|
Post by mrdavidjenkins on Nov 3, 2013 23:32:22 GMT -5
Alex almost looks clumsy at times on the court. I'm not sure if it's his ball handling or just poor decisionmaking? He doesn't seem confident when attacking the paint and just looks pretty uncomfortable at times.
I did really like when he drove to the elbow for a pull-up jumper. Last year he would have bulled someone over for a charge. He seems like a great kid, so I'm really pulling for him to get it figured out. Not being the sole focus of the offense or having to create a shot will be a great thing for him this year. Maybe Andrew can set him up for some easy looks soon to get him going?!
|
|
belem
Sophomore
Posts: 211
|
Post by belem on Nov 4, 2013 11:21:40 GMT -5
Poythress = Richard Madison +1
|
|
|
Post by Memphis Cat on Nov 4, 2013 11:35:22 GMT -5
It's easy to forget but we use to think the same thing about Darius Miller when he first started. DM didn't really seem to come into his own until his last year and even then, never really seemed to take over a game like some thought he could. I watch Alex play and see a lot of Miller in him. He just simply lacks a killer instinct and no matter what you do or say to him is going to change that. I, for one, have felt like I need to temper my expectations for Alex and realize that he may never be this "beast" that we all think he should be. However, if he ends up being another Darius Miller, I think that would be a great UK career.
|
|
|
Post by ukcatfaninsc on Nov 4, 2013 12:18:08 GMT -5
I think a lot of Alex's issue have more to do w/ his skill set rather than his effort.. IMO he has a really hard time playing his position 3/4 4/3 due to his ball handling ability.. At this point, he does not have the ability to get himself into position after one or two dribbles.. As alluded to earlier, and reinforced by Cal's comments, Alex needs to catch the ball in position to be successful ("he is a play finisher, not a play starter"). Hopefully this skill will develop in time, BC he def has the physical tools to be successful.. He was supposed to be working on this in the off season. Hey guys! Like the new board. Glad you all took the initiative to get something new going on. On Poythress, I always felt if he decided to stay this year, it was also a decision to stay for a third year due to his skill set, place on a team with this kind of talent and need to develop his game. For us, he does not need to drive the ball or start plays. he needs to defend, rebound and make open shots. That said, to play on the next level, he will have to show he can play the 3 as his primary position due to his height.
|
|
|
Post by Kilgore_Trout on Nov 4, 2013 14:43:30 GMT -5
As alluded to earlier, and reinforced by Cal's comments, Alex needs to catch the ball in position to be successful ("he is a play finisher, not a play starter"). I agree with the idea that he needs to get the ball in the correct position to be successful, and that's primarily in finishing plays not initiating them. (Hard to disagree, since Cal said it in addition to you. ) I think back to those plays in the Duke game—has any single game of a recent UK player ever been more revered and referenced?—and so many of Alex's "beast" plays were him flying in from the wing to finish a play/slam home a rebound. It seems like that's a great role for him, and the increased use of the DDMO should make those finishes (and feeds from the driver to a cutting/crashing Poythress) much more prevalent this year. I'm also hopeful that Andrew Harrison will be able to make Alex improve by leaps and bounds by feeding him the ball wherever he can be most successful, as another poster suggested.
|
|
|
Post by nanceboy on Nov 4, 2013 21:08:50 GMT -5
He made big strides tonight and played very well, I thought. Aggressive on D and made some strong moves on the block. Hopefully, he keeps trending up!
|
|
|
Post by davekersey on Nov 4, 2013 21:15:29 GMT -5
He made big strides tonight and played very well, I thought. Aggressive on D and made some strong moves on the block. Hopefully, he keeps trending up! He actually got a steal tonight. He'll have some good games, no doubt.
|
|
|
Post by whitler on Nov 4, 2013 23:50:30 GMT -5
Poythress played very good individual defense tonight, especially in the second half. I'll take that. I thought I saw an improved Alex from the B-W game to tonight. He had his rough spots but he worked hard in the second half. Cal said that Alex needs to learn to ''finish'' plays and not so much ''start'' plays. Getting Andrew and the PG's to get Alex the ball at the right time and place will make him the finisher that Cal is looking for. Alex has the ability and has the desire and I think while he's a work in progress for so much talent....he'll get there. Sometimes I think he's got too much Darius in him and over thinks and is too passive....so I'm hoping he'll become the 2012 Darius for this team. The quote about Poy needing to finish plays and not so much start plays is genius by Cal. Because Poy is not a great ball handler. Matter of fact for his position if he's playing the 3 I wouldn't even call him an average ball handler but he does have great touch and incredible strength to finish around the rim. He's gotta learn to move without the ball and get in position for our guards to get him the ball where he can score or look to get on the offensive boards and score that way. More importantly he needs to be a good defender for us. I love that Cal said that though. Because he's right on the money as always.
|
|
lovethemcatssince66
Sophomore
I'm glad Kat Scratches is scratching my back ! Feels so good!
Posts: 176
|
Post by lovethemcatssince66 on Nov 4, 2013 23:55:19 GMT -5
I think it's not so much lack of ability ,but that it is confidence on his part ! You can't do what he did to Duke last year and not have the ability! I believe he will be able to build his confidence as he will realize he's not the main man on this team and won't have as much pressure to perform !!! Jmho
|
|
|
Post by lawmax on Nov 5, 2013 14:40:24 GMT -5
Here's what I think, FWIW: that trying to classify these kids into traditional roles--especially when we've got a pair of 6'6" twins playing guard, a 6'7 3-man who can play the 2, as well, AND are using Randle--who's too big for anybody's 3 to handle and maybe too quick for just about anybody's 4--- in a role like a 6'9" point forward.
Here's what I'm suggesting: instead of worrying whether Alex can duplicate Younsg's ball skills, lets assume Cal's going to figure out how to best use him on offense--and against opponents who are likely to have a serious mismatch in trying to cover one or both Julius & Alex when both are in the game; it's fine to say you're going to zone us, but you're still going to have to align it and man it in a way that has a prayer against what you're trying to stop. As good as Julius is, I suspect he's still LIGHT YEARS away from where Cal will have him 5-6 weeks from now in terms of dumping the ball off when/where he needs to do so, while Alex & the rest are probably just about as far away from consi stently being where THEY will need to be on the floor in order to receive the ball & score w/ it.
In short (and this is just a guess on my part), remember that we've had others make a living off garbage baskets when we've had Robey-Givens and Bowie-Turpin. With this group, I think Cal's going to figure out how to make folks pay dearly for trying to contain Willie & Julius & cover the twins at the same time, and regardless whether the FIFTH guy in the lineup at the moment is Alex OR Young. Alex just has to not only accept the coaching, but bring the effort, as well. If he does that, I think he'll have a lot of success for us.
|
|
|
Post by uwildofcatsk on Nov 5, 2013 17:49:17 GMT -5
Spot up 3's and "violent cuts" to the hoop will get him the most points on offense. I think he should start with being a beast on defense and let that transfer over to the offensive side. Like others said, it's a good year for him to find his groove. With so much around him, he won't be looked to for scoring a lot. If i'm playin with him, i wanna drop the ball off to him as he cuts in the lane. There he needs at most one or two dribbles (preferably) none to make his highlight reel plays! GO CATS!!!
|
|
|
Post by TattMan on Nov 5, 2013 18:14:15 GMT -5
Here's what I think, FWIW: that trying to classify these kids into traditional roles--especially when we've got a pair of 6'6" twins playing guard, a 6'7 3-man who can play the 2, as well, AND are using Randle--who's too big for anybody's 3 to handle and maybe too quick for just about anybody's 4--- in a role like a 6'9" point forward. Here's what I'm suggesting: instead of worrying whether Alex can duplicate Young's ball skills, lets assume Cal's going to figure out how to best use him on offense--and against opponents who are likely to have a serious mismatch in trying to cover one or both Julius & Alex when both are in the game; it's fine to say you're going to zone us, but you're still going to have to align it and man it in a way that has a prayer against what you're trying to stop. As good as Julius is, I suspect he's still LIGHT YEARS away from where Cal will have him 5-6 weeks from now in terms of dumping the ball off when/where he needs to do so, while Alex & the rest are probably just about as far away from consistently being where THEY will need to be on the floor in order to receive the ball & score w/ it. In short (and this is just a guess on my part), remember that we've had others make a living off garbage baskets when we've had Robey-Givens and Bowie-Turpin. With this group, I think Cal's going to figure out how to make folks pay dearly for trying to contain Willie & Julius & cover the twins at the same time, and regardless whether the FIFTH guy in the lineup at the moment is Alex OR Young. Alex just has to not only accept the coaching, but bring the effort, as well. If he does that, I think he'll have a lot of success for us. Well thought out Max....it is a good feeling to contemplate how scary good (to steal from another Scratcher) this team will become if they take the '12 approach to Cal and morph from the ME to WE ( I already think that we won't see a ME in just the three games I've watched). To think of where Julius might be come January......that's a Christmas present that I hope materializes in game 3 of this year as I want to beat Mich. State, Baylor, Louisville and UNC so bad this year.
|
|
|
Post by whitler on Nov 6, 2013 4:47:53 GMT -5
Spot up 3's and "violent cuts" to the hoop will get him the most points on offense. I think he should start with being a beast on defense and let that transfer over to the offensive side. Like others said, it's a good year for him to find his groove. With so much around him, he won't be looked to for scoring a lot. If i'm playin with him, i wanna drop the ball off to him as he cuts in the lane. There he needs at most one or two dribbles (preferably) none to make his highlight reel plays! GO CATS!!!
|
|