POTENTIAL BREAK OUT PLAYERS: COKER

let's see if DJ can play versus the big boys in the conference and not just norm's mid major friends.

Take another look at the stats, his last 5 or so games especially - he got at least 20 minutes a game and he made plays.  Duke especially; he was aggressive early on and kept competing even as the Blue Devils were blowing the team's doors off.

He did disappear for a stretch in the middle of the season but finished strong. He played awesome at Duke and his final 3 games of the season he scored in double digits against SHU, ND, WVU. Also DJ was huge in the win against SHU he had 5 steals that game. Also don't look only at DJ's scoring he does a lot of other things that do and don't show up in the boxscore.  

Right on the money JJ... and his best attribute imo, is the willingness to do the LITTLE things to win games.. .. Plus, he could have easily sulked at the end of a long, disappointing FRESHMEN season but instead he left it all on the court down the stretch... this is the type of kid we lacked under the previous regime & an indication of the kind of players Norm recruits - Tough, Smart, Unselfish & Versatile... IMHO, he will be the unofficial "captain" of this team in the next few years.. ... btw - Here are some quotes from DJ after winning his 3rd straight h.s. city league championship & first state title in '07  :

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/highschool/s_499519.html

http://www.pghsports.com/2007-Issues/psr0712/07120102.html

"That was our No. 1 goal," Kennedy said. "Me and DeJuan said, 'If we get back up there, we're coming away with this gold ball.' He guaranteed me and I guaranteed him that we'd get it. As long as we got here, we knew we were going to do whatever it takes to get that gold ball."

"I'm still living in the moment," Kennedy said. "I don't know how to feel. I never won a state championship. I'm living in the moment, and hopefully it all kicks in. It's just big to, the last game of your career, walk away with a state championship. I mean, how many people can say that? Four years balling with these guys, I'm going to think about it every night."



p.s. - bottom line... kid's a WINNER and we NEED more like him!!.. .. peace!

Malik Boothe needs to step it up, this team goes as he goes imo

Malik Boothe will be setting the team tempo, controlling/managing the game, responsible for getting the ball to the scorers, limiting our empty possesions (turnovers) and I can keep going. This is his first year where he is option number in this role. Boothe is the key to our seasons imo.

Marco ill tell u what to expect from justin after the cancun trip. Watching him workout it looks like he is gonna be a force but that means nothing in a team setting. It depends on the offense and outside shooting. Also are any bigs gonna take pressure off of him. look at any other big on a good team they either have another low post threat( thabeet and Adrian) or they have a lights out shooter( harongody and kyle or biggs and ramon)

Marco ill tell u what to expect from justin after the cancun trip. Watching him workout it looks like he is gonna be a force but that means nothing in a team setting. It depends on the offense and outside shooting. Also are any bigs gonna take pressure off of him. look at any other big on a good team they either have another low post threat( thabeet and Adrian) or they have a lights out shooter( harongody and kyle or biggs and ramon)

Burrell is going to need Boothe to step and hit at least a decent percentage of shots (no more Mr. 30%) or else his man will be doubling off of him all year & he also needs to hit Burrell when he's running on the break. Burrell has got athleticism for a big man, but the pg needs to take advantage of his strengths.

Malik Malik Malik Malik Malik Malik Malik Malik Malik Malik.

If he dont go, the team dont go.

do you think he has the ability to score?

Quote from: Choz4Life on August 25, 2008, 11:19:49 AM

Malik Malik Malik Malik Malik Malik Malik Malik Malik Malik.

If he dont go, the team dont go.

do you think he has the ability to score?

Aint talkin bout scorin, bre. Talkin bout him runnin the team fo 35+ a game.

That sometin he gonna have to do if y'all look at the roster. Now I know y'all will talk bout somebody like Paris or DJ or the new kid from Kentucky bringin the ball up. Let me tell you sometin yo.. when UConn is pressin St. John, y'all really trust anyone other than Malik brinign the ball up? Be honest. Dont look at them glowin, exaggerated and embelished high school reports or nuthin. Do y'all really want anybody bringin up that ball sides Malik? Cause he truly the only brother on that roster who can.

That's just the straight truth.

And that y'all can be a straight up problem.

Quote from: Poison on August 25, 2008, 09:19:35 PM

Quote from: Choz4Life on August 25, 2008, 11:19:49 AM

Malik Malik Malik Malik Malik Malik Malik Malik Malik Malik.

If he dont go, the team dont go.

do you think he has the ability to score?

Aint talkin bout scorin, bre. Talkin bout him runnin the team fo 35+ a game.

That sometin he gonna have to do if y'all look at the roster. Now I know y'all will talk bout somebody like Paris or DJ or the new kid from Kentucky bringin the ball up. Let me tell you sometin yo.. when UConn is pressin St. John, y'all really trust anyone other than Malik brinign the ball up? Be honest. Dont look at them glowin, exaggerated and embelished high school reports or nuthin. Do y'all really want anybody bringin up that ball sides Malik? Cause he truly the only brother on that roster who can.

That's just the straight truth.

And that y'all can be a straight up problem.

Thats pretty dead on Choz. I'm with ya.