Tristan Thompson will return for sophomore season!

I sure hope he does

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by acho81 on Mar 19, 2011 3:32 PM CDT reply actions

Players generally don’t come out and say they are definitely returning for their next season during the season. Usually they equivocate with some comment like, “We’ll have to see how it looks like after the season” or “I’m not thinking about that right now.” This would be insane…

by GoHornsGo90 on Mar 19, 2011 4:05 PM CDT reply actions

That is just the kind of kid Tristan is

I think it rubbed off as positive peer pressure on Hamilton for him to say that.

His (J-Ham) stock has slipped some. I said all year he was a gonner, but he could come back if he thinks he could improve his stock with a championship caliber team next season.

We would be a top 5 pre-season if they both came back. Maybe number 1.

I still think that once all the dust settles, and they get evaluated, that at least one of them goes. Maybe both. Too much money.

"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 19, 2011 5:23 PM CDT up reply actions

It is the kind of kid he is

But I believe that he really wants to play with his friends from Canada, especially Myck. Jordan I’m much less sure about, but I’ve always thought Tristan was coming back just because he wants to be here. It’s really not that difficult to just equivocate around the question.

by GoHornsGo90 on Mar 19, 2011 6:28 PM CDT up reply actions

Yea

I meant he seems to not need to equivocate. Seems dead set on coming back, for the reasons you just spelled out, so why beat around the bush.

Now, J-Ham I could totally see giving one of your sample answers above, and I think one reason he didn’t may have been peer pressure from TT’s answer.

If TT was the type of kid to say “We’ll have to see how it looks like after the season”, I think J-Ham does too.

As a coach myself, I have always told other coaches, you have to get the kid with Charisma to follow you. After that, everyone else will follow Him." This could be an example of that. TT’s youthful, fun-loving energy is infectious.

I guess that was my point.

"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 19, 2011 8:39 PM CDT up reply actions

oops.

Him – random capitalization mistake that I am prone to make. Not a religious reference. Just wanted to clarify that I do not believe Tristan Thompson is a deity of any kind. :)

"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 19, 2011 8:41 PM CDT up reply actions

I completely missed your point earlier

My bad ST. I see what you were saying now.

by GoHornsGo90 on Mar 19, 2011 10:57 PM CDT up reply actions

No worries

By the way, I think this would also be the type of recruiting that Rick Barnes doesn’t typically do. Recruiting his own players to return.

I think one thing about Barnes that doesn’t get talked about a lot is that because he is so pro-getting kids ready to play NBA, he doesn’t recruit them hard to stay in school. It almost seems that some years he is encouraging them to go pro.

Whether that is a good or bad thing morally and ethically is another debate, but the fact is, convincing your stars to stay “one more year” can be just as important as HS recruiting and coaching when it comes to success. Particularly championship level success.

"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 20, 2011 11:08 AM CDT up reply actions

I think you're completely right

I’ve heard many time that Rick forced T.J. out the door because he refused to let the kid take the chance of having a serious back injury before he got paid enough to support himself for life.

He also had that controversial comment about the most important thing about his program is getting kids prepared for the NBA.

I personally have no problem at all from an ethical standpoint of him telling kids to go pro if they’re ready. In fact I think it takes a truly incredible human being to do that.

I DO have a problem if it hurts our chances at a player coming back though ;)

by GoHornsGo90 on Mar 20, 2011 11:36 AM CDT up reply actions

Completely agree

PJ Tucker comes to mind. Can you imagine if LaMarcus had returned one more year? or DJ or Daniel Gibson?

I am not saying that any of them “should” have, and like you said, it takes a tremendous love of the athlete to tell them to leave if you think it is time. Not to go all “Pete Carroll – Mark Sanchez” on them to get them to stay…. but it does affect the team’s success the next year as much as a recruit choosing another school.

"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 20, 2011 12:05 PM CDT up reply actions

I definitely think

Tucker should have returned. He was nowhere near ready for the next level and didn’t have a true position. He could have come back and refined his shooting ability more.

Gibson is an odd case. He and Barnes had their problems and he seemed to take the Avery Bradley “I’m going to solve this by getting out of here” route, despite neither being ready for the league or having a steady position. It worked out well for him though and I hope it does for Bradley too.

by GoHornsGo90 on Mar 20, 2011 3:18 PM CDT up reply actions

Bradley was another one

Although I don’t think that hurt us too much. But if CJ had sprained an ankle in week 3 or J’covan had broken a leg, we would have been struggling without Bradley (or Ward for that matter).

"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 20, 2011 4:57 PM CDT up reply actions

Pretty sure

Bradley and Cory were mutually exclusive. Joseph didn’t want to play with him again for whatever reason. Really weird since they both seem like two of the nicest and most humble/soft-spoken kids ever.

by GoHornsGo90 on Mar 21, 2011 12:14 PM CDT up reply actions

Hopeful...

But not optimistic.

by limnonectes on Mar 19, 2011 4:23 PM CDT reply actions

Hamilton too?

I’m sorry. That’s just too much.

Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes. If they get mad, you're a mile away AND you have their shoes.

by Caradoc on Mar 19, 2011 4:32 PM CDT reply actions

That would be awesome

by jmptexas on Mar 19, 2011 4:44 PM CDT via mobile reply actions

If it’s wrong to be aroused by this story, then I don’t want to be right.

by Tackchevy on Mar 19, 2011 6:44 PM CDT via mobile reply actions

+1 Ha

by HornsUpInLA on Mar 19, 2011 7:51 PM CDT up reply actions

+2

by pchanx69 on Mar 19, 2011 8:27 PM CDT up reply actions

How can you not be

C – Wangmene
PF – Thompson
SF – Hamilton/McClellan
SG – Joseph/Brown
PG – Kabongo/Brown

by goingforthecorner on Mar 19, 2011 8:54 PM CDT up reply actions

and hopefully Chapman's year off was a productive one from a development standpoint

by goingforthecorner on Mar 19, 2011 8:55 PM CDT up reply actions

I saw Julien Lewis play last weekend in the state tournament

and he was by far the best player there. Way more explosive than Marcus Smart. Granted, he does have a shooter’s mentality but I don’t see how Barnes would be able to keep him out of the rotation next year. The kid is solidly built and looks as though he has his own personal Bennie Wylie.

Do not be distracted by what you see, but be transformed by what you believe.

by 2Cor12:9 on Mar 20, 2011 12:05 AM CDT up reply actions

Explosive as a scorer or athlete?

Completely agree regarding the former. He can really light it up and confidence will never be a problem. If he gets hot he can easily put up double digits in a couple minutes. Will really need to learn how to shoot within a real offense though or Barnes won’t have it.

by GoHornsGo90 on Mar 20, 2011 11:38 AM CDT up reply actions

I was just about to type the same thing

Also, Wangmene is a weak spot without some more development. He AT LEAST has to be a great defender next year, or his time at UT will have been a complete bust. Chapman’s development could make a huge difference if that is the case.

And I could not agree more with tim below about Thomas coming in. We will finally have quality depth without having to change the style of play to get it.

This year, in order to get the backups in, we had to change the style on the floor to do it, either going bigger, or smaller. While a style change will still be an option, it will not be a necessity if both guys come back.

One thing not talked about yet (And I know this is all conjecture at this point) is the question “Could J’covan Brown be a backup …. AGAIN?” I would be very surprised, even with all of Kabongo’s hype, if Brown would be OK being a sixth man again in his 3rd year. Wonder how that will play out.

"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 20, 2011 12:12 PM CDT up reply actions

Who would be the shooting guard, assuming Kabongo starts at PG?

Think Joseph would have that locked up?

When the world slips you a jeffrey, stroke the furry wall.

by burntorangehorn on Mar 20, 2011 12:38 PM CDT up reply actions

I don't know

I heard someone say on ESPN that Joseph needs to work on his point guard skills because he is too short to play 2-guard in the NBA. Not that that means anything.

I imagine there could be some rotation involved where they split time at both positions 3 ways. Or maybe run a multiple point guard system where it goes to whoever is in the best position.

As long as the egos can take it, it is going to be a good problem to have. With Mclellan and Lewis waiting in the wings.

"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 20, 2011 2:33 PM CDT up reply actions

Yeah I don't forsee it being a big deal

Duke and Nova do stuff like that. Smith and Irving both bring the ball up for Duke and Fisher and Wayns both bring the ball up for Nova.

And end-game lineup of Myck, Cory, J’Covan, Hamilton, and Thompson would be big time for controlling games.

by GoHornsGo90 on Mar 20, 2011 3:29 PM CDT up reply actions

Point play

Point guard really has two jobs — ball control and playmaking. Bringing the ball up the court is probably less important than running the team.

Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes. If they get mad, you're a mile away AND you have their shoes.

by Caradoc on Mar 21, 2011 10:01 AM CDT up reply actions

"Bring the ball up"

Is a substitutional form of saying “playing point guard.” Sorry for the confusion. I know what a PG does.

by GoHornsGo90 on Mar 21, 2011 12:18 PM CDT up reply actions

Never questioned that

My thought was that the “pure” point guy can bring the ball across half court, handling any press, but then passes off to the “playmaker” to run the offense. Miami Heat does this with Wade and James.

Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes. If they get mad, you're a mile away AND you have their shoes.

by Caradoc on Mar 23, 2011 2:23 PM CDT up reply actions

Cory will start

Brown would come off the bench. I hope he’s okay with that because he’d still play huge minutes and get to do what he likes best—score and create sick passes.

by GoHornsGo90 on Mar 20, 2011 3:26 PM CDT up reply actions

*score, create, and throw sick passes

by GoHornsGo90 on Mar 20, 2011 3:26 PM CDT up reply actions

That could very well

be how the narrative for next season is defined. Is he OK with it? How does Barnes handle it?

And he does also create some sick passes. :)

"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 20, 2011 4:56 PM CDT up reply actions

Yeah great point

Especially after he was big ballin’ in the Zona game. If Barnes can sell him on being a scorer off the bench Ginobili/James Harden/Jamal Crawford style, though, we’ll be in business.

by GoHornsGo90 on Mar 21, 2011 12:20 PM CDT up reply actions

Brown deserves to start

I think he clearly surpassed Cory and if Kabongo is certainty, then Brown should get the other guard spot.

Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes. If they get mad, you're a mile away AND you have their shoes.

by Caradoc on Mar 23, 2011 2:19 PM CDT up reply actions

Problem is

That was just one game from JCB. He did the same thing against KU this year and last, then had a string of games where he had a small impact on the game. Remember how much people were talking about Tristan after the Oakland game? Nobody’s talking about him now because he did very little against Arizona. All we’re hearing after that game is, “Not ready for the NBA” (not that I have a problem with that, lol). Unfortunately, I think JCB would have absolutely torn Duke’s second guard apart when he was in the game, whether it was Irving at 75-80%, Dawkins, or Curry. Really would have been his kind of monster atmosphere.

J’Covan might be the better “player” currently, but I’d expect Cory will grow exponentially in his first real off season, just like Hamilton (and Brown, to a lesser extent) did. He’s also a better defender than JCB, something Barnes obviously seems to favor over scoring ability, is a steadier player, and is better with both on-ball and off-ball defense.

In summation, if Cory is a better player than JCB or helps the team more when he’s out there (like, actually helps them, not in the perceived way Barnes said Justin Mason did), then I say let the better player start. If Covan is going to help the team more, I don’t have a problem with his starting either. But people are putting too much emphasis on this last game. Brown has been stellar before and reverted most of the times. I think Cory is the better all-around player than Cove and will likely get the nod from Rick for that reason.

Follow me on Twitter @GoHornsGo90

by GoHornsGo90 on Mar 24, 2011 12:40 PM CDT up reply actions

Who knows

I hope Joseph does reach his potential, but we haven’t really seen what Brown could do as a starter either. Combining with Kabongo is way different than Balbay at point. I guess we’ll see next fall. Cheers.

Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes. If they get mad, you're a mile away AND you have their shoes.

by Caradoc on Mar 24, 2011 12:55 PM CDT up reply actions

That's actually a great point about Myck

Cory will certainly benefit from more open looks as more of a pure shooter. Covan will need to learn how to fit into the offense as a wing penetrator off kick offs or a corner 3-point shooter instead of a guy who iso’s at the top of the key. Both should be great, so I don’t really give a shit :D

Follow me on Twitter @GoHornsGo90

by GoHornsGo90 on Mar 25, 2011 11:36 AM CDT up reply actions

Excellent point

So true that the past few years we’ve had offensive and defensive players and so few that could do both adequately. Doge, Mason, Ward, Hill, and Wangmene were all defensive players. Hamilton, Brown, and Johnson were all offensive players.

The guys we are recruiting and have now are both and that’s when you really start talking championship.

by GoHornsGo90 on Mar 20, 2011 3:33 PM CDT up reply actions

Let's hope they actually excel at both ends at this level

So often it seems like the new recruits are going to be different, but just as often it doesn’t happen.

When the world slips you a jeffrey, stroke the furry wall.

by burntorangehorn on Mar 20, 2011 8:41 PM CDT up reply actions

Very true, very true

I can definitely see the guys other than Myck taking a while to adjust.

Lewis is a gamer like JCB and he doesn’t take shit from anybody, but he’ll have to learn to play in a real defense. His high school team plays defense like Missouri on a combination of meth, crack, X, and 4 Loko and Barnes won’t have any of that.

I haven’t seen McClellan play so I can’t speak on him, but he’s really long so that’s a plus. Needs to fill out though.

Holmes will have to learn top play hard all the time in the post. He has a good frame, but he isn’t used to going up against real post players every game because of his high school competition.

Thomas needs to learn to give effort 100% of the time and he’ll have to learn to guard the perimeter as well.

by GoHornsGo90 on Mar 21, 2011 12:25 PM CDT up reply actions