79 replies to this topic

[Mackus]

I haven't watched much of this team this year, but more than I have in the last few years, but this team just looks awful every time I see them. They only seem to score points on 3-pointers and free throws. They have no inside scoring threat, and they never seem to set-up a half-court offense. It's always a sloppy fast break that leads to missed shots or turnovers.

There was talk about Len going to the NBA, I wonder if he is good enough to start for MD.

Maybe they'll be better next year. They are a young team.

You definitely haven't watched much of them this year, because this isn't a very accurate take of how they are as a team.

They are a terrible 3-point shooting team outside of Aronhalt. The bulk of their scoring comes inside which is their clear and obvious strength between points in the paint and rebounding margin. Those are really the only things they do well. Len is definitely going to the NBA and definitely going to be a lottery pick. They do struggle mightily with turnovers.

They aren't good, by any stretch, but they certainly aren't anything like what you've described them here. They are differently terrible and entirely frustrating.

[Mackus]

I've seen the q's pop-up about Len being NBA material and we've discussed this before in-depth, so I'll try not to be redundant. I think Chris hit it with what he brings to the table isn't so much found on stat sheets but his make-up -- they just don't grow on trees. The more exposed he is with games such as last night, the more he'll drop but I don't think that happens since he's a commodity. It's for this reason if I'm Len and just looking out for myself, I go to the NBA. I know the counter-argument about development, but it's not a one-way street, players have fallen.

There is absolutely no question about it. Len is gone. 100%.

He certainly could benefit from a bit more work, but he can get better coaching while being paid millions in the NBA.

[Mackus]

So our PG prospects look bleak for next year too?

Stevie Blake where have you gone?

I'd happily settle for Eric Hayes or Terrell Stokes at this point.

Turgeon better be very confident that Peters can handle the point guard spot for next season. He should be out there scouring for a 3-star PG who could play right away or a 5th year senior like Chris mentioned if he's not supremely confident that Peters can be the guy next year. Because Allen is obviously not the answer at the point and Pe'shon shouldn't be more than last minute fodder in non-conference games.

[BSLMattJergensen]

The roller coaster ride continues.

I was nervous going into last night. I expected a letdown and was unsure about victory and what we saw was a pretty bad loss last night.

Consistenly inconsistent. There isn't much logic to this team. If you would have told me they would have turned it over 26 times against Duke I would have thought it would have added up to a 12-15 point loss instead of an upset. Last night Logan Aaronhalt put up 26 and the Terps lost by 11? Alex Len was M.I.A. with only 5 shot attempts? MD gets outrebounded by second smallest team in the conference? Wow.

Still this team is young and not maturing as quickly anyone would hope. It should be a wild ride to finish just to see where this team eventually finishes out in the 2012-2013 season. At least it will be unpredictable.

[SportsGuy]

I'd happily settle for Eric Hayes or Terrell Stokes at this point.

Turgeon better be very confident that Peters can handle the point guard spot for next season. He should be out there scouring for a 3-star PG who could play right away or a 5th year senior like Chris mentioned if he's not supremely confident that Peters can be the guy next year. Because Allen is obviously not the answer at the point and Pe'shon shouldn't be more than last minute fodder in non-conference games.

Some Tyler Thornton type guy would be good for MD.

Thornton isn't really that good but he plays within his game, plays good defense and isn't stupid with the ball. Basically, MD needs what Howard was before his injuries.

[You Play to Win the Game]

There is absolutely no question about it. Len is gone. 100%.

He certainly could benefit from a bit more work, but he can get better coaching while being paid millions in the NBA.

He'll definitely be gone... and I'm fairly certain he'll be a bust in The League.

[Mackus]

Some Tyler Thornton type guy would be good for MD.

Thornton isn't really that good but he plays within his game, plays good defense and isn't stupid with the ball. Basically, MD needs what Howard was before his injuries.

I agree completely. And was already thinking "even Pe'shon before his injuries and with just some normal progression from his freshman year would be solve a lot of the problems" before reaching your final sentence.

[Mackus]

He'll definitely be gone... and I'm fairly certain he'll be a bust in The League.

Define bust.

I don't think he'll be a star, but he'll be in the NBA for a long time. Not sure he'll always be a starter, but he'll be good enough to be a big man off the bench in someone's rotation for a while. Not many people with his physical gifts exist in the world, and those gifts are always in demand in the NBA.

Remember, he's only 19 years old. He's got a lot of time to get stronger, bigger, more skilled, and become a better player.

[SportsGuy]

I agree completely. And was already thinking "even Pe'shon before his injuries and with just some normal progression from his freshman year would be solve a lot of the problems" before reaching your final sentence.

Can he be that player next year?

Another offseason to get more healthy, etc...

[Mackus]

Can he be that player next year?

Another offseason to get more healthy, etc...

I'm not optimistic. I think the injuries have taken their toll and lowered his already pretty mediocre athleticism. He's not fast nor quick.

He does have good court vision, though not always good decision-making, and he does play incredibly hard so I do expect him to work hard in the offseason and maybe he can have a positive senior year. I think he'll be very hard pressed to be a reliable starting ACC caliber player, though. That would really surprise me. I think best case is he can help lighten the load on Peters for next season and be the backup guy.

[You Play to Win the Game]

Define bust.

I don't think he'll be a star, but he'll be in the NBA for a long time. Not sure he'll always be a starter, but he'll be good enough to be a big man off the bench in someone's rotation for a while. Not many people with his physical gifts exist in the world, and those gifts are always in demand in the NBA.

Remember, he's only 19 years old. He's got a lot of time to get stronger, bigger, more skilled, and become a better player.

A lottery pick who isn't a LT starter is a bust to me. I don't think he'll make it more than 5 years in the NBA. He's clumsy and way overrated.

[Mackus]

A lottery pick who isn't a LT starter is a bust to me. I don't think he'll make it more than 5 years in the NBA. He's clumsy and way overrated.

I disagree with everything in this post.

I don't watch the NBA and only loosely follow it, though, so maybe the vast majority of lottery picks end up as longterm starters and your criteria would have merit. I doubt that though. With only about 150 starters in the league, I doubt that nearly 10% of them are being turned over every season with lottery picks.

And he definitely isn't clumsy. I have no clue why you'd say that. He used to be a gymnast of all things, and he's got pretty good hands and is very athletic. I can't remember any plays off the top of my head where I felt he looked clumsy. Overrated I suppose depends on what you're rating him on. I think it's obvious that his NBA stock is about his body and his potential, rather than him being a dominant college player at this point in time, which he clearly isn't. He is very solid though and would start for just about every team in the NCAA.

[Pedro Cerrano]

I don't think Alex will be a bust but he definitely needs to refine his low post moves if he expects to score consistently against NBA centers.

[Mackus]

I don't think Alex will be a bust but he definitely needs to refine his low post moves if he expects to score consistently against NBA centers.

I think he settles for hooks and runners and fadeaways a bit too often right now. I also think that with time, he'll make those shots a lot more than he is doing so now, and that'll be really tough for opponents because they are effectively unblockable given his size.

I do think he really struggles with double teams right now. He's a good passer, but he isn't usually able to pass effectively out of the double team for some reason.

[You Play to Win the Game]

I disagree with everything in this post.

I don't watch the NBA and only loosely follow it, though, so maybe the vast majority of lottery picks end up as longterm starters and your criteria would have merit. I doubt that though. With only about 150 starters in the league, I doubt that nearly 10% of them are being turned over every season with lottery picks.

And he definitely isn't clumsy. I have no clue why you'd say that. He used to be a gymnast of all things, and he's got pretty good hands and is very athletic. I can't remember any plays off the top of my head where I felt he looked clumsy. Overrated I suppose depends on what you're rating him on. I think it's obvious that his NBA stock is about his body and his potential, rather than him being a dominant college player at this point in time, which he clearly isn't. He is very solid though and would start for just about every team in the NCAA.

He is extremely clumsy with the ball. If you don't see that, I guess we're not watching the same game.

I guess we'll see who's right in a few years. I'd bet good money on this one though.

I will say, to be clear, that I hope I'm wrong. He seems like a good guy and I'm rooting for him. I just don't believe in his "talent". Size yes, talent, not so much.

[Mackus]

He is extremely clumsy with the ball. If you don't see that, I guess we're not watching the same game.

No, we are not.

He averages 1.7 turnovers per game and a 16.6% turnover percentage.

Nerlens Noel averaged 1.9 turnovers per game and a 19.9% rate.
Mason Plumlee averages 2.9 turnovers per game and a 19% rate.
Cody Zeller averages 1.8 turnovers per game and a 14.3% rate.
Isiah Austin averages 2.2 turnovers per game and a 17.6% rate.

[bnickle]

Again, I didn't see the game last night. Len is getting double teamed a lot. When he isn't and able to get deep in the post he's effective. He'd be so much better on this level if he had guys who could get him the ball at the right time and the right place and could shoot the 3 ball better.

Now, he has his issues. He needs to get stronger still, especially lower body and his basketball IQ still isn't that good but those are things that can be developed.

I don't see the clumsiness. I mean he's not a superior athlete, even at 7 feet, but he's better than most at that size that play in the NBA. I think people are mistaking a lack of strength for clumsiness.


If he can continue to get stronger and play smarter he'll be an effective NBA player. Get on him all you want for the issues he has this year, but he has made some big strides from last year. If he keeps getting better every offseason some team will be justified taking him in the lottery.

[Pedro Cerrano]

I think because he's big and thin and white and doesn't necessarily look graceful out there that he gets called clumsy.

[DJ MC]

I think because he's big and thin and white and doesn't necessarily look graceful out there that he gets called clumsy.

Right. He's not Will Bowers.

[Pedro Cerrano]

I can't write it on this board, but one of the funniest stories I've ever heard in my life involved Will Bowers.