Top of the key. A drive to the left. A crossover right (and vice versa). Pull jump jumper 10-15 feet. Good. The last time that a player deja vu'd us like that was Miles Simon; 1997 championship game. Miles kept getting in the lane and shooting those freakin' jumpers. I wanted to tackle him or was hoping that one of our guys would have (just kidding. I don't like game violence.ha) That is the same move that Smooth used to beat teams last year (Smooth would have been good for this team, but I like to keep my eyes forward...Liggins or Galloway could evolve). If you are quick enough laterally, this is a shot that you should keep in your quiver.
I really hope that Porter can stay with Downey and at least persuade (maybe he could talk him out of it) him to give up the ball. I know that Porter is not fast enough or quick enough, but maybe he can keep him on his toes. (hmmmm...not sure how...but you never know.)
What South Carolina brings to the table is athleticism. That has been their staple for the past five years at least (I have been married for a little of five years and Nina's family lives in Columbia...and that is where I finished my degree). The problem has been that there has been no structure to bring that athleticism to a head, to really see what it can do. Here is a philosophy that I live by and I thank it would behoove everyone to think this way (not being arrogant I promise..just listen).
If one has a gift, let's say music, and that person is able to sing with no vocal lessons, and they are very good, that is great. But they have a talent but no understanding of the discipline of singing; why there are half notes and such. Now, take a person who is marginally good and they take vocal lessons for years and after a good many years they have learned the art of singing, but they become very good... The marginally talented can be as good as the gifted with understanding of discipline. They go on to get a record deal and both of them (the gifted and the learned) could be on the charts, and yet seemingly equal. Here is the kicker, take that person who is very good with out lessons and teach them the art of vocal discipline and what you have it something great, wonderful, and legendary.
This is why your mid-majors beat Lordly Major Division I teams...they understood the value of discipline with talnet. Teams that have players that no one wanted to recruit are beating teams with 5 or 6 McD's AA. Passion without understading is unstable, unfaithful and volitale, but passion inside relationship is intimacy, fidelity and life long commitment....I know you did come to get a lesson on love or philosophy, but my point is that Coach Horn may have the discipline to make South Carolina a GREAT basketball school. What determines greatness (longevity) is recruiting and equipping. We will see.
On that same theme, you give a player like Jodie discipline and passion and well now you have yourself a very gifted SCORER. I was watching a few games last week and one of the announcers was talking about one of the quick guards and he said something like, "Now, he can go for 20 or 30 a game, that is what kind of great scorer that he is.." My first thought was, "We don't know what Jodie's ceiling is." I mean he went for 54, but if the guys get him the ball a little more he could have went for 60! 99.9% of the players in college or the NBA don't have the kind of ability. On a great night when the stars are aligned and the "Conditions are Purfect! (flight of the concords qoute!) a player may go for 30 or 40...once or twice...but Jodie has hit 35+ 5x's, 40+2x, and 50+once. All this while shooting 46% from the field and 42% from the free throw line. And he is on the verge of breaking Travis Ford's record for most threes in a season, 101!
I remember that season of Ford's...He shot 53% for the year. Travis used to do this fast break 3 that I loved (and still do) to mimic. He would race down the court, get to the 3 point line, plant his feet, jump/lean forward (with the toes almost on the floor...just to let the ref know that it was a three), and let the momentum of his speed take the ball toward the rim as he drops his wrist. BOOM! So pretty! That shot used to bring me out of my chair every time. But in all fairness, as great a shooter as Travis was he had a lot of help...Jamal Mashburn. Travis had a lot of shots and lot of chances to shoot because of the attention that Jamal would get. Want proof? Jamal goes to the NBA and Travis's 3 point percentage drops to a paltry 42% the next season...what a joke! LOL.
I really believe if the Cats come out in this game armed with Porter, Meeks, Miller, Perry, and Pat Pat they will have there best chance to win. Ramon would be a great 6th man. He plays great defense and is good for a few points and rebounds. A.J. could be the answer for a 2nd power forward, he can score and is athletic. Liggins and Galloway would be great spark plugs. I would really like to see Harrellson step up and be a power forward threat, but he just hasn't established himself. I see him being someone who has the light come on next season....I believe that he has two more years of eligibility. He will be a force, in time.
Tomorrows game will not disappoint, but I wouldn't feel bad it the Cats "beat the fire" out of the Gamecocks. They are my Alma mater, but my heart belongs Kentucky. Go Blue. Let's hope the Darius comes out of swinging for the fence. "Felt wrong not to swing!" (Joaquin Phoenix, Signs).
Posts
