UConn came out of the gate looking like champions then collapsed. Napier looked terrible and Drummond was standing around doing his best ghost impression for long stretches of the game. No excuse as to why Blaney tinkered with the lineup when they were lights out in the beginning but outside of Lamb no one else stepped up when the going got tough. I don't like to complain about/blame the refs, but it was clear they weren't giving UConn the calls UConn wanted yet UConn did nothing to adjust their play accordingly. Hopefully Calhoun's first day back from the suspension will be spent running suicides at practice.

[JesusShuttlesworth]

How does an assistant coach "show you something" as a casual fan? I can't help but wonder if you might be related/close friends with Glen Miller.

Do you go to the games and watch the huddles? Because the only criteria I've seen you demand is "active in the huddle". All I have is what I see on TV, but I saw Ollie in a huddle all by himself during a time out with the 5 players that would be on the floor after the whistle. Where is the line between ready and not ready in terms of the huddle?

I could understand you not liking Ollie, but you lose me when you seem to really want Glen Miller much more.

Talent kills X's and O's 98% of the time in college basketball. I want to best recruiter. Finding an X's and O's assistant is cake.

It really takes a blowhard, Mike, to suggest someone who disagrees with you must know Miller on a personal level, that the only possible way my opinion could make any sense is if I were emotionally invested in the guy. I know you're not a blowhard so think about it for a minute.

I did not say Miller would be a better coach for this team, I said he obviously had more responsibility and if he had not just been fired from Penn he'd have been a better candidate, not because I know him, but because he's got decades of experience and aside from Penn has a solid resume. I do not, nor did I say, nor did I imply that I do not like Ollie.

I prefer someone who's had success at the D-1 level, and if you think all it takes to win is talent and you can find a good x's and o's guy, no problem, you should phone Kentucky and ask for Calipari, tell him you've got valuable information but it's gonna cost him.

Edited by JesusShuttlesworth, 04 January 2012 - 08:45 AM.

[JesusShuttlesworth]

But really, UConn came out of the gate looking like champions then collapsed. Napier looked terrible and Drummond was standing around doing his best ghost impression for long stretches of the game. No excuse as to why Blaney tinkered with the lineup when they were lights out in the beginning but outside of Lamb no one else stepped up when the going got tough. I don't like to complain about/blame the refs, but it was clear they weren't giving UConn the calls UConn wanted yet UConn did nothing to adjust their play accordingly. Hopefully Calhoun's first day back from the suspension will be spent running suicides at practice.

As Bazz goes the Huskies go. Giffey and Olander showed me they deserve more minutes than AO. Looking forward to getting Calhoun back.

[Burt Reynoldz]

Games like last night make me wish Lamb was more vocal/commanding. He was fire for most of the game, there was NO reason for Napier to keep pressing like he did. Bad, forced shots and a ton of turnovers. Lamb should have gotten in his ear and demanded to be fed the ball, and frankly Blaney should have sat Napier down earlier and more often than he did.

[StuckOnYouk]

Tonight was mostly on jeremy lamb. Stupid fouls, lethargic effort. The guy is the best player on the court almost every game he plays but he seems to drift in and out at times.

Kept waiting for him to take over the game and he didn't. Even if they aren't passing you the ball, demand it. You've got more street cred than your point guards, Jeremy.

[Clears Cleaver]

Lamb was awful but not the reason they lost. Napier's decisions were atrocious and caused them to totally fall apart for long stretches. and Boatright did not come in and do better. And they are getting absolutely nothing from THE 3-4 spots on the floor. Amzing how bad Giffey, Daniels, Olander and Oriakhi were last night. Awful. Giffey looked scared

they ahve two winnable games this week then a week off. Big time changes are in store or else this season will be a disappointment. The lack of non-conf opponents also menas that they will have to beat syracuse or GTown to have a quality win. Amazing, but the big east sucks this year.

[diddle25]

And they are getting absolutely nothing from THE 3-4 spots on the floor.

Yes. That position has been non-existent all year, and that's big problem against the zone. They need somebody to split the zone at the foul line like Adrien did in 09.

Has anybody else noticed that Lamb just can't take anybody off the dribble? He only takes over games when he is running around off-ball screens. That's also a huge problem because off-ball screens don't work against the zone.

[PaulinMyrBch]

Why are McDonough, Raftery, and Bilas doing this game? Is that normal?

[Dan Murfman]

Why are McDonough, Raftery, and Bilas doing this game? Is that normal?

They've been doing Big Monday for years.

[Curtis Pride]

I watched the second half of tonight's game.

Things I liked:
1. Drummond making 10-foot jumpers.
2. Drummond blocking that last shot, recovering the ball, and sending it forward for a break (although I still wonder if he stepped out of bounds on that play).
3. The tenacious team D that created several turnovers in the last 12 minutes.

Things that have me concerned:
1. Rebounding seems to be a weak spot on defense.
2. Shebazz seems to have difficulty protecting his dribble.

Earlier in the thread, someone commented that Lamb needs to be more vocal, but I disagree. His game is a lot like Richard Hamilton's, and like Rip with Khalid El-Amin, he had a strong floor leader in Kemba Walker last year. I'm not sure if Shebazz or Boatright will be that floor leader this year. I know it's early to say this, but I really hope Drummond comes back next year as well as both PG's.