AJ Abrams

by DogTown on Mar 8, 2007 12:44 PM CST

While watching the Big East tourney (GO NOVA), I did some data mining.

When AJ takes 14 or more shots, our record is 4 and 7. Those four wins came against bad or overmatched teams: Nichols St, Texas St, LSU (5-11 SEC), and Baylor. Each of those losses were either close games or very winnable: Tenn, Mich St, OSU, KSU.

When AJ shoots 13 times or less, we're 18-1, the only loss coming in that aTm blowout.

I know that PB, in what seems like every single game preview, pleads for AJ to not hang up those ugly floaters, or try to shoot over 6-5 defenders, or do anything BUT catch-and-shoot, so I know I'm not being all that original. But our team has too many problems defensively and in rebounding to worry about a 5-10 guard taking shots away from K Smoove.

Is it possible that Barnes forces AJ to hold up a little more before the real tourney starts? Or is AJ gonna hasten our early exit when he chucks up 18?

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Comments

Trouble

You'll know Texas is in trouble if AJ is shooting the ball 15+ times. If that happens, things are not going well.

--PB--

by Peter Bean on Mar 8, 2007 12:45 PM CST reply actions

He does too much

In those 11 games, he probably got hot one or two times and for the next offensive possessions proceeded to be a ball hog, where he probably missed a couple 3's and got our offense cold. Interesting stats

"At Texas, you're supposed to beat everybody. If you lose, it's like the world is coming to an end" --Mack Brown

by horns2009 on Mar 8, 2007 12:48 PM CST reply actions

Wow

That is very telling data. I would be curious to see when in those games his shots came. In other words, was his poor shooting the reason we struggled, or was the fact that we were struggling the reason for putting up bad shots?

Either way its not good. But I guess the second is a little more forgivable. He is a freshman though. Hopefully we can get this together in the tourney.

"A lot of people look for the easy way to do anything, in swimming there is no easy way." - Eddie Reese

by SwimTexas on Mar 8, 2007 12:57 PM CST reply actions

Abrams

...is a sophomore. I don't mind his putting up shots, if he's going to make them. Those runners into the paint where 6'9" guys can just swat the ball away don't seem to work out very often.

by SelimSivad on Mar 8, 2007 1:15 PM CST up reply actions

Lost

Both Augustin and Abrams' contributions to the team get lost a bit because they play next to Durant. Abrams has improved by leaps and bounds from his freshman season. He's going to set some serious records at Texas - three point shots made, for sure.

He's a terrific weapon so long as he's not forcing shots. It just stands out when he's trying to do too much.

--PB--

by Peter Bean on Mar 8, 2007 1:17 PM CST up reply actions

agreed.

Sometimes he is on fire from long range, and he's made some clutch shots, I believe. Definitely a big improvement over last year.

by SelimSivad on Mar 8, 2007 1:32 PM CST up reply actions

Let's just end this

PB hates A.J. Abrams excessively.

Duly noted.

The haters will always hate. No sense arguing.

--HC--

--- We have pansies scheduling our patsies. ---

by HornChamps on Mar 8, 2007 1:09 PM CST reply actions

Dude

Do you really want to bait the site administrator?

--PB--

by Peter Bean on Mar 8, 2007 1:13 PM CST up reply actions

what?

I posted this thread. It's not even hatin' on AJ, but if you think it is then put it on me, the author.

by DogTown on Mar 8, 2007 1:47 PM CST up reply actions

He wasn't replying to you DogTown

He was replying to HornChamps

by GoHorns on Mar 8, 2007 3:34 PM CST up reply actions

Dude

What is good for the goose, is good for the gander.

You should choose to be more careful with your loose use of the word "hate". You come to very poor conclusions.

--- We have pansies scheduling our patsies. ---

by HornChamps on Mar 8, 2007 2:04 PM CST up reply actions

How old are you, really?

Be honest.

by the other Andrew on Mar 8, 2007 2:09 PM CST up reply actions

what??

Now you're not even trying to make sense. Here, let me make all of your retorts for you:

Jamaal Charles - 6'1", 200
Reggie Bush - 6'0", 200
Darren McFadden - 6'2", 205
Felix Jones - 6'0", 200
Allen Patrick - 6'0", 190

Do you talk big and pay zero?

We have pansies scheduling our patsies

by DogTown on Mar 8, 2007 2:35 PM CST up reply actions

Brazos?????????

Just Remember, No Matter What Happens, ou SUCKS.

by ouALWAYSsux on Mar 8, 2007 2:41 PM CST up reply actions

Do it PB. Fuck him up.

First thread I look at today, and of course HC is still talking shit. It's like he's begging to get booted.

by jimmer on Mar 8, 2007 2:10 PM CST up reply actions

I think HornChamps

has gotten backed into a bit of a corner over the last couple days. I think we should just let him bitch about the coaches, etc. and honor his opinion instead of retorting and effectively causing any thread he posts on to become hijacked.

Gravy Train with biscuit wheels.

by kicker @ Burnt Orange Nation on Mar 8, 2007 4:04 PM CST up reply actions

not to be a pussy

I am just tired of scrolling through 7 posts of argument every time I am looking for stimulating conversation and analysis.

Gravy Train with biscuit wheels.

by kicker @ Burnt Orange Nation on Mar 8, 2007 4:06 PM CST up reply actions

Agree to some extent

And I urge people to follow the community guidelines - if you don't like someone's opinions, ignore them, or respectfully disagree. We can't have a flare up every time someone has an opinion the majority of us think is disagreeable.

--PB--

by Peter Bean on Mar 8, 2007 5:53 PM CST up reply actions

Thanx........

I'm tired of it myself.

Just Remember, No Matter What Happens, ou SUCKS.

by ouALWAYSsux on Mar 9, 2007 10:04 AM CST up reply actions

Seriously

I tried defending your right to make negative comments before man, but that's done. Lighten up or move on, the drama isn't necessary.

So take that.

by Kahuna on Mar 8, 2007 2:06 PM CST up reply actions

nice stat dig up

definitely interesting.

i guess i just haven't been paying too much attention, but does AJ ever drive to the basket then dish it back out to a teammate? it seems like he just puts up floaters when he drives in and never uses the board. i guess DJ does it well enough for everybody.

by greenman on Mar 8, 2007 1:25 PM CST reply actions

i actually think

he does this fairly well. i can think of numerous times that he put the ball on the floor, drew a defender and hit a wide open James for the easy layup. it's when he draws a defender and forces a tough shot that bad things happen. it's not in his repetoir. he's got fairly good ball skills though. i'm okay with him using the dribble to create shots for his teammates, just not for himself.

by littlevisigoth on Mar 8, 2007 4:22 PM CST up reply actions

Know your role.

AJ and HC. It's as simple as that.

by roywilliamsisgod on Mar 8, 2007 1:25 PM CST reply actions

Just Wondering

Does anyone else feel that A.J is a liability for the next 2 seasons? Assuming he does stay in Texas for his remaining years.

I give him respect for his incredible shooting skill and his importance to this offensive (teams leading free-throw shooter & three-point percent shooter) but his lack of height gives me headaches, creating match up problems in both offense and , importantly, defense. Obviously A.J leaves a constant defensive gap against taller guards but he also does handicap offense when he's shooting ice cold 20+ times. I just feel that having A.J in leaves one less scholarship player to recruit in the next season and maybe the next. I would very much take a chance on a another player if I could, because a player of his role (shooting guard?) should come ready to contribute to both defense and offensive, not just run and gun completely.

In conclusion I really hate the fact that A.J is short and really wish we could trade for a taller player. Though if A.J makes a game winning shot, I will omit everything I just said and lick his shoes.

by CaliforniaHorn on Mar 8, 2007 5:56 PM CST reply actions

AJ is an asset

He's a great player to have. He's small, and he doesn't create his own shot well, but he does do a lot of things well, including stretch the defense. There are lots of teams with NO credible three point bomb threat - we're lucky to have him.

The criticisms come when he tries to do too much, but overall, he's an asset. No question about that.

--PB--

by Peter Bean on Mar 8, 2007 5:59 PM CST up reply actions

disagree

We all know AJ's liabilities and how they hurt the team when they are exploited (either by the other team or by AJ himself). but the problem isn't that we have someone like AJ. the problem is that AJ isn't taller and quicker. i would love to have taller and quicker players who play better defense and can handle the ball a little better. but how many players out there can do all that AND make 3's like AJ can (when he's playing within himself).

we should definitely recruit players like Royal Ivey, but i wouldn't want to trade AJ for anyone. when you need a 3-pointer (and KD's not on the team anymore), you want someone like AJ on your team. i think he can definitely get better on defense over the next two years (though the height is probably not getting better).

by billyzane on Mar 8, 2007 6:03 PM CST up reply actions

I'll keep him

In the past we've had lots of guards that our fans could only hope for a .429 from beyond the arch! We're darn lucky to have him. While still needing to improve, his penetration skills are far superior to what we watched last season. He's easily coached and gives the team 100% every night. He's a keeper and he's definitely NO liability.

--- We have pansies scheduling our patsies. ---

by HornChamps on Mar 8, 2007 6:19 PM CST reply actions

Agreed on A.J's skills

I agree completely on those points as I watched him for two seasons, but relying on the three-point game isn't really going to help if the opposing team does the same. (Kansas State example)I just can't force myself to see A.J contest a shot if his life depended on it. I think this team, and the next, would be more consistent if Barnes went with a taller player in the line up and left A.J limited minutes. If I'm being redundant on these points, please don't hesitant to point it out.

by CaliforniaHorn on Mar 8, 2007 6:53 PM CST reply actions

Claification

That last statement was kind of confusing. But I wanted to say that A.J amazing three-point display is nullified when the opposing teams can shoot with the same efficiency.

by CaliforniaHorn on Mar 8, 2007 7:08 PM CST up reply actions

A fair point

Abrams -has- to work hard on defense to be an asset.

--PB--

by Peter Bean on Mar 8, 2007 7:46 PM CST up reply actions

Grammar Mistake

"...please don't be hesitant..."

by CaliforniaHorn on Mar 8, 2007 6:55 PM CST reply actions

Record 3-point shooter

From today's Austin American-Statesman:

"Individually, A.J. Abrams has a school-record 105 threes this season, four more than the old mark set by Daniel Gibson last year."

Reads like he's an ASSET to me.......!!

--- We have pansies scheduling our patsies. ---

by HornChamps on Mar 9, 2007 10:30 PM CST reply actions

His 3 point shooting in an asset

As is his free throw shooting pct.

But that doesn't mean "he's definitely NO liability". He makes mistakes, tries to do to much, can't create much off the dribble, can't play great defense, isn't very tall, and has a small wingspan.

I hope he improves his defense, decision-making, and shot selection/creation. From all that I hear, he is coachable, so maybe he will.

HC-you speak angrily and in absolutes. That is why you piss people off.

"A lot of people look for the easy way to do anything, in swimming there is no easy way." - Eddie Reese

by SwimTexas on Mar 11, 2007 9:46 PM CDT reply actions