There's almost zero chance Jones would be fired during the season. He'd have to do something Pitino-bad to have that happen to him.
That's about right. However, I'd say that your VERY BAD START probably needs to include a serious crisis around cheating, abuse, etc. Not related to on court performance. As for your next two, effectively the same result, but the top of that means going 8-11 this season, which probably moves them into next tier territory.calbear80 said:
Here is how I see things for the guy Mike Williams hired as MBB "coach" for the upcoming season
. Very Bad Start (on top of everything that has been happening with the team in the last 16 months): Gone before the end of December.
. Bad Start (bottom three in Pac-12): Gone by February (although may not be announced publicly().
. Lower half of Pac-12 After 2-17 Pac-12 Record Last Year (overall Pac-12 record of around 10-28):: Gone when the season ends.
* Middle Upper Half of Pac-12: Depends on the new AD and Chancellor and their priorities.
*Upper 1/3 of Pac-12: Gets a third year.
*17-2 in Pac-12: I will make a $100,000 + donation to the Cal Athletic Department because this guy's overall Pac-12 record has reached .500 (don'tworry about me, my money is very safe, extremely safe).
* Don't worry. This is NOT going to happen.
Go Bears!
At the risk of committing the unmentionable sin of quoting my own quote (heretofore the exclusive property of Shlocky and ConcordTom, I believe) . . .BeachedBear said:That's about right. However, I'd say that your VERY BAD START probably needs to include a serious crisis around cheating, abuse, etc. Not related to on court performance. As for your next two, effectively the same result, but the top of that means going 8-11 this season, which probably moves them into next tier territory.calbear80 said:
Here is how I see things for the guy Mike Williams hired as MBB "coach" for the upcoming season
. Very Bad Start (on top of everything that has been happening with the team in the last 16 months): Gone before the end of December.
. Bad Start (bottom three in Pac-12): Gone by February (although may not be announced publicly().
. Lower half of Pac-12 After 2-17 Pac-12 Record Last Year (overall Pac-12 record of around 10-28):: Gone when the season ends.
* Middle Upper Half of Pac-12: Depends on the new AD and Chancellor and their priorities.
*Upper 1/3 of Pac-12: Gets a third year.
*17-2 in Pac-12: I will make a $100,000 + donation to the Cal Athletic Department because this guy's overall Pac-12 record has reached .500 (don'tworry about me, my money is very safe, extremely safe).
* Don't worry. This is NOT going to happen.
Go Bears!
Middle Upper Half. Here is where it gets interesting. I agree it is unlikely (maybe not impossible). My guess is it really depends on who the AD can find during this time to replace Jones (if he's not looking, then he's not our guy as AD IMHO). If he has someone SIGNIFICANTLY better, I think Jones is gone. If not, Jones stays another year. This is really where a lot of the ranting is silly, because no one has come up with a reasonable alternative. Not that I expect them to, but the AD is paid to find these guys.
I also agree that upper 1/3 and your donation pledge are extremely unlikely.
That seems reasonable and the proper approach. But, as much as I'd like to be wrong, I think that is a strategy for HOPE. Not a strategy for SUCCESS. He should get his year to pull off a miracle and show that he can coach. But so far, the indications are that he is a real nice guy who is not even average at any aspect of collegiate coaching.Big C said:
This team looks destined to go 5-13 or 6-12 in conference. At that point, whether WJ survives to Year Three will depend on...
a) how does recruiting seem to be going
b) how is the esprit de corps of the players on the current roster
If both of the above seem to be strong, we go to Year Three, demanding a better W/L record.
BeachedBear said:That seems reasonable and the proper approach. But, as much as I'd like to be wrong, I think that is a strategy for HOPE. Not a strategy for SUCCESS. He should get his year to pull off a miracle and show that he can coach. But so far, the indications are that he is a real nice guy who is not even average at any aspect of collegiate coaching.Big C said:
This team looks destined to go 5-13 or 6-12 in conference. At that point, whether WJ survives to Year Three will depend on...
a) how does recruiting seem to be going
b) how is the esprit de corps of the players on the current roster
If both of the above seem to be strong, we go to Year Three, demanding a better W/L record.
Yes, the deck was stacked against him. Yes, he may have been the best that Williams could have gotten. But demanding a better record in year three seems to delay the obvious. He either knows how to build a program (which he has never demonstrated) or he doesn't - which all evidence suggests is the case.
This seems a bit much, don't you think? This type of personal attack on Jones undermines your credibility. Your three points would apply to just about any person at or near the top of any organization chart. Also, your facts are a little confusing and seem to indicate your passion has the better of your reason (Which happens to most Cal fans).calbear80 said:BeachedBear said:That seems reasonable and the proper approach. But, as much as I'd like to be wrong, I think that is a strategy for HOPE. Not a strategy for SUCCESS. He should get his year to pull off a miracle and show that he can coach. But so far, the indications are that he is a real nice guy who is not even average at any aspect of collegiate coaching.Big C said:
This team looks destined to go 5-13 or 6-12 in conference. At that point, whether WJ survives to Year Three will depend on...
a) how does recruiting seem to be going
b) how is the esprit de corps of the players on the current roster
If both of the above seem to be strong, we go to Year Three, demanding a better W/L record.
Yes, the deck was stacked against him. Yes, he may have been the best that Williams could have gotten. But demanding a better record in year three seems to delay the obvious. He either knows how to build a program (which he has never demonstrated) or he doesn't - which all evidence suggests is the case.
+1
Except, I am not sure about the "real nice guy" part.
Would a "real nice guy" keep $5,000,000 taken from someone else and given to him undeservedly by his buddy or would a "real nice guy" give at least some of it back?
Would a "real nice guy" promise a four year college scholarship to a couple of minority high school kids and bring them all the way across the country only to try to take away those scholarships from them less than a year later?
Would a "real nice guy" kick one of the few seniors (another minority) off the team under questionable circumstances without much explanation?
Go Bears!
Damn. Just when I thought you were attempting to be reasonable, you post a bunch of insipid, mean-spirited drivel. To your "points":calbear80 said:BeachedBear said:That seems reasonable and the proper approach. But, as much as I'd like to be wrong, I think that is a strategy for HOPE. Not a strategy for SUCCESS. He should get his year to pull off a miracle and show that he can coach. But so far, the indications are that he is a real nice guy who is not even average at any aspect of collegiate coaching.Big C said:
This team looks destined to go 5-13 or 6-12 in conference. At that point, whether WJ survives to Year Three will depend on...
a) how does recruiting seem to be going
b) how is the esprit de corps of the players on the current roster
If both of the above seem to be strong, we go to Year Three, demanding a better W/L record.
Yes, the deck was stacked against him. Yes, he may have been the best that Williams could have gotten. But demanding a better record in year three seems to delay the obvious. He either knows how to build a program (which he has never demonstrated) or he doesn't - which all evidence suggests is the case.
+1
Except, I am not sure about the "real nice guy" part.
Would a "real nice guy" keep $5,000,000 taken from someone else and given to him undeservedly by his buddy or would a "real nice guy" give at least some of it back?
Would a "real nice guy" promise a four year college scholarship to a couple of minority high school kids and bring them all the way across the country only to try to take away those scholarships from them less than a year later?
Would a "real nice guy" kick one of the few seniors (another minority) off the team under questionable circumstances without much explanation?
Go Bears!
AunBear89 said:
calbear80 ... I'm guessing Wyking stole his girlfriend in high school or something.
calbear80 said:
Enough said.
AunBear89 said:
calbear80 ... I'm guessing Wyking stole his girlfriend in high school or something.
calbear80 said:AunBear89 said:
calbear80 ... I'm guessing Wyking stole his girlfriend in high school or something.
No, the guy who Mike Williams hired as MBB "coach" took away pride and respect from my beloved Cal basketball team.
. 2-17 (worst ever in the California history) in Pac-12
. Dead last in Pac-12
. Most losses ever in Pac-12
. Most losses ever in one season
. Most embarrassing double digit losses ever
Enough said.
Bring Back Respect To Cal Basketball!
Go Bears!
For many years, my wife and I commuted together on BART to work and back each day. To her chagrin, I was the guy that would always engage the downtrodden people, when the entire crowd would not even acknowledge their existence. Despite our merits and shortcomings, we are ALL human. Even the most loathsome deserve some human discourse.AunBear89 said:
calbear80 has no credibility to undermine. Each post he makes only serves to confirm that he is a one trick pony with an ax or two to grind. I'm guessing Wyking stole his girlfriend in high school or something.
It is good to read all your comments from personal experience watching practice and getting to know Wyking Jones. Very positive, and thanks.4thGenCal said:
Factual and solid post, to judge WJ on last season is simply unfair and unreasonable. No coach would have done much different, given the lack of an point guard, inexperience, and below average talent. I have gotten to know coach well and if he is given his 3rd year of his contract, I believe we will see an upper division conference team that will be playing in the post season.
Watching a recent practice, a few observations: team will be noticeably better (though still an 9th place team due to very limited/undersized front court), team chemistry much better, better hands on coaching from the new key assistants in Wilson and Grace. Coach is much more comfortable in his role and having his own assistants (versus the situation he inherited) will result in trust, consistent approach and much better results.
The weakness is lack of consistent outside shooting - Dyson, McNeil, Austin are excellent athletes, but erratic shooters. Sueling is noticeably stronger/quicker and has slightly upgraded his outside shot.
Turning around a program that was left in shambles and becoming a post season contender usually takes 3 seasons and reasonable basketball followers understand this. Go Bears!
Isn't this the really tall skinny guy who averaged less than 2 points per game and looked really slow in his video? Let's not pretend like we just lost Hakeem Olajuwon or something. Losing the HS kid to Reno was a kick in the sack. This? Meh.KoreAmBear said:All these big man disappointments are hard to remember.OneKeg said:We're talking about Matz Stockman, who first played at Louisville, then transferred to Minnesota where he sat out last season (2017-2018) with the Gophers. He said he was coming to Cal publicly. But now he's going to remain at Minnesota. As of today, Tue. Aug. 7th.concordtom said:
It wasn't Minnesota.
But yeah, he returned to his original school.
Are you thinking about the other grad transfer, the really good one, from the mid-major that was considering Cal, but just decided to stay and never publicly said he was going to come to Cal?
That was the old big man transfer disappointment. This is the new big man transfer disappointment, just breaking today.
(Separate from the Jordan Brown/Charles Bassey big man disappointments).
coach Jones might want to try to win on the court of public opinion as he loses on the court itself.4thGenCal said:
Factual and solid post, to judge WJ on last season is simply unfair and unreasonable. No coach would have done much different, given the lack of an point guard, inexperience, and below average talent. I have gotten to know coach well and if he is given his 3rd year of his contract, I believe we will see an upper division conference team that will be playing in the post season.
Watching a recent practice, a few observations: team will be noticeably better (though still an 9th place team due to very limited/undersized front court), team chemistry much better, better hands on coaching from the new key assistants in Wilson and Grace. Coach is much more comfortable in his role and having his own assistants (versus the situation he inherited) will result in trust, consistent approach and much better results.
The weakness is lack of consistent outside shooting - Dyson, McNeil, Austin are excellent athletes, but erratic shooters. Sueling is noticeably stronger/quicker and has slightly upgraded his outside shot.
Turning around a program that was left in shambles and becoming a post season contender usually takes 3 seasons and reasonable basketball followers understand this. Go Bears!
You may have given up the sauce, but it seems you are drinking the Kool-Aid now. While I don't share your optimism, I appreciate that you are excited about the upcoming season. I wish I was.SFCityBear said:
I guess I'd say I won't predict anything, but I am getting a little juiced about this season coming up. (And I gave up the sauce years ago, so my getting juiced here is all about Cal basketball)
If you what you are trying to sell is that Cal will play in the style of Louisville, the less said the better.concordtom said:coach Jones might want to try to win on the court of public opinion as he loses on the court itself.4thGenCal said:
Factual and solid post, to judge WJ on last season is simply unfair and unreasonable. No coach would have done much different, given the lack of an point guard, inexperience, and below average talent. I have gotten to know coach well and if he is given his 3rd year of his contract, I believe we will see an upper division conference team that will be playing in the post season.
Watching a recent practice, a few observations: team will be noticeably better (though still an 9th place team due to very limited/undersized front court), team chemistry much better, better hands on coaching from the new key assistants in Wilson and Grace. Coach is much more comfortable in his role and having his own assistants (versus the situation he inherited) will result in trust, consistent approach and much better results.
The weakness is lack of consistent outside shooting - Dyson, McNeil, Austin are excellent athletes, but erratic shooters. Sueling is noticeably stronger/quicker and has slightly upgraded his outside shot.
Turning around a program that was left in shambles and becoming a post season contender usually takes 3 seasons and reasonable basketball followers understand this. Go Bears!
He could do this by advertising his hard work on the recruiting trail (while not discussing names), or by sharing more workouts and developments.
He could more broadly pitch his tactics.
I imagine someone will say, "you'd know if you were an insider", and if he thinks that's working for him, then god bless him.
As for me, I haven't heard or seen him since our last loss.
I can see getting jazzed about the offense, with a new point and guys who can shoot. But there is very little I expect from the frosh on defense, or without experienced bigs, and we be getting killed on the boards as well. Surprised to see anything over 10 wins and a last place (or second to last) finish in conference. Not getting me juiced about wins.SFCityBear said:It is good to read all your comments from personal experience watching practice and getting to know Wyking Jones. Very positive, and thanks.4thGenCal said:
Factual and solid post, to judge WJ on last season is simply unfair and unreasonable. No coach would have done much different, given the lack of an point guard, inexperience, and below average talent. I have gotten to know coach well and if he is given his 3rd year of his contract, I believe we will see an upper division conference team that will be playing in the post season.
Watching a recent practice, a few observations: team will be noticeably better (though still an 9th place team due to very limited/undersized front court), team chemistry much better, better hands on coaching from the new key assistants in Wilson and Grace. Coach is much more comfortable in his role and having his own assistants (versus the situation he inherited) will result in trust, consistent approach and much better results.
The weakness is lack of consistent outside shooting - Dyson, McNeil, Austin are excellent athletes, but erratic shooters. Sueling is noticeably stronger/quicker and has slightly upgraded his outside shot.
Turning around a program that was left in shambles and becoming a post season contender usually takes 3 seasons and reasonable basketball followers understand this. Go Bears!
Any coach needs to have all his own assistants and all his own players in place for a year or two to be fairly judged. Last season Jones had a few of Cuonzo's players (one who was hard to control) and he will have one Cuonzo player, Roman Davis, through this season and next season as well. So I think it could take 4 years for Cal to be really good and challenge for the PAC12 title. I base that on the fact that Cal has a very thin front court, and it usually takes big players until their junior season to contribute a lot. That is Cal's big weakness. Unless freshmen Vanover and Kelly are unusually mature for their age, or unless we see a breakthrough from Davis or Anticevich, this is going to be a struggle to protect the basket, guard the big posts in the half court, and be competitive on the boards. That being said, I don't like using a full court press with young inexperienced players, but I think this season is a better season to try it than it was last season. Last season, we had the conference's best shot blocker, Okoroh, along with Lee, so there was no real danger of getting killed inside in the half court, so trying a full court press was risky and it failed. But this year we have nothing but question marks and hope inside, and it would seem worth the risk to play small and press full court, to keep ourselves out of having to defend all game long in the half-court.
I don't see shooting as being the weakness it was last year. I don't agree on Dyson being erratic (I think he hasn't shown he can shoot at all). As far as McNeill goes, he was not erratic last season, IMO. He had two distinct seasons the first 17 games, where he shot threes at 46%, which is excellent, and last 15 games, where he shot threes at 28%. He was a freshman, not used to playing point guard, and I think he hit a wall in the PAC12, like freshman can do. Not to mention the distractions with Coleman, and the losing games. It is a long season, and the pressure builds as the season goes along. I also noticed that he shot a lot more threes in the last 15 games (112) vs the first 17 games (78). Perhaps the coaches were urging him to shoot more given all the losing games. McNeill should be more consistent in both halves of the season this season, as sophomores usually are. What I would question is will he be as good a shooter without having the ball, and having to wait for someone else to pass it to him? Can he catch and shoot?
Coleman is gone, and he was not a good shooter. We've added Gordon, Bradley, and Kelly, all of whom look good shooting in their videos. All three of these players look like they can shoot inside and outside, and in the midrange area. It remains to see if they can do it against experienced D1 players guarding them. I am also interesting in seeing James Zhao, who was the star shooter on China's Under 17 National team a few years ago. He averaged 22 points and several assists over the first 4 games in the U17 World Championships, until he ran into a superior USA team, which focused on stopping him, and held him to 11 points.
As for Paris Austin, erratic shooting is typical of many good point guards. From his videos, it looks like he can quarterback a team, make decisions, start plays, penetrate, and set up his teammates for easy buckets. That is what I care about most, not whether he can shoot. His videos show a dazzling array of no-look passes, a la Jerome Randle's high school videos, so my one question about him now is can he play defense?
I guess I'd say I won't predict anything, but I am getting a little juiced about this season coming up. (And I gave up the sauce years ago, so my getting juiced here is all about Cal basketball)
Agree. Taking a 2-win conference team, losing leading scorer & our two experienced big men doesn't seem like a recipe for success.wifeisafurd said:
I can see getting jazzed about the offense, with a new point and guys who can shoot. But there is very little I expect from the frosh on defense, or without experienced bigs, and we be getting killed on the boards as well. Surprised to see anything over 10 wins and a last place (or second to last) finish in conference. Not getting me juiced about wins.
Good thought. Perhaps I should not have said "juiced", as I'm more than a little interested, but not yet "optimistic," or "excited."UCBerkGrad said:You may have given up the sauce, but it seems you are drinking the Kool-Aid now. While I don't share your optimism, I appreciate that you are excited about the upcoming season. I wish I was.SFCityBear said:
I guess I'd say I won't predict anything, but I am getting a little juiced about this season coming up. (And I gave up the sauce years ago, so my getting juiced here is all about Cal basketball)