Lathans Land of the Lost
- Thread starter SBP
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Once the ball goes to the floor he’s in full Hyatt mode
He’s not overrated in the slightest. He’s just a freshman big.
Queen at Maryland is the exception, not the rule.
Queen at Maryland is the exception, not the rule.
I don’t think he’s overrated. Has clear offensive tools and footwork you don’t often see out of the 5 spot
That said, he’d be way better suited playing behind more polished bigs, letting the defensive principles and more disciplined offense come along slowly. Instead we’re forced to play him extended minutes as a frosh and the lack of big man options behind him means he’s allowed to play unchecked at times
That said, he’d be way better suited playing behind more polished bigs, letting the defensive principles and more disciplined offense come along slowly. Instead we’re forced to play him extended minutes as a frosh and the lack of big man options behind him means he’s allowed to play unchecked at times
But he looks lost and out of position so much, it can’t be a “freshman “ thing.
Lathan looks good for a freshman big
It's your expectations that are the issue
It's your expectations that are the issue
He's over rated only in his own head. I think he thinks he's on Dylan/Ace level. I think he's improving slowly though. He'll be ok down the road.
He’s very talented. He may be selfish but if he works hard he’s going to be really really good. He is a little selfish but he’s not alone there.
On contrare. Its HIS expectations. I didnt expect him to be an offense weapon, which he fancies himself. I expected him to simply play good defense, rebound, box ot, assist, facilitate.
spot on! Has four assists in nine games which is four more assists than I would have guessed.
because there is no accountablity. he knows he will at least split time with EO. remember the story of how he threatened to bolt if Pike brought in a center. Never seen a freshman have so much bravado despite lacking a complete game
Just confirmed it was your expectations
You must not have known much about Lathan if you didn't expect offense but did expect defense. It's the opposite of what you should have been expecting
Ha---True. I did see the ball come back out one time after going in to him.
All the fresh get anxious if they are in for a few minutes and havent gotten a shot (Harper included). Somerville the worst of the bunch, but while trying to get more offensive the concept of shot selction needs to be preached once in a while.
Lathan has exceeded my expectations but he is incredibly selfish, which is not always a bad thing on this team. I’d rather have him shoot than most others but he needs to know when to pass. He’ll find that if he passes a few times, things will actually open up for him…everyone knows where he’s going now…again, coaching.
Not our expectations, but Pikes. Pike chose to rely on Lathan to be a significant piece of the solution inside. We know that to be true, because he chose to overlook the problem all off season and did nothing about it, even though it was a glaring issue to most others. if these were really the expectations as you say, than clearly something should have been done to fix it.
Lathan is at least productive....8 PTS, 5 rebounds in 14 minutes....sure, he blew off making passes, but when you are clearly the better player than Ogbole and don't start, you force the kid into scoring mode when he gets into the game.
If you start him and he makes the dive to the basket that Ogbole made, that's 10 points and 5 boards. He also would let the flow of the game come to him and teams would have to defend Ace and Dylan differently.
You can literally hide Dylan Grant as the 5th scoring option and let him get used to the defensive rotations, with Ace, Dylan and Lathan. The lack of imagination or not carving out clear and defined/simple roles by Pike and staff, are really shocking to me.
Lathan is more advanced than Myles Johnson, Cliff and other bigs.....
Dylan Grant, with no consistent minutes, tracks better than Mag and Eugene did as frosh or sophomores....Dortch is also better than both players in their time as freshman, just strictly based on game tape in HS.
Defense has to be learned by playing as starters, with your primary players. Let's learn through the mistakes and live with the upside and results. At least bet on the upside or talent.
If you start him and he makes the dive to the basket that Ogbole made, that's 10 points and 5 boards. He also would let the flow of the game come to him and teams would have to defend Ace and Dylan differently.
You can literally hide Dylan Grant as the 5th scoring option and let him get used to the defensive rotations, with Ace, Dylan and Lathan. The lack of imagination or not carving out clear and defined/simple roles by Pike and staff, are really shocking to me.
Lathan is more advanced than Myles Johnson, Cliff and other bigs.....
Dylan Grant, with no consistent minutes, tracks better than Mag and Eugene did as frosh or sophomores....Dortch is also better than both players in their time as freshman, just strictly based on game tape in HS.
Defense has to be learned by playing as starters, with your primary players. Let's learn through the mistakes and live with the upside and results. At least bet on the upside or talent.
In 18.8 mpg, this freshman big (how many times have we said that it takes freshmen big longer to develop?) is averaging 8.1 ppg, on on .522 shooting percentage and .80 on free throws, and averaging 4.1 boards in those 18.8 minutes, leading the team in blocks, by far, with 9, and has committed a grand total of 4 turnovers in 169 minutes. And YES, he is still learning the game! Who does that surprise?
Offensively he is good but his court awareness, defense and rebounding is just awful. He will make a tough shot and then give up an easy one on the next play
Think Ogbole has really shown improved bball skills in Vegas and today. A good sign.
Gotta stop the me shoot first ethos that has developed. Yes the D is a problem but offensive concept also needs to be there.
Gotta stop the me shoot first ethos that has developed. Yes the D is a problem but offensive concept also needs to be there.
I like EO and the improvement he’s made thanks to the coaching. He and Lathan can make an effective 1-2. Totally different skill sets. Who is 1 and 2 doesn’t really matter.
Then you didn’t watch any of his tape. He was an offensive big , who could put the ball on the floor, drive and also step out and hit a three. Not sure what you watched. He is a frosh , trying too hard to prove his offensive prowess and finding resistance for the first time. He has to let game come to him and also learn to pass out when doubled or his drive is not there and he has to continue to improve defensively and rebounding , which I think he will as the year goes on but maybe not the great improvement until next year.
Lathan is a piece to build around. When is the last time we had a frosh center who could score like him?
I'd say comparatively, maybe Rashod Kent. The center position doesn't mean as much now, so scoring center not that important, but Kent wasn't exactly a center, so the comp works. I'd be happy if Lathan is a double double guy by the end of his career. Maybe an Ollie Bailey? All smaller guys, but played same role.
He is lost on defense. If he was even competent he would be our starter.
I don't see him as selfish. He is a pretty good 3 point shooter yet he passes up open looks all the time.
Ace isn’t on Aces level if we’re talking about overrated let’s start there
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