Wow!

calumnus said:

---

HoopDreams said:

---

Sam's a hooper!

---

We needed a player to emerge this year, Alajiki is now officially that player

---

My starting 5:
Kelly
Anticevich
Celestine
Alajiki
Brown

calumnus said:

---

calumnus said:

---

HoopDreams said:

---

Sam's a hooper!

---

We needed a player to emerge this year, Alajiki is now officially that player

---

My starting 5:
Kelly
Anticevich
Celestine
Alajiki
Brown

---

Maybe Shepherd, who didn't have a great game. But Joel was rough today. I know he can do better than that, but he needs to lead the way as a PG.

When we were down by 10, and Sam came in, we immediately played with much more energy. The crowd got much more into the game too. He has to be a starter, why is Kuany starting over him?

KoreAmBear said:

---

calumnus said:

---

calumnus said:

---

HoopDreams said:

---

Sam's a hooper!

---

We needed a player to emerge this year, Alajiki is now officially that player

---

My starting 5:
Kelly
Anticevich
Celestine
Alajiki
Brown

---

Maybe Shepherd, who didn't have a great game. But Joel was rough today. I know he can do better than that, but he needs to lead the way as a PG.

---

Shepard today:
4 points 0 Reb 1 assist (2 of 5) 4 TOs 1 steal 5 fouls

Brown Today
4 points 5 Reb 7 Assists 1 of 7 (0 for 3) 1 steal 2 TOs 4 fouls

Tough, but Edge to Brown. I'd start Brown but bring in Shepard for him for offense and FT shooting at the end.

The Main thing is to never start them together in the back court again. One at a time only. Alajiki is a starter until further notice. Good on both sides of the court.

calumnus said:

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Big C said:

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KoreAmBear said:

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Kuany still looks really raw.

---

Look at these THIRD YEAR players that still look raw: Brown, Kuany, Thiemann, Thorpe. That tells me something.

---

Add Klonaras

---

Sad to say, but Klonaras isn't even on the radar.

Big C said:

---

calumnus said:

---

KoreAmBear said:

---

calumnus said:

---

calumnus said:

---

HoopDreams said:

---

Sam's a hooper!

---

We needed a player to emerge this year, Alajiki is now officially that player

---

My starting 5:
Kelly
Anticevich
Celestine
Alajiki
Brown

---

Maybe Shepherd, who didn't have a great game. But Joel was rough today. I know he can do better than that, but he needs to lead the way as a PG.

---

Shepard today:
4 points 0 Reb 1 assist (2 of 5) 4 TOs 1 steal 5 fouls

Brown Today
4 points 5 Reb 7 Assists 1 of 7 (0 for 3) 1 steal 2 TOs 4 fouls

Tough, but Edge to Brown. I'd start Brown but bring in Shepard for him for offense and FT shooting at the end.

The Main thing is to never start them together in the back court again. One at a time only. Alajiki is a starter until further notice. Good on both sides of the court.

---

Shepherd and Foreman wouldn't pass if you put them in at QB in Dykes' offense.


I'm really glad we won, so I should be making some more positive comments:

Andre Kelly and Sam Alajiki!!!

---

Yep.

1. Kelly
2. Alajiki
3. Super senior Grant hit some big shots.
4. Celestine is coming back and hopefully can play more minutes.
5. We won a 2 OT game.

bearup said:

---

Sam A, 8 points 5 rebounds 2 steals 3 blocks

Play it again, Sam


GO BEARS!!!!

---

and most on this board thought he was a project and a mid major recruit

This team will become better and better defensively as we get more healthy.
Next years recruits will also add to the D.
We may never pretty offensively but if Fox does stay a few years, I could see CAL with a top defense in the league and we'll be a really athletic team.

graguna said:

---

bearup said:

---

Sam A, 8 points 5 rebounds 2 steals 3 blocks

Play it again, Sam


GO BEARS!!!!

---

and most on this board thought he was a project and a mid major recruit

---

I think may of us, myself included, were in the wait-and-see category.

graguna said:

---

bearup said:

---

Sam A, 8 points 5 rebounds 2 steals 3 blocks

Play it again, Sam

I


GO BEARS!!!!

---

and most on this board thought he was a project and a mid major recruit

---

I just bumped the commitment thread. Most were excited by what we saw, I know I was, though you always have to take edited videos wit a grain of salt.

Feeling good tonight! I love Andre Kelly! What a fun game that was to watch.

graguna said:

---

This team will become better and better defensively as we get more healthy.
Next years recruits will also add to the D.
We may never pretty offensively but if Fox does stay a few years, I could see CAL with a top defense in the league and we'll be a really athletic team.

---

We matched up well with Southern Utah. The challenge defensively will come in PAC-12 play. Alajiki is a plus defender though.

calumnus said:

---

KoreAmBear said:

---

calumnus said:

---

calumnus said:

---

HoopDreams said:

---

Sam's a hooper!

---

We needed a player to emerge this year, Alajiki is now officially that player

---

My starting 5:
Kelly
Anticevich
Celestine
Alajiki
Brown

---

Maybe Shepherd, who didn't have a great game. But Joel was rough today. I know he can do better than that, but he needs to lead the way as a PG.

---

Shepard today:
4 points 0 Reb 1 assist (2 of 5) 4 TOs 1 steal 5 fouls

Brown Today
4 points 5 Reb 7 Assists 1 of 7 (0 for 3) 1 steal 2 TOs 4 fouls

Tough, but Edge to Brown. I'd start Brown but bring in Shepard for him for offense and FT shooting at the end.

The Main thing is to never start them together in the back court again. One at a time only. Alajiki is a starter until further notice. Good on both sides of the court.

---

Tough game for Joel, shots were not dropping and he didnt finish on a couple of needed drives. However the critiques (not from you) are misplaced. JB was +9, gives consistent near max effort (47 minutes tonight), defensive is always solid, and is a threat in transition. Team has to have him in the game, as the team plays better with him in. Last game JB was outstanding, tonight was below expectations, but his effort remains a positive, along with his assist total, few turnovers and tough defense.

4thGenCal said:

---

calumnus said:

---

KoreAmBear said:

---

calumnus said:

---

calumnus said:

---

HoopDreams said:

---

Sam's a hooper!

---

We needed a player to emerge this year, Alajiki is now officially that player

---

My starting 5:
Kelly
Anticevich
Celestine
Alajiki
Brown

---

Maybe Shepherd, who didn't have a great game. But Joel was rough today. I know he can do better than that, but he needs to lead the way as a PG.

---

Shepard today:
4 points 0 Reb 1 assist (2 of 5) 4 TOs 1 steal 5 fouls

Brown Today
4 points 5 Reb 7 Assists 1 of 7 (0 for 3) 1 steal 2 TOs 4 fouls

Tough, but Edge to Brown. I'd start Brown but bring in Shepard for him for offense and FT shooting at the end.

The Main thing is to never start them together in the back court again. One at a time only. Alajiki is a starter until further notice. Good on both sides of the court.

---

Tough game for Joel, shots were not dropping and he didnt finish on a couple of needed drives. However the critiques (not from you) are misplaced. JB was +9, gives consistent near max effort (47 minutes tonight), defensive is always solid, and is a threat in transition. Team has to have him in the game, as the team plays better with him in. Last game JB was outstanding, tonight was below expectations, but his effort remains a positive, along with his assist total, few turnovers and tough defense.

---

Good +/- but not always the best metric -- a lot of our offense today could be explained by tough lower percentage shots late in the possession. There is no question about Joel's heart, effort and character. Dude is a warrior and I really want him to do well as he stuck even after the coaching transition and that always will get credit from me. However, as he runs the offense there is too much dribbling to nowhere instead of initiating ball movement. On the last shot of regulation (or was it the first OT), he went iso when he should not have. There was one play when we nearly had it locked up in 2 OT he threw the ball to SUU (probably so he wouldn't get fouled) which gave them a little life. There is still a lot of erratic play in him. Hopefully he gets back to playing within himself and taking opportunities when they are there. When he does that, he definitely helps our team.

KoreAmBear said:

---

4thGenCal said:

---

calumnus said:

---

KoreAmBear said:

---

calumnus said:

---

calumnus said:

---

HoopDreams said:

---

Sam's a hooper!

---

We needed a player to emerge this year, Alajiki is now officially that player

---

My starting 5:
Kelly
Anticevich
Celestine
Alajiki
Brown

---

Maybe Shepherd, who didn't have a great game. But Joel was rough today. I know he can do better than that, but he needs to lead the way as a PG.

---

Shepard today:
4 points 0 Reb 1 assist (2 of 5) 4 TOs 1 steal 5 fouls

Brown Today
4 points 5 Reb 7 Assists 1 of 7 (0 for 3) 1 steal 2 TOs 4 fouls

Tough, but Edge to Brown. I'd start Brown but bring in Shepard for him for offense and FT shooting at the end.

The Main thing is to never start them together in the back court again. One at a time only. Alajiki is a starter until further notice. Good on both sides of the court.

---

Tough game for Joel, shots were not dropping and he didnt finish on a couple of needed drives. However the critiques (not from you) are misplaced. JB was +9, gives consistent near max effort (47 minutes tonight), defensive is always solid, and is a threat in transition. Team has to have him in the game, as the team plays better with him in. Last game JB was outstanding, tonight was below expectations, but his effort remains a positive, along with his assist total, few turnovers and tough defense.

---

Good +/- but not always the best metric -- a lot of our offense today could be explained by tough lower percentage shots late in the possession. There is no question about Joel's heart, effort and character. Dude is a warrior and I really want him to do well as he stuck even after the coaching transition and that always will get credit from me. However, as he runs the offense there is too much dribbling to nowhere instead of initiating ball movement. On the last shot of regulation (or was it the first OT), he went iso when he should not have. There was one play when we nearly had it locked up in 2 OT he threw the ball to SUU (probably so he wouldn't get fouled) which gave them a little life. There is still a lot of erratic play in him. Hopefully he gets back to playing within himself and taking opportunities when they are there. When he does that, he definitely helps our team.

---

Fair points on Joel's excessive dribbling. I was right there for both examples you pointed out 1) the pass to Grant which was intercepted (only 2nd TO for 47 minutes) was mostly on Grant (and Coach Fox went right to Grant to explain) since Grant froze and did not come back to the catch the ball sooner - thus allowing the defensive player to adjust and go around Grant to intercept. The last shot that Joel took at the buzzer (and got stuffed) was the only remaining option as the play was supposed to go to Andre - but he was overplayed on did not get the seal on his defender. No question Joel could at times make quicker passing decisions, but that was a play well defended.
Joel is unselfish to a fault. Needs to use a floater occasionally as even with a miss, it gives Andre/Lars/Sam/Grant an opportunity for a rebound/put back.

4thGenCal said:

---

KoreAmBear said:

---

4thGenCal said:

---

calumnus said:

---

KoreAmBear said:

---

calumnus said:

---

calumnus said:

---

HoopDreams said:

---

Sam's a hooper!

---

We needed a player to emerge this year, Alajiki is now officially that player

---

My starting 5:
Kelly
Anticevich
Celestine
Alajiki
Brown

---

Maybe Shepherd, who didn't have a great game. But Joel was rough today. I know he can do better than that, but he needs to lead the way as a PG.

---

Shepard today:
4 points 0 Reb 1 assist (2 of 5) 4 TOs 1 steal 5 fouls

Brown Today
4 points 5 Reb 7 Assists 1 of 7 (0 for 3) 1 steal 2 TOs 4 fouls

Tough, but Edge to Brown. I'd start Brown but bring in Shepard for him for offense and FT shooting at the end.

The Main thing is to never start them together in the back court again. One at a time only. Alajiki is a starter until further notice. Good on both sides of the court.

---

Tough game for Joel, shots were not dropping and he didnt finish on a couple of needed drives. However the critiques (not from you) are misplaced. JB was +9, gives consistent near max effort (47 minutes tonight), defensive is always solid, and is a threat in transition. Team has to have him in the game, as the team plays better with him in. Last game JB was outstanding, tonight was below expectations, but his effort remains a positive, along with his assist total, few turnovers and tough defense.

---

Good +/- but not always the best metric -- a lot of our offense today could be explained by tough lower percentage shots late in the possession. There is no question about Joel's heart, effort and character. Dude is a warrior and I really want him to do well as he stuck even after the coaching transition and that always will get credit from me. However, as he runs the offense there is too much dribbling to nowhere instead of initiating ball movement. On the last shot of regulation (or was it the first OT), he went iso when he should not have. There was one play when we nearly had it locked up in 2 OT he threw the ball to SUU (probably so he wouldn't get fouled) which gave them a little life. There is still a lot of erratic play in him. Hopefully he gets back to playing within himself and taking opportunities when they are there. When he does that, he definitely helps our team.

---

Fair points on Joel's excessive dribbling. I was right there for both examples you pointed out 1) the pass to Grant which was intercepted (only 2nd TO for 47 minutes) was mostly on Grant (and Coach Fox went right to Grant to explain) since Grant froze and did not come back to the catch the ball sooner - thus allowing the defensive player to adjust and go around Grant to intercept. The last shot that Joel took at the buzzer (and got stuffed) was the only remaining option as the play was supposed to go to Andre - but he was overplayed on did not get the seal on his defender. No question Joel could at times make quicker passing decisions, but that was a play well defended.
Joel is unselfish to a fault. Needs to use a floater occasionally as even with a miss, it gives Andre/Lars/Sam/Grant an opportunity for a rebound/put back.

---

Thanks for your post. And I appreciate you always respond with reason and civility which is refreshing lol.

Totally agree Joel is a completely unselfish player and that was from day 1. If he somehow developed a mid-range game or a floater that would literally be a game changer for him. People are playing off him knowing that he is going to the rim to get his points, but if he has other options look out. Btw, he wasn't the only one hung at the rim -- Shepherd and Grant both got met. That was some good rim protection by SUU.

I am excited about Kelly being more dominant in the paint. That will open things up for our shooters.

I won't place too much emphasis on our game v. Florida, but if we can learn how to compete with a team like that, I will be more optimistic about our outlook.

Brown is not a bad three shooter. Thats a positive.

oskidunker said:

---

Brown is not a bad three shooter. Thats a positive.

---

Weird how he's a better 3 pt shooter than he is a FT shooter (not by %, but you know what I mean). They showed him shooting FTs facing the TV camera last night and his mechanics are ever-so-slightly flawed, as he brings his elbow/forearm too far to the center right as he gets ready to release the ball.

I will admit to be one of the people who were very critical of Joel Brown on this thread. I know he plays very hard, is unselfish and a good athlete, but last night he just made me cringe too many times.

oskidunker said:

---

Brown is not a bad three shooter. Thats a positive.

---

Agreed, Its bizarre, but based on value/percentage, currently Joel shooting a 3 is a better deal than Joel shooting a free throw. I know this may sound crazy, but maybe Joel should stand back further from the foul line when he shoots his free throws.

calumnus said:

---

KoreAmBear said:

---

calumnus said:

---

calumnus said:

---

HoopDreams said:

---

Sam's a hooper!

---

We needed a player to emerge this year, Alajiki is now officially that player

---

My starting 5:
Kelly
Anticevich
Celestine
Alajiki
Brown

---

Maybe Shepherd, who didn't have a great game. But Joel was rough today. I know he can do better than that, but he needs to lead the way as a PG.

---

Shepard today:
4 points 0 Reb 1 assist (2 of 5) 4 TOs 1 steal 5 fouls

Brown Today
4 points 5 Reb 7 Assists 1 of 7 (0 for 3) 1 steal 2 TOs 4 fouls

Tough, but Edge to Brown. I'd start Brown but bring in Shepard for him for offense and FT shooting at the end.

The Main thing is to never start them together in the back court again. One at a time only. Alajiki is a starter until further notice. Good on both sides of the court.

---

Isn't this being unfair? To use the word, "never"?

Every player can have a bad game. Steph Curry has had plenty of them. The coach and the Cal team is just finding out who they are and what they can do.

Have you forgotten Shepherd's first game for Cal? He scored 27 points and the announcers were saying that he was Cal's best player. How quickly we forget. So now it's "What have you done for me lately?" Shepherd has had 2 pretty good games and 2 bad ones so far.

You have seen enough basketball to know that this is a game of matchups, both team and individual. Shepherd had his hands full vs Southern Utah, a team with two outstanding guards. They held one in check more or less, but Knight went off for 31 points. Not only that but SU went to a zone against Cal, and that took away the easier path to the basket, and forced Cal to take some more threes. You yourself pointed out before the season that Shepherd was not a good three point shooter, as I remember. He had an unusually good game against UCSD shooting the three, but that is likely an aberration. So maybe he should shoot threes less, or play less against some zones, but to say he should never start with Brown is too harsh. Shepherd is a proven scorer, but it is mostly on drives using mid- and short range shots. Shepherd does not play in a vacuum. His defenders and the opposing coaches will scheme ways to stop him, and the Cal team must find ways to get him open for his best looks.

Finally, who would you start in his place? We both like Celestine. He is a good defender, but if he is to start at either wing position, he must start scoring. He only takes one three per game. I've said before, we need more volume out of him. Alajiki had a very good game last night, but we (and Fox) are just finding out what he can do, and maybe what he shouldn't try to do. The last option for the shooting guard is Foreman. We know what he can do, but he has some limitations on defense and driving to the basket on offense. He will be valuable, but more likely to come in off the bench for some quick points. I think Fox is making the right call, starting Shepherd, a veteran, and seeing how Alajiki comes along. I don't see Hyder in the picture, unless Alajiki wins the small forward job.

graguna said:

---

SFCityBear said:

---

graguna said:

---

bearup said:

---

Sam A, 8 points 5 rebounds 2 steals 3 blocks

Play it again, Sam


GO BEARS!!!!

---

and most on this board thought he was a project and a mid major recruit

---

I was one of the few who wrote that I was impressed by his videotape, which showed a lot of energy and hustle, along with some offensive skills. I then heard his interview when he arrived and was impressed by his calm confidence about his skills, and wanting to play to make his team better. I think he could be a real find for Coach Fox.

---

Sam is giving me more confidence that maybe Fox does have a plan when it comes to recruiting to suit his style of play and is starting to get the type of players he wants.

i like Roberson a lot, Anyanwu as well. I also really like next years class. it seems most others don't.

Then again, I'm an optimist. Negativity will shorten your life.

---

Plus when you die you go To Negatory.

SFCityBear said:

---

graguna said:

---

bearup said:

---

Sam A, 8 points 5 rebounds 2 steals 3 blocks

Play it again, Sam


GO BEARS!!!!

---

and most on this board thought he was a project and a mid major recruit

---

I was one of the few who wrote that I was impressed by his videotape, which showed a lot of energy and hustle, along with some offensive skills. I then heard his interview when he arrived and was impressed by his calm confidence about his skills, and wanting to play to make his team better. I think he could be a real find for Coach Fox.

---

he had better post footwork in his freshmen year than most cal bigs have in their senior year

boykin was another one with great post footwork, but he transferred in after having more college experience

SFCityBear said:

---

graguna said:

---

bearup said:

---

Sam A, 8 points 5 rebounds 2 steals 3 blocks

Play it again, Sam


GO BEARS!!!!

---

and most on this board thought he was a project and a mid major recruit

---

I was one of the few who wrote that I was impressed by his videotape, which showed a lot of energy and hustle, along with some offensive skills. I then heard his interview when he arrived and was impressed by his calm confidence about his skills, and wanting to play to make his team better. I think he could be a real find for Coach Fox.

---

I bumped his commitment thread. Most here were impressed by his tape. Agree, Alajiki this year and Celestine last year were finds, hopefully there are a few more.