Post by LIONS90045 on Nov 10, 2009 23:31:01 GMT -5
Thought twice about starting another new thread or not but decided there may be times to build on this thread later on in the season. So here you go. ;D
Practice was held today as “normal” in Gersten. 17 players participated, only Griffin was still totally sidelined – peddling on a stationary bicycle for some 2 hours! (I was not present for the whole two hours, but he was on the bike all the while I was in Gersten).
Davis participated in the shoot-arounds but not in the scrimmages so he is still healing. Kudos to the coaches and staff for not pushing Davis, and to Davis - a significant presence on this squad - for recognizing the importance of not speeding his return at the expense of the longer term prospects,.
Notable observations:
Coaches ran the team through drills to return to defend after an offensive basket, no doubt with awareness of Boise State’s 110 ppg average in pre season. Any lapses were “rewarded: with sideline to sideline sprints! The same (conditioning) punishment for other errors.
JD - shot looks more consistent than last year, a true all WCC prospect. Ball handling, defense, top notch!
Teel - aggressive man-to-man defense was teriffic! His jumper was a bit inconsistent but I am not worried about his offense.
Alex Osborne - played nicely with some great outside range but sometimes lacks intensity on defense – hands up for rebounds, “jump” not stand “flat footed” after a shot – he is a future force inside. Coaches are on him for his flaws!
Kelsey Chine - showed good consistency on his shooting. Did not watch carefully enough to note his “Cobra” defense. A fantastic walk on, a true sleeper. ;D
Garibay – good intensity, especially on offense and on the boards. Needs more consistency on finishing under the basket.
Young – the key to this man’s achievements is timing and anticipation – he watches shots on both ends and times his jumps to be in position to rebound – almost the antithesis of Osborne who caught Coach Good’s attention several times for apparent lack of (what?) court awareness. Osborne is against equals now - not against 5’10” players like last season - and need to recognize this. Young’s jumper, baseline and perimeter, shows much improvement from earlier practices. Young will start this season.
JD – JD is JD. He will be a factor in games. And start at PG.
Kalipinde – great body control due to upper body strength, great quickness and finish, jumper improving from the perimeter and 3-point range. Not afraid to “mix it up” with a tough defenders(Teel). ;D
Hamilton – jumper inconsistent but a force inside. Can power thru some defenses. Needs improvement on finish. and jumper.
Lawson –first time I saw him in action, good touch from the field, good moves inside, nice ball handling skills, but shows his youth. Appeared totally healthy to me and participated in all drills and scrimmages. Redshirt – let’s see what he can do before deciding on this – he may well contribute significantly this year.
Viney – nothing needs to be said, our best (healthy) player on the court – offense and defense. WCC All Star.
Armstead – jumper improving, in all honesty, Chine looks to have more potential at Wing. A hard worker and will contribute this season. Armstead is a nice player to have off the bench. Can finish well inside if not defended by “oversized” defender.
Sweezy – “Blue Collar” player with an improving jumper. Made some nice jumpers. Limited potential on offense. A thorn in the side of opponents on defense. ;D
Berardini – nice ball handling skills, a decent jumper and finish under the hoop. Expect only limited minutes from him (if any) this year. ;D
Diederichs – plays with intensity, got overpowered at least once by Hamilton on a drive, finishes well under the hoop, likely starter at center (or Garibay – flip-flopper!) due to experience.
Latimer, Gumbaer, Reilley - Practice player, Redshirt, Injured.
Intense Drills:
Post – Diederichs, Garibay and Osbornne
Forward – Viney, Young, Hamilton, Sweezy
Guard/Wing – everyone else.
A note on Coach Good – did someone say he appeared “more relaxed” this season? Whoa, was that me?
Another Mea Culpa I am proud to say. Coach Good is whipping these guys into competition form and is not shy about it. Mature audiences only at practice!
Go Max! Go Lions! And thanks to LMU for letting us fans (this fan anyway) have a vicarious look on our team in transition!
;D
Practice was held today as “normal” in Gersten. 17 players participated, only Griffin was still totally sidelined – peddling on a stationary bicycle for some 2 hours! (I was not present for the whole two hours, but he was on the bike all the while I was in Gersten).
Davis participated in the shoot-arounds but not in the scrimmages so he is still healing. Kudos to the coaches and staff for not pushing Davis, and to Davis - a significant presence on this squad - for recognizing the importance of not speeding his return at the expense of the longer term prospects,.
Notable observations:
Coaches ran the team through drills to return to defend after an offensive basket, no doubt with awareness of Boise State’s 110 ppg average in pre season. Any lapses were “rewarded: with sideline to sideline sprints! The same (conditioning) punishment for other errors.
JD - shot looks more consistent than last year, a true all WCC prospect. Ball handling, defense, top notch!
Teel - aggressive man-to-man defense was teriffic! His jumper was a bit inconsistent but I am not worried about his offense.
Alex Osborne - played nicely with some great outside range but sometimes lacks intensity on defense – hands up for rebounds, “jump” not stand “flat footed” after a shot – he is a future force inside. Coaches are on him for his flaws!
Kelsey Chine - showed good consistency on his shooting. Did not watch carefully enough to note his “Cobra” defense. A fantastic walk on, a true sleeper. ;D
Garibay – good intensity, especially on offense and on the boards. Needs more consistency on finishing under the basket.
Young – the key to this man’s achievements is timing and anticipation – he watches shots on both ends and times his jumps to be in position to rebound – almost the antithesis of Osborne who caught Coach Good’s attention several times for apparent lack of (what?) court awareness. Osborne is against equals now - not against 5’10” players like last season - and need to recognize this. Young’s jumper, baseline and perimeter, shows much improvement from earlier practices. Young will start this season.
JD – JD is JD. He will be a factor in games. And start at PG.
Kalipinde – great body control due to upper body strength, great quickness and finish, jumper improving from the perimeter and 3-point range. Not afraid to “mix it up” with a tough defenders(Teel). ;D
Hamilton – jumper inconsistent but a force inside. Can power thru some defenses. Needs improvement on finish. and jumper.
Lawson –first time I saw him in action, good touch from the field, good moves inside, nice ball handling skills, but shows his youth. Appeared totally healthy to me and participated in all drills and scrimmages. Redshirt – let’s see what he can do before deciding on this – he may well contribute significantly this year.
Viney – nothing needs to be said, our best (healthy) player on the court – offense and defense. WCC All Star.
Armstead – jumper improving, in all honesty, Chine looks to have more potential at Wing. A hard worker and will contribute this season. Armstead is a nice player to have off the bench. Can finish well inside if not defended by “oversized” defender.
Sweezy – “Blue Collar” player with an improving jumper. Made some nice jumpers. Limited potential on offense. A thorn in the side of opponents on defense. ;D
Berardini – nice ball handling skills, a decent jumper and finish under the hoop. Expect only limited minutes from him (if any) this year. ;D
Diederichs – plays with intensity, got overpowered at least once by Hamilton on a drive, finishes well under the hoop, likely starter at center (or Garibay – flip-flopper!) due to experience.
Latimer, Gumbaer, Reilley - Practice player, Redshirt, Injured.
Intense Drills:
Post – Diederichs, Garibay and Osbornne
Forward – Viney, Young, Hamilton, Sweezy
Guard/Wing – everyone else.
A note on Coach Good – did someone say he appeared “more relaxed” this season? Whoa, was that me?
Another Mea Culpa I am proud to say. Coach Good is whipping these guys into competition form and is not shy about it. Mature audiences only at practice!
Go Max! Go Lions! And thanks to LMU for letting us fans (this fan anyway) have a vicarious look on our team in transition!
;D