Thomas and Nader
- Thread starter storycy
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If you're going with those players, I'd think Carter/Ernst would be at the 5 and Malou at the 4 as well as Cooke at the two and Thomas at the 3. Just my opinion.
Have to say it--the team in general looks better coached. It got tight last night and ISU got out and guarded aggressively, and held up on the offense to look for a high percentage shots and really put the game away.
Nader is playing great but he still has lapses on defense, he's gotten better but the season opener against CU, he was really slow rotating out on their 3pt shooters. IMO that's his only weakness and the only thing we lost in replacing Hogue with Nader. Hogue was great playing with Ejim and Niang but last year, he just didn't compliment Jameel's offensive game like Nader can by taking guys off the dribble.
We've been waiting for people to start realizing Thomas is better than they think...he got a bad rap from the fans who overhyped him, and put a lot of pressure on him as a freshman. Glad to see him becoming the player we thought he would be.
As for Nader, DAYUM! He has come out of nowhere this year and we are loving it! I told PapaLew he looks like a thinner Royce when he freight trains his way to the basket. Looking to see good numbers from him this year.
Fred did also, his "best shooter he's seen" comment is what led people to do the above in bold.
WOuldn't shock me at all to see Burton start and either Matt or Cooke still come off the bench next year, just to have that solid 6th man. I also think Donovan Jackson will compete for starters minutes. If Malou is anywhere near a s good as advertised and either Carter or Ernst steps up, we'll be a lock for the tourney. Our biggest issue next season will be finding scorers. None of the returning guys is a shoot first type of player, Monte would be carrying a lot of the scoring load for that team.
Nader thread needs obligatory
[video=youtube;vg5h_QKHjWc]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vg5h_QKHjWc[/video]
[video=youtube;vg5h_QKHjWc]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vg5h_QKHjWc[/video]
Who on the current team is a shoot first type player? I'm not sure what you mean by that.
My God I love this team! There are so many players who deserve to be complimented that I don’t want to single out anyone. I agree wholeheartedly with the comments on Nader and Matt. These guys are both playing at the next level this year and I could not be happier for them and for the team. I always suspected that BDJ was a negative influence on Abdel. So, with BDJ out of the picture this year it seems as if he is rising to the level we always felt he could achieve. To some degree we all felt that a prior weakness of the team related to a lack of coaching emphasis on defense. So, I also wonder if Prohm’s more intense focus on defense is going to serve as the catalyst to move the team to the next level. So far that appears to be the case.
Nader has been a very pleasant surprise this year. He was good at times last year, but then would completely disappear for games. So far he has stayed full speed ahead. Both he and MT seem to have a lot of trouble with stepping out of bounds, which is really frustrating to see.
MT is really improved a lot. Yes, he was a major liability on the defensive end 2 years ago, was better last year, and has made that much improvement again this year. He is also using a lot more of his game than just being an outside bomber. He has passed the ball extremely well this year.
MT is really improved a lot. Yes, he was a major liability on the defensive end 2 years ago, was better last year, and has made that much improvement again this year. He is also using a lot more of his game than just being an outside bomber. He has passed the ball extremely well this year.
I wonder if the Prohm helped Matt out by being a blank slate and letting Matt show him what he can do. Fred raved about his shooting so much, it seemed like he was pigeon-holed into just a 3-point threat. I totally admit to being less than thrilled with him the past couple years, but that was because shooting was all I expected out of him.
This year he has a much more rounded game, and I am seriously impressed by his rebounding. That steal as the Illinois player was going up to shoot was awesome.
The fans pigeonholed him and Fred never expounded on the other parts of his game as he was only asked about his shooting by the media. Based on that, reality wasn't meeting extremely high expectations.
One thing I've noticed about Prohm is his rotation. Matt always used to go in around the 16 minute mark with Fred. With Prohm, it's usually around the 14 minute mark, but it seems that he stays in longer (maybe because he is playing better?) but I also think that helps him develop a bit more flow.
Fred also had a pretty quick trigger with his non-starters. It seemed like if Matt missed a three, he was pulled the very next time out.
Both players appeared to have improved their games from last season. I also think the consistent playing time is a huge benefit. Since we had 3 guys that could come off of the bench last year, the bench player would have to quickly show that he had the hot hand to get any meaningful run in the 2nd half.
On another note, Hallice Cooke has exceeded my expectations this year. He is capable of being a more physical defender than I was expecting. That 3 pt % from his freshman year also appears to be the real deal. I'm excited to see him extend some leads for us this year.
On another note, Hallice Cooke has exceeded my expectations this year. He is capable of being a more physical defender than I was expecting. That 3 pt % from his freshman year also appears to be the real deal. I'm excited to see him extend some leads for us this year.
I think Prohm is also putting more emphasis on D and rebounding. Fred wasn't quite as committed to managing that.
Matt is doing what a lot of guys who aren't necessarily NBA prospects do, which is to use effort and toughness to improve their game and excel at the getting their hands dirty.
I think he also has more opportunity to do those things because that was Hogue's role the previous two years.
Matt is doing what a lot of guys who aren't necessarily NBA prospects do, which is to use effort and toughness to improve their game and excel at the getting their hands dirty.
I think he also has more opportunity to do those things because that was Hogue's role the previous two years.