The Truth about this team

[lakejj]

Yes Myles Johnson is my all time favorite player…sorry Geo if you are reading this.

I had a man crush on Myles... he broke my heart on that Houston dunk tho...

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

I had a man crush on Myles... he broke my heart on that Houston dunk tho...

He was hurt that game

 

[zappaa]

This is the most talented team Rutgers has had in the banks since I started religiously watching them in 1998.

No team is close.

And this negativity needs to stop.

Our two super frosh are the two best players to wear a RU uni since 98. And it’s not close. Not RHJ, Douby, Geo, Corey come close to matching either of these two skill sets.

But I don’t think that’s in question. It’s the supporting cast that has everyone worried.

It’s been 4.5 games.

Since 98 let’s compare our roster up and down to the best we’ve had the last 26 years.

And lets start with coaching. Who have we had that’s a better coach then pike. Waters, maybe, I guess, someone could make an argument, but not close imo. And no one else is within earshot. In pike I trust.

Martini-seems to be a physical PF, and someone content to be a role player. He’ll get the tough rebound and lose ball, is good around the rim and for a big man a very good shooter. Only player I can compare him to is is Kent, who yeah I’d prefer for this team, but he’s on his level. The other guy i can think of is that guy with the crazy hair from the same time frame. Can’t remember his name, we loved him because he was different not for his game. Martini better then him.

Jordan - let’s be honest here. Isn’t he sort of everything we always wanted Paul to be.

PJ /acuff - best comp for both is Cam. Cam was better, but who else have we had, Webb (loved him), billet who was a role player but forced into a top of the rotation role, these current guys are both better then them.

My only real concern is our bigs.

Somerville - who as a fresh I think cliff and Myles (loved him too) were better. And LS seems to be more of a 4 than a 5. LS is a different type of big, I don’t know if this is gonna hurt. EO- I don’t know. He’s big. Gonna have to trust coaching staff here.

Jamichael - as far as a comp goes JY, no doubt. I’ll admit it, I am still pissed about how Jacob young was used durning his time on the banks. JY was way way better. But Ja’s only comp is JY and that’s saying something.

Williams, who I think is a good player, I’m worried about him. Just seems like a square peg in a round hole for this squad. I think he is most similar to that Canadian who went to OR. And I didn’t like him as a a player either.

What we don’t have is a defensive specialist. No caleb. And I don’t care. As a defensive player I thought he would make it on the next level, but he didn’t because the modern game is all about offense.

But you put this all together, ladies and gentlemen, we have the best all around talent we have had on the banks in the last 25 years+.

Let’s not NY this thing and get all negative about not killing some lower level team. Or if we do lose some games in Nov or December, let’s act like we’ve been here before and have the Yankees/Duke type of attitude that this team will be rounding into form when it matters most in March.

Root any way you want, be an optimistic fan if that’s you, be a pessimistic fan if that’s you.
Enjoy the ride if you please or worry yourself to a frazzle if that’s you..

 

[BillyC80]

Stop comparing the player. On this roster who helps us more.

Ask in a different way…..
Add Myles what does that do to opp FG%?
Lose Ace what does that do to your fg%?

I loved having Myles here. My problem with these comparisons is that statistics don’t tell the whole story.

For example, how many minutes did Myles play? How many times did he have to be pulled off the court after 2 quick fouls in the first half?

My point is, a player can’t help when he’s not on the court. And if he only plays 20 minutes because of foul trouble or lack of stamina, you can’t just double his stats and claim he’s the greatest ever on a “per 40-minute basis.”

And you definitely can’t “swap” a 24-minute player with a 32-minute player, and claim the other 8 minutes don’t count toward the outcome.

You should factor in the time he had to sit, leaving the rest of the team to plug the hole he left.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Lets hope we get better with interior defense…whether it is Ogbole, sommerville or Ace. If we improve significantly then Myles wouldnt be as valuable.

 

[FinalFourOrBust]

so he was good enough to anchor our defense to two consecutive tournament caliber teams, but we should remember him for the year he was less valuable outside of Pikes scheme than how valuable he was while in it. I think we are starting to show other players who aren’t quite as valuable to other programs as to our own.

You have trouble following conversations I see

 

[High Quality H2O]

You have trouble following conversations I see

Hall of fame retort bro.

 

[RUfan1977]

We have 2 elite offensive players. I said on this team i would trade either one straight up for Myles. I also said if i had only 1 of Harper or Ace i wouldn't make the trade.

Having Myles would/could solve almost all of our defensive problems. Losing Ace or Dylan would be a modest hit to our offense. Both of them can score outside the confines of a structured offense. I dont think there is a ton of added value to each other with their presence on the court.

If you only have one elite offensive player, it’s easier to game plan against him. Two makes it harder and if you only have one, the other team can go on a run if your star is fatigued or in foul trouble. Speaking of foul trouble, I seem to remember that Myles would constantly get in foul trouble and have to come out. I thought Pikiel got a lot out of Myles and in his prime he would have greatly helped this team, I think Pikiel will get a lot out of Sommerville and Martini. Hopefully he will also get something out of Ogbole.