Annual Redshirt Guess-a-thon

[Kung Wu]

Is it contrarian to think that HC3GM is looking to Shaq to be the primary guy and that he wants him 100% ready for New Mexico State from day 1 -- and that's why he's getting so much attention? Or is that not a contrarian viewpoint?

[proshox]

Is it contrarian to think that HC3GM is looking to Shaq to be the primary guy and that he wants him 100% ready for New Mexico State from day 1 -- and that's why he's getting so much attention? Or is that not a contrarian viewpoint?

I concur - HCGM is forcing Shaq to be all he can be... you can see this ploy executed by many coaches with talented new comers that are not improving quickly enough. It seems coaches know when they have to make players earn every minute to maximize their ability to be great.

[pie n eye]

Is it contrarian to think that HC3GM is looking to Shaq to be the primary guy and that he wants him 100% ready for New Mexico State from day 1 -- and that's why he's getting so much attention? Or is that not a contrarian viewpoint?

Contrarian or not it's a view point that makes more sense than the people who want to chase an 18 (19?) yr old kid out of town before his freshman season has even started. Not to mention that practically no one has even seen him play a minute of meaningful basketball since last years exhibition game.

I'm on the Shaq bandwagon and I'm not even sure such a thing exists yet.

[Kung Wu]

Not to mention that practically no one has even seen him play a minute of meaningful basketball since last years exhibition game.

That's why I am asking if it's contrarian. I haven't been fortunate enough to attend any practices this year so I have nothing to go on other than his recruitment thread. Dude was a stud in high school in Oklahoma and has seriously elevated his physique and athleticism since then. That much I know.

[ShockTalk]

What if he's talking about someone other than Shaq?

I didn't view the statement by HCGM as directed at anyone, but speaking in general terms. IMO, anyone who the staff is not spending much time on due to a lack of effort on the player's part will most likely be gone in short order. Therefore, given that Shaq is still around for his 2nd year and, based on first hand comments from other posters, Shaq is having to receive more attention than most, he's shortcomings are not likely in effort, but in execution. This is something HCGM is willing to put his and his staff's extra effort to if the player's effort is there as well as the potential top performance.

[Dave Stalwart]

Fortunately, Shaq will almost certainly play in the upcoming exhibition. If he is riding a bike all game, I'll be ready to punt him. If he plays and looks completely lost, unbecoming of a redshirt freshman in the Marshall era (Ron Baker), I would still hold out hope for him, but it would be frustrating. If he gets a lot of minutes and gets decent stats, we can celebrate.

What do you guys think will actually happen? I don't think he'll be on a bike. I will throw my hot dog at the family in front of me if he is on the bike. What I expect is to see him sub in relatively low on the depth chart behind some new people. Hopefully, he will make the most of it.

[Shocker-maniac]

Based [on] the contents of people who have seen practice

Good dissection!

[Dave Stalwart]

I didn't view the statement by HCGM as directed at anyone, but speaking in general terms. IMO, anyone who the staff is not spending much time on due to a lack of effort on the player's part will most likely be gone in short order. Therefore, given that Shaq is still around for his 2nd year and, based on first hand comments from other posters, Shaq is having to receive more attention than most, he's shortcomings are not likely in effort, but in execution. This is something HCGM is willing to put his and his staff's extra effort to if the player's effort is there as well as the potential top performance.

Wasn't Shaq often injured last year and unable to practice much? It's still possible that he's around for his 2nd year because they never actually got to see him work much in the first place. I'm not at all saying that is the case. Just saying.

[Bob Sacamano]

Are we all talking about the same Shaq?! Future hall-of-famer? Former NBA MVP? I just don't understand. Dude is going to get 30 minutes a game, minimum.

[ShockTalk]

Fortunately, Shaq will almost certainly play in the upcoming exhibition. If he is riding a bike all game, I'll be ready to punt him. If he plays and looks completely lost, unbecoming of a redshirt freshman in the Marshall era (Ron Baker), I would still hold out hope for him, but it would be frustrating. If he gets a lot of minutes and gets decent stats, we can celebrate.

What do you guys think will actually happen? I don't think he'll be on a bike. I will throw my hot dog at the family in front of me if he is on the bike. What I expect is to see him sub in relatively low on the depth chart behind some new people. Hopefully, he will make the most of it.

I believe most on this board, including myself, think that 4 and 5's take longer to develop, so I don't expect a Baker-like RS freshman performance from any Big Man. So if we do start to see 4-5s with great freshman starts, hold on to your hats, it's gonna be one heck of a great ride.

[Dave Stalwart]

I believe most on this board, including myself, think that 4 and 5's take longer to develop, so I don't expect a Baker-like RS freshman performance from any Big Man. So if we do start to see 4-5s with great freshman starts, hold on to your hats, it's gonna be one heck of a great ride.

I actually think that is going to happen this year. I guess I better go buy a hat.

[ShockTalk]

Wasn't Shaq often injured last year and unable to practice much? It's still possible that he's around for his 2nd year because they never actually got to see him work much in the first place. I'm not at all saying that is the case. Just saying.

There is many other ways of showing effort if one is not able to practice.

[ShockTalk]

I actually think that is going to happen this year. I guess I better go buy a hat.

That's showing great Shocker fan effort, DJ! :encouragement:

[wu_shizzle]

I didn't view the statement by HCGM as directed at anyone, but speaking in general terms. IMO, anyone who the staff is not spending much time on due to a lack of effort on the player's part will most likely be gone in short order. Therefore, given that Shaq is still around for his 2nd year and, based on first hand comments from other posters, Shaq is having to receive more attention than most, he's shortcomings are not likely in effort, but in execution. This is something HCGM is willing to put his and his staff's extra effort to if the player's effort is there as well as the potential top performance.

That's exactly what I'm talking about.

You didn't hear much about James Anacreon or Eddie E before they left.

They wouldn't be working on Shaq this much if they didn't think it would pay dividends.

[SPEShockAlum]

Update - it appears Frankamp will redshirt.