Austin Reaves

[WSUwatcher]

It was a known condition before he stepped foot on campus. It has happened once already this season. Normally he would have put it back an and gone back into the game.
Those are the facts. That is what we know. Based on that, I'd say we see him back as good as ever against our next DI opponent.
Also, this is why WSU pays Kerry. I would venture to guess that next summer is the first sports break with healthy shoulders that Austin has had in a long time. Let him get some quality work in with a world class trainer and the extra muscle should help him keep his shoulders in socket.

No doubt Reaves is going to be on the best strength and conditioning program he's ever had, which can't possibly hurt his cause. I'm also wondering if his rapid growth while in high school may have contributed to some weakness or potential instability that will diminish now that he's reached his full 6-5 (assuming that does end up being his full height). In any case, these injuries don't seem to have destroyed his effectiveness in the past, albeit against considerably lesser competition, so there are lots of reasons for optimism at this point.

[molly jabali]

We have learned from this that Reaves is a lot tougher than we may have thought, and that he's got a lot of heart and fight. He's got a lot of VanVleet's attitude. That's a good thing. Too bad we don't seem to have any upper class guys with that type of attitude.

Maybe a bit harsh, no?

[Aargh]

Maybe a bit harsh, no?

No

If any of the current Jr's had anything resembling VanVleet's attitude and work ethic, there wouldn't be the lack of leadership this team has shown. VanVleet was the Field Marshall by his So year.

[ARShocker]

No doubt Reaves is going to be on the best strength and conditioning program he's ever had, which can't possibly hurt his cause. I'm also wondering if his rapid growth while in high school may have contributed to some weakness or potential instability that will diminish now that he's reached his full 6-5 (assuming that does end up being his full height). In any case, these injuries don't seem to have destroyed his effectiveness in the past, albeit against considerably lesser competition, so there are lots of reasons for optimism at this point.

Don't be surprised if he keeps growing. He has grown quite a bit since he left. He was noticeably taller when I saw him in August compared to when he left in May/June. Hes still a youngin lol. I think he's pushing 6'6 if he isn't already there. He might be done... But I wouldn't be shocked if he gets another 1/2"-1"

[shocksrbest]

No

If any of the current Jr's had anything resembling VanVleet's attitude and work ethic, there wouldn't be the lack of leadership this team has shown. VanVleet was the Field Marshall by his So year.

I totally agree, but therein lies the problem. Too often last year the team relied too heavily on Baker and VanVleet to make a play. They also relied too heavily on their leadership and know not how to replicate it this year. IMO

[AZ Shocker]

They'll find it. They were just so mesmerized in the aweness of FVV and Baker. They'll find it!!!

[ShockingButTrue]

No

If any of the current Jr's had anything resembling VanVleet's attitude and work ethic, there wouldn't be the lack of leadership this team has shown. VanVleet was the Field Marshall by his So year.

... and Wessal's smarts. I don't think he had a lot of turnovers last year that came at the wrong time.

[Kel Varnsen]

No

If any of the current Jr's had anything resembling VanVleet's attitude and work ethic, there wouldn't be the lack of leadership this team has shown. VanVleet was the Field Marshall by his So year.

FFS. Look, I do think Fred's demeanor played a great role in the success of our program. But you're essentially calling our entire junior class lazy and apathetic. It's absolute crap. Rashard Kelly is one of the hardest workers in the team, but he may not possess the God-given traits to make him an All World basketball player. That's okay.

So much of these team dynamics have to do with personality types and natural inclinations. So let's not impugn the character of those who give their all for this team (even if their name isn't Evan Wessel) and don't get all the glory. There is a great difference between stating "Player A does not match up well with opponents" and "Player A isn't performing up to snuff, so he must not be working hard enough."

Evan Wessel had more holes in his game than Rashard by a long shot, but no one ever wants to say it.

[Aargh]

...you're essentially calling our entire junior class lazy and apathetic...

Really? That's what you read into my post?

[molly jabali]

Really? That's what you read into my post?

Well...not as direct as was just said, but kind of....

I don't think ANY of the juniors 'don't care'...I think they are not demonstrative....and we read that as having no fire...just my take....

[shocka khan]

Well...not as direct as was just said, but kind of....

I don't think ANY of the juniors 'don't care'...I think they are not demonstrative....and we read that as having no fire...just my take....

Aargh just did the verbal equivalent of farting in a room full of people. "You smelt it, you dealt it."

Aargh should feel confident in knowing that he was not the first person to make this mistake, I have done likewise, even when trying to take one last look at what I'm posting before I hit enter :)

[molly jabali]

I think most of us as fans are naturally drawn to 'fire breathers' because it is easy to SEE their passion...even if it is fluff on occasion

[Aargh]

On a scale from 1 to 10, where 1 is lazy and apathetic and 10 is VanVleet attitude, saying someone is not a 10 desn't mean they are a 1.

[giskard]

On a scale from 1 to 10, where 1 is lazy and apathetic and 10 is VanVleet attitude, saying someone is not a 10 desn't mean they are a 1.

Shouldn't that be on a scale from 1 to 10, where 1 is lazy and apathetic and 11 is Van Vleet attitude?

[ShockdaWorld]

Unless you have the opportunity to attend practices pretty regularly or hear directly from the coaching staff, I'd say it's pretty difficult to determine what somebody's work ethic is. And that work ethic was included in the "farting in a roomful of people" post. I'd be willing to bet that there are multiple guys that put in maximum effort every day. To me, that's pretty damn good work ethic.