We don't know what any of these guys may be dealing with in their personal life so why even go there?
I just don't like bringing up people's personal life into these discussions
He's had a shoulder issue for weeks and missed a game recently due to a back issue. I would start there before speculating on his family situation with zero knowledge about it.
So the kid goes through a bad stretch of games and people immediately go to Ukraine for the explanation?
I'll put it this way, if that's what's going on shame on Odom for having him out there.
Even when he's playing well he can be go through spells being somewhat lackadaisical and casual with the ball. And his effort defensively was very questionable early in the season. So it's not like the effort thing is coming out of nowhere.
Honestly, unless somebody knows something specifically, bringing up the Ukraine situation is really just digging for excuses and shouldn't even be brought up.
Though this means absolutely nothing, I briefly watched some of the 2017 NCAA tournament game played in Utah. The team didn't appear affected by the altitude. And that squad pressed (not as much as the Shaka Rams, but obviously more than the current team). So my hope is all of the altitude...
Yeah, back in the day not only did the VCU players play pick-up, but players from Virginia Union would come to Franklin Street. I also remember playing pick up with Ronnie Wade when he played for ODU during the early days of the Cary Street Gym.