Opportunity Lost

ramathon74

ramathon74

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I wanted to wait at least 36 hours until posting so I would calm down - didn't work to well.

This years version of the Rams are the most talented and deepest squad we have ever had at VCU. You'll notice I didn't say team, because they never played a whole game as a team. We may no have the best starting five, but op to bottom we have the best talent compared to any other year - they just could not learn to play well as a team or learn to value the posession of the ball. For a team that was supposed to wreak havoc, we had more turnovers than our opponents way too many times.

I truly hope Larry goes Pro, as he is a lost cause. Too immature and self-centered to be consistently good and a team member to others. I think this will hurt him as a pro unless he changes his way and grows up. Larry won us a lot of games, but I think he cost us just as many.

Bradford is the most talented player and Brandon would be close if he was more consistent. And I still appreciate Joey's game and Kirill and TJ have the biggest hearts in a number of years.

And YES they can win the CAA, but changes in attitude will be needed. I wish them luck.

This should have been a special year and still could be, but I doubt it.
 
Because of this line there's no need responding to your post.

ramathon74 said:
... and Brandon would be close if he was more consistent.
Click to expand...
 
Hard to argue with some of his points. This team had a very disappointing in-conference performance after a stellar OOC start. I still believe our guys can pull it out. I gotta say I admire Joey more and more with each passing game. He is the leader of this team and I'm glad for it. He doesn't have the take-over ability of Eric, but the kid plays with just as much heart and is explosive offensively in his own right at times. If we can get Larry to come around and play with 100% effort and keep from getting discouraged and/or apathetic, we have as good a shot as any team at getting to the NCAA's.

They have to play with fire and intensity. This is for all the marbles boys! 4 games in 4 days...you can wipe away all the disappointment from the season this weekend. You can do it! We are behind you!
 
As long as we keep playing off our emotions opportunities will keep getting missed.
 
districtballer said:
They have to play with fire and intensity.
Click to expand...

I've been saying this for weeks..we have no intensity. There are signs of it at times, but for the most part it just looks like we are going through the motions. Someone needs to get these guy fired up or were not going to make it to Sunday.
 
I still don't see how Larry is selfish...now, if you choose to harp on his immaturity, then I'll agree with you...honestly, I think it's ridiculous that some of you manage to find the justification to claim that he doesn't genuinely care about this teams success. Yes, there have been several cases of lost opportunity(at DU, GMU, JMU, and ODU ), but war's not over yet...don't forget, we have 4 upcoming home games.
 
Ram it home said:
districtballer said:
They have to play with fire and intensity.
Click to expand...

I've been saying this for weeks..we have no intensity. There are signs of it at times, but for the most part it just looks like we are going through the motions. Someone needs to get these guy fired up or were not going to make it to Sunday.
Click to expand...

you can see it when we just stroll out at halftime with no energy at all. The guys walked out at halftime like they were on their way to visit somebody in the hospital
 
Deuce said:
I still don't see how Larry is selfish...now, if you choose to harp on his immaturity, then I'll agree with you...honestly, I think it's ridiculous that some of you manage to find the justification to claim that he doesn't genuinely care about this teams success. Yes, there have been several cases of lost opportunity(at DU, GMU, JMU, and ODU ), but war's not over yet...don't forget, we have 4 upcoming home games.
Click to expand...


How many ODU fans did you hook up with tickets this weekend?
 
The one thing I do agree with is most team go as their best player goes. We've anointed Larry has the top dog on this team and I think his play this season pretty much mirrors the team's overall performance.
 
Mercury said:
you can see it when we just stroll out at halftime with no energy at all. The guys walked out at halftime like they were on their way to visit somebody in the hospital
Click to expand...
This, Merc said it at the half right when it happened that it doesn't look good for our run in the second half.
 
There is no doubt there are some internal problems on this team-things are not peachy cream I would dare say. Seriously doubt they can be magically solved just because we are down to do or die this weekend. We need for some guys to step up for sure-lets hope Brandon shoots as well downtown as at the stu. Larry will have a double double Friday by just showing up. Brad and Skeen both had double doubles in our only game with them. Saturday against GM, we should be OK if we just play half way decent-Sunday will be the real test folks. I hope us fans can light a fire under somebody's butt.
 
its that elusive word that coaches die for...chemistry ! its hard to build chemistry when you have a first year head coach, a couple of transfers, a whole new coaching staff and a new leader...yes we have talent, yes we have really good players but to get five to play as one it takes TIME. Northeastern is just now a good team this season after those guys have played for the same coach for 3 or 4 years together. Grant was lucky because he inherited a bunch of guys that had already been playing together for a few years in b.a., jesse, mike, shu and sam faulk (just kidding). Plus we had a natural leader at point guard that NO one could stop. that made for great team chemistry. We just havent had it this year. Guys are still learning their roles. ODU has had hassell, lee, neely, james and finney together for 3 years under the same coach. they finally put it all together this year...IF we had kept the florida five together and they had all worked out, you might have seen it this year but attrition happens sometimes too. maybe the chemistry will come alive this weekend - we can only hope !
 
Joey may be the designated leader, but does he command the attention and respect of the other players on the floor? Are they listening to him or just doing their own thing?
 
I wish I had seen more fire from Shaka. Some guys needed "motivation" by having someone get in their grill if they aren't performing. Of course, not everyone responds to that approach, but some do. Hard to imagine that as a team we don't have anyone that would.
Anthony and Jeff would really get emotional at a time out (lord knows JD certainly did) and would "emphasize" their point. Just haven't seen that side of Shaka yet. Try it, maybe it'll be a little more effective than the current approach (that I know has won us 20 games). I'm just saying to augment what he has been doing and blend when appropriate.
 
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