Pick Up Games - July 11, 2013

[BostonWu]

Are we being so PC we can't even mention the color of skin when trying to identify unknown player?

[SubGod22]

It's not much, but from the profile pics of each of the guys, the kid from Hutch has a tat on his right shoulder that can be seen. Granted, they're all pretty much head shots so it's not much.

[Dave Stalwart]

Have we ruled out Birdman?

[Ricardo del Rio]

Have we ruled out Birdman?

Yes, Birdman has been ruled out.

Baby Blue Shoes has a different do.

[Dave Stalwart]

Yes, Birdman has been ruled out.

Baby Blue Shoes has a different do.

I don't know, those look like baby blue shoes and tattoos to me.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lze5uy8z95I/SxR7oJOypVI/AAAAAAAAAC4/TOarmPatG9c/s1600/birdman.jpg

https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSobaiBKX-t_47Hygo16KEMBRZPIwSRCLDCSiB9Mx7jrHzLLaJo

I saw all kinds of ridiculous "dos" in my search as well

[pinstripers]

That guy is white.

[Dave Stalwart]

That guy is white.

You racist

[Dave Stalwart]

The more I think about it, it seems debatable to even call Birdman white anymore

[pinstripers]

What is Birdman?

[WstateU]

What is Birdman?

[WSUwatcher]

Yes, Birdman is multicolored.

Isn't he also a little taller than the guy who's been at WSU?

[forevershockerfan]

Here's the deal. I always look forward to a RDR summer report. Thanks RDR. I too have been poppin in when possible and have a few things to share as well.

First of all, what a great group of young men. Baker and Wessel also shook my hand and introduced themselves. Should I have told them I was FSF? A good way to be horse whipped at 21st. and Hillside? Muuuhahahaha. A friend of a friend of mine ask another key player if he thought this squad was better than last Season. He said 'yes' but understood would also have to get hot at the right time to accomplish what we did last Season and expressed that. We have No weak players. We won't be able to put in players at garbage time that will offer our foes any slack whatsoever.

Who would I start today? Either a tall front line by starting FreshVV, Ron "I got this one Baker the Maker" Cle at the 3(could he stay out of foul trouble guarding a 3?), Carter, and Coleby. However, we are so ever-lovin deep at the 3 slot with Cotton, Wiggy, Green and Evan "I would fall on a sword for the team' Wessel," that I might try this lineup instead. FVV, Baker, 'instant offense Nick' or 'constant defense Cotton' at the 3, Cle--"I'm never late" Early, and the "incredible hulk" Coelby. The combinations and options are oozing with potential with a capital P.

Here is a breakdown of each player from a dilettante fan that has never made a thin dime coaching at any level. Oh well, it is what it is. I will discuss 'the bigs' in this segment and do a follow-up report on the other players later because I am a man of few words? Can u dig it?

Coleby--Remember Armstud and Baker's contributions last Season after a year working with the team? Enter Coleby. A friend of a friend of a friend of mine told me "He will make you forget about Carl Hall and is the least of our worries." Nope, that will not happen but he will ease the pain to a mild roar IMO. However, Sub is not worried and you will like his game . He is every bit of 6'9" and y'all will like this nice addition to our inside group. He can sky high, block shots, rebound, score, and we are awaiting some of the alleys from FVV that we have been hearing about from 3G. Look for him to start at the 5.

Carter, To say the very least, this young man had my attention at hello. He can score, rebound, has good inside moves, and keeping him out of the lineup will be like pulling hens teeth. As I talk to other folk that have also witnessed his game, they agree and it is all good reviews. If he is Baker's favorite player this summer, that really speaks volumes. Look for his role to be very similar to Early's role last Season.

Shaq--What a nice young man. I have seen him scrimmage some and he is solid, especially inside close to the hoop. He will slam it if at all possible and will need to develop his shooting touch from the outside. I look for him to get his chance this Season, but I expect big things from him the following Season after a year of grooming in our System. He is a fierce competitor so he will be knocking at the older players doors for playing time this very Season.

Chadrack is showing improvement this summer. It is frequent for our Juco players under 3g's regime to have solid Senior years for us. Look for this young man to give us some nice minutes off the bench. Don't you just love how we defended inside last Season? Look for even bigger and better things inside this very Season.

Last but not least is Cle. Last summer, he really never caught my eye all that much, but when the bright lights were glaring and especially at the DANCE, he really stepped right on up. Could Early really be an All-American this Season? Oh yeal baybay but only in the confines of the team-role that Coach Marshall demands of all of our players. We need no "one man band's" but rather team chemistry and leadership. Cle has really played solid this summer and has indeed caught my eye in every solitary scrimmage I have seen him in. Look for big team accomplishments from Early.

I feel like I am writing a forever and ever paperback novel and this is only my introduction? Tsk, tsk tsk. Will we again be led by a new 'Big 3' as did Early, Hall, and Armstead so led us last Season? If so, FVV, Baker, and Cle, could be candidates for such leadership. However, let me say this about that. After watching Shocker summer scrimmages for many many moons, I can safely say this squad could catapult into even higher exploits with the 'best of the very best' quality depth maybe ever. However, even last Season, we had a record amount of key injuries, had the 3 game skid, but yet when the bright lights were beaming down and the stakes were higher than a kite, we Shocked the world and marched right into Atlanta while busting the masses brackets along the way. Encore? Dunno but stay tuned for another black and yellow trek to the Big Dance to see what is shakin and bakin.

[wufan]

Thank you for this report! Please feel free to expand at anytime.

[forevershockerfan]

Greetings Shocker fans. Let me begin with some general observations from what I have witnessed and have heard. All of our returning players have improved since the scrimmages since last summer. Cle, Cotton, and, FVV would be the most improved IMO from scrimmages last summer versus this summer. Of the new players, Carter and Coleby are true keepers. You'll see, Ya'll will see. Who has had the best games I have seen this summer? Wiggin's, FVV, and Cle. Who do I believe will be our top 3 players when we turn on the lights for real? Baker, Cle, and FVV.

Tonight, I would like to focus on the 3 spot and will speak of our guards next time. Before doing that though, I like sharp-shooters. I am probably offensive minded to a fault. With that said, we have our fair share in Baker, Green, Wiggins, Wessel, Early, Holland. Next, look at the big shots Cotton started making after he started working overtime on that. Several of these young men will play the 3. I like how Shocker players improve and develop their overall game under 3G's watch.

Wessel--Feels great to have him back. His Senior Season at Heights, he was a key in them winning the State Tourney in football. Then a KU friend of mine went to watch Perry at the State Basketball Championship game and raved on and on about Wessel to me that same Season. Evan is not only a winner, but he also brings his lunch box with him and works very hard to do his role. He may have been our most improved shooter in games last Season and it was a shame he missed so many games. He may have been a key in the Louisville game that could have gave us that small edge we needed to pull that win off. He was leading our team in 3 point % before his injury and had really improved that facet of his game.

Cotton(constant de-fence)--This summer, he is still landing in big shots much much better than last summer in the games I witnessed. Look at when opportunity knocked when injuries pagued us. Tekele 'stepped up to the pump' and assisted us onward to tall cotton. He held the Pittsburgh(with a h) star to a mild roar which really jump started us at the Dance. Isn't it grand that we have him for 2 more Seasons? Cotton can also play the 1 or 2 if need be. Wasn't he a point guard in high school?

Nick W.--Instant Offense. When he is hot---oohhh baybay--he can score a point a minute until the cows come home. Our Juco players have solid Senior Season's frequently and I hope Nick brings his A game. He has showed flashes of solid D. in my limited visits this summer. THE 3 slot seems to be the slot that we have the most competition? Dunno, but I like such issues and 3G is a master at finding the right minutes for the right players.

Green---What a nice young man. The main thing he has working against him is very experienced players at his position. One gentleman that watches way more scrimmages than me felt like it was between Ron--'I got this one" Baker and Derail 'the nets" Green as our 2 best shooters on the team. Green will be primed and ready when his day in the sun comes and I hope both Shaq and Green are patient and willing to learn from some very seasoned players.

Henceforth, we are more loaded at the 3 than a Texas baked potato at a paramount steak joint. Actually, in terms of quality depth, this Season's team should be the deepest ever here? Stay tuned.

[im4wsu]

Greetings Shocker fans. Let me begin with some general observations from what I have witnessed and have heard. All of our returning players have improved since the scrimmages since last summer. Cle, Cotton, and, FVV would be the most improved IMO from scrimmages last summer versus this summer. Of the new players, Carter and Coleby are true keepers. You'll see, Ya'll will see. Who has had the best games I have seen this summer? Wiggin's, FVV, and Cle. Who do I believe will be our top 3 players when we turn on the lights for real? Baker, Cle, and FVV.

Tonight, I would like to focus on the 3 spot and will speak of our guards next time. Before doing that though, I like sharp-shooters. I am probably offensive minded to a fault. With that said, we have our fair share in Baker, Green, Wiggins, Wessel, Early, Holland. Next, look at the big shots Cotton started making after he started working overtime on that. Several of these young men will play the 3. I like how Shocker players improve and develop their overall game under 3G's watch.

Wessel--Feels great to have him back. His Senior Season at Heights, he was a key in them winning the State Tourney in football. Then a KU friend of mine went to watch Perry at the State Basketball Championship game and raved on and on about Wessel to me that same Season. Evan is not only a winner, but he also brings his lunch box with him and works very hard to do his role. He may have been our most improved shooter in games last Season and it was a shame he missed so many games. He may have been a key in the Louisville game that could have gave us that small edge we needed to pull that win off. He was leading our team in 3 point % before his injury and had really improved that facet of his game.

Cotton(constant de-fence)--This summer, he is still landing in big shots much much better than last summer in the games I witnessed. Look at when opportunity knocked when injuries pagued us. Tekele 'stepped up to the pump' and assisted us onward to tall cotton. He held the Pittsburgh(with a h) star to a mild roar which really jump started us at the Dance. Isn't it grand that we have him for 2 more Seasons? Cotton can also play the 1 or 2 if need be. Wasn't he a point guard in high school?

Nick W.--Instant Offense. When he is hot---oohhh baybay--he can score a point a minute until the cows come home. Our Juco players have solid Senior Season's frequently and I hope Nick brings his A game. He has showed flashes of solid D. in my limited visits this summer. THE 3 slot seems to be the slot that we have the most competition? Dunno, but I like such issues and 3G is a master at finding the right minutes for the right players.

Green---What a nice young man. The main thing he has working against him is very experienced players at his position. One gentleman that watches way more scrimmages than me felt like it was between Ron--'I got this one" Baker and Derail 'the nets" Green as our 2 best shooters on the team. Green will be primed and ready when his day in the sun comes and I hope both Shaq and Green are patient and willing to learn from some very seasoned players.

Henceforth, we are more loaded at the 3 than a Texas baked potato at a paramount steak joint. Actually, in terms of quality depth, this Season's team should be the deepest ever here? Stay tuned.

Thanks, FSF. Is there any indication that Nick W has visited the weight room and strengthened his grip on the ball and upper body so he can (a) not have the ball stripped on the outside and (b) go to the hole effectively, without getting the ball swatted away and draw a foul?

Although not listed under the 3's, do you see improvement in Cle's ball-handling (drive with left hand) and finishing at the hoop?

Nearly everything you said about Wessel was about last season. Does he still have his shot? No question about his hustle, but has he improved overall compared to last year?

How solid does Green look this year? Is he strictly a perimeter player?