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1. I arrived about 4:15 P.M. After 10 minutes or so, it became apparent that the women would have the floor. So, I left the stands. As I was walking to my car, it occurred to me that the players might be on the practice courts. Zounds! I guess rightly.
So, the lesson is this: If the players are not in the main arena, check the practice courts before you give up.
2. The main reason I returned today is because I wanted to see E.O. I walked into the practice facility and there he was leaning against the wall. He had been playing skin, so he was without a shirt. All I could think was "Wow."
Here is the good news. He has really filled out since, I saw him two years ago. He is scary to see. When he jogs onto the court, the opponents are going to say, "OMG."
The rest of the news is not so encouraging.
(1) He is a fouling machine. Big time fouling machine.
(2) He did not run the floor well at all. It was so poor, I asked a team manager, if he was hurt. The manager said no.
(3) He did not play with much effort.
(4) He did not display enthusiasm.
(5) He did not rebound.
(6) He did not score.
(7) He did block one shot.
I suggest expectations be dialed back. Way, way back. Extra way, way back. I should mention a previous assessment, which I had. Once upon a time, long, long ago, I stated that Tim Duncan will never make it in the NBA. So, now you know my basketball talent evaluation credentials.
3. Aaron was there today. He could not throw the ball in the ocean. He was about 2/12. One of his misses was a break away, uncontested, 0.5' layup. He played pretty good defense though. For you hair stylists, Aaron is letting his hair grow out.
4. There are four southpaws on the team - Tyler, Jerome, Joe and Graham. Just a little trivia for you.
5. The practices are going to be very spirited this year. We have a lot of talent. I would love to see Rags v. Williams in practice. It will be a blue ribbon battle everyday.
Today, I thought it got a little personal between Rags and Demetric. I saw some high powered dribble penetrations and belt buckle to belt buckle defense. I gave the edge to Joe.
Both of them are fast, quick and athletic.
6. I am going to make a wild prediction. You can dismiss it, if you wish. I predict that no one in the Valley will be able to stay with Joe, one on one. He is a stud duck on dribble penetration. His drives are so powerful and he plays so well in traffic. He is going to be a lot of fun to watch.
7. During play, Joe did not shoot from the outside very often. When there was a break in play, he would sit out at the 3 line and just drain 3s. He was like a machine. It has been reported that he shot 52.5% from 3 last year. I believe it in spades.
8. The Juco kid named Poland was there. I do not think he is good enough to play for the Shockers.
9. There was a white kid from Andover there. I don't think it was Randall Vautravers, but I could be wrong. The kid is pretty thin and not very athletic. He was in way over his head. He shot successive air balls.
10. As I mentioned yesterday, J.T. was firing 3s from everywhere. Lots of them. I did not keep stats, but I guess he was around 30%-33%. Also, he did a lot of dribble penetration today. E.O. stood no chance.
11. Mason Feltner was there today. He had a good time playing with his buds. Mason and Toure played a lot of two man effectively.
12. Jerome likes to take the ball across the deep paint and put up a big sweeping hook shot.
13. Garrett hit some very nice set shots again today. One in the deep corner was impressive because it look so effortless.
14. Gabe and Graham were not there.
15. I think Tyler might be a pretty good 3 man someday. He plays hard and I like his attitude.
16. If David's athletic ability along with his potential as a 3 ball shooter becomes effective, the Shockers will have a great team. Sometimes, when David is being aggressive, it looks as if he is just toying with the defenders. Today, he shot very well.
How he plays in pick up games is night and day from the way he plays in regulation games. I realize he is more restricted in game play, but darn, if he played just a little more aggressively in game play, he would be a lot of fun to watch.
17. I cannot help, but think that Joe and Demetric will be on the floor together next season. If so, it will be a hard pair of guards to contain on the dribble or from the 3 line.
18. Toure did not take many 3 ball shots. His flight has more arch than he had a freshman. He made many dribble drives with finish or dish. He dished more than he finished. I thought he do so because he was getting the ball to the open man. He made several really clever moves around the basket. He really is maturing.
19. This may be one of the best Shocker teams ever with respect to depth. There may be former teams with better results on the season, but not in the depth department.
I encourage everyone to find time to watch them. You will really be excited.
So, the lesson is this: If the players are not in the main arena, check the practice courts before you give up.
2. The main reason I returned today is because I wanted to see E.O. I walked into the practice facility and there he was leaning against the wall. He had been playing skin, so he was without a shirt. All I could think was "Wow."
Here is the good news. He has really filled out since, I saw him two years ago. He is scary to see. When he jogs onto the court, the opponents are going to say, "OMG."
The rest of the news is not so encouraging.
(1) He is a fouling machine. Big time fouling machine.
(2) He did not run the floor well at all. It was so poor, I asked a team manager, if he was hurt. The manager said no.
(3) He did not play with much effort.
(4) He did not display enthusiasm.
(5) He did not rebound.
(6) He did not score.
(7) He did block one shot.
I suggest expectations be dialed back. Way, way back. Extra way, way back. I should mention a previous assessment, which I had. Once upon a time, long, long ago, I stated that Tim Duncan will never make it in the NBA. So, now you know my basketball talent evaluation credentials.
3. Aaron was there today. He could not throw the ball in the ocean. He was about 2/12. One of his misses was a break away, uncontested, 0.5' layup. He played pretty good defense though. For you hair stylists, Aaron is letting his hair grow out.
4. There are four southpaws on the team - Tyler, Jerome, Joe and Graham. Just a little trivia for you.
5. The practices are going to be very spirited this year. We have a lot of talent. I would love to see Rags v. Williams in practice. It will be a blue ribbon battle everyday.
Today, I thought it got a little personal between Rags and Demetric. I saw some high powered dribble penetrations and belt buckle to belt buckle defense. I gave the edge to Joe.
Both of them are fast, quick and athletic.
6. I am going to make a wild prediction. You can dismiss it, if you wish. I predict that no one in the Valley will be able to stay with Joe, one on one. He is a stud duck on dribble penetration. His drives are so powerful and he plays so well in traffic. He is going to be a lot of fun to watch.
7. During play, Joe did not shoot from the outside very often. When there was a break in play, he would sit out at the 3 line and just drain 3s. He was like a machine. It has been reported that he shot 52.5% from 3 last year. I believe it in spades.
8. The Juco kid named Poland was there. I do not think he is good enough to play for the Shockers.
9. There was a white kid from Andover there. I don't think it was Randall Vautravers, but I could be wrong. The kid is pretty thin and not very athletic. He was in way over his head. He shot successive air balls.
10. As I mentioned yesterday, J.T. was firing 3s from everywhere. Lots of them. I did not keep stats, but I guess he was around 30%-33%. Also, he did a lot of dribble penetration today. E.O. stood no chance.
11. Mason Feltner was there today. He had a good time playing with his buds. Mason and Toure played a lot of two man effectively.
12. Jerome likes to take the ball across the deep paint and put up a big sweeping hook shot.
13. Garrett hit some very nice set shots again today. One in the deep corner was impressive because it look so effortless.
14. Gabe and Graham were not there.
15. I think Tyler might be a pretty good 3 man someday. He plays hard and I like his attitude.
16. If David's athletic ability along with his potential as a 3 ball shooter becomes effective, the Shockers will have a great team. Sometimes, when David is being aggressive, it looks as if he is just toying with the defenders. Today, he shot very well.
How he plays in pick up games is night and day from the way he plays in regulation games. I realize he is more restricted in game play, but darn, if he played just a little more aggressively in game play, he would be a lot of fun to watch.
17. I cannot help, but think that Joe and Demetric will be on the floor together next season. If so, it will be a hard pair of guards to contain on the dribble or from the 3 line.
18. Toure did not take many 3 ball shots. His flight has more arch than he had a freshman. He made many dribble drives with finish or dish. He dished more than he finished. I thought he do so because he was getting the ball to the open man. He made several really clever moves around the basket. He really is maturing.
19. This may be one of the best Shocker teams ever with respect to depth. There may be former teams with better results on the season, but not in the depth department.
I encourage everyone to find time to watch them. You will really be excited.
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