Gesell, Iowa's so much better......
- Thread starter IllQChawk
- Start date
MG is fine. He's not the best PG we've ever had but he's certainly in the upper half. He's had a rough couple games but not nearly as bad as some of you are making it seem.
One thing that I love about his play is his toughness. He doesn't let a bad play affect him. He is going to be tough as nails for this team down the stretch.
One thing that I love about his play is his toughness. He doesn't let a bad play affect him. He is going to be tough as nails for this team down the stretch.
yep that's all you can come with...you cant even defend yourself. So answer...why don't you reply to Kakert for defending Gesell....afraid to?
I have not read all of what Kakert wrote...he has his opinion, which I respect...from what I read...I pretty much agree with him.
Why would you want me to respond to him...? Why would I need to defend myself?
MG is pretty good...with faults...which can hurt team performance...some of the faults are mental, grandiose, repeated and can be corrected.
All the best...
Why would you want me to respond to him...? Why would I need to defend myself?
MG is pretty good...with faults...which can hurt team performance...some of the faults are mental, grandiose, repeated and can be corrected.
All the best...
Unless my memory is off, you can count Gesell's good shooting games on one hand each season. That is not his greatest asset, so when off, he is better driving or setting guys up. As the PG, he ends with the ball in his hands late in the clock and has to force the issue. I don't expect 20 point games, but as others have stated, knocking down some timely jumpers to keep the D honest certainly helps. As far as him trying to dunk, I would much rather see that than a driving scoop shot into the paint that has 95% chance of getting swatted. If he can get 8-10 per game from the field and line, he will do enough other things to round a solid performance.
Reasonable critique and criticism are not a problem, and debating issues can be fun. However, when posters repeatedly attack particular players, like you inserting the same negative comments into several threads every week, IMO that crosses a line. For example, in a thread early this week, you tossed in a pot shot post about MG's FT shooting etc. When I called you on it, you admitted that you didn't even see the NW game. Mike had only shot two FTs against NW and made them, although they weren't at the end of a close game because Iowa's starters and rotation guys left the game with a 25-point lead. Taking shots just to take a shot is below the belt, and you should stop it (again IMO). We now have a contingent of posters calling for things like pulling Mike and Sapp at the end of games, so they couldn't go to the FT line, as if FT shooting is the only consideration. The stupidity of suggestions like that isn't even debatable (IMO).
Funny thing is that I agree that Mike and Sapp should be better FT shooters, and that Mike occasionally takes the ball to the hole when he shouldn't. The difference is that you make it seem like this is a serious problem that needs to be "fixed." Mike is a senior and he is playing as hard and as well as he can. Since we are winning most games easily, even against high-level competition, it should be obvious that he is doing a lot more right than wrong. Mike has been in a little bit of a funk the past few games, and I hope he snaps out of it by the IU games. Even if he doesn't, I want him on the court, especially at crunch time, because IMO it gives us our best chance to win.
If you want to constructively critique, that is fine. Just provide detailed suggestions on alternatives to what is being done wrong. Hint, just saying that you don't want Mike or Sapp at the line at the end of a game does not explain how we get Uthoff or Jok the ball without greatly increasing the likelihood of a turnover...
RevKev has no detailed suggestions..his only suggestion is we shouldn't defend our own players...for example in the @ Purdue game thread...RevKev suggested Woody & Gesell should take themselves out of the game....he was so upset at their play..BUT...he never said who Fran should replace them with. Sort of funny though cause both players had something do with the 19 pt comeback...hum.
but its good to know that at least he feels Mike is a competent point guard...
That is a SERIOUS problem if you expect Iowa to be a contender, either at the B1G level or the National level. Mikey is a SR, so I expect him to shoot better at the FT line, I expect him to not make ill advised drives, and I expect him not to make silly/stupid passes. Those are MY expectations and I am entitled to them, just like you are to yours whatever they may be.
Mikey G is a good player, and I have wondered if his hammy isn't bothering him more than he is letting on because his last 4 games have been less than stellar. Make no mistake, Iowa needs a healthy (physically and mentally) Mikey G if they are going to be a serious player in the scheme of things. Right now I don't think Mikey is that.
If Mike is doing his best, and I haven't heard anyone question his effort, then we are going to have to hope that he comes through. Fran still trusts Mike or he wouldn't be the primary ball handler in crunch time. Unless you think Fran doesn't know what he is doing, that should tell you something. I also would rather have Uthoff or Jok at the line at the end of the game, but the circumstances of the game sometimes don't allow that to happen. It would be great if we had Curry as our PG, but we have Mike and Sapp. The team has exceeded my expectations, although I still want them to win every game, win the B1G, and go very deep in the dance.
I assume most members are over the age of 18 and should probably start acting like it. The rest of us would appreciate not reading 50 threads of your Hatfield-McCoy feud. Here is a tip: If you don't like someone's thread, ignore it. Engaging them in a philosophical debate trying to debunk their logic is only going to suck the life out of the rest of us and elicit (likely) an even worse response. The term thread killer is applicable here. I rarely visit and will likely cancel my membership because whenever a legitimate discussion unfolds, the same cast of characters emerge to hijack the thread with mindless banter.
Bob...here are some detailed suggestions I recall offering...not directive...suggestions.
Throw the ball over the pressure at the end of the game...get it to half court where Uthoff and Woodie can catch it and shoot free throws.
MG needs to avoid driving to the lane in triple coverage...his strength is his short, mid range jumper, use that.
MG needs to avoid running the clock down in crunch time...where he ends up being the only option...this most often doesn't end well.
MG needs to be coached on his FT shooting by the same person who made Woodie a very good free throw shooter.
Williams needs to play more to prepare for PG duty next year.
Iowa's players would be well served to learn how to diligently box out for rebounding improvement.
That's just off the top of my head...you can research it...there are many more.
Of course...these are suggestions and observations from one fan...they mean very little..and should be taken at face value.
All the best Bro...
Throw the ball over the pressure at the end of the game...get it to half court where Uthoff and Woodie can catch it and shoot free throws.
MG needs to avoid driving to the lane in triple coverage...his strength is his short, mid range jumper, use that.
MG needs to avoid running the clock down in crunch time...where he ends up being the only option...this most often doesn't end well.
MG needs to be coached on his FT shooting by the same person who made Woodie a very good free throw shooter.
Williams needs to play more to prepare for PG duty next year.
Iowa's players would be well served to learn how to diligently box out for rebounding improvement.
That's just off the top of my head...you can research it...there are many more.
Of course...these are suggestions and observations from one fan...they mean very little..and should be taken at face value.
All the best Bro...
you also said Jok should stop thinking about his next shot while playing on defense....remember that one? ...
Iowa's not guaranteed to win their remaining games by 10+ points and a costly turnover via reckless play could very well cost Iowa a game. Mike's got to take care of the ball, that's a huge prerequisite for a point guard. Mike does get out of control when he drives to the hoop - the results are not good and I'd like to know what percentage the success rate is - especially when the Hawk's are in final shot mode. I just assumed the problem would be addressed, but instead it's business as usual. In a close game that comes down to the wire I hope Fran implements a different strategy. I'm not saying Mike's not a quality point guard, he's definitely an intregal and valuable player in Iowa's success this year - they just need to rethink their play options while in final shot mode.
I am trying to let this thread die, but just how many reckless plays does Mike make? Keep in mind that there is another team on the floor, and if it is good enough to keep the game close, they are doing everything they can to shut off Iowa's priority options. Are there any PGs in the B1G making fewer TO's than Mike? Iowa is leading the league in TO margin, and Mike is the primary PG, so...
IMO, Mike's decision making when Iowa is holding out for the last shot and when he drives to the hoop at times during the game is a serious problem - especially in close games as we approach tournament time. All posessions are valuable and I hope Fran makes the proper adjustments to ensure the Hawk's don't beat themselves.
Watch out. You aren't allowed to provide any stats that might show less than stellar play, because this proves you are hating on the player and a terrible fan (actually you probably even aren't an Iowa fan. Of course, you likely aren't a coach, and have never played D1 basketball, so you don't know what you are talking about. Leave the comments to the ex-coaches and ex-players.
How about the D Mike has been playing?
And what has Williams done to deserve more minutes????
You're missing the point. I'm not questioning if Mike's quality of play sucks game in and game out, that's obviously not close to the truth. I'm simply pointing out that when Iowa's holding out for the last shot, or when Mike drives to the hoop recklessly without a plan, the negatives outweigh the positives. I never said anything about Mike not being a quality point guard in the B1G, but there is a problem that needs to be addressed - every posession is priceless and success in any given game can come down to just one turnover.
I agree that Mike is good for one or two drives to the basket that don't end well just about every game. Sometimes I think he just makes a dumb decision. Sometimes the other team makes a good play to stop him. Sometimes he is stuck with the ball and the clock is running out, which may or may not have been primarily his fault.
I also hate it when Iowa goes into the "milking the clock mode" with Mike dribbling out front and the other guys standing until there is about 10 sec on the shot clock. I don't think they have done this much since the Purdue game, but it often ends up with Mike being forced to make a play himself, which isn't his strength. I am pretty sure that Mike is doing what Fran has instructed in these clock milking instances, and I hope we don't see a lot of this going forward.
ROFL!! This thread reminds me of arguments I have had with my friend about MG.. this post by HoustonREDHawk sounds exactly like me defending him and the other negative posters sound a lot like my friend. Right now MG is in a slump.. its something that happens every year with him and its always seems to be because he gets injured and it takes him awhile to get back into the swing of things.
I HATE, HATE the "Milking the Clock Mode" It doesn't work and what usually ends up happening the person with the ball(usually MG) is stuck with a isolation one on one, because the defense only has to defend for less 10 seconds or less.. which is really easy to do when you only have time to set easily defended screens. Somebody did an analysis of the isolation one on one plays in the NBA and I think it was somewhere around 10% chance of a scoring.
Well I think we can all agree that his play is crucial to our long term success. We do not need him to go off most nights but we need more efficiency in his game. Too many 0-5, 1-4's lately with questionable decisions, especially forcing it to the rim when it's contested. Pull up jumper or make the extra pass to the weak side when multiple defenders come over.
mr counselor ... I see you ignored the benching part...maybe it would help u to stay out of the game thread..
have a great day spreading the word.
as u know I don't give 2 shits what u think of my health ...Mr Counselor...go preach to your followers...
Don't know if it is related, but it looks like he lost his outside shot and on top of it, he is trying to compensate by forcing drives more and is getting swatted/missing more on drives. After starting B1G with his best streak of play in his career, he's on a huge slump.
