Thoughts on Pacers Game

[Edrow]

In the fourth quarter it came....like an unwanted stomach ache when you're out on a date with a pretty girl. I knew it was going to happen. The conditions were perfect. The Bobcats were fighting their way into the lead. The Pacers had called a timeout to settle everybody down. The Lady Cats came onto the floor...and then...."Like a Pony..Come on...Like a Pony...It's alright!". I'm sure everyone around me thought that I was crazy b/c I was laughing so hard. That stupid song just won't go away, I'm not even sure what the hell the guy is even saying. Is it really "Like a pony"? Geez louiz!

Anyways, to answer somebody else's question about J-Rich. No, GS didn't have any secret information on J-Rich (IMO). He's had a two game slump, but it happens to everybody. It's like finding your sea legs on a new, unfamiliar ship. Once you get it, it doesn't go away. Once J-Rich finds his stroke, it's gonna get narsty.

Okafor was an absolute monster last night. As a fan, I enjoy seeing the Cats get defensive rebounds, but I REALLY enjoy seeing them get offensive ones. Oaktown was all over the place last night.

Matt Carroll has found his stroke, and I think we needed it last night. He had a couple of really good shots from outside.

I love how Dudley plays. He seems to be really physical. We need somebody like that. More importantly though, he's got that youthful fire in him. I really dug how he tried to get everybody fired up.

Finally, Crash was a nightmare for the Pacers late in the game. It got to the point where he was going to do what he wanted, and nobody was going to stop him.

The crowd, although still too lean, was actually pretty enthusiastic and involved in the game.

All in all a good win for our guys.

-Edrow

[ohara831]

I was happy with 17 pts from Ray, and only 2 TO's. But I was not so pleased with only 4 assists. As the PG, he has to be far more productive when it comes to getting the ball to the scorer in position. I'm not upset with him, I just know he needs to be more productive with the assists part of his game.
He has to get better there if we are to take this club to the next level. IMO.

[spectre]

I was happy with 17 pts from Ray, and only 2 TO's.  But I was not so pleased with only 4 assists.  As the PG, he has to be far more productive when it comes to getting the ball to the scorer in position.  I'm not upset with him, I just know he needs to be more productive with the assists part of his game.
He has to get better there if we are to take this club to the next level.  IMO.

Ohara you realize that the Pacers were fouling everyone in the paint right?  If that hadn't happened Felts would have had at least 10 assists.  Mek went to the line 13 times and Crash went 15...somebody had to get it to them (esp. Mek) in scoring position.

Guy can't seem to get a break. He's been the best player we've had until last night yet every little thing is critiqued. I know what's driving it, but since that's been going on since we drafted the guy I also know it'll never stop.

That being said, V REALLY needs to bring in that FT specialist.  One of our primary goals is to keep Mek more involved...that won't work so well if he's shooting less than 50% from the line.

Nice recap Edrow!  You should put in for Bonnell's job...much more entertaining to read!

Y'all need to be a little less quick to throw players/coaches under the bus after a game or two.  Everybody has off games and bad streaks and JRich is no different.  Look at his career stat line...he's NEVER shot as bad as he is currently, esp. over the last few seasons (he played injured that last year and STILL shot 42%).  Crash has sucked up til the 2nd half of last night too, but we KNOW that won't continue.

[Keetch]

As a team, we had 19 assists to the Pacers 17; with McInnis leading the team with 7. Otherwise, Felton had 4, Carroll 3, Wallace and Dudley 2 apiece.

When a team is moving the ball well, everyone gets some assists, not just the PG. As you all have noted, what we may need more is for our bigs to get a few assists on pass outs.

Even with only 4 assists, Felton was the CLEAR floor leader during the Pacers game; even if McInnis brought the ball up court. Don't know, but everytime Ray has the ball I feel better. He's exuding tremendous confidence and even a little swagger. Overall, Felton had a VERY sweet game. No way we had a prayer without him.

[Keetch]

I've been pretty skeptical about Felton, but I'm coming around to the belief that he may become a very good NBA point guard, or in fact we may be SEEING the emergence of a very good NBA point guard right now.

That even though he's playing alongside McInnis lol. Not a crit on Jeff at all, who is doing great, but Felton is the game-maker, Jeff the role player. I'm sure Jeff doesn't mind at all.

So far Felton's shooting percentage is 46% with 6.5 dimes per game. The shooting percentage is big improvement for him, while the assists are down from 7.0 last year. I'll take those stats considering the 3 guard offense we're often playing - so long as others are moving the ball.

[ohara831]

Spectre and Keetch:
Dont get me wrong. I am a big Ray fan and hope he reaches the next level. My analysis of his game is made as a fan of his. I hope he reaches the next level and becomes an elite PG. But I sometimes think some of the comments I read from his supporters are comments made "looking through rose colored glasses." He is not one of the elite - yet. We can still be a fan and be suportively critical cant we? Like I've said about J-Rich, he has proven to be a big time scorer the past 3 seasons. He started off hot with 2 good games, then he's had 3 bad games in a row. If you look at my comments over the past week, I have stated repeatedly that he will find his groove again and start popping the points again.**But the difference between J-Rich and Ray is that J-Rich already reached that higher level in the league, while Ray is still trying to get there. This is his 3rd year and he has the reigns. I expect he will raise the level of his game, and I have the confidence in him. All I have been saying is "Give him this season to show us he can do it." We can evaluate further at the end of this season.

[spectre]

That's all well and good, but your point isn't valid. You question the amount of assists yet ignore that the Pacers fouled Mek almost every time he got the ball in the paint!

He made 2 great passes to Primoz in the 1st half yet on one Primoz didn't move to where the opening was (that was one of those 2 TOs) and on the other he caught it then walked. He made at LEAST 2 drives and dishes to Mek in the 1st half, but each time Mek was hammered and went to the line.

When JRich and Crash aren't hitting their outside shots, the ONLY outside threat in that starting group is Felton.

But I sometimes think some of the comments I read from his supporters are comments made "looking through rose colored glasses."

You make an invalid point but instead of addressing my post you insinuate homerism? Why not tell me how he should get more assists when no outside shots are falling and they foul anyone in the paint due to our lackluster FT shooting instead?

It has nothing to do with being "supporter". It's what is actually happening on the court.

[spectre]

I've been pretty skeptical about Felton, but I'm coming around to the belief that he may become a very good NBA point guard, or in fact we may be SEEING the emergence of a very good NBA point guard right now.

That even though he's playing alongside McInnis lol. Not a crit on Jeff at all, who is doing great, but Felton is the game-maker, Jeff the role player. I'm sure Jeff doesn't mind at all.

So far Felton's shooting percentage is 46% with 6.5 dimes per game. The shooting percentage is big improvement for him, while the assists are down from 7.0 last year. I'll take those stats considering the 3 guard offense we're often playing - so long as others are moving the ball.

A bunch of us had this discussion a year or so ago on a now defunct forum.

How many teams that have won a championship had a PG who averaged more than 10 assists a game? In recent memory only Magic comes to mind. Most teams that have success move the ball a lot, and everyone gets assists.

I'd much rather see 6 from Felts, 4/5 from Crash & JRich and 2 or 3 from Mek vs. 12 from the starting PG.

Felton will become really good once he develops poise...and a big part of that is knowing when to run and when not to. He mentioned in the write up that he's starting to learn that. From what I've seen this season vs. last is he really is "starting to learn".

[Keetch]

Great points Spectre, I'd forgotten about those missed assist opportunities, but you're definitely dead-on. Ohara I understand where you're coming from; Felton has much to prove, so lets all enjoy the show and hope for the very best!

Now THAT'S homerism

[ohara831]

Spectre: You want me to prove my point? OK. McGinnis had 7 assists to Ray's 4. OK. McGinnis. I'm talking MCGINNIS!!!
OK, enough said I would think. If McGinnis can get 7, then Ray can get 8. Valid point made. Just like Keetch said, Felton has much to prove. I beleive he can prove to us by continuing to get better. My whole point is "he aint there yet". If you are totally satisfied with him at this current level, then you are accepting a very good PG rather than wanting a great PG. I want a great PG.