DukesDan wrote:

I think posters should be able to criticize players performances on this board. The point of a forum is to discuss the topic. If the topic is Duquesne basketball then the players should be discussed. Any discussion that prevents criticism is not a full discussion. This isn't a cheerleading section it is a discussion board on a topic we all care about. Criticisms should be given tactfully in my opinion but tact isn't something everyone has at all times. If someone has a bad game it shouldn't be kept some secret, it should be discussed and analyzed. That is part of what makes boards like this fun. College basketball is entertainment.

Agree totally with this. Players shouldn't be ripped, but legit criticism should be ok. No reason to shelter them. These players are men, not children. They're young men, but no younger than the men we ask to take up arms and defend the nation. A little legit criticism never hurt anyone.
 

townsonkid wrote:

Will KD try to use 2 bigs at a time more often, I thought Rotroff + Kelly had a good game when out there together, solid defense, some points, rebounds.  I am guessing, not having seen pitt play a second yet this year, that they have some size.  I like Rotroff + Kelly more than Hughes and Weathers, mostly cause Weathers isnt a big, isnt a guard, frankly IDK what he is, not sure he knows either.  But he turns the ball over like he plays for the Steelers.  Cant hand pitt the ball friday and expect to keep up with them.

 
Weathers will seldom look good in the box scores. He playes smart and is good defensively. I would bet his +/- is high. While he is not tall, he has long length.

I will go with what KD sees  ;)

Dsnyder15 wrote:

townsonkid wrote:

Will KD try to use 2 bigs at a time more often, I thought Rotroff + Kelly had a good game when out there together, solid defense, some points, rebounds.  I am guessing, not having seen pitt play a second yet this year, that they have some size.  I like Rotroff + Kelly more than Hughes and Weathers, mostly cause Weathers isnt a big, isnt a guard, frankly IDK what he is, not sure he knows either.  But he turns the ball over like he plays for the Steelers.  Cant hand pitt the ball friday and expect to keep up with them.

 
Weathers will seldom look good in the box scores. He playes smart and is good defensively. I would bet his +/- is high. While he is not tall, he has long length.

I will go with what KD sees ;)

For me, of all the transfers that arrived before last season he was the one I was the most intrigued about. Having not seen any of them play, he stood out to me with some great stats from his FR season at Miami (OH), such as good 2 point shooting, good rebounding rate and great ability to draw fouls and get to the line. The FT shooting most certainly needs to improve so this weapon is fully utilized. On offense, it does seem at times the ball sticks in the half court offense when he gets it in a post up. KD mentioned in post game presser on Sunday that he was sick and told Ray/JD on the radio postgame that he's still trying to find his way in game action after sitting out last year. I'm confident he'll get better as the season goes along. 
I do appreciate his willingness to give of the body and take charges. I can't think of anyone in real recent memory who's taken as many charges as he has in a season let alone only 5 games.

Guys I have to say I am in complete agreement with DD and 81' when it comes to discussing the performance of any player.  As DD said this is a forum for discussing Duq BBall so players are part of the mix.  Absolutely true that comments should be respectful, but's performance can be evaluated as this is a fan message board.  Frankly, I don't think anything said here is something new to the team and/or the coaches.  Eric Williams is one hell of a player, but he shot 1-11 against ND and commenting how that hurt us is not offensive, just a fact.  These kids are all on scholarship and I trust they know what they need to focus on and it isn't us.  99% of the people on this Board are respectful and frankly fairly knowledgeable about BBall.  Hell most of us have followed Duq BBall for decades and I believe most of us can reasonably assess talent and performance.  Factual, open and respectful commentary should be encouraged and respected.  In any sport the cream rises to the top and eventually that is what will happen here and KD will figure out his rotation.  What I like is that for the first time in decades when the Coach looks down the bench he can go 10, 11 deep - and that is what I think KD will do.  This is KD's biggest challenge as he knows he has talent.  We all recognize we are very young, but honestly, when was the last time we had a team this deep and talented, despite our youth?    I am psyched for the present and the future.  GO DUKES!!

I stand by what I posted.  I would ask that all of the "experts" on this board reserve  judgments on players at least until they we get into the league games and there is a body of work to evaluate.  Throwing guys under the bus after two home games is ridiculous.  These guys are just learning the game at this level, and we need to be less judgmental regarding these early season performances.  Sometimes I cringe when I read comments on this board directed at individual players.  Try to evaluate your comments before you type!  Maybe consider how you would feel if it was your son being criticized for simply missing a few shots!  You certainly have the right to criticize players, but is this constructive or destructive?  Are there any benefits, or just negativity? 
 

ElDuque wrote:

rosceaux wrote:

Facts are facts and stats are stats. That's all fine. Of course we are going to discuss performance.

What concerns me are the projections and insinuations (three games into the season) about who is/might be/should be leaving the program. The coaching staff sees fit to offer scholarships to kids they think will benefit the program. Sometimes things don't work out for many reasons. However, I don't think a 19 year-old should be reading from our "experts" three games into a season that they are the odd man out and might be a transfer candidate. Yes it happens, and yes there is a numbers game. Let's leave that to the professionals who are running the program and to the families involved.

Speculation is just that. However, it is speculation about kids and human beings. You don't think LeVeon Bell should be offered a contract? That's great... fire away. A kid doesn't impress early on? Give them and the coaching staff some time. I don't think it puts our fanbase, University, or program in the best light to make pronouncements about who is good enough to wear the uniform.

That's my 1 cent.

 

 
No like button available, so I'll just say yep, yep, yep.

I really want to see kids stay 4 years and develop. Fight for the PT. Win as a program.

I agree 100%.  Once a player is in his second year you can start to discuss development issues but before that it is just a waste of intellectual capacity and finger movement while typing.  Freshman have so many issues on and off the court that making any inferences as to their ability really foolish IMO.  Swingle may be the guy KD had the highest hope for in elevating the program but the best development program for him is to keep his butt on the bench.  It says nothing about his ability or athletic ceiling.  Take a deep breath....relax....enjoy the ride.  Part of the joy I have watching KD teams is the development and growth of players and the team.  That growth and development will be on steroids this season and next.   Good times on the way.

For me...it is OK to discuss a players performance as long as it is not personal.  You have to be careful...in discussing a players performance it is OK to suggest that he be kept on the bench until he shows growth and development in practice but to suggest that he does not fit and will transfer or should transfer crosses the line IMO

Last edited by Dsnyder15 (11/29/2018 10:26 pm)