OK- I can't take it any more. I have to put in my 2 cents on this one. And Merc- Not trying to attack you Bro- you know, the way a certain little homo has decided to attack me lately.... well, that for another day.... but seriously- not trying to attack you, and I can certainly tell you that you are not the only one that does not like our system. But I've got to disagree with you on this one.
And I've got to side with Deuce. This system is a fast-moving one- especially on offense, but fast-moving in general. In fact, if anything, I thought we were going to press even a little more, defensively. No one is asking you to like a fast-moving, 94-feet both ways, type of system. But that's what we have. And it is working- for now. We are significantly ahead of the pace I had set, and most of us had set, before the season started, and based on where we are right now. That's win-loss wise, as well as chemistry, confidence, reputation, and the whole 9-yards. I'd make a few points on the system:
1- Considering the fast pace, particularly on offense, and the quick transition / our bigs throwing long transitional passes after boards, etc.... I would have to say we are turning the ball over less that one might expect with this type of team. Heck- JD Barnett only believed in 2 things- defense, and protecting the ball. Maybe you could throw clock management in the mix. All of that, and his standard T/O benchmark, as best as I can remember, was 9. But certainly no more than 11 in ordewr to win games. That's 9-11. Sheesh- the way we have been running, we have not been turning the ball over much more than that. I've been seeing #s like 11, 9, 13, 14, etc. Maybe a couple worse than that, but in general, not too bad. This team really seems to be able to push up the court like gang-busters, and still have the ability and control to pull the ball out, when there's nothing there. I have been impressed with that.
2- We ran even MORE than this the first year under Grant, with Jesse, BA, Eric, Anderson, Fameni, etc. I mean.... no one ever ran harder than that crew.... not at VCU anyway. That was fun. And I don't think I ever heard a complaint. Grant would have run like that the next 3 years as well- if he had the studs to do it. He slowed things way down, really each of the next 3 years, because of the lack of qualified depth and (experienced) athleticism. It turned into the "Pass the ball to Eric Maynor" show until late last year, when Larry became a monster. The one exception, maybe being Shu while he was back there. He was darn good.
3- I thought the last couple Grant teams were actually a little bit more disorganized than this team- offensively, and that this team is looking like much more of a "Team." Seems like there is hardly any difference either- with the turnovers. I dunno..... Maybe it's just me. But I'm prety darn happy with what they've accomplished thus far. And the total "team" is well beyond what I expected- given that it is Christmas time. I thought we could be here in, or by early Feb- but not as early as Christmas. JMHO
