Xavier Bell is a Shocker!

[ShockerFever]

I don’t disagree, but it’s not like we can stand and shoot 3s. We miss the wide open ones.

I do wonder why we’re not pushing through Ballard more.

Because our coach is a moron.

[WuShock Reaper]

[Kung Wu]

Thank goodness he had a career night at the line!

[Aargh]

I don't know any other way to say this. Bell is the worst leading scorer I can recall at WSU and I remember when Stallworth was signed.

Bell gets his points. He's one of the best "sticky" players I've seen at WSU, but he's a "me first" player. He's good at being a "me first" player, but that doesn't equate to being a good team player.

I have a feeling Bell's stickiness when he gets the ball has compromised Hill's game. Hill seems to be a score first player as well, and having two of those on the same team generally means they're going to pad their own stats before they get their teammates involved.

[pinstripers]

It's amazing what he is able to accomplish being a one-trick pony, but still amazing.

[Dan]

It's amazing what he is able to accomplish being a one-trick pony, but still amazing.

no doubt, how does anyone allow him to drive left? He is horrible going right, just force the right and have someone there to pick his pocket when he does the spin in the lane. I assume coaches plan for it, but you gotta give him credit for being a pretty good shooter from the left side.

[Maizerunner08]

Flawed player but wouldn't have won yesterday without him.

[rjl]

Yeah, I'm not with all the Bell hate. Is he an all-timer? No. But dude is the best offense we have.

Sure, Ballard hits a higher percentage, but Ballard has around two post moves in his bag. Not sure how much more Ballard can be involved in the offense than he already is. I mean, certainly some, but there's going to be diminished returns. I'm uncertain if there's a way to look it up, but my strong subjective belief is that Ballard's possessions starting with his back to the basket suffer a greatly reduced shot percentage. A significant portion of Ballard's makes come from him getting an offensive rebound, or passes where he's already two feet away and facing the basket. And when our 3-point percentage blows like it does, good luck drawing enough defenders away from the rim to clear up passing lanes to Ballard.

[BostonWu]

Yeah, I'm not with all the Bell hate. Is he an all-timer? No. But dude is the best offense we have.

Which inlies a huge issue. It's a coaching not a Bell problem.

[rjl]

Which inlies a huge issue. It's a coaching not a Bell problem.

I agree. But I don't think it's Bell's fault. Dude is doing the best he can to get us some W's, despite poor coaching and recruiting.

[Maizerunner08]

I just can't find myself hating on Bell. Local kid, playing hard. It's a lost season and he hasn't given up. That's more than enough for me. I don't think Bell magically becoming FVV is going to make this an NCAA tournament team. This team is more flawed than that.

[BostonWu]

Everyone saying "I don't get the Bell hate" is missing the point. I really don't think the vast majority hate the player. In fact I admire his will and perseverance.

IMO, the hate is on the coach and recruiting that has left Bell in a position that he feels he has to do everything himself. The Bell bull rush offense 100% falls on Mills.

[Maizerunner08]

Everyone saying "I don't get the Bell hate" is missing the point. I really don't think the vast majority hate the player. In fact I admire his will and perseverance.

IMO, the hate is on the coach and recruiting that has left Bell in a position that he feels he has to do everything himself. The Bell bull rush offense 100% falls on Mills.

Framing it like that makes sense. All roads lead back to Mills...

[RoyalShock]

Yeah, I'm not with all the Bell hate. Is he an all-timer? No. But dude is the best offense we have.

Sure, Ballard hits a higher percentage, but Ballard has around two post moves in his bag. Not sure how much more Ballard can be involved in the offense than he already is. I mean, certainly some, but there's going to be diminished returns. I'm uncertain if there's a way to look it up, but my strong subjective belief is that Ballard's possessions starting with his back to the basket suffer a greatly reduced shot percentage. A significant portion of Ballard's makes come from him getting an offensive rebound, or passes where he's already two feet away and facing the basket. And when our 3-point percentage blows like it does, good luck drawing enough defenders away from the rim to clear up passing lanes to Ballard.

And furthermore, I think the reason for Bell having the ball in his hands so much to do what Bell does, is because we don't have any decent shooters. Percentage-wise, he's also our best 3-pt shooter.

Yes, we can certainly lay blame on the coaches for not getting someone better than McGinnis. But I think they know the only decent scoring options we have is pick-and-roll to Ballard (which teams have found a way to minimize), or Bell (and to a lesser extent, Hill) driving to the basket and either making a tough shot, getting fouled, or hoping QB and CW get a put-back.

[ShockerFever]

Yeah, I'm not with all the Bell hate. Is he an all-timer? No. But dude is the best offense we have.

Sure, Ballard hits a higher percentage, but Ballard has around two post moves in his bag. Not sure how much more Ballard can be involved in the offense than he already is. I mean, certainly some, but there's going to be diminished returns. I'm uncertain if there's a way to look it up, but my strong subjective belief is that Ballard's possessions starting with his back to the basket suffer a greatly reduced shot percentage. A significant portion of Ballard's makes come from him getting an offensive rebound, or passes where he's already two feet away and facing the basket. And when our 3-point percentage blows like it does, good luck drawing enough defenders away from the rim to clear up passing lanes to Ballard.

I disagree that he's our best offense, but even if true, that tells you how bad this team is. The best piece of crap is still a piece of crap. Who knows if Bell is told to bullrush and disregard passing like he does. You have to assume it's coaching because it happens over and over again for the last 2 years. Bell has some decent pieces but going 6 for 19 and turning the ball over and throwing crap up like a JUCO player is just gonna garner negativity for what it is. Most people don't get excited for watching JUCO basketball at Wichita State.