Goodbye Jordan Miller

[hoopsjunkie75]

Yep. Being able to find them, not equal to, being able to use/coach them.

 

[Earl the Squirrel]

Coulda been the coach?

This has been litigated ad naseum on this board, but it remains an interesting question to ponder from time-to-time. Paulson deserves some (or maybe a lot) of the blame, but there are a host of other explanations worth considering.

Everyone who watched Kolek as a freshman knew he was going to develop into a very good player. Oduro was good, and at times, was great under Paulson, but his game didn't take off until English arrived. And maybe KE coming in and telling Josh he believed he could raise his game and be a difference-maker was the reason for his improvement. Maybe Shaka and Kolek connected in a way that was never going to be possible with he and Paulson?

Same thing with Miller, who maybe never started to really develop his confidence until he transfered to Miami and realized he could not only hold his own in the ACC, but play at an even higher level. Remember: Miller approached the staff and wanted to redshirt as a freshman because he didn't think he was ready. What the staff should have said was, "Oh, no. You're playing; your're ready, and we believe in you!" As we all saw when he was no longer a redshirt, he WAS ready.

There's so much global talent competing for limited opportunities. Lots of talented players that don't know how good they can be until someone comes along and gets them to start believing in themselves. We see this quality - clearly - with Tony Skinn. That's why guys play well for him. This ability to make connections and inspire is a rare commodity.

Had Pauslon been given one more year AND had all three players agreed to stay (likely, but not a given) we would have won more games IMO but maybe not enough to get us to the NCAA tourney. We'll really know, unfortunately. As it is, it worked out great for all involved except for Paulson, who toils away at Holy Cross.

 

[MasonFanatic]

Man beating dead horse.gif

 

[GMU79]

This has been litigated ad naseum on this board, but it remains an interesting question to ponder from time-to-time. Paulson deserves some (or maybe a lot) of the blame, but there are a host of other explanations worth considering.

Everyone who watched Kolek as a freshman knew he was going to develop into a very good player. Oduro was good, and at times, was great under Paulson, but his game didn't take off until English arrived. And maybe KE coming in and telling Josh he believed he could raise his game and be a difference-maker was the reason for his improvement. Maybe Shaka and Kolek connected in a way that was never going to be possible with he and Paulson?

Same thing with Miller, who maybe never started to really develop his confidence until he transfered to Miami and realized he could not only hold his own in the ACC, but play at an even higher level. Remember: Miller approached the staff and wanted to redshirt as a freshman because he didn't think he was ready. What the staff should have said was, "Oh, no. You're playing; your're ready, and we believe in you!" As we all saw when he was no longer a redshirt, he WAS ready.

There's so much global talent competing for limited opportunities. Lots of talented players that don't know how good they can be until someone comes along and gets them to start believing in themselves. We see this quality - clearly - with Tony Skinn. That's why guys play well for him. This ability to make connections and inspire is a rare commodity.

Had Pauslon been given one more year AND had all three players agreed to stay (likely, but not a given) we would have won more games IMO but maybe not enough to get us to the NCAA tourney. We'll really know, unfortunately. As it is, it worked out great for all involved except for Paulson, who toils away at Holy Cross.

Relax.