A-10 Previews

[gmujim92]

He also made those comments before the announcement of Kier’s injury. This is not Dave’s best team if our best player misses the non-conference schedule, which depending on the severity of the stress fracture is possible.

 

[Masonfan3]

He also made those comments before the announcement of Kier’s injury. This is not Dave’s best team if our best player misses the non-conference schedule, which depending on the severity of the stress fracture is possible.

It probably wouldn't be his best time even if Kier was playing but he said exactly what he should say. He needs to go into the season showing optimism and positivity. I think most of us fans know this team will probably struggle but I don't want my coach showing any type of negativity; which is something he has shown in the past.

 

[Masonfan3]

Here’s the thing most people forget about AJ: He is not a natural perimeter player despite having ideal size and athleticism to be a stretch 4. So his skill set was fairly limited when he got to Mason.

He was a 5 all the way through HS and AAU. But when you stop growing at 6-7, it’s tough to play the 5 on our level (unless you are thick like Jai and Darryl Monroe, which obviously isn’t AJ). He was a classic tweener.

AJ had to learn how to handle the ball, expand the range on his jumper and play a completely unfamiliar position at the same time he was adjusting to the rigors of college and being a D-I athlete. Not easy to do.

I know it’s easy to blame the coach, and I do think Dave could’ve handled AJ better as far as leaving him out there and letting him learn from his mistakes, but it’s ultimately the player’s responsibility to put himself in the right position. It’s not intramurals.

I am not necessarily blaming DP but he needs to take some responsibility. By all indications, AJ has done everything asked of him and is working hard to be a better player. It is possible to put the "blame" on both player and coach in this situation. I usually don't put too much stock in what I about to say but I hung out with a couple former players this past weekend and they both echoed the same thing. They both believe DP to be a great guy but do not think he can coach or recruit at the A10 level. He coaches his players like he has a bunch of Ivy league guys and doesn't know how to reach or relate to the type of player it takes to be successful at this level. Those were their words, not mine. They didn't play under DP so that's why I said I don't usually put too much stock in it, but they said they have hung around the team and attended a few practices..

Take that for what its worth but I think we all know this is and should be an important year for DP

 

[GSII]

Basically these guys see what i see and im 5 hours away. Been saying this since day one. We will always be mediocre at best with DP.

 

[Herndon]

I am not necessarily blaming DP but he needs to take some responsibility. By all indications, AJ has done everything asked of him and is working hard to be a better player. It is possible to put the "blame" on both player and coach in this situation. I usually don't put too much stock in what I about to say but I hung out with a couple former players this past weekend and they both echoed the same thing. They both believe DP to be a great guy but do not think he can coach or recruit at the A10 level. He coaches his players like he has a bunch of Ivy league guys and doesn't know how to reach or relate to the type of player it takes to be successful at this level. Those were their words, not mine. They didn't play under DP so that's why I said I don't usually put too much stock in it, but they said they have hung around the team and attended a few practices..

Take that for what its worth but I think we all know this is and should be an important year for DP

Can you say which coach they played for?

 

[gmujim92]

Can you say which coach they played for?

Gotta be Hewitt

 

[Herndon]

Gotta be Hewitt

Well, I think it matters.guys who played for larranaga, I would take those comments pretty seriously. Guys who played for Hewitt, I'm not sure they're qualified to talk about what kind of players it takes to succeed at this level

 

[gmujim92]

Well, I think it matters.guys who played for larranaga, I would take those comments pretty seriously. Guys who played for Hewitt, I'm not sure they're qualified to talk about what kind of players it takes to succeed at this level

My point exactly.

 

[Masonfan3]

My point exactly.

Can you say which coach they played for?

Yes, both of them played under Larranaga. Like I said, they both said DP is a great guy but don't think he is fit for this level. I don't usually put too much stock in but I trust what these guys say as both of them are intelligent and have good basketball minds.

 

[Herndon]

Yes, both of them played under Larranaga. Like I said, they both said DP is a great guy but don't think he is fit for this level. I don't usually put too much stock in but I trust what these guys say as both of them are intelligent and have good basketball minds.

Well, that's the first people whose opinion I value to hear that from. I will bear this in mind moving forward. Thanks for passing it on!

 

[Masonfan3]

Well, that's the first people whose opinion I value to hear that from. I will bear this in mind moving forward. Thanks for passing it on!

Winning can cure a lot so hopefully DP proves most of us wrong and goes out and has his best coaching year yet.

 

[Falco]

It feels like we are just waiting to catch lightning in a bottle and hope that everything goes right under DP’s leadership.

I can’t speak to the young guys on the team, but in years past there has been no margin for error. If everything went exactly to plan, mason could stick around with anybody, but that's not sustainable long term.

 

[Herndon]

Winning can cure a lot so hopefully DP proves most of us wrong and goes out and has his best coaching year yet.

Mmm, not sure I agree with you there. I think you were probably overstating when you say "most of us". I happen to think he's a pretty good coach who has improved the team every year since he's been here, but I'm willing to listen to informed people who thinks he has a ceiling.

It's easy to confuse a vocal, obnoxious minority, with the larger group's sentiment, and the Mason moron crew is very very vocal and very very obnoxious.

The good thing about time though, is that it goes on, and we will find out one way or another

Regardless, I expect this to be a different conversation in 2 years. Either I will have changed my tune, or they will, or we both will.

 

[Masonfan3]

Mmm, not sure I agree with you there. I think you were probably overstating when you say "most of us". I happen to think he's a pretty good coach who has improved the team every year since he's been here, but I'm willing to listen to informed people who thinks he has a ceiling.

It's easy to confuse a vocal, obnoxious minority, with the larger group's sentiment, and the Mason moron crew is very very vocal and very very obnoxious.

The good thing about time though, is that it goes on, and we will find out one way or another

Regardless, I expect this to be a different conversation in 2 years. Either I will have changed my tune, or they will, or we both will.

I meant most of us who think he is in a little over his head. I don't know if I am technically in that group yet but its hard for me to say he has improved the team when our RPI has consistently been below 15o and we are losing to the likes of American, W&M, and Penn. We might have improved our standing in the A10 but the A10 has been down lately and I judge by the entire season, not just what we did in conference. I don't put all the blame on him but when people who know a lot more than we do say he isn't the right coach for this level, it makes me listen and wonder. I like DP and definitely think he can coach basketball, but not everyone can be successful when moving up a level, especially if you can't or won't adapt. But like I said, I hope he proves his doubters wrong.

 

[Walter]

Well, that's the first people whose opinion I value to hear that from. I will bear this in mind moving forward. Thanks for passing it on!

As you said, we all will find out soon.

I would point out that one of the all time greats, who played under Larranaga, defended the virus until the end. So, even a former player can have poor judgement on a coach.

 

[Leesburg Chankenstank III]

As you said, we all will find out soon.

I would point out that one of the all time greats, who played under Larranaga, defended the virus until the end. So, even a former player can have poor judgement on a coach.

Lamar Butler loved Hewitt so much you'd think he was his agent.

 

[Herndon]

I meant most of us who think he is in a little over his head. I don't know if I am technically in that group yet but its hard for me to say he has improved the team when our RPI has consistently been below 15o and we are losing to the likes of American, W&M, and Penn. We might have improved our standing in the A10 but the A10 has been down lately and I judge by the entire season, not just what we did in conference. I don't put all the blame on him but when people who know a lot more than we do say he isn't the right coach for this level, it makes me listen and wonder. I like DP and definitely think he can coach basketball, but not everyone can be successful when moving up a level, especially if you can't or won't adapt. But like I said, I hope he proves his doubters wrong.

Entirely reasonable argument. Not sure I fully agree, but they're all well taken points.

I actually judge mostly by what happens in conference. OOC is for 2 things, team building and tournament resume building.

We're not at the point where resume building is an issue (we're not an at-large threat), so the point of OOC is entirely to prep us for conference play. I do hear your position though, and can see that it's a valid way to look at things.

 

[Herndon]

Lamar Butler loved Hewitt so much you'd think he was his agent.

Well, I strongly suspect that one of the guys that Masonfan3 is talking about is Butler (being that he's one of the few guys who is still local), but I didn't want to say anything because you'll NEVER get me to say a bad word about Lamar Butler.

Lamar Butler is Mason royalty. That dude could punch me in the face, and I'd thank him for the privilege.

 

[Masonfan3]

Well, I strongly suspect that one of the guys that Masonfan3 is talking about is Butler (being that he's one of the few guys who is still local), but I didn't want to say anything because you'll NEVER get me to say a bad word about Lamar Butler.

Lamar Butler is Mason royalty. That dude could punch me in the face, and I'd thank him for the privilege.

Without giving away who it is, I will say that the guys I talked to said most of the teammates they stay in contact with feel the same way. One of them also mentioned that DP's coaching style is so weird that Tony Skinn (who loves Mason) would not entertain the idea of coaching with him at Mason. Not sure if that meant that he was offered/interviewed/asked to interview..

 

[Falco]

Without giving away who it is, I will say that the guys I talked to said most of the teammates they stay in contact with feel the same way. One of them also mentioned that DP's coaching style is so weird that Tony Skinn (who loves Mason) would not entertain the idea of coaching with him at Mason. Not sure if that meant that he was offered/interviewed/asked to interview..

I know you wont out your friend, but who said it? hahah