Upon further review

[avabob11]

Just watched a replay of the Texas S game. A couple if things really jumped out at me. Skaggs is going to help this team despite his lack of quickness. Tough kid who can shoot and great attitude. He could play the 4 in some situations. Not a starter, but high energy guy off the bench like Pollard.

Acquaahs shot didn't look nearly as bad when I watched it closer. Good rotation when he doesn't hurry it. Free throw shooting will be better.
Not sure how anyone can not like Daniels. Under sized but tough and he can shoot. We won't be hurting with him if Hinson is slow to contribute.

Flynn is a total gamer. The guy had a horrible shooting game for 35 minutes but wasn't afraid to take big shots in crunch time.

Not much to add about Franks game except, even after he fouled out he was the first guy off the bench encouraging guys. He has gone from a quiet, almost timid personality on the floor to a team leader along with Flynn

Bottom line, this team has a chance to develop great team chemistry with some real high energy guys.

 

[Rich Lewis]

Agree. Good post.

 

[avabob11]

It seems to me that overcoming a 20 point deficit us more impressive than getting in such a hole is depressing regardless of the level of competition. Flynn played a very good game other the horrible shooting. 8 assists and 1 turnover. Skaggs got big rebounds and hit clutch free throws. I even thought Chidum looked more promising than in the exhibition.

If Bernstein is another high energy guy as advertised, that gives us him Pollard and Skaggs who look like the kind of guys who can jump start a sluggish effort.

 

[SaveFerris]

I don't think it's a matter of not liking Daniels as opposed to seeing him currently as a rotation guy. He's a solid player. At this point I would put Pollard in that category as well. If we are relying on them for starter minutes that might not be ideal.

I liked the toughness and energy Skaggs played with plus he can knocked down 3s. He's a defensive liability at this point but will hopefully improve enough to keep his shooting and energy on the floor. I also thought Chidom played with a bit of an edge in a good way. Again, he's not the most athletic but he's long and seemed active. If he can improve from 3 he has a place in the rotation as well.

It's interesting Ava brought up Lonzo Ball in the Acquaah discussion.

"We're not gonna mess with it," team president Magic Johnson said on ESPN's Mike and Mike (h/t William Lou of the Score). "We're gonna let him shoot and play his game. If after the season, he's not shooting well, then we'll sit down with him and say, 'Hey, let's maybe look at a different way or let's try to improve the way you are shooting."

After one of Acquaah's free throws the camera panned over to Kent and he had somewhat of a "that was ugly" look on his face but maybe they are looking at it the same way. One of the few good shooters Acquaah's shooting mechanics somewhat reminded me of in terms of how he cocks the ball behind his head was Lloyd (World B.) Free. Free was one of my favorite players to watch growing up but their set point is where the comparison ends. Lower body, touch, arc, etc. are very different for each. Acquaah has a lot to work on. If he does he has great upside but if his shooting is that much of a liability he becomes much easier to defend.

Franks was timid his first 2 years and on a few occasions he hesitated a bit against Texas Southern. When he's open we need him to let it fly. He's needs to do what Tony Bennett asked Low to do. Have the mentality to "hunt his shot".

 

[avabob11]

Like I said, nobody is more of a purist than me when it comes to shooters. It could be just wishful thinking, but Acquaah shot is going to be serviceable.

 

[gazooks2]

Acquaah s shot will be good.People are making a big do over nothing. A good shooter has consistency in his release and rotation. Others including Flynn shot worse but people have just jumped on this. People know that Flynn is a good shooter because of his past stats. The same will hold true for Milan and others. Chidom has a lot of potential but all of the new comers have to settle down and just -play. As Kent says we shoot great in practice and then the bright lights and pressure bothered in the game.The team shows promise,but will they individually and as team fulfill that promise?

 

[SaveFerris]

Acquaah s shot will be good.People are making a big do over nothing. A good shooter has consistency in his release and rotation. Others including Flynn shot worse but people have just jumped on this. People know that Flynn is a good shooter because of his past stats. The same will hold true for Milan and others. Chidom has a lot of potential but all of the new comers have to settle down and just -play. As Kent says we shoot great in practice and then the bright lights and pressure bothered in the game.The team shows promise,but will they individually and as team fulfill that promise?

I didn't see consistency which I agree is important. It also wasn't a fluid shot at least game 1. He doesn't use his lower body very well, his shot was flat, and he didn't appear to have much touch. Those things don't say "big do over nothing".

Here's the thing though. He's has as much upside as I had hoped for if not more and it was just game 1. He's also has company. Lacy, Weaver, Bush going further back needed work on their shooting and became solid to really good shooters. Hopefully Acquaah is in that category.

 

[avabob11]

Weaver never developed a decent three point shot, although it became serviceable when he was a senior.
Lacy had a nice stroke from Day 1 despite a horrible slump during one season

 

[SaveFerris]

Weaver never developed a decent three point shot, although it became serviceable when he was a senior.
Lacy had a nice stroke from Day 1 despite a horrible slump during one season

Weaver shot 36.4% as a senior. Subjective but I would say that's "decent".

 

[avabob11]

Yes he shot a lot better his senior year. I dont think he got over about 25% his first 2 years. I know Dick was very disappointed that he didn't improve his shooting between his frosh andvsoph season

 

[SaveFerris]

I brought up 3 players Weaver, Lacy, and Bush who became "solid to really good". I thought it was obvious but Weaver was in the "solid" category as his stats seem to show.

 

[How_did_this_happen?]

Yes he shot a lot better his senior year. I dont think he got over about 25% his first 2 years. I know Dick was very disappointed that he didn't improve his shooting between his frosh andvsoph season

How did you know that? I don't recall Dick mentioning that publically.

 

[avabob11]

I heard him ragging Weaver about it at a practice

 

[YakiCoug]

Like I said, nobody is more of a purist than me when it comes to shooters. It could be just wishful thinking, but Acquaah shot is going to be serviceable.

The Seattle U game is the first WSU game I've watched in its entirety. I cringed a bit in watching his first shots, but he is very athletic and physical.

 

[avabob11]

Woolridge shot was even uglier, yet he managed to hit around 35 % his first year before the bad stroke caught up with him

 

[SaveFerris]

The Seattle U game is the first WSU game I've watched in its entirety. I cringed a bit in watching his first shots, but he is very athletic and physical.

He also seems to have good ball skills and works hard on defense. Obviously teams are going to make him prove he can knock down an outside shot. When he can get under control and make good decisions he will make an impact.