Pick Up Games - July 11, 2013

[Ricardo del Rio]

exhale sooner

Also, take more deep breaths.

[another shocker]

I haven't seen either player (Frankamp or Rian) in action (except on video) but will agree that once Bob gets a "bee in his bonnet", he's not rationale. He's been so stuck on both Ellis and Frankamp that he probably wouldn't listen to anyone. Both Ellis and Frankamp are obviously very good but have shown certain flaws in their game that would indicate that they aren't shoe ins for AA. You wouldn't know that from Bob's reactions.

perry ellis was a mcd's aa. i'd rather have early on my team.

[SubGod22]

perry ellis was a mcd's aa. i'd rather have early on my team.

Last year? Definitely. This year? Probably. But you're comparing Perry with a guy a couple of years older than him with more post HS experience. Perry did last year about what most should have expected and really developed and progressed as the season went on. He could have a big year, but will probably take a backseat to Wiggins.

As far as Frankamp goes, I officiated him once his JR year. I have the same concerns with him as I do with Holland. Can they handle the physical aspect of the game at this level?

[im4wsu]

Here's the deal. Many moons ago, we watched a flick called "Field of Dreams." The theme of that movie was "build it and they will come." Here at 21st and Hillside, Coach Marshall and his Staff are building a solid Program that has risen in leaps and bounds and the fans will not only come but we have the attention and publicity now at an increasing National Scale. Doing such feats as WSU making the Final 4 reminds me of watching the golf swings of the best of pro golfers. It might look easy, but the blood, sweat, endless efforts and tears of the best of the best teaches different. You also have to have the talent to do so and surround yourself with others that can help you rise to the top.

It has been said that great basketball teams must enshrine their squad with solid guards. 3G does just that. Hannah, Rags, Armstead helped us to build winning teams and now they hand the baton to FVV and Baker, etc. After our last game we watched Baker and Fred walking together embraced as we all envisioned a bright Shocker future still to come that we will remember .

A skillfull point guard to basketball is of essence as like a solid quarteback in football. Enter Fred "I can make a huge 25' shot a split second b4 the dance shot clock buzzer tolls" Van Vleet. Last summer, he looked solid as well at the scrimmages. Then he had some nagging injuries to contend with early on to overcome. This summer, it is 'clear as mud' that this is his team to lead. Don't be surprised to see him play 25-30 minutes in the big games at least. 3G displayed much confidence in Fred at the DANCE against some great opponents and he responded as if he has ice water in his veins with big plays, big shots, and crucial free-throws. At times, he would enter the games and Armstead would slide over to the 2-slot.

Remember me? I was the silly fan watching summer scrimmages that was claiming I would pick Ron "I got this one Baker the maker" over KU bound C.F. in our System before he ever played a game here. And I wonder if Ron could make the K-State squad as a walk-on? Muuuuhahahaha. We knew we missed him as he missed 20 plus games, but we were thankful when he returned and jump-started us so swiftly as a team on both sides of the court. This summer is no different during scrimmages. On two occasions when I arrived, he launched a swish from 3-point land like it was just another common day at the office. Can you imagine the "shot in our arms" we will enjoy with a healthy Ron Baker all Season long? In the famous words of WstateU--yipes, stripes, beechnut gum."

Who will back up FVV when he takes a rest? Mr. Cotton and Mr. Baker together can handle the 1 and 2 finer than a frog -hair. In the meanwhile, DJ and Rian will begin to learn our System as well. Don't challenge Rian to a game of horse for 2 reasons. First of all, he might make a shot from the corner of 21st and Hillside because he has NBA 3-point range. Next, he will start at the free-throw line, bounce the rock up against the glass, catch it, dunk-it like a dipped dougnut, and do it with ease. I have been hearing solid reports from others on DJ and do believe my own self that both freshmen guards are keepers. Soon, I hope to make time to witness more scrimmages and offer some cheery reports of how the cow eats the cabbage because this squad is very,very, very, very good. Sleep well tonight because our beloved Shockers and our Coaching Staff are doing their part to prevail.

The first "he" is clearly referencing Rian. Correct?

The "Next, he" is in refetence to which one, Rian or DJ? I know that DJhas those kinds of moves, but wouldn't expect that of Rian. I would love to be incorrect about that.

[another shocker]

Last year? Definitely. This year? Probably. But you're comparing Perry with a guy a couple of years older than him with more post HS experience. Perry did last year about what most should have expected and really developed and progressed as the season went on. He could have a big year, but will probably take a backseat to Wiggins.

As far as Frankamp goes, I officiated him once his JR year. I have the same concerns with him as I do with Holland. Can they handle the physical aspect of the game at this level?

i'm not sure if early was even top-100 out of high school. he probably wasn't.

i've never seen frankamp play. all I've read is lutz said he was the best wichita prep baller ever.. i take that with a grain of salt, coming from him, although he must be good. and when you get a guard from north carolina that avg 20+ ppg, you're on to something, although I expect him to redshirt because the shockers are absolutely loaded at guard. did little stephen curry redshirt at davidson?

[pogo]

Perry Ellis played soft coming out of high school. Part of this may be due to his personality and demeanor. He got tougher as the year went on and I would expect him to continue to play a little more mean this year. He will be a very good player at the end of his four years. Connor may have trouble with more physical play and bigger athletes at the college level. He can shoot like very few others and if he can adapt the the next level he too will be a very good player.

[Signman]

Just watched our young men practice. Cheese Johnson was in the house and looking good. He spoke to them and in a nutshell told them he "Admired that you practiced hard and you should do everything in life just like the practice that I just watched."

[wufan]

Just watched our young men practice. Cheese Johnson was in the house and looking good. He spoke to them and in a nutshell told them he "Admired that you practiced hard and you should do everything in life just like the practice that I just watched."

Pretty cool! He should have sent his son here.

[another shocker]

Just watched our young men practice. Cheese Johnson was in the house and looking good. He spoke to them and in a nutshell told them he "Admired that you practiced hard and you should do everything in life just like the practice that I just watched."

i can't thank this post enough.

[blackandgold]

http://instagram.com/p/cFo-RjLIUw/ Shaq looks huge.

[forevershockerfan]

The first "he" is clearly referencing Rian. Correct?

The "Next, he" is in refetence to which one, Rian or DJ? I know that DJhas those kinds of moves, but wouldn't expect that of Rian. I would love to be incorrect about that.

I was as swift as a 'herd of turtles' finding time to get my night-cap SN fix. Both "he's" were referring to Rian. Last summer at the summer camp, Rian caught my eye and I was buggin folk until I found out it was him. Earl Watson(have not seen him this summer) also looked solid that same day last summer and both are quite athletic. Rian may play point guard but he reminds me more of a shooting guard. He will for sure be one of our best outside sharp-shooters and has NBA plus range. The dunk he likes to do between games which would be impressive for a dunk contest is 'he bounces the rock up from the floor against the glass, springs high and dunks it with ease.' He has a consistent success rate with that dunk. My guess is that he might consider redshirting a year to get stronger and get acclimated to our Program. However, it is too early to know what will happen.


DJ is also a keeper. Look for him to be eased into our System and be in the rotation more so by Valley time. After all, the Season we won the NIT, Rags did not get the full nod at point guard until about 3/4 through the Season? Armstead had a Season to practice with the team and it really helped him as he quarterbacked us in solid fashion. If you go back and read about DJ in the recruiting section, you will be impressed. Learning from FVV will be priceless and they will make each other better.

Speaking of sharp-shooters, look for our Juco Seniors to raise the bar this Season. Cle will lead us along with FVV and Baker IMO. I love the mix of high school players with a twist of Juco players to fill in the gaps. Can you imagine Fred and Ron as Seniors here? WOW!!!

Wiggins must have really impressed our foes last Season because he really drew special and regular attention on defense from our foes. When he gets hot, a point a minute is doable if it happens in the confines our needed team play. To me, his D-Fence looks improved this summer. One thing about it. Every solitary Shocker will be taught to play stingy DEFENSE under the Marshall Plan. That explains partly why the scrimmages this summer have been so intense. Even our walk-ons will D-up as protocol to the max. Chadrack looks strong and has improved but has even more competition than last summer to earn playing time. We are rock-solid from A to Z and you can safely take that opinion to the bank expecting a nice ROI this coming Season in terms of our fair share of wins.

[forevershockerfan]

Just watched our young men practice. Cheese Johnson was in the house and looking good. He spoke to them and in a nutshell told them he "Admired that you practiced hard and you should do everything in life just like the practice that I just watched."

Thanks for sharing this. According to the 2007-2008 WSU basketball guide, Lynbert "Cheese" Johnson Was a 4 year starter that lead our team in scoring 3 years and in rebounding twice and was one of our best shooters and scorers ever here.(1,000 point club). He improved rebounding each year--6.9, 9.9, 10.0, and 10.6 as well as points, 11.2,17.1,19.0, and 22.2. Thus, when a former Shocker great says that to our players, we can look at his performance and improvements here as a player and understand that he is living proof that his advice works on the practice court, in real games, and in real life.

[SubGod22]

http://instagram.com/p/cFo-RjLIUw/ Shaq looks huge.

Shaq IS huge

[Signman]

Pretty cool! He should have sent his son here.

Cheese actually said the same thing to me.

[_kai_]

Stood next to Shaq at lunch one day, chatted him up a bit, asked him if he was liking school and Wichita so far. I can confirm, he is a large man.

Very nice guy too.