Take notes MA

[WBC Hog]

Let me start with saying I'm a younger Hog fan and never kept up with them so closely until the past 5 years or so. Although I absolutely love the fastest 40 minutes style of play CMA has brought back to Arkansas, I've never really thought it could bring us a National Championship. And yes, I do realize it has already in 1994 but, like I said I'm a younger fan and I really don't see us being a consistent national power like Duke, Kentucky, Louisville, Syracuse, Florida, Michigan State, etc. Honestly, the only time I ever got to see our dominant early 90's teams was from the ESPN 30 for 30. As I'm watching this NBA Finals series unfold though, the one thing that sticks out to me is how dominant Golden State is whenever they go small, normally in the 4th quarter. It really makes me wonder if the Hogs can become a consistent power in the basketball ranks.

If the coaching staff can bring in a very good rotation of guards and 1 or 2 athletic, scrappy wing players, I do think it is possible. I think guys like Anton Beard and Jimmy Whitt are great starting points for the guard rotation and I would LOVE to see Jacorey Williams turn into a Draymond Green type of player.






It's offseason. Other than pre-draft discussion, what else is there to talk about?

[hawgfan4life]

The right combination of players, luck, and chemistry can bring a NC.  We do not have to be a national power every year to do so.  I like our chances with a coach committed to a system more than one that changes every other year with what the winning teams are doing.  MA is a proven winner, he has a system, and he simply needs better players. 

[onebadrubi]

You are watching one of the best jump shooting teams of all time in Golden state right along with one of the best jumper shooters to every play basketball wiht Steph.  Don't get to caught up in that. 

[RazorPiggie]

You are watching one of the best jump shooting teams of all time in Golden state right along with one of the best jumper shooters to every play basketball wiht Steph.  Don't get to caught up in that. 

Pretty much what I was thinking. Plus Green is 10x the player Williams will ever be.

[Inhogswetrust]

Let me start with saying I'm a younger Hog fan and never kept up with them so closely until the past 5 years or so. Although I absolutely love the fastest 40 minutes style of play CMA has brought back to Arkansas, I've never really thought it could bring us a National Championship. And yes, I do realize it has already in 1994 but, like I said I'm a younger fan and I really don't see us being a consistent national power like Duke, Kentucky, Louisville, Syracuse, Florida, Michigan State, etc. Honestly, the only time I ever got to see our dominant early 90's teams was from the ESPN 30 for 30. As I'm watching this NBA Finals series unfold though, the one thing that sticks out to me is how dominant Golden State is whenever they go small, normally in the 4th quarter. It really makes me wonder if the Hogs can become a consistent power in the basketball ranks.

If the coaching staff can bring in a very good rotation of guards and 1 or 2 athletic, scrappy wing players, I do think it is possible. I think guys like Anton Beard and Jimmy Whitt are great starting points for the guard rotation and I would LOVE to see Jacorey Williams turn into a Draymond Green type of player.






It's offseason. Other than pre-draft discussion, what else is there to talk about?

You do realize by going small as Golden State has done that it is easier to play quicker...............yet you don't like our faster pace in college. Some of the better coaches in college and pros like a faster pace, some don't..........I've been around a long time and have learned the old saying that "there is more than one way to skin a cat" is true besides just skinning cats.

[TomBigBeeHog]

You do realize by going small as Golden State has done that it is easier to play quicker...............yet you don't like our faster pace in college. Some of the better coaches in college and pros like a faster pace, some don't..........

[WorfHog]

You do realize by going small as Golden State has done that it is easier to play quicker...............yet you don't like our faster pace in college. Some of the better coaches in college and pros like a faster pace, some don't..........I've been around a long time and have learned the old saying that "there is more than one way to skin a cat" is true besides just skinning cats.

I've heard that too, but then I realize I don't even know one way to skin a cat and decided to leave it to the professionals. 

[TomBigBeeHog]

I've heard that too, but then I realize I don't even know one way to skin a cat and decided to leave it to the professionals. 

Sooo... just how many ways can we skin Calipari? I'm in. When do we start?

[PonderinHog]

Sooo... just how many ways can we skin Calipari, I'm in. When do we start?

Well, if it's initially slow and painful, I'd recommend slowing down and adding salt.

[onebadrubi]

Pretty much what I was thinking. Plus Green is 10x the player Williams will ever be.

What about BP vs Green though?  Portis is better than Green at equal stages of their careers.  That being said, it comes back to the jump shooters around the big guys.  Isn't Klay Thompson like 6'9"?  You mean your 2-3 guy is 6'9" and will have 1 in 4 games with a 50% 3 point stroke and his bad day he is going to give you 15 points and stretch the floor?  Not to mention your best player can go off and set 3 point shooting records all season long? 

You can't ask MA or the Hogs, or any other basketball team to replicate what Golden state is doing.  It's just not rational.

[GuvHog]

What about BP vs Green though?  Portis is better than Green at equal stages of their careers.  That being said, it comes back to the jump shooters around the big guys.  Isn't Klay Thompson like 6'9"?  You mean your 2-3 guy is 6'9" and will have 1 in 4 games with a 50% 3 point stroke and his bad day he is going to give you 15 points and stretch the floor?  Not to mention your best player can go off and set 3 point shooting records all season long? 

You can't ask MA or the Hogs, or any other basketball team to replicate what Golden state is doing.  It's just not rational.

Well said. To be successful with a small line up a team has to have a whole bunch of players on it that can drain 3 point shots on a consistent basis. Arkansas doesn't have near enough of them.

[rude1]

Boy talking about reading way too much into a series, this post is the epitome of that. You are failing to account for the fact that the team Golden State is playing have lost their second and third best players to injury, and even with that this hasn't been a cakewalk for them. Let's not get carried away with thinking we are seeing some blueprint for our success.

[bigdaddyhawg]

Let me start with saying I'm a younger Hog fan and never kept up with them so closely until the past 5 years or so. Although I absolutely love the fastest 40 minutes style of play CMA has brought back to Arkansas, I've never really thought it could bring us a National Championship. And yes, I do realize it has already in 1994 but, like I said I'm a younger fan and I really don't see us being a consistent national power like Duke, Kentucky, Louisville, Syracuse, Florida, Michigan State, etc. Honestly, the only time I ever got to see our dominant early 90's teams was from the ESPN 30 for 30. As I'm watching this NBA Finals series unfold though, the one thing that sticks out to me is how dominant Golden State is whenever they go small, normally in the 4th quarter. It really makes me wonder if the Hogs can become a consistent power in the basketball ranks.

If the coaching staff can bring in a very good rotation of guards and 1 or 2 athletic, scrappy wing players, I do think it is possible. I think guys like Anton Beard and Jimmy Whitt are great starting points for the guard rotation and I would LOVE to see Jacorey Williams turn into a Draymond Green type of player.






It's offseason. Other than pre-draft discussion, what else is there to talk about?

This may be irreverent to say, but I don't think about a NC any more.

What I do want to see is for MA to return us to national respectability, where we are a fixture in the top 20, with years in the top 10, where we are in the tourney every year and in the sweet 16 as often as not, with a final four every ten years or so.

Is that realistic?

[RazorPiggie]

What about BP vs Green though?  Portis is better than Green at equal stages of their careers.  That being said, it comes back to the jump shooters around the big guys.  Isn't Klay Thompson like 6'9"?  You mean your 2-3 guy is 6'9" and will have 1 in 4 games with a 50% 3 point stroke and his bad day he is going to give you 15 points and stretch the floor?  Not to mention your best player can go off and set 3 point shooting records all season long? 

You can't ask MA or the Hogs, or any other basketball team to replicate what Golden state is doing.  It's just not rational.

6'7"

[arkansasrazorback]

Boy talking about reading way too much into a series, this post is the epitome of that. You are failing to account for the fact that the team Golden State is playing have lost their second and third best players to injury, and even with that this hasn't been a cakewalk for them. Let's not get carried away with thinking we are seeing some blueprint for our success.

Yes.  With Love and Irving, the Cavs would have most likely swept.  The Cavs would have already won the series for sure.

[Hogimus Prime]

Sorry but the Warriors haven't played a team in the playoffs without an injury to the PG.  They can shoot, but they've been very lucky this run. Even in this series the Warriors are having to play lights out to beat an under manned Cavs team.

[lefty08]

One of the best jump shooting teams of all time?  Is this a joke?

Cavs would have swept if healthy?

Is this a joke?

Knock knock.......

Thought I'd add one of my own but I forgot it

[Biggus Piggus]

Sorry but the Warriors haven't played a team in the playoffs without an injury to the PG.  They can shoot, but they've been very lucky this run. Even in this series the Warriors are having to play lights out to beat an under manned Cavs team.

Very astute.

[TomBigBeeHog]

Sorry but the Warriors haven't played a team in the playoffs without an injury to the PG.  They can shoot, but they've been very lucky this run. Even in this series the Warriors are having to play lights out to beat an under manned Cavs team.

Well, they did beat Houston. However, Harden stunk it up for a couple of games so there's that. Seems to me that GS hasn't been hitting on all cylinders yet. We haven't seen Curry and Thompson both lighting it up in the same game. It's been one or the other. Kudos to the Cavs defense thus far. Great move by Kerr to go small and try to get into the legs of the Cavs. But I agree, with Love and Irving, the Cavs would have this one wrapped up by now.

[husker71]

They will be figured out just like in all sports these days.  I like the Warriors but agree with others that Cavs with Kyrie, Love and Varajao would have had this series done by now.  If the Rockets had Beverly on Curry that might have made for a much different series.  Talent wins and Warriors have to much now for depleted Cavs. 

[Hogimus Prime]

They will be figured out just like in all sports these days.  I like the Warriors but agree with others that Cavs with Kyrie, Love and Varajao would have had this series done by now.  If the Rockets had Beverly on Curry that might have made for a much different series.  Talent wins and Warriors have to much now for depleted Cavs. 

Throw in the fact OKC wasn't healthy this year and missed the playoffs.  If, and this is big IF, OKC was healthy I don't think the Warriors make the finals.

[WBC Hog]

You are watching one of the best jump shooting teams of all time in Golden state right along with one of the best jumper shooters to every play basketball wiht Steph.  Don't get to caught up in that.

I don't think I am. I think we are a couple of guys like Shabazz Napier and Ryan Boatright away from being legit. The year they won it they also had a stuf freshman wing player show out in the Championship game, can't remember his name though.

I'm not trying to say we need the best shooter in America. We just need a salty 4 guard rotation to go with a good wing player. Can't forget your scrappy players either. They may be the most important.

[WBC Hog]

You do realize by going small as Golden State has done that it is easier to play quicker...............yet you don't like our faster pace in college. Some of the better coaches in college and pros like a faster pace, some don't..........I've been around a long time and have learned the old saying that "there is more than one way to skin a cat" is true besides just skinning cats.

Hahaha wow. Please read over my original post again. I never said I didn't like CMA's style, I actually said the exact opposite in that I love the fastest 40 style. I just question if it can lead us to being a consistent national power.

And yes I realize with Golden State going small, it is easier for them to play quicker. That was the point of my post... ala take notes MA.

[WBC Hog]

What about BP vs Green though?  Portis is better than Green at equal stages of their careers.  That being said, it comes back to the jump shooters around the big guys.  Isn't Klay Thompson like 6'9"?  You mean your 2-3 guy is 6'9" and will have 1 in 4 games with a 50% 3 point stroke and his bad day he is going to give you 15 points and stretch the floor?  Not to mention your best player can go off and set 3 point shooting records all season long? 

You can't ask MA or the Hogs, or any other basketball team to replicate what Golden state is doing.  It's just not rational.

I'm not asking CMA to go get a player that will break every shooting record that ever existed. I'm simply saying go small. Let me use last years team as an example

1- Beard      Durham
2- Bell         Watkins
3- Madden   Babb
4- Qualls     Harris
5- Portis      Kingsley

Something along those lines in terms of size, quickness, etc. The one glaring thing that sticks out is shooting ability. One of the big reasons GS is so good is not only they have shooters everywhere but they can space the floor out with those shooters. I look at the list of players I just gave as an example and see a good first team top to bottom. The second team has some holes. A pass first guard, a defensive specialist, an unproven freshman, a scrappy/physical big man who can guard probably any position and another defensive specialist.

I think the biggest problem is we don't have enough shooters. And we all know that's been a hot topic over the past few years.

[WBC Hog]

To be successful with a small line up a team has to have a whole bunch of players on it that can drain 3 point shots on a consistent basis. Arkansas doesn't have near enough of them.

Ahem.

[WBC Hog]

This may be irreverent to say, but I don't think about a NC any more.

What I do want to see is for MA to return us to national respectability, where we are a fixture in the top 20, with years in the top 10, where we are in the tourney every year and in the sweet 16 as often as not, with a final four every ten years or so.

Is that realistic?

Well by George, I've found a realist in the Jump Ball forum. I think this is spot on. And yes, I think that is realistic. +1

[WBC Hog]

Just what MA needs to do, listen to some dumbass kid about how to build a team and coach.  Be sure and take notes Mike so you don't miss anything.  After all he won it all on his Xbox last night.

To save the best For last, I think we all owe maxhog5 a big thank yoU for his insight on the basketball program. Not only that but the name Calling, too. Why don't you give yourself a pat on the bacK. After all, YOU are the one who has brought the most to this discussion. 

[WBC Hog]

Oh and to those who think the Cavs would've swept the Warriors or even won by now if healthy, get real. I realize LBJ has to pick it up for his injured team but when you miss more shots than the splash brothers combined missed shots in each of games 1, 3, 4 AND 5, you're gonna lose. He is taking way too many shots.

Heck he averages 19.6 shots missed per game! Unreal.

[Hogimus Prime]

Oh and to those who think the Cavs would've swept the Warriors or even won by now if healthy, get real. I realize LBJ has to pick it up for his injured team but when you miss more shots than the splash brothers combined missed shots in each of games 1, 3, 4 AND 5, you're gonna lose. He is taking way too many shots.

Heck he averages 19.6 shots missed per game! Unreal.

You do realize LBJ is the only Cav healthy can score and create on his own.

[onebadrubi]

I don't think I am. I think we are a couple of guys like Shabazz Napier and Ryan Boatright away from being legit. The year they won it they also had a stuf freshman wing player show out in the Championship game, can't remember his name though.

I'm not trying to say we need the best shooter in America. We just need a salty 4 guard rotation to go with a good wing player. Can't forget your scrappy players either. They may be the most important.

Uconn had a big board banger along with that oversea's guy you are calling a wing, which he was actually more like a BP.  I just looked it his name up and it was Brimah.  We just lost that part of our team to fit your comparison.  We needed a salty 4 guard rotation last year, this coming year will be a completely different team since we've lost Portis, qualls, and Harris. 

[PonderinHog]

To save the best For last, I think we all owe maxhog5 a big thank yoU for his insight on the basketball program. Not only that but the name Calling, too. Why don't you give yourself a pat on the bacK. After all, YOU are the one who has brought the most to this discussion. 

NICE!  Stick to theology.   

[Pork Twain]

Oh and to those who think the Cavs would've swept the Warriors or even won by now if healthy, get real. I realize LBJ has to pick it up for his injured team but when you miss more shots than the splash brothers combined missed shots in each of games 1, 3, 4 AND 5, you're gonna lose. He is taking way too many shots.

Heck he averages 19.6 shots missed per game! Unreal.

Easy, take away two of the Warrior's top three players and see where they are at.

[onebadrubi]

Easy, take away two of the Warrior's top three players and see where they are at.

I don't see him comparing that at all.  I don't think anyone would argue that the warriors are the better team and the cavs have the best player. 

[WBC Hog]

Congrats to the coaching staff. They addd a very nice contributor to the team for next year in Daryl Macon. Just like everyone else, I'm hoping for Monk and Tyler Cook.

[rude1]

Oh and to those who think the Cavs would've swept the Warriors or even won by now if healthy, get real. I realize LBJ has to pick it up for his injured team but when you miss more shots than the splash brothers combined missed shots in each of games 1, 3, 4 AND 5, you're gonna lose. He is taking way too many shots.

Heck he averages 19.6 shots missed per game! Unreal.

Who would you have him give it too? He is averaging more misses because he doesn't have anyone he can share it with. The fact that Lebron has been able to will this collection of role players to contention in this series is nothing short of remarkable.

[onebadrubi]

Who would you have him give it too? He is averaging more misses because he doesn't have anyone he can share it with. The fact that Lebron has been able to will this collection of role players to contention in this series is nothing short of remarkable.

exactly, w/o James the cavs are discussing towns, okafor, the overseas guy or trading a top 3 pick.

[Pig in the Pokey]

You are watching one of the best jump shooting teams of all time in Golden state right along with one of the best jumper shooters to every play basketball wiht Steph.  Don't get to caught up in that.

and a coach who straight up buried them and probably always wished he had a true "green light" (aka on a pass from someone other than MJ haha). But on top of that, Draymon Green and Iggy play some D, now. As a team they are #1 in defense. Seems to get lost in all the 3point bombing.

[Pork Twain]

I don't see him comparing that at all.  I don't think anyone would argue that the warriors are the better team and the cavs have the best player. 

Umm, that is exactly what he was doing in the post I quoted.  Of course the Warriors are the best team right now as two of the Cavs top three players were out for the entire series (Irving and Love).  I cannot think of any team that has ever gotten this far without 2 of 3 and I imagine if those guys were both healthy, we would see much different results.

[Razorpigg]

I actually think the Cavs were better without KL, but the KI loss hurt them a lot.  But to say that "the warriors would have been swept with KL and KI is crazy and little absurd.  They did have the best record in the league this year people, and were the best team.  Still are....

[onebadrubi]

I actually think the Cavs were better without KL, but the KI loss hurt them a lot.  But to say that "the warriors would have been swept with KL and KI is crazy and little absurd.  They did have the best record in the league this year people, and were the best team.  Still are....

I agree.  It's quite sad to see a lot people today saying this Golden St title should have an asterisk besides it.  They won everything with leading just about all analytic's and won what was called the toughest conference in many years.

[Pork Twain]

I 100% think they deserve it, I just think it would have been much different if the Cavs had their other players, that is all.

[mhuff]

Question: Is Whitt too slight to play SF?

[Pig in the Pokey]

I 100% think they deserve it, I just think it would have been much different if the Cavs had their other players, that is all.

NAW

[onebadrubi]

I 100% think they deserve it, I just think it would have been much different if the Cavs had their other players, that is all.

No reasonable rational person can argue that point!!!

[WBC Hog]

Who would you have him give it too? He is averaging more misses because he doesn't have anyone he can share it with. The fact that Lebron has been able to will this collection of role players to contention in this series is nothing short of remarkable.

First of all, I'd have to blame the GM Dan Gilbert, again. The first time LBJ was in Cleveland, Gilbert never surrounded LeBron with a good team. This time around, he went out and got Kevin Love, JR Smith, Iman Shumpert, and Mozgov while already having Kyrie. Where Dan Gilbert went wrong is bringing in all of these older players that stand around the 3 point line waiting for LeBron to drive and dish it out to them. It's Dan Gilbert's fault for not getting players that can create their own shot. Yeah Kevin Love and Kyrie can and it's unfortunate that they both got hurt but, you need more playmakers than that on a contending team.

To answer your question though, LBJ has solid guys around him. Shumpert, JR Smith, Tristan Thompson, and Timofey Mozgov are no scrubs. The Cavs were eventually forced to play the Warriors style of play though that ruled out a lot of Thompson and Mozgov. Like Pig in the Pokey said, you have to factor in that the Warriors were the best defensive team in the league. They simply shut down the Cavs. I would almost say they LeBron offensively too since he shot 78-196 or 39.7% during the finals. Some of that falls on fatigue, some on great defense. You. Ant really blame the coach for LBJ being fatigued either. Who are you going to sub in for LeBron for 10-12 minutes a game?.. Shawn Marion?.. James Jones?.. Mike Miller?..... Once again, it falls on Dan Gilbert. He better learn quick or he'll be watching LBJ leave for another team again.

[onebadrubi]

First of all, I'd have to blame the GM Dan Gilbert, again. The first time LBJ was in Cleveland, Gilbert never surrounded LeBron with a good team. This time around, he went out and got Kevin Love, JR Smith, Iman Shumpert, and Mozgov while already having Kyrie. Where Dan Gilbert went wrong is bringing in all of these older players that stand around the 3 point line waiting for LeBron to drive and dish it out to them. It's Dan Gilbert's fault for not getting players that can create their own shot. Yeah Kevin Love and Kyrie can and it's unfortunate that they both got hurt but, you need more playmakers than that on a contending team.

To answer your question though, LBJ has solid guys around him. Shumpert, JR Smith, Tristan Thompson, and Timofey Mozgov are no scrubs. The Cavs were eventually forced to play the Warriors style of play though that ruled out a lot of Thompson and Mozgov. Like Pig in the Pokey said, you have to factor in that the Warriors were the best defensive team in the league. They simply shut down the Cavs. I would almost say they LeBron offensively too since he shot 78-196 or 39.7% during the finals. Some of that falls on fatigue, some on great defense. You. Ant really blame the coach for LBJ being fatigued either. Who are you going to sub in for LeBron for 10-12 minutes a game?.. Shawn Marion?.. James Jones?.. Mike Miller?..... Once again, it falls on Dan Gilbert. He better learn quick or he'll be watching LBJ leave for another team again.

whiff!  That's what you just did there.  The guys around Lebron at the beginning of the season were role players that were cheap and on the market.  Gilbert (who doesn't make these decisions, his GM has 100% control and trust from Gilbert) did what Lebron wanted virtually.  Once the season started the had to scramble to get what they got, and they were lucky doing that.  We will see what pieces they add.  They don't want to load the bench with payroll if Lebron isn't going to let them play.  But he's seeing how important a Barbosa, speights, or a livingston.  The matter is though, you can't control health of a knee cap or a competitor ripping your shoulder out of place.  Kyrie and Love could have spared Lebron more than 1-2 minutes a game and kept it close.  They also could have contributed in the 4th quarter to make it a different season.

[razortv]

What about BP vs Green though?  Portis is better than Green at equal stages of their careers.  That being said, it comes back to the jump shooters around the big guys.  Isn't Klay Thompson like 6'9"?  You mean your 2-3 guy is 6'9" and will have 1 in 4 games with a 50% 3 point stroke and his bad day he is going to give you 15 points and stretch the floor?  Not to mention your best player can go off and set 3 point shooting records all season long? 

You can't ask MA or the Hogs, or any other basketball team to replicate what Golden state is doing.  It's just not rational.

Portis is better than Green at equal stages of their careers. What does that mean? I can tell you this, Portis has a long way to go to be on the page with Green. Some of you people have no clue (or sense of reason) about basketball talent when it comes to Razorbacks.

[rude1]

First of all, I'd have to blame the GM Dan Gilbert, again. The first time LBJ was in Cleveland, Gilbert never surrounded LeBron with a good team. This time around, he went out and got Kevin Love, JR Smith, Iman Shumpert, and Mozgov while already having Kyrie. Where Dan Gilbert went wrong is bringing in all of these older players that stand around the 3 point line waiting for LeBron to drive and dish it out to them. It's Dan Gilbert's fault for not getting players that can create their own shot. Yeah Kevin Love and Kyrie can and it's unfortunate that they both got hurt but, you need more playmakers than that on a contending team.

To answer your question though, LBJ has solid guys around him. Shumpert, JR Smith, Tristan Thompson, and Timofey Mozgov are no scrubs. The Cavs were eventually forced to play the Warriors style of play though that ruled out a lot of Thompson and Mozgov. Like Pig in the Pokey said, you have to factor in that the Warriors were the best defensive team in the league. They simply shut down the Cavs. I would almost say they LeBron offensively too since he shot 78-196 or 39.7% during the finals. Some of that falls on fatigue, some on great defense. You. Ant really blame the coach for LBJ being fatigued either. Who are you going to sub in for LeBron for 10-12 minutes a game?.. Shawn Marion?.. James Jones?.. Mike Miller?..... Once again, it falls on Dan Gilbert. He better learn quick or he'll be watching LBJ leave for another team again.

Blame the GM when your second and third options get hurt? How many teams do what Cleveland did after losing options 2 and 3 from their team? No way you can assemble a team that can withstand those kind of losses and still win it all.

[Big Nasty 34]

Question: Is Whitt too slight to play SF?

He is very slight, but will be the "3" in our 3 guard lineup a lot I'm sure.

[onebadrubi]

Portis is better than Green at equal stages of their careers. What does that mean? I can tell you this, Portis has a long way to go to be on the page with Green. Some of you people have no clue (or sense of reason) about basketball talent when it comes to Razorbacks.

Ok well next week please come right here at this post and apologize for your ignorant post.  I doubt you would do that after the draft though.