Kennedy stepping up his game and becoming a leader?

I really like what I've seen out of Kennedy

-First he calls for practice on New Years Eve

-He played with a hurt ankle and shrugged it off as nothing

-I noticed when Quincy had a turnover Kennedy was the first guy to go pat him on the head and instruct him and give him encouragement.

-During FT he'd get the guys to huddle up.

-He wants to handle the ball more in Boothe's absence.

I just like the way he goes about his business. It's also funny just a few weeks ago people are saying he can't play at this level, he shouldn't even be starting, and now people are proclaiming him our best player again.

Also something he is doing a lot better this year than last year is...

1. handles- he seems much more comfortable handling the ball with both hands.

2. Knowing when to shoot midrange or continuing to take it to the hole

3. He's getting to the FT line a whole lot more than last year. Last season he had 85 FT attempts in 30 games while this season he already has 80 attempts in 16 games.

4. His rebounding hasn't dropped off in conference play

5. He's finishing much better around the hoop and I think this has a lot to do with added strength. He makes some seriously crafty layups.

It's also producing, which he really isnt doing 5-15 for 12 points won't really cut it.  Also, anyone remember when coach said Burrell will never get only 5 shots in a game again? How many did he take last night....4.

It's also producing, which he really isnt doing 5-15 for 12 points won't really cut it.  Also, anyone remember when coach said Burrell will never get only 5 shots in a game again? How many did he take last night....4.

Points isn't the only factor in the game. He didn't have a great shooting night but he had 7 ast, 4 reb, 4 stls. He also played 40 min and held Stanley Robinson to 2 points.

I have also noticed that Kennedy seems to be taking more of a leadership role on the court.  Definitely nice to see someone being a leader!

Yeah, he a'ight.

It's also producing, which he really isnt doing 5-15 for 12 points won't really cut it.  Also, anyone remember when coach said Burrell will never get only 5 shots in a game again? How many did he take last night....4.

Kennedy is a solid player. You can't pick on the one aspect of his game that isn't strong. He's not a shooter. He's improved, but that ain't his game.

Frankly, I'd put him at 1, and Q at the 3. Kennedy is a better point guard than Roberts, and he's probably better than Boothe, too.

I love his intensity, and his feel for the game. By the time he's a senior he could be an all Big East player. Him and Horne play with heart. If only Burrell did, too.
 

nice to see his play carrynig over to the Big East games.  You gotta like his game.  Plays tough Defense and is a good passer.  His shot has really improved too.

It is nice to see Paris and DJ step up and take a leadership role on the team. But does anyone else feel that they make little to no attempt to get JB the ball. They are getting their shots, but they are not helping the Big Man get their shots. Important part of a guards job is to make everyone around them on the court play better and get the ball to the Big man where they can be affective. anyone else feel that our players are not big fans of JB?

I think Justin (or the coaches) have to find him ways to get the ball in the flow of the game, and he has to make plays.  He still being doubled - he can pass out for assists.  He's gotten that 15-foot jumper, but it hasn't gone in.  Improvement needs to come from the other players looking for him, the coaches to scheme for him (screen for him? move him around more?  I don't know), and from Justin himself.

anyone else feel that our players are not big fans of JB?

No.

Part of it is the team's/coach's fault for not getting JB involved.  Part of it is JB's fault for not getting much done when he has it.  He has to make quicker/better decisions with the ball.  And while he has a sweet jumper he needs to at least once take it to the hoop.  He could of had Adrien a couple of times in the Uconn game.  He is definitely more tentative with the mask on(he obviously wasn't playing well before that).  We also have to remember he is only a Sophomore.  Just because he's not Walter Berry yet doesn't mean we should throw him under the bus.

Unfortunately Justin needs to be pampered a bit by giving him the ball in order to get more involved in the game. He isn't going to create opportunities for himself but the more you give it to him the harder he is going to play if that makes any sense. If he doesn't get the ball he feels and gets lost in the shuffle. It is what it is.

Unfortunately Justin needs to be pampered a bit by giving him the ball in order to get more involved in the game. He isn't going to create opportunities for himself but the more you give it to him the harder he is going to play if that makes any sense. If he doesn't get the ball he feels and gets lost in the shuffle. It is what it is.

JB has a lot of bad habits on offense, as well as defense. Norm should be addressing those, but who knows, maybe the kid doesn't listen.

He faces the basket from 15 feet out. He needs to back his man down, and when he makes him move don't fade away, go up strong. He goes us like a woman.

Cunningham just abused him today. It's very frustrating seeing Burrell play so far below our expectations. 

Quote from: Dave on January 18, 2009, 10:09:40 AM

Unfortunately Justin needs to be pampered a bit by giving him the ball in order to get more involved in the game. He isn't going to create opportunities for himself but the more you give it to him the harder he is going to play if that makes any sense. If he doesn't get the ball he feels and gets lost in the shuffle. It is what it is.

JB has a lot of bad habits on offense, as well as defense. Norm should be addressing those, but who knows, maybe the kid doesn't listen.

He faces the basket from 15 feet out. He needs to back his man down, and when he makes him move don't fade away, go up strong. He goes us like a woman.

Cunningham just abused him today. It's very frustrating seeing Burrell play so far below our expectations.

Back his man down from 15ft? Really?

If he is going to back down his man he shouldn't be 15 ft from the basket and thats part of the problem. He needs to establish position or we need to down screen for him and get the ball to him quickly in a spot where he can shoot or make a move towards the basket.

Justin also has to get a stronger grip on the ball too many times he goes up and the ball is poked away.

Quote from: Poison on January 18, 2009, 10:56:18 PM

Quote from: Dave on January 18, 2009, 10:09:40 AM

Unfortunately Justin needs to be pampered a bit by giving him the ball in order to get more involved in the game. He isn't going to create opportunities for himself but the more you give it to him the harder he is going to play if that makes any sense. If he doesn't get the ball he feels and gets lost in the shuffle. It is what it is.

JB has a lot of bad habits on offense, as well as defense. Norm should be addressing those, but who knows, maybe the kid doesn't listen.

He faces the basket from 15 feet out. He needs to back his man down, and when he makes him move don't fade away, go up strong. He goes us like a woman.

Cunningham just abused him today. It's very frustrating seeing Burrell play so far below our expectations.

Back his man down from 15ft? Really?

If he is going to back down his man he shouldn't be 15 ft from the basket and thats part of the problem. He needs to establish position or we need to down screen for him and get the ball to him quickly in a spot where he can shoot or make a move towards the basket.

Justin also has to get a stronger grip on the ball too many times he goes up and the ball is poked away.

I'm not saying he should be posting up and backing down Cunningham from 15 feet. If he has the ball 15 feet out, he can find someone else to give it to.

JB isn't our go to guy right now because he's not playing with a very high basketball iq.

getting back to kennedy...he's smart enough to play the point.  i'd rather see him there than q roberts or edmondson.

Kennedy is playing really well despite the team playing poorly. He can only do so much but his game has matured very nicely. He knows when to drive and knows when to stop and pop which is something I used to harp on last season.

The thing I like about Kennedy is that he goes and gets the ball.  Guys like him are so valuable because they create more possessions.  He must be one of the best rebounders in the nation from the SF position.

I think he'll be able to play a little PF for us next year when we have all those two's and three's.

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I think he'll be able to play a little PF for us next year when we have all those two's and three's.

This is what a smart coach would do ... which means Kennedy will be on the bench most of the game, while Mason has the green light to launch crap all night from the SF position and Burrell (if he's still here) is grabbing 3.5 rebounds a game at the PF spot.

It's also producing, which he really isnt doing 5-15 for 12 points won't really cut it.  Also, anyone remember when coach said Burrell will never get only 5 shots in a game again? How many did he take last night....4.

I take everything back. The past few been it's been Kennedy and Horne leading us. And I still think we beat Cincy if Kennedy doesnt get ejected. He really has become a leader.