Coach Jumper: Prediction: Diamond WILL be a Jumper again

#101
#101
gule said:
Gatewood's problem was that while she was only 18/19 yo, her knees and lower legs were eighty-five, worn the hell out from too much too soon.

People who know horses, raise them etc, know that you should never ever overwork or put too much work stress on a young horse. It works the same way with the young not fully developed human child.
That is why Tiger Woods is a has been at <40 yo. His body is plumb worn the hell out.
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Worn out from too many women??
 
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#103
#103
armchair said:
Some say Carter and Reynolds and Middleton have not been very good either. Point made--but their play has been less negative: they don't have as many turnovers, they don't miss quite as much. Let's say you have an 8 player rotation and all 8 of them are somewhere between mediocre and weak, and all are getting roughly the same minutes. If you, as a coach, stop playing the player with the worst metrics, reduce her PT significantly, your team should get a little better. Not a lot better but incrementally better, because you've removed your worst player from the game. Addition by subtraction. We need every bit of incremental help we can get.
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One thing that must be kept in mind, especially for a low scoring team, is where are you going to get your points from? Of our four main guards, Cooper is the only one who isn't afraid to try and score (she did have a 4-5 game run of playing pretty well). If her minutes are significantly reduced, it might help in TOs or defense but it would also mean someone else would have to step up and try to score. We've already seen that they won't.

If we had more scorers, I would agree with you that she could be brought along more slowly. But we don't. This team needs more scoring and that's why I would continue to play Cooper a lot.
 
#104
#104
armchair said:
Outside of hitting open three-point shots, she didn't impress me. She didn't handle the ball terribly well and didn't have the athleticism to be a good shooting guard. I look at her and others--Spani, for example--as evidence of the falloff in our recruiting. Could we use her shooting now? Yes, we could, but her game was very limited.
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She averaged over 9 points/game and shot 41% from deep in her best season as a pro against the best players in the world. That moves her past "good" into "pretty damn good" territory.

Besides, a player's lack of success in the pros doesn't take away from what they did in college. There were plenty of very good college players that either didn't get drafted or make a final roster, but that doesn't mean they weren't good college players. That's not an indictment of recruiting failures if they fit the needed role while playing college ball.
 
#105
#105
Franklin Pierce said:
We can only hope that Diamond leaves. She plays for herself, not the team.
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Are the 2 likes you got from relatives? Lay off of DD, she's been broken by Ms. Warlick. Now let's see if Warlick can build her back up. My guess is she can't. Hell, the whole team's spirit has been shattered by Holly.
 
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#106
#106
I have one question, Who recruited the current players that appear to be not very talented and play very poorly? I see no development/improvement all year, from the players or coaches. Shouldn't the coaches be expected to improve as much as the players? I haven't seen any improvement from this staff the last 4 years. Instead, things have regressed.
 
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#107
#107
armchair said:
issues of maturity or attitude, and I say 'if', they certainly just didn't start this year playing for HW. I don't buy that. If you have been around this game, or sports, then you should know, as I do, that is is often the kids who think they are the greatest who often prove not to be in action--because they don't bring the other qualities to the floor that truly great player must have. It's not just about being super-talented in high school. You should also know that being told how great you are from an early age is NOT a good thing and will generally prove detrimental to the player's performance and relationship to coaches and teammates over time. There are many, many examples.

Do Vol BB fans recall Wiley-Gates--the kid who was said to be this incredible phenom at age 15 or so, amazing talent? She committed to UT. When she got here, she turned out to be not so good; had some issues with the coaching--did not like the system. Wanted to be the focal point of the team. She transferred after a couple of years (yes?) to Maryland, and didn't even start there. In the end, this supposed incredible talent had very undistinguished college career. There is a lot more to being successful than mere talent. That is but a starting point.
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I agree. I don't know Diamond, and I have no idea if any of this is true. But if it is, I would consider it a parenting fail, rather than putting it on the coach(es).

Not that I would second guess a parent who would go after the coach on twitter. Whether you agree with what he said or not, the twitter rant was not a good look for Diamond's father. And if Diamond does a one-and-done transfer for a second time it won't be a good look for her, regardless of how disappointing the season was for her both individually and the team...
 
#108
#108
Darth_Vol said:
I agree. I don't know Diamond, and I have no idea if any of this is true. But if it is, I would consider it a parenting fail, rather than putting it on the coach(es).

Not that I would second guess a parent who would go after the coach on twitter. Whether you agree with what he said or not, the twitter rant was not a good look for Diamond's father. And if Diamond does a one-and-done transfer for a second time it won't be a good look for her, regardless of how disappointing the season was for her both individually and the team...
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I don't think it's a parental fail more so than a great talent that is still raw being in the wrong places at the wrong times. I think what needs to be kept in mind here is that she played her full freshman season under an assistant who just really let that talent go and do their thing. Then she leaves, maybe because she felt she wasn't getting coached or challenged, I don't know.

Then comes here and sits for an entire year and correct me if I'm wrong, is prohibited from a lot of team activities in addition to not playing in the games. And she's still that raw uber talented player that left UNC. And as most of you know, players need to play, get reps, etc. to get better and most importantly coached.

All of this shows in her game now. The talent is undeniable but it has not been coached into a maturing talent that knows when to go hard, went to pull up, when to use her talent to make others look good and when to do her own thing. That is what's missing. The coaching of that talent. Geno has done that with Stewie, Moore, Bird, etc.

ESPN spent a lot of time last night shooting her on the bench. And in none of those shots, did I see any coach talking to her and pointing to the floor like they are explaining something to her or using the clipboard to instruct her. It was, turn it over, sit down.... And that was it.

I know a lot of people are skeptical and even critical of DD. Some justified but a lot not. Because she isn't the only player on this team of HS AA's that is struggling. Look at the record and look at the games.
 
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#110
#110
dillyo51 said:
I have one question, Who recruited the current players that appear to be not very talented and play very poorly? I see no development/improvement all year, from the players or coaches. Shouldn't the coaches be expected to improve as much as the players? I haven't seen any improvement from this staff the last 4 years. Instead, things have regressed.
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This is exactly what i think happened to Holly. Many years of perfecting her niche in Pat's system. And no preparation for the sideswipe of being propelled into the HC role..Holly handled her role under Pat well, the guard pool has been strong. But now the job changes,Now the whole team's direction is under her direction....The marathon is over and the sprint begins. My time of year. My type of mentality. Geno's mentality... Win or go home BB . . . AAU on steroids. This is my type of game and my time of year.

Dangit, I wish I could step in and help. I love these kids. Been a LV fan since the 80's. I and my Dad was watching them when watching women's sports wasn't so vogue.

This is why i am so vocal about this demise. I have been seeing this since day one. Four years are up. Pat's influence is soon to be gone from the UT lineup on the floor. Or will they jump to another program.

It enrages me to even be able to consider those thoughts.
 
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#111
#111
armchair said:
DD is talented, we all agree on that. Has she been productive? Absolutely not. Let's see: the most talented player on the team was 0-7 last night with a couple of turnovers--a woeful performance much like numerous other woeful performances she's had this year. It can't be any more plain than that.

It doesn't matter how "talented" you are if you don't play well. Likewise, there are a LOT of players who are not hugely athletic who can be very productive in basketball--they are players who make shots, make threes, for example. You don't need DD's athleticism to make shots. You just need to put the ball in the basket. McGraw has had a bunch of such players at Notre Dame over the years--many colleges have. We had a guard several years ago named Zolman who was not athletic and not an especially good player, but she gave us more than DD is giving us in most games because she was a good three-point shooter. Burdick last year: Not a great athlete, but a forward who could rebound AND shoot. Nobody on this team can shoot. We have a terrible three-point shooting team: You can't beat zone defenses, you can't win games these days, if you cannot make 5 threes a game. Notre Dame had 8 in the first half the other night--it is why they are good. UConn too. It might just be that we have BAD coaching and BAD players.

It is very easy to be enamored with talent--most fans are, including myself. But talent doesn't mean squat if you don't produce.
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I've seen talent.

I have also seen coaches who had talent and couldn't coach it.It wasn't because they couldn't coach at all, just in over their head.

As a Head Coach you have to see how it differs from Coach, player, referee, announcer's perspectives. ALL while managing the game. The kids are to scared of failure to succeed.... right now Holly needs to give these kids permission to fail. So they will have permission to win...It has to be fun. You hear it from the NBA and WNBA all the time.. "I was just out there having fun".,,,it's not a cliche' folks... winning is fun.
 
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#112
#112
Darth_Vol said:
I agree. I don't know Diamond, and I have no idea if any of this is true. But if it is, I would consider it a parenting fail, rather than putting it on the coach(es).

Not that I would second guess a parent who would go after the coach on twitter. Whether you agree with what he said or not, the twitter rant was not a good look for Diamond's father. And if Diamond does a one-and-done transfer for a second time it won't be a good look for her, regardless of how disappointing the season was for her both individually and the team...
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Diamond needs a role model. Kids like her have to have the right button pushed at the right time. There's nothing unique about DD. Seen a million of her. Antonio Davis daughter was the exact same personality. without an alpha lead, she wouldn't break a sweat... but the right words at the right time and she played like Maya.

Diamond, as far as true "innate potential" class of Maya Moore. Diana Taurassi. Chamique Holdsclaw...Geno crawled those two their first two years as if they would never please him. He never belittled them, but I definitely remember some pretty intense floor to bench walks.

These girls need this right now. They need that alpha person who can clear their worlds.

Alpha leaders don't have a gender or physique... they have an "air of certainty" that puts the younger alpha's at ease.... I could do as little as run a two hour shoot and skill workout with DD,,, show her how to improve her hang-time, talk to her, teach her a sky-hook, listen to her, show her how to land in a box-out on her landings so she doesn't injure herself, and then straighten out her oh so complex situation. by helping her to stop thinking and just get back to playing the game she loves so much.
 
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#113
#113
Coach Jumper said:
that won't happen. I have seen her AAU coach pull her to the side and without demeaning her in view,let her have both barrels. she responded with a 14 point quarter out of pure hatred and anger. This is not to say she went out and beat up anyone, she funneled that talking to into a "controlled rage".. She was all business and she was focused. That is the element that an athlete has to have to hit 110%. They have to be able to do 10% more than ANY ONE who knows them, would thought them capable of. (I detest the overuse of this phrase)

Diamond was taught to play with controlled-aggression. But she has little ability to control her emotions. When they get out of place, only one she "respects" can put her back on track. And THAT is what this team needs right now. Not a disciplinarian, a role model! An Alpha. Like Pat Summit.

She HAS to have a coach who can see her emotions taking charge over her and coach those emotions.

Only a few of us can do this thing....thus, the term, elite.

you may allude to this being part of the maturing process, but not all great athletes mature. just as not all people do. At least, on the same time-frame. (Edited)
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Your assessment of this kid is spot on. But DDs and the teams lack of focus mirrors that of the entire coaching staff. None of these kids see Coach Warlick as a credible coach/leader. She is Holly to them. Not only is DD not been coached in a manner that gets her motivated to play at a high level, none of them have. Did anyone see them set a pick for a shot last night or actively block some one off the boards? The warm ups don't speak to a disciplined routine. I watched a defeated team last night. I also watched the faces of the coaches looking up at the UT contingent -- No One, I Mean No One Was in Control.
 
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#114
#114
MDVolFan14 said:
I don't think it's a parental fail more so than a great talent that is still raw being in the wrong places at the wrong times. I think what needs to be kept in mind here is that she played her full freshman season under an assistant who just really let that talent go and do their thing. Then she leaves, maybe because she felt she wasn't getting coached or challenged, I don't know.

Then comes here and sits for an entire year and correct me if I'm wrong, is prohibited from a lot of team activities in addition to not playing in the games. And she's still that raw uber talented player that left UNC. And as most of you know, players need to play, get reps, etc. to get better and most importantly coached.

All of this shows in her game now. The talent is undeniable but it has not been coached into a maturing talent that knows when to go hard, went to pull up, when to use her talent to make others look good and when to do her own thing. That is what's missing. The coaching of that talent. Geno has done that with Stewie, Moore, Bird, etc.

ESPN spent a lot of time last night shooting her on the bench. And in none of those shots, did I see any coach talking to her and pointing to the floor like they are explaining something to her or using the clipboard to instruct her. It was, turn it over, sit down.... And that was it.

I know a lot of people are skeptical and even critical of DD. Some justified but a lot not. Because she isn't the only player on this team of HS AA's that is struggling. Look at the record and look at the games.
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When TEAMs quit, it isn't an individual thing anymore
 
#117
#117
Coach Jumper said:
If holly returns, Diamond willjump. i know this family and have known of them since Diamond was 11 years old. Delino, Dee, Diamond and I,,, all know what this child is capable of... What is missing is the thing she has had in every environment except college... SHE has to have a strong hand leading her. Holly is not an alpha-female

You can't let Diamond's emotions rule her and you can't sit her and let her recompose herself. She will only sit and fester...She has to be shaken back to earth with force, wisdom and a very alpha-hand.

this program is in trouble. . . Only a step-down from HW will end it. The U isn't going to fire or force her to leave. No way... This sacrifice and gesture has to com from Holly. . . Do the right thing HW
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If she isn't happy, tell her to go to the greener pastures, time she grew up, if you are correct, but unless you are a family member, then no way you know what is in a 19 or 20 yr old privileged girl's head. Time she became an adult and motivates herself. Maybe Holly should kick her off the team, if you are correct, it would be best for everybody involved.
 
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#118
#118
I think DD sees college ball as her warm up, an audition to pro ball. It is her chance to be on a winning team and showcase her talent. It has not worked out that way.

Perhaps athletes, like regular students, need to choose schools based on things like academics and love of the school, not on less important things like "TV time" and where your BFs go.
 
#119
#119
Chitownvol1129 said:
If she isn't happy, tell her to go to the greener pastures, time she grew up, if you are correct, but unless you are a family member, then no way you know what is in a 19 or 20 yr old privileged girl's head. Time she became an adult and motivates herself. Maybe Holly should kick her off the team, if you are correct, it would be best for everybody involved.
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The grass is greener next door.
But,
They still have to weed and mow it... Self.

Jumpers jump from team to team looking for chemistry.
if it isn't instantaneous they will go into funks. They will wait to be pushed away and then look for a new setting. It has a lot to do with the world we are in today...

Chemestry is either concocted over time or it is immediate.
And if isn't one way, it will be the other. We live in the "instant Gratification Generation" folks. Kids want to start out in life with what Mom and Dad only accumulated after they had been married forever. Microwave, IM's, Netflix... Instant Gratification... Basketball you have to work for. and sometimes, chemestry has to be worked for.

You got skill wonder woman,,, now learn how to use it in this system. DD understand sacrifice on the court. What she needs to do now is humble herself in the knowledge that in this immediate environment. This group of girls is an outstanding combination of proven talent. Now it is time for these girls to come together and fight as one.
 
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#120
#120
bobkitten said:
I think DD sees college ball as her warm up, an audition to pro ball. It is her chance to be on a winning team and showcase her talent. It has not worked out that way.

Perhaps athletes, like regular students, need to choose schools based on things like academics and love of the school, not on less important things like "TV time" and where your BFs go.
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DD is where she needs to be.

All saw her coming as enough of an impact to considers for a four spot. Coaching failed this unit. Not coaching knowledge or ability. IT has no Alpha role models for alpha players.

Pat was the alpha. You don't try to replace Pat the legend, but you must replace the missing aspect that if a team has alpha players, has to be incorporated into staff, an alpha coach. The unique person who can calm or rouse the hard to reach players.
 
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#121
#121
Now, you know that i am not arm-chairing... The Alpha's I called out and directly referred to, put the team on their shoulders and did not quit until the final buzzer.

I would really like to know who took the lead role and settled these girl's individual mental-obstacles
 
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#124
#124
Excellent point about "alphas".... Some players are motivated by just a few words. Others need a strong hand/voice in their ear. DD appears to be the latter. HW played Robin to Batman for so many years and like you said CoachJ, she wasn't ready to take over Gotham when Batman left.

It's easy to say spoiled, privileged, bad attitude, etc. but she is not the only one on this team that is not feeling this staff. Others are not in the spotlight like she is being filmed, photographed and interview all of the time.
 
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