My apologies for not posting any thoughts in the comments section last night. I planned on it but my girlfriend had work to do and needed to use her computer. You know what? Fuck it. I don’t have to answer to you. Hell, I don’t have to answer to anybody. I’ve been witness to 3 National Titles by my alma mater (in the only two collegiate sports that matter) and a World Series Championship for the Cardinals in the past 12 months. I think it’s pretty clear that I’m beyond reproach at this point. So, how ‘bout you back off and be happy you have access to my wisdom.Alright, maybe that was a little much but, really, can you blame me? I’m drunk on winning and there’s no hangover in sight. Seriously, I don’t have anything to lose. Sure, maybe the Magic blow it and end up missing the playoffs but it’s not like I haven’t been conditioned to accept much worse than that by Orlando over the past decade. As it stands now, I’m set as a sports fan for at least the next 5 months. Believe me, it’s pretty effing sweet to be me right now.
Anyway, I figured I’d at least stop by this afternoon and give a few of my thoughts on one of the greatest teams to ever play college basketball.
TEAM: There’s no better way to describe this group. It sounds cheesy and cliché’ but think back over the last two years and some of the games that this team has played in. Is there one player who you can look back on as THE reason that this team was successful? Last year, the answer would’ve been Joakim Noah. Even though Lee Humphrey’s shooting had as much to do with Florida’s first title as anything. This year, with Noah relegated to a supporting role, it was Al Horford, and then Taurean Green, then Humphrey and/or Chris Richard, then Corey Brewer. There’s no denying that this was an immensely talented team. However, their talent isn’t what made them special. It was their ability to combine their talents and use each player’s individual abilities to help promote the talents of those around them. Last night’s game was the perfect example of what made this team so special. Every time that Greg Oden turned around, he was being defended by somebody different. Every time that OSU made a run at UF, it seemed as if somebody different knocked down a shot to keep the Buckeyes at bay. As impressive as the accomplishments of this team are today, they will only become more impressive as the years pass. This is a team of historical proportions.
Greg Oden: I think we’ve all seen what has had NBA scouts drooling over the past 3 years. He’s an absolute force of nature on the defensive end. On top of that, he’s remarkably skilled offensively for a player his age (his footwork is markedly better than earlier this year even). Think back to players like Ewing, Shaq, etc. and try and recall if any of the great big men had comparable skill sets on the offensive end. I don’t recall them being even near the level of Oden at the same stage. Furthermore, keep this in mind, this is the worst that Oden will be for the next 10-12 years. He’s going to get more skilled and comfortable offensively as well as more coordinated, athletic and smarter defensively. When it’s all said and done, Florida’s victory in this game will be even more impressive in the light of what Oden is and will become.Before I leave this subject, I have to say that I felt like Oden received an inordinate amount of respect from the officials on the interior last night. I’m not talking about his shot blocking, but his defensive positioning. Nearly every one of the fouls whistled against Florida’s big men was a result of them jostling for position with Oden. This was part of Florida’s strategy. If Oden gets the ball too low, there’s virtually nothing anyone can do to stop him from getting the shot he wants. However, where were the whistles on the other end when Florida’s big were posting up? By my count, I recall one foul on Ivan Harris for pushing Noah in the back on a post up attempt. That’s right, one. As often as Florida posted up the combination of Horford, Noah and Richard the referees only whistled one foul on Ohio State during post ups. While i'll concede that Oden didn't need to foul to keep Florida's big outside, I can't say the same for Harris, Terwilliger or Hunter. It doesn’t matter, because UF won but it’s all I could do not to grab an official by the shirt and say something to the effect of, “You know, Florida’s big men are pretty good too.”
Chris Richard: I’ve been saying for months now that Chris Richard would play in the NBA. For awhile, I thought he’d have to go overseas for a year or maybe play in the NBDL for a little bit. Not because he didn’t have the talent but, rather, because he’d been overshadowed by his more famous and talented front court mates. However, a funny thing happened on the way to the Portsmouth Invitational. Richard played one of the best games of his career on the biggest stage of his career. He then went on to follow this up by showing off his strength, athleticism and defensive fundamentals by battling the best big man the college basketball has seen in 25 years. (Seriously, last night might as well have been an NBA audition for Richard.) As it stands now, Richard is probably looking at a spot in the second round. You want to know how strong Richard
is? Read this quote from Oden, “Chris Richard, I swear he plays on the football team.” Actually, Greg he doesn’t. However he did sack Troy Smith once. (Thank you, thank you. Try the veal.)Honestly, I’m happier for Richard than any other player on the Florida team. He was Mr. Basketball in the state of Florida as a senior but struggled with injuries and expectations early in his career. By the time he got healthy, he found himself on the bench behind two guys younger than him. He never complained. Not a peep. He accepted his role and flourished in it. This is a guy who could start on (roughly) 97% of the teams in college basketball but was happy to be a backup at Florida because he could see the big picture and loved being a part of a team. A team full of unselfish winners like himself. Sounds like the kind of guy who you’d want in you locker room if you were an NBA GM.
Lee Humphrey: It’s interesting to me that the one player in Florida’s starting lineup during this amazing two year run who won’t even sniff an NBA roster is also it’s most important component. Make no mistake, Lee Humphrey wasn’t the best player on this team. However, without Humphrey the Gators would have never made it to one title game, much less be crowned as two-time national champions. His deadly three point shooting was the perfect compliment to the post play of Horford and Noah. If you tried to double down, the ball would inevitably find its way into Humphrey’s hands and, eventually into the bottom of the net. There are a lot of players who can shoot the three but none (in recent times) have shot it so efficiently. Humphrey took exactly what defense gave him and he kept doing it. Over and over and over.
Lee Humphrey: It’s interesting to me that the one player in Florida’s starting lineup during this amazing two year run who won’t even sniff an NBA roster is also it’s most important component. Make no mistake, Lee Humphrey wasn’t the best player on this team. However, without Humphrey the Gators would have never made it to one title game, much less be crowned as two-time national champions. His deadly three point shooting was the perfect compliment to the post play of Horford and Noah. If you tried to double down, the ball would inevitably find its way into Humphrey’s hands and, eventually into the bottom of the net. There are a lot of players who can shoot the three but none (in recent times) have shot it so efficiently. Humphrey took exactly what defense gave him and he kept doing it. Over and over and over.I’ll end this post with a few thoughts on the tournament’s MOP, Corey Brewer.
On their way to "do it big", I presume.
6 comments:
I agree with both of you that Oden was somewhat lazy defensively. On the other hand, I think that was by design. Oden doesn't have the foot quickness to pick up Noah or Richard away from the hoop and will inevitably pick up a blocking foul or two. I think OSU would rather him get fouls challenging shots. (Plus, Horford wasn't hitting the 15 footer with regularity so there was even less reason for him to come out of the paint). He stills lacks some of the strength you want from a guy his size but that will come with a little more age.
I also saw where somebody said Brewer would be the 3rd pick. That's huge overreaction. He's a terrific palyer but very much a work in progress offensively and his athleticism won't carry him nearly as much on the next level. He definitely should go in the top 7 but not top 3.
With regards to Noah: I think that people have swung too far in the opposite direction on him this year. Yes, his jumpshot needs to be completely retooled. And yes, he didn't make an enormous jump in his production this year. However, he's a better all around player this year and is better equipped for the NBA b/c he's been getting the best shots of opposing defenders (and teams on the whole) all year long. He still possesses fantastic ballhandling skills for a big, along with terrific shotblocking and rebounding instincts. The key for him is to keep him engaged and motivated. While I don't ever anticipate him being a 20 pt. scorer, I can see him being a prolific rebounder and possibly an All-NBA defender as he continues to get stronger. Alot of people are makig a big deal out of his frame but last time I checked, Chris Bosh and KG are pretty slight of build and they manage fine as post defenders. I'm not saying he's on their level, just comparing frames. It should be extremely interesting to watch the pro careers of the big 3 progress over time. Finally, the NBA's current direction toward a more perimeter orineted game will help him in that the game's pace will be faster and more wide open and allow him more opportunities to make an impact than in a halfcourt setting. It would be much harder for him to be an impact player during the Knick inspired era of the mid-90s. Fortunately for us we don't have to watch that NBA anymore. Here's a palyer compariosn for Noah. Keep in mind, I'm talkig baout what he could develop into, not what he currently is: Marcus Camby.
Noah's not anything like Walton, just one of the few atheltes in college today who pay attention and/or care about world events. He's different than the average athlete right now so people are trying to make comparisons, and doing a bad job of it. Noah is the face of the program. He's the most recognizable name, face and voice, for better or worse.
Camby's got a better jumper but the comparison is still apt. Noah will be a valuable contributor on an NBA team--one of those 12 pts 10 reb kind of guys.
Horford could be an Elton Brand type of player. He's got decent range up to about 17 feet but needs to develop a 3pt shot.
Corey Brewer is like a better dribbling Tayshaun Prince.
Camby's J is better but it was pretty suspect when he came into the league. He and Noah have similar ceilings as player, imo.
I like Horford inside. He needs to tighten up his jumper a little but its gotten much better in the last year alone, so that shouldn't be a problem. I don't know if he needs to extend it all the way to 3 though. Wouldn't hurt, just maybe a little more than neccessary. Also, Horofrd's passing is wildy underrated. Not many college big men can sense and pass out of double teams as well and as consistently as Horford. That's an underrated skill for a low post scorer.
I like the Prince-Brewer comparison. Brewer's a little quicker and more adept at slahsing while Prince is better posting up and using his height. I think Brewer's J will end up being more consistent than Prince's as well. Defensively, they can both guard up to 4 positions and create havoc in the passing lanes.
You know how my day started today?
I walked out of my house to discover I'd left one of my back doors unlocked and somebody had come by and stolen my iPod. Awesome. Nothing, and I mean nothing can ruin a day as quickly as having your one source of music (my car's CD player is broken) stolen whilst you sleep.
Fuck. Me.
Have you seen the picture of the VT gunman brandishing a hammer toward the camera? Pure hilarity. It's times like these that I'm glad everyone in the world owns a digital camera.
What a douche. And yes, I realize I'm going to hell for laughing at the gunman, among other things.
I thought that picture was pretty funny too. I mean, are we supposed to be scared that he's going to come after us with a hammer? yeah, we're both gonna burn.
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