July 1, 2008 Report

[Ricky Del Rio]

I think way too many assumptions are being made.

He might have gone to class or somethin'.

I doubt very much that he felt overwhelmed, so he just quit for the day. I'm not buying that all. True players are fierce competitors, even when they are outclassed. They don't quit. They just keep their nose in there and it keeps getting bloody.

[WuDrWu]

I think way too many assumptions are being made.
.

No doubt, Ricky. For others, if worrying about it keeps you warm, so be it. Don't come crying to me sayin' "I told you so Doc" when he's a key cog on a winning team come March.

[shockar25]

I have no idea what caused GS to leave after the first game, but if it was because he was frustrated at getting whupped by PM, that is not a good sign, I don't care how you spin it. Would you agree it would be a better story had he stayed and kept coming back for more, even though he was getting beat?

Quit during pick up games, when else are you going to quit?

There are going to be a LOT more pickup games this summer, and I'm sure he knows that. He will learn and become stronger for it as he does.

[SpanglerFan316]

Paul did dominate, really putting the wood to Garrett, who couldn't keep up with him. Garrett, who was obviously frustrated, left the building after the first game. I should say that I don't know if that was the reason he left, but one of the coaches passing through asked JT where he was and then borrowed JT's cell phone to call him.

I am curious to hear if there is any followup on this. I hope Garrett Stutz is not hurt and I hope this is not a character issue. I would expect any freshman to be "taken to the woodshed" by the 2006 MVC POY who has been playing pro ball since he left WSU. If summer games bother Garrett, how will he react when we play SIU?

You needn't worry. Garrett is not unlike many kids his age. They expect success and get frustrated when it doesn't come as easy as before. His character is beyond reproach. This is a kid with a background that most of us would dream of.....he was probably just mad at the time. He'll be fine.

And he'll be a force in our league way before he graduates.

Actually this (impression of his strong background) is the reason I raised the question (and probably why Wuzee noticed in the first place). He is the last player I would expect to sulk. This is why I was concerned about the possibility of injury.

All in all, however, this is a (Kansas) mountain in a molehill. No big deal; just one of those things.

[forevershockerfan]

Garrett Stutz is a keeper. The last thing about him that would concern me would be a negative attitude of any kind. It is awesome that Paul Miller is here this summer for both EO and GS. He has a Sweet 16 under his belt, some play for pay experience, and is about 6 or 7 years ahead of these younger Shockers. They will learn valuable lessons from Paul. Paul has been unconscience this summer and I see his game still improving. What a Senior year he had for our Shocks. Even so let's think of the future. EO did stuff Paul clean on a shot as we read, stripped the Cooz clean out around the key(but was rang up), and GS is taller than Paul with more skills in my opinion when Paul first arrived. When EO receives the rock in good spots on the floor, his jams are viscous. EO also alters more then his fair share of shots on defense. EO is raw but talented.

Having PJ still here is paramount as well because he has earned his respect with these young men. Tennesse will never forget him from the Big Dance. Tennesse was very lucky with a 'hail mary' shot to get past Winthrop at the end of the game.. They knew to rough up Paul Miller (and bloodied him up some) and the scouting report warned of Sean O. from the outside after his Seton Hall performance.. There was just this one important detail they past by. The Cooz was not suppose to hit most every shot from the outside. Ooops!

[Aargh]

The players do weights and conditioning drills before the pickup games. Everything we've picked up about Stutz says he works hard. Maybe he just ran out of gas and getting some rest was more important than playing a pickup game on an empty tank.

When the adjustment from HS to D1 is playing against Miller and Orukpe, if there's some early frustration, how can you blame that player? That's a nasty introduction to the next level. Miller can out-finesse Stutz and overpower him at will. Orukpe is more athletic, has quicker feet and can stuff Stutz. That's all new stuff (no pun intended) for an 18-year-old guy who hasn't experienced that before.

I'm certain Stutz is going to wonder whether he's really cut out for D1 and whether he can handle it. If he's dealing with that in July that's great. A lot of new D1 players are dealing with that in April (after the season's over).

Miller made great strides after he went to a big man's camp before his senior year. Stutz is going to big man's camp right now. He's getting schooled in more ways than one.

[shockar25]

Maybe it was just a 'bad day'. We all have those sometimes.

No worries.

:wsu_posters:

[SubGod22]

Some are looking for something that isn't there. Matty B stormed out of practice a couple summers ago because KBrad was more physical that he was and pushing him all over the place.

My first thought was he was probably out of gas as someone else has already pointed out. All reports are that he works very hard and considering they play after working out he may have just been too tired. Getting abused like he reportedly was while having nothing in the tank doesn't do much for him.

[Bigshotmaker]

These kind of negative,speculative reports is why they lock the doors.The kid was trying to catch the cafeteria or something simple like that.Keep it positive.

[wu_shizzle]

These kind of negative,speculative reports is why they lock the doors.The kid was trying to catch the cafeteria or something simple like that. Keep it positive.

Thank You voice of common sense.

It is the offseason but let's not get stupid.

[wushock]

I agree we need to be careful what we say on this or nobody is going to be able to watch anything in the future.

[ShockRef]

It's summer pick up ball. Anyone reading anything into this deal really needs to get a life. 8)

[SpanglerFan316]

I think a lot of people are curious, not negative.

Someone I know watched them play (on June 30 or July 1??) and gave me a report. He said GS tried to body up PM; Paul just put his forearm out and held GS off with no apparent effort. When one guy is leaning most of weight on another player's forearm and the second player doesn't move or expend any effort to keep the first player away, this is impresssive.

[Bigshotmaker]

Yeah but you're talking about PM NBA player.We know GS is young and learning that's not a secret to anyone on the board.PM is posting up everybody there from what we hear.When you look at PM now you're looking at GS in the same time frame.I hope he beat him up it all summer long.The big dog is suppose to teach the young pup.However, next summer will be a whole different story,bank on it.

[SpanglerFan316]

Bigshotmaker: Sounds good to me; I want GS hungry and PO'd when we play CU, SIU, etc. (even Drake!!). :D