Men’s Team MVP

[ordigger]

Clearly Jamar Okoh, and it ain’t even close. This team struggles without him, and look very good when he plays. Any other player on this team could be gone, and we could cover their loss, and that includes our guard combo.

Without Okoh, we are above average - with him we are very very good.

 

[AZGrizFan]

Without Akoh I’m not certain we’re even above average.

 

[IdaGriz01]

Without Akoh I’m not certain we’re even above average.

I'd say a skosh above average without him, but not a lot.

Pretty damn good with him in there ... which is REAL scary. If foul trouble or a "ding" hampers him against a good team, the Griz will struggle. Someone needs to step up his game to give the team some depth there. And come tournament time, fatigue will be a factor if someone can't at least keep things even when he takes a blow.

 

[Mousegriz]

Without Akoh I’m not certain we’re even above average.

I'd say a skosh above average without him, but not a lot.

Pretty damn good with him in there ... which is REAL scary. If foul trouble or a "ding" hampers him against a good team, the Griz will struggle. Someone needs to step up his game to give the team some depth there. And come tournament time, fatigue will be a factor if someone can't at least keep things even when he takes a blow.

Seems odd to not get a couple of the younger guys more meaningful time in game like last night. Kramer in first half for about 30 secs. Guard drove past ours...Kramer didn't have feet set and took foul. Not great play but the kid hardly has his breath. Why not give him 2 or 3 minutes right then? He played 30 vs. Arizona a couple weeks ago.

Same with Anderson....in for maybe 30 second in early second half, got posted up once and out.

 

[grizonbob]

I'd like to see some of our younger guys get more minutes late in games like last night's too. Could help later in the season if, and when, Akoh needs some relief. But then I'm not a coach so maybe there's some reason its not happening.

Was nice to see Dorsey in there for more minutes; gives Griz a little more of an inside presence, at least to some degree. Seems like he's getting more comfortable with the game physically....

 

[IdaGriz01]

I'd like to see some of our younger guys get more minutes late in games like last night's too. Could help later in the season if, and when, Akoh needs some relief. But then I'm not a coach so maybe there's some reason its not happening.

Was nice to see Dorsey in there for more minutes; gives Griz a little more of an inside presence, at least to some degree. Seems like he's getting more comfortable with the game physically....

Still early in the season. My guess (and it's just a guess) is that the coaches have them on a short leash for actual PT while they work to bring the young guys along in practice. So they get a tiny chance to shine ... but screw up, and it's back to the pines. Work harder in practice, kid, get better, and your minutes will go up. Motivational, with an "object lesson" on how much more work they need.

 

[mweisner33]

There won't be as many opportunities for guys to earn or get minutes now that we're into the conference schedule. We'll play 8 maybe 9 guys some nights and have the rotations and minutes figured out. You want the guys to get into a rhythm and have consistent minutes so that we can build on the chemistry and peak at the end of the year.

If you want to earn minutes you have to prove it in the summer, practices, and during the preseason games. No time to get cute and figure things out while during the middle of the conference schedule!

Agree about Jamar being MVP though!

 

[BelierPeaux]

There won't be as many opportunities for guys to earn or get minutes now that we're into the conference schedule. We'll play 8 maybe 9 guys some nights and have the rotations and minutes figured out. You want the guys to get into a rhythm and have consistent minutes so that we can build on the chemistry and peak at the end of the year.

If you want to earn minutes you have to prove it in the summer, practices, and during the preseason games. No time to get cute and figure things out while during the middle of the conference schedule!

Agree about Jamar being MVP though!

Mike, good to see you on the board! Wish you had been able to stay with the Griz for your entire career.

Anyway, I agree that Akoh is our MVP so far based on results when he is on and off the court. However, I don't necessarily agree with the thoughts that we are barely above average without him. You listen to DeCuire and it has been a struggle without him because we based the whole off-season around having him. If we didn't have him, I think we would have planned to keep the lane open more for Oguine and Rorie to penetrate more than they can now. With the attention that Akoh demands, it keeps guys in the paint more and makes it hard for those two to get to the rim (as well as pridgett.) It seems that Oguine is having a harder time this year, but not for lack of effort. Riley mentioned last night that he had something like 40 more FT attempts than anyone else on the team. Now, if he can just make more of those attempts!

 

[tfalls123]

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[BelierPeaux]

I must agree also. He's the Main tool that makes the in-n-out game work. (ball movement)
Conversation is about TO's among the Guards & Forwards? They are the ones trying to find the Gaps & Cracks in the Defense. It's a Team sport. The Group needs Jamar and Jamar can't success without the Team.
What's the percentage of Negative TO's (mistakes) compared to those with intent of Making the correct play?
Things overlooked and never talked about on here is shot selection and those that either take the wrong forced shot and/or overlook the open shooter.

I'd love to hear more about the shot selection! I know you would know more about it that most of us, so please share!

 

[tfalls123]

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[cmtgrizzly]

Last night was encouraging but this team (starters and first few off the bench) is still trying to “click” or find a good rhythm and as such they need all the minutes they can get.

 

[tfalls123]

I agree. Rolls change from previous season. Don't think it's all due to Fab graduating.

 

[EverettGriz]

There won't be as many opportunities for guys to earn or get minutes now that we're into the conference schedule. We'll play 8 maybe 9 guys some nights and have the rotations and minutes figured out. You want the guys to get into a rhythm and have consistent minutes so that we can build on the chemistry and peak at the end of the year.

If you want to earn minutes you have to prove it in the summer, practices, and during the preseason games. No time to get cute and figure things out while during the middle of the conference schedule!

Agree about Jamar being MVP though!

Wise, absolutely great to have you on the board!! Please post more often.

I still have the final game of the 2011/12 season against weber for the big sky regular season title on the DVR. My favorite part of that game is when you came off the bench and lit a spark, with a steal and a runout, a couple huge boards and some big hoops. Pretty much turned the game in the Griz favor.