Update on Harrison Barnes

[jsb]

He's a system guy that recruits players who understand his system and are willing to play within it.

That has been what the utmost loyalist have preached over and over. I have a feeling that Mike Taylor and Clark were just as good of athletes as Dykstra and Barnes and we didn't run at all. We turned one of the most athletic players we have ever seen into a jump shooter who had very little impact on the offense at all.

I disagree with you. You need to remember that Mike Taylor was a turnover machine. The more he ran, the more turnovers he had. And there was plenty of whining when he had his 10 turnovers a game. As far as Rahshon goes, he did have to change his game. I think if Blalock or Stinson were still around in McDermott's first year, that you probably would have seen some of the old Rahshon. And last year RAHSHON WAS HURT. He was not able to jump and run as well as he could.

And I think it is silly to assume that anyone knows what Harrison is looking for in a playing style. If we are to believe the person that started this post, he likes Texas's style of play. Texas doesn't run like crazy. I don't see Texas play and think that it reminds me of Wayne Morgan or Johnny Orr or Jerry Tarkanian.

I think that if Garrett and Buckley stick it out and work hard then there will be plenty of opportunities for fast break opportunities with Craig or Harrison.

If we had run, like some of you seem to think we should have, we would not have won as many games as we did the last two years. And as such, we would have even more problems with recruits who wouldn't want to come to a losing program.

 

[jsb]

I'd love to be optimistic about our chances to land Barnes - but I'm not. I hope he does come here yet I'll wish him luck regardless.

The more I hear/read, the more I think we're on the outside looking in.

I don't know that you are wrong, but he's got at least another year for the decision process. He is 15 or 16 and probably changes his mind daily. It's too bad we can't just let this go until signing date 2009.

 

[jsb]

Our business school isn't anything special, and I don't see big things in the near future for our bball program. I don't really see us contending for a big 12 title anytime soon, let alone a Final Four.

At this point, this kid has the game and the smarts to go to a school that can offer a top 10 business program and a top 10 basketball program. Not only that, he can do it in places that are much more exciting than his hometown of Ames IA. If he wasn't from Ames I don't even think we would be on his radar.

Basically, looking at what he says he wants versus what we offer, it just boils down to two words: He gone.

That business school quote is just a smoke screen. I am willing to bet that as long as a school has a business major Harrison would go there. He is not likely to be in college long enough for it even to matter, if he is as good as everyone thinks.

 

[CyGuy33]

I disagree with you. You need to remember that Mike Taylor was a turnover machine. The more he ran, the more turnovers he had. And there was plenty of whining when he had his 10 turnovers a game. As far as Rahshon goes, he did have to change his game. I think if Blalock or Stinson were still around in McDermott's first year, that you probably would have seen some of the old Rahshon. And last year RAHSHON WAS HURT. He was not able to jump and run as well as he could.


I think that if Garrett and Buckley stick it out and work hard then there will be plenty of opportunities for fast break opportunities with Craig or Harrison.

What I'm saying is he has no history of running an uptempo type of program. He hasn't recruited players to run that system. Why should we believe that he will change everything he has done in the past to apease one recruit?

Wouldn't that be the complete opposite of everything he has talked about regarind the direction of the program? I don't doubt that if you put Will Blalock and Harrison Barnes on the same court you would get more opportunities to fast break, that doesn't mean that McD would change his whole belief system to run and gun and an uptempo style of play. I doubt he would throw the whole playbook out and let them play "street ball" as it's been refered to.

His recruiting background and coach background have been to bring in players that fit his system and run his system the way he has designed it. Half court, slow down the game, limit TO's. There is nothing wrong with that, it's what he does, but to argue that he would change it becauase of one player I don't understand.

 

[ISUFan22]

I don't know that you are wrong, but he's got at least another year for the decision process. He is 15 or 16 and probably changes his mind daily. It's too bad we can't just let this go until signing date 2009.

IMO, the longer it goes (and the higher he gets on the charts), the more our chances decrease.

Unless we come out this winter and win a ton of games - which I don't expect.

 

[CycloneWarrior]

I'd love to be optimistic about our chances to land Barnes - but I'm not. I hope he does come here yet I'll wish him luck regardless.

The more I hear/read, the more I think we're on the outside looking in.

thats exactly how I see it too

 

[BryceC]

And as such, we would have even more problems with recruits who wouldn't want to come to a losing program.

As opposed to what? Do you really think a recruit cares if a team wins 10 games as opposed to 14?

 

[hoosman]

What I'm saying is he has no history of running an uptempo type of program. He hasn't recruited players to run that system. Why should we believe that he will change everything he has done in the past to apease one recruit?

Wouldn't that be the complete opposite of everything he has talked about regarind the direction of the program? I don't doubt that if you put Will Blalock and Harrison Barnes on the same court you would get more opportunities to fast break, that doesn't mean that McD would change his whole belief system to run and gun and an uptempo style of play. I doubt he would throw the whole playbook out and let them play "street ball" as it's been refered to.

His recruiting background and coach background have been to bring in players that fit his system and run his system the way he has designed it. Half court, slow down the game, limit TO's. There is nothing wrong with that, it's what he does, but to argue that he would change it becauase of one player I don't understand.

A low octane offense that works in a smaller conference is not guaranteed to succeed in the Big 12 (AKA the Peter Principle).

Highly talented players want to use the most of their talents. Barnes is just the tip of the iceberg here. This doesn't mean street ball. KU won the championship and I think the final four were all up-tempo teams.

People need to adapt to changing realities.

 

[CyGuy33]

A low octane offense that works in a smaller conference is not guaranteed to succeed in the Big 12 (AKA the Peter Principle).

This could be why we finished 11th in the league last year.

What is the Peter Principal? It sounds funny!

Highly talented players want to use the most of their talents. Barnes is just the tip of the iceberg here. This doesn't mean street ball. KU won the championship and I think the final four were all up-tempo teams.

People need to adapt to changing realities.

I don't disagree with this, however I haven't seen the changes. Until I do I will continue to say he is a system guy and his system is a slow down/half court game.

 

[Tornado man]

A low octane offense that works in a smaller conference is not guaranteed to succeed in the Big 12 (AKA the Peter Principle).

Highly talented players want to use the most of their talents. Barnes is just the tip of the iceberg here. This doesn't mean street ball. KU won the championship and I think the final four were all up-tempo teams.

People need to adapt to changing realities.

I wouldn't exactly call Ben Howland's offense at UCLA "up tempo." He has run the same offense he ran at Northern Arizona and Pitt - it hasn't hurt recruiting at all.

 

[CyGuy33]

I just looked up the Peter Principal. Very good, I had never heard of this. I will now use it on a daily basis to describe people I deal with. Thank You.

 

[SpokaneCY]

Our business school isn't anything special, and I don't see big things in the near future for our bball program. I don't really see us contending for a big 12 title anytime soon, let alone a Final Four.

At this point, this kid has the game and the smarts to go to a school that can offer a top 10 business program and a top 10 basketball program. Not only that, he can do it in places that are much more exciting than his hometown of Ames IA. If he wasn't from Ames I don't even think we would be on his radar.

Basically, looking at what he says he wants versus what we offer, it just boils down to two words: He gone.

Unless you go to an elite Ivy league school, the "rank" of the business school means crap. You get out of school what you put into it. I have friends who are Harvard grads and the hardest part of that was getting INTO Harvard. Once in its cake - but you're getting Harvard on your diploma.

And honestly - if he's as good as he sounds, I don't think he'll be putting in extra time trying to get into Wharton since his calling - at least for a while - is hoops.

As for our location - these guys will do 2 things. Play and practice basketball and try to stay eligible in the classroom. Ask OJ Mayo how much beach time he had. While it would be great to be by the ocean or mountains or wherever, these guys have such limited freetime to "vacation" at these spots. These kids are looking for the best basketball program to help them achieve their dreams. Maybe its Coach K and his longterm success, or Bill Self or Mark Few or whomever. Those dreams may also entail being the star player on your alltime favorite team and making a good team a much better team and playing for a coach you know, understand and admire. Maybe its GMac, maybe its not but ISU is NOT the ugly redheaded stepchild in the basketball world.

 

[CyGuy33]

I wouldn't exactly call Ben Howland's offense at UCLA "up tempo." He has run the same offense he ran at Northern Arizona and Pitt - it hasn't hurt recruiting at all.

Have you seen the difference in the Recruiting girls at UCLA vs Pitt? Maybe they are the difference!:biglaugh:

 

[SpokaneCY]

What I'm saying is he has no history of running an uptempo type of program. He hasn't recruited players to run that system. Why should we believe that he will change everything he has done in the past to apease one recruit?

Wouldn't that be the complete opposite of everything he has talked about regarind the direction of the program? I don't doubt that if you put Will Blalock and Harrison Barnes on the same court you would get more opportunities to fast break, that doesn't mean that McD would change his whole belief system to run and gun and an uptempo style of play. I doubt he would throw the whole playbook out and let them play "street ball" as it's been refered to.

His recruiting background and coach background have been to bring in players that fit his system and run his system the way he has designed it. Half court, slow down the game, limit TO's. There is nothing wrong with that, it's what he does, but to argue that he would change it becauase of one player I don't understand.

How many other coaches have changed their styles during their careers? Based on some articles linked by Cysmydog, there are more than a few high profile coaches who have done it. A coach rooted in 1 way of doing things won't last long -otherwise we'd still be running the flying wing or or some such crap. I think GMac is able to run an offense that gives us the best chance to win and that he has more doors open to better athletes as an ISU coach and that his style will evolve to match skill sets of our players. This year - hopefully - we'll have some real shooters coming in. We haven't had any shooters for his first 2 years. Taylor ok, but who else? Lets see what Notorius JVB, Eik-a-mouse, and Chrissy can do. I see Boozer becoming a scoring factor this year as well. Our future is bright - with or without HB.

 

[CyGuy33]

Unless you go to an elite Ivy league school, the "rank" of the business school means crap. You get out of school what you put into it. I have friends who are Harvard grads and the hardest part of that was getting INTO Harvard. Once in its cake - but you're getting Harvard on your diploma.

And honestly - if he's as good as he sounds, I don't think he'll be putting in extra time trying to get into Wharton since his calling - at least for a while - is hoops.

As for our location - these guys will do 2 things. Play and practice basketball and try to stay eligible in the classroom. Ask OJ Mayo how much beach time he had. While it would be great to be by the ocean or mountains or wherever, these guys have such limited freetime to "vacation" at these spots. These kids are looking for the best basketball program to help them achieve their dreams. Maybe its Coach K and his longterm success, or Bill Self or Mark Few or whomever. Those dreams may also entail being the star player on your alltime favorite team and making a good team a much better team and playing for a coach you know, understand and admire. Maybe its GMac, maybe its not but ISU is NOT the ugly redheaded stepchild in the basketball world.

OJ did have the chance to go to see the Lakers when they were in town, attend USC football games where Matthew McChanahey (Wow that can't be spelled right), Will Ferrell, etc. were in attendance. Go the the hot spots in LA. Plus he never had to walk to class in 8 inches of snow when it was -10. Those are factors location might play in his choice.

 

[CycloneWarrior]

Have you seen the difference in the Recruiting girls at UCLA vs Pitt? Maybe they are the difference!:biglaugh:

thats it, i wanna go to ucla, lol

 

[SpokaneCY]

OJ did have the chance to go to see the Lakers when they were in town, attend USC football games where Matthew McChanahey (Wow that can't be spelled right), Will Ferrell, etc. were in attendance. Go the the hot spots in LA. Plus he never had to walk to class in 8 inches of snow when it was -10. Those are factors location might play in his choice.

Bad example - Mayo was on the take for quite a while. And McConeeghy (how DOES he spell that?) is gayer than hell and all his movies suck. Give me an Earnest Borgnine experience and I'll see god!

 

[CyGuy33]

How many other coaches have changed their styles during their careers? Based on some articles linked by Cysmydog, there are more than a few high profile coaches who have done it. A coach rooted in 1 way of doing things won't last long -otherwise we'd still be running the flying wing or or some such crap. I think GMac is able to run an offense that gives us the best chance to win and that he has more doors open to better athletes as an ISU coach and that his style will evolve to match skill sets of our players. This year - hopefully - we'll have some real shooters coming in. We haven't had any shooters for his first 2 years. Taylor ok, but who else? Lets see what Notorius JVB, Eik-a-mouse, and Chrissy can do. I see Boozer becoming a scoring factor this year as well. Our future is bright - with or without HB.

Again I said he has not changed, his PPG/FG %, style of play, etc have stayed the same since he has come to Iowa State. He wasn't hired to run a fast paced offense, that was inplace and Jamie didn't see that as the direction the program should be heading, or whatever. That isn't his background, his strength is the style of play we have run the past two seasons.

Will better athletes lead to some changes, yes, I'm not going to argue that. But this is his strength and it would take a lot of changes and upgrades in talent to change the way he teaches the game.

 

[CyGuy33]

thats it, i wanna go to ucla, lol

I'm heading home to pack my bags, looks like I'm going back to finish my masters!

 

[aeroclone]

Have you seen the difference in the Recruiting girls at UCLA vs Pitt? Maybe they are the difference!:biglaugh:

I don't know about Harrison, but that right there makes me question whether or not I made the right decision on where I went to school!! :biggrin: