Emoni Bates

[Sean Miller Fan]

The problem is two fold:

1) Is on the grass roots level right? Where it all starts and these "entourages" and hangers on, AAU coaches, street agents all essentially pimp these kids out. As I mentioned last week, the 1981 McDonald's All American team, 17 of the 24 kids all attended their local public HS's. Last year, 17 of the 24 kids all attended some prep/basketball factory. So obviously the exchange of money and goods etc...is happening at an early age to get these kids at these schools.

2) Then the college level. I am not against paying the players something, but you have the complications of Title IX and what do you pay a bench player vs a star vs a non revenue athlete vs a female non revenue athlete. And the NCAA being the feckless organization it is, just punted on this admittedly complex issue and let it become the Wild Wild West with NIL basically becoming legalized cheating.

I find it hard to believe that 7 of the 24 McDs played at their local public HS or their legit local Catholic HS. That seems like a very high amount

 

[pittchagg]

I find it hard to believe that 7 of the 24 McDs played at their local public HS or their legit local Catholic HS. That seems like a very high amount

I think the number is actually 8 at a first glance.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

I think the number is actually 8 at a first glance.

So I just looked it up:

- 2 guys from Bronny's team. Although its a public school, I find it impossible believe that 2 McD grew up in that school district. My guess is they "moved" there to play with Bronny.

- 2 guys from North Little Rock HS - something is up with that

- kid from Richardson HS in TX seems legit

- kid from Cane Ridge HS in Antioch, TN seems legit

- Kimball HS in Dallas

- Archbishop Spalding in the DMV going to Nova seems like a local kid playing at his local Catholic HS

- Duncanville HS in TX

- Dr. Phillips HS in Orlando but this seems like one of those West African bigs who may have been placed there by a handler. Just going based off his last name though. I know nothing about him

Interesting that possibly the 3 best kids who played at legitimately at their hometown public HS are all from Texas. Perhaps Texans are less likely to go the bball mills?

 

[pittchagg]

So I just looked it up:

- 2 guys from Bronny's team. Although its a public school, I find it impossible believe that 2 McD grew up in that school district. My guess is they "moved" there to play with Bronny.

- 2 guys from North Little Rock HS - something is up with that

- kid from Richardson HS in TX seems legit

- kid from Cane Ridge HS in Antioch, TN seems legit

- Kimball HS in Dallas

- Archbishop Spalding in the DMV going to Nova seems like a local kid playing at his local Catholic HS

- Duncanville HS in TX

- Dr. Phillips HS in Orlando but this seems like one of those West African bigs who may have been placed there by a handler. Just going based off his last name though. I know nothing about him

Interesting that possibly the 3 best kids who played at legitimately at their hometown public HS are all from Texas. Perhaps Texans are less likely to go the bball mills?

Sierra Canyon absolutely doesn’t count lol

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

Sierra Canyon absolutely doesn’t count lol

I hate that these kids play on "all-star teams" in HS and AAU. There is something to be said for leading your hometown school to a state championship. I also hate when ESPN airs some random game between La Lumiere and Prolific Prep. I'd rather watch a D3 game than 2 AAU teams masquerading as HS teams....well unless a Pitt committ was playing. You want to air AAU ball in the summer, ok, I'll watch maybe. But Link vs Montverde on a Wednesday in February at 7? Huh? That sh!t needs to be stream only

 

[sonofabit]

Was it easy for you to knock that strawman down, or did it really put up a fight?

He’s too busy to answer…ducking all those buzzards on that hill.

 

[sonofabit]

You were there all along bro.

So it was one short offseason of coaching that brought Williams along? Got it.

By the way-there was no “jump” for Mo. He shot more threes at Pitt. That’s about it. Some posters on this board act like he was Kevin Durant last season. He was an OK player on a really, really bad team.

You do realize people can improve their job skills in all walks of life at any time? Sometimes even by merely watching a short video of themselves or other successful people. You don’t think video coaching helps players immediately? Look at baseball players in dugouts watching themselves on iPads. You and others here are not allowing players to progress. I’m certainly not an apologist for this staff but can’t you at least allow that performance can be enhanced or improved? You golf? Maybe a tweak or two knocked a few strokes off? Shame Brad Wannamaker’s game regressed once he left Pitt and had nobody to coach him up more than he had been. Floor positioning, hands-pass receiving positioning, foot positioning can all be adjusted with just a tad more coaching leading to better play.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

You were there all along bro.

So it was one short offseason of coaching that brought Williams along? Got it.

By the way-there was no “jump” for Mo. He shot more threes at Pitt. That’s about it. Some posters on this board act like he was Kevin Durant last season. He was an OK player on a really, really bad team.

I don't believe the staff coached him into being a better player. Players improve on their own mostly, that's my belief. Too much credit and blame is given to coaches for individual development. Gueye was a big lanky kid, new to basketball, still learning how to play. He got better. And I do think you aren't giving him enough credit. No, he wasnt KD, but he was an average to above average P6 level starter. That's a huge jump from being an average AE starter. He is easily G-league level and no one would have thought that.

 

[Fsgolfdr]

I don't believe the staff coached him into being a better player. Players improve on their own mostly, that's my belief. Too much credit and blame is given to coaches for individual development. Gueye was a big lanky kid, new to basketball, still learning how to play. He got better. And I do think you aren't giving him enough credit. No, he wasnt KD, but he was an average to above average P6 level starter. That's a huge jump from being an average AE starter. He is easily G-league level and no one would have thought that.

If you want to blame the staff for guys not improving it doesn’t seem right to not give them credit when someone does improve .

Improvement comes from hard work at this level and having the proper guidance is important.