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Post by thx4leavinjimlynam on Jan 2, 2015 0:16:22 GMT -5
I noticed Mornar was riding an exercise cycle (located at end of bench) at the beginning of the second half. Maybe his 13 minutes had something to do with a leg issue?
Twelve turnovers in the first half and a stagnant offense are certainly problems, but if we allow teams to score on 18 of 20 possessions, we will not beat anyone no matter how dynamic our offense becomes. I like the 1-3-1 idea...
Go Lions!
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Post by ALioninWinter on Jan 2, 2015 1:59:55 GMT -5
I really like the 1-3-1 defense. I enjoyed playing it and it's fun to coach it. You need players with some speed, at least a couple of players with good length, and most importantly guys who are adept at anticipating where they need to play.
We've got the length with Money, Godwin and Patson; but I'm skeptical about the other factors. Our guys struggle with knowing their positions in 2-3 and even a standard 2-1-2, and those are significantly easier to understand than a 1-3-1.
... On the other hand, nothing else is working ....
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Post by ALioninWinter on Jan 2, 2015 2:13:35 GMT -5
I agree with 90045's thoughts about the guys playing a super conservative game as a matter of survival. Guys almost seem afraid to do much more than pass the rock to someone else....... "If I don't do something wrong, coach won't pull me."
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Post by lmuballfan on Jan 2, 2015 11:52:12 GMT -5
So many good points about what is shaping up to be a long season. Just wanted to highlight what I think has been alluded to in some of the posts. First off, this really is Dunlap's team. He formed it. Starting in the off season he took steps to unwelcome some players and to invite others. Whether they were players from last year's roster or potential recruits, Dunlap let players know that they were or were not welcome. So, it would be disingenuous to put the state of this current team on Good or his staff. This is Dunlap's party. The athleticism or lack there of is on him. Next, I have talked to several players. If they look both ways and make sure it's "okay", they will talk to you. Dunlap dominates this squad. He really demands a lot of their time. He REQUIRES they play a particular way. There is not much if any room for deviation. He does not care much for individualism or innovation. Some of the players - yes, even his recruits - are playing to "stay out of trouble". I read this article on Bleacherreport. I know, I know...the journalistic excellence which is Bleacherreport. bleacherreport.com/articles/1615039-charlotte-bobcats-firing-mike-dunlap-is-the-right-move. If you do or don't hit the link, here are some salient points...poor perimeter D, coach was cold, stubborn and unapproachable, exhausted players with 4 hour practices before or on game days, erratic minutes/odd sub patterns, players disliked him. This was in 2013. Not that long ago. Would you be shocked to know in 2014...now 2015 that our 58 yr old coach is still displaying much of the above behavior? Again, talk to a player or some folks in the athletic department. However, be sure to let them look both ways before they start talking. I'm not excusing the players. We have had multiple bad and/or invisible performances. However, I feel that most of the players are NOT comfortable. I believe several need to take the chance to be themselves and to simply play ball. After all, they earned scholarships before entering this system. At some point you have to play like you are capable of playing...whether or not it makes the Coach comfortable. If you get benched after playing well or showing up, that is better than getting minutes and playing timid, robotic and passionless. Final point, most successful staffs have strong contributors beyond the head coach. I'm not convinced LMU has that. We need coaches who are strong enough to speak, to recruit....on the AAU circuit in SoCal. We need a motivator to counterbalance some of the harshness...in the four plus hour practices. My understanding is that a muscle develops not just from being torn down...but also from being BUILT UP. Who is building our players up? Okay, that's it for now! I really hope that the team can turn this thing around.
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Post by LIONS90045 on Jan 2, 2015 12:53:15 GMT -5
Thanks LMU - that confirms some things Let's hope the guys get to play their own games
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Post by slblions08 on Jan 3, 2015 0:16:17 GMT -5
Well if you do some googling you'll see upset people in Adelaide as well.
But if what you say is true than Dunlap is a terrible fit for this university environment unless he changes on two aspects.
If he unwelcomes people and demands regurgitation of his words thoughts and actions it totally contradicts the classroom experience these kids are having where free thinking and challenging thought and critiquing are encouraged.
Second, I find LMU people to be very nice and eager to please. They play like they are afraid to fail or disappoint coach. Nobody is going to challenge him. And it's not like its encouraged. It ends up in benching and suspension. Really how does that encourage players to become risky?
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Post by lionnation1 on Jan 3, 2015 3:54:02 GMT -5
lmuballfan I strongly disagree with your post. First off, have you ever been around the team or coach Dunlap and been able to make opinions for your self, or are you just going off what arrogant NBA players who don't like to be coached and told what to do have said. Dunlap was resting MKG because he was young and not used to the NBA schedule and was frankly exhausted. He benches LMU players because he wants them to learn and grow so in a year or so they won't make stupid mistakes. Second of all it was not easy for the staff to recruit going into this year considering the fact that LMU hasn't been in the tournament since Hank Gathers era and to get good players you are competing with big schools, big money, big time coaches, and good supportive fan bases. We will have a good class coming in next year and let's wait till then before we jump all over our coach. Lastly to everyone, when LMU is losing and you are ready to start yelling at them think about this, next to you could be our answer, a recruit on his visit, a guy who could turn our program around, do you really want him to see their is no support from the fans when they are down?
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Post by ironlion on Jan 3, 2015 11:47:52 GMT -5
Aggers didn't have trouble recruiting good players to LMU, Coach Good didn't have trouble. They didn't have a brand new locker room and other benefits Dunlap has. Dont blame LMU for Dunlap's and his staffs recruiting short comings ...that is a cop out.
Here is a list of recruits that has already chosen other schools:
Devin Watson Jackie Davis Alex Gorski Jordan Dallas Kyle Lufroy Deng Adel Brady Twombly Paris Austin Rozelle Nix New Williams
On the positive side if Terrance Phillips committs it will be a big step in the right direction. I'm interested who is in this good class we have coming in next year. So far only Jacko is committed- he seems athletic but isn't playing this year to get his academics in order so it's hard to say how much impact he will have. Maybe there are some Australians committed we don't know about.
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