Well said Nick. Feels like the coaches and the AD failed the students here, continuing to employ a coach that the book had been written on by the end of year 3.
as you said, Brown and 2K were extremely gracious in the post game, but I've come to expect that from them. Two high character men (among their other talents). Both were aggressive in their last game at Haas in a Cal uniform, and we almost beat WSU because of it. The difference between our team and WSU is their 6*11 future NBA PF/C. When he was on the court, WSU was better. When he was off the court, Cal was better.
Near the end of the game, there were 5 baskets that didn't fall for us which was extremely frustrating because they were all great shots, and just rolled or rattled off. The other big difference was their FT shooting, as we actually out shot them.
Brown never developed a reliable shot, although he improved this season as he obviously put in a lot of work in the offseason, but he also improved his ball handling this season. In prior seasons he only went one speed and either ran out of runway, or put up a bad shot as he sped toward the basket. This year, he got into the paint, but stopped, pivoted, scored with a hook layup that he developed, and passed the ball.
In the WSU game he showed his entire package, and beat his defender anytime he wanted. He won't be able to do that against all defenders, but it shows what he could have been given the opportunity to play more aggressively and faster.
2K showed potential since his freshmen year with his length and defensive quickness. But when he drove the basket he was all arms and legs. He's also improved each year, but would sometimes disappear. This season he was more aggressive and as the season progressed became more and more assertive. He still needs to improve his pull up jumper, and tighten his handle, but he has still has the highest upside as a high D1 player.
Lars was a big slow player who would make silly fouls his freshmen year. Still I thought he had potential as a 7 footer with some flashes as I thought he'd be a lot better after strengthening his lower body (so he could move and jump better). He improved each year to the point that he became our starting center. Even I didn't expect that. He developed several reliable post moves, greatly improved his strength, defense, rebounding and shooting, including FTs, and no longer made silly fouls. Yes, he had poor hands, but part of it was players making passes that they should have understood were not going to be successful for him.
Hyder probably was never going to be more than a role player, but he stayed with the team and contributed in its unity and from behind the scenes. These roles can be very important to a team's success, especially with such adversity of the last several years.
Clayton made us better, even when his shot didn't go down. Unfortunately he played healthy in so few games that he probably never got into his rhythm, or even got his legs underneath him
Congrates to all 5 for graduating. That's shows a lot right there.
Thanks for representing Cal. I'll remember those great moments from each of you.
100% agree about failing Joel Brown’s development. Beyond the mismatched offense, I could not understand why Askew ran the point as the main ball handler to initiate the offense with Joel on the wing at the start of the season. This was another misuse of Brown.
Well said Nick. Feels like the coaches and the AD failed the students here, continuing to employ a coach that the book had been written on by the end of year 3.
as you said, Brown and 2K were extremely gracious in the post game, but I've come to expect that from them. Two high character men (among their other talents). Both were aggressive in their last game at Haas in a Cal uniform, and we almost beat WSU because of it. The difference between our team and WSU is their 6*11 future NBA PF/C. When he was on the court, WSU was better. When he was off the court, Cal was better.
Near the end of the game, there were 5 baskets that didn't fall for us which was extremely frustrating because they were all great shots, and just rolled or rattled off. The other big difference was their FT shooting, as we actually out shot them.
Brown never developed a reliable shot, although he improved this season as he obviously put in a lot of work in the offseason, but he also improved his ball handling this season. In prior seasons he only went one speed and either ran out of runway, or put up a bad shot as he sped toward the basket. This year, he got into the paint, but stopped, pivoted, scored with a hook layup that he developed, and passed the ball.
In the WSU game he showed his entire package, and beat his defender anytime he wanted. He won't be able to do that against all defenders, but it shows what he could have been given the opportunity to play more aggressively and faster.
2K showed potential since his freshmen year with his length and defensive quickness. But when he drove the basket he was all arms and legs. He's also improved each year, but would sometimes disappear. This season he was more aggressive and as the season progressed became more and more assertive. He still needs to improve his pull up jumper, and tighten his handle, but he has still has the highest upside as a high D1 player.
Lars was a big slow player who would make silly fouls his freshmen year. Still I thought he had potential as a 7 footer with some flashes as I thought he'd be a lot better after strengthening his lower body (so he could move and jump better). He improved each year to the point that he became our starting center. Even I didn't expect that. He developed several reliable post moves, greatly improved his strength, defense, rebounding and shooting, including FTs, and no longer made silly fouls. Yes, he had poor hands, but part of it was players making passes that they should have understood were not going to be successful for him.
Hyder probably was never going to be more than a role player, but he stayed with the team and contributed in its unity and from behind the scenes. These roles can be very important to a team's success, especially with such adversity of the last several years.
Clayton made us better, even when his shot didn't go down. Unfortunately he played healthy in so few games that he probably never got into his rhythm, or even got his legs underneath him
Congrates to all 5 for graduating. That's shows a lot right there.
Thanks for representing Cal. I'll remember those great moments from each of you.
It was a good run.
Cal failed them miserably. But not UC Berkeley, whose degrees will still give them a bright future.
100% agree about failing Joel Brown’s development. Beyond the mismatched offense, I could not understand why Askew ran the point as the main ball handler to initiate the offense with Joel on the wing at the start of the season. This was another misuse of Brown.
The only question I want answered is when will Fox get fired? Hopefully sooner than later.
Can we fire Fox already
Very well written, Nick.
Just feel sadness over what transpired with these kids during their playing careers here.