Stevenson Comments

[freethrow]

Sounds like he knows he needs work and seems to be ready to do the work needed.



http://www.amnews.com/public_html/?module=displaystory&story_id=26087&format=html

[WildcatDan]

Great stuff. I like this kid already.

[RxRusty]

You gotta love the wingspan in that picture.
I can see why he blocks so many shots.
That good attitude should take him far.:thumbup

[Gunsmoke]

Man check out how long his hands are!:shock:With that wingspan, athletic ability, timing, and instincts he will bring another dimension to this team as he finds his role and comfort level..and learns the offense the defense and gets in major college bball shape. Easy enough. Shouldn't take too long.:lol:

[NC Cat]

Shot-blocking is anundervalued art, I think. A blocked shot can have an impact beyond just the shot being swatted away.Blocks can either excite the crowd (home) or shut them up (away),and they can make opposing shooterstentative and hesitant to bring it into the lane.In other words, they canhave a big impact on momentum and the final outcome of the game.

I'm glad to see us finally recruiting long, quick athletes again.Hopefully we'll see an immediate impact on the defensive side of the ball.

[sardiscat]

"Shot-blocking is anundervalued art, I think."

Depends upon whether the shot-blocker keeps the ball in play so the block can be converted into a turnover, or swats it out of bounds so that the offensive team simply has to run another play. Blocks that are recovered by the defensive team have a demoralizing effect. Even if the offensive team recovers the ball, blocks that are kept in play have adisorganizing effect. However, blocks thatonlyrequire the offensive team to run an out of bounds play are shrugged off.

[Will Lavender]

sardiscat wrote: "Shot-blocking is anundervalued art, I think."

Depends upon whether the shot-blocker keeps the ball in play so the block can be converted into a turnover, or swats it out of bounds so that the offensive team simply has to run another play. Blocks that are recovered by the defensive team have a demoralizing effect. Even if the offensive team recovers the ball, blocks that are kept in play have adisorganizing effect. However, blocks thatonlyrequire the offensive team to run an out of bounds play are shrugged off.

I disagree that blocks that are recovered by the other team are "demoralizing" in any way. If you've got an enforcer in there and he's throwing back shots with consistency, one lesson is going to be learned: don't take it at him.

Over time, that's going to have a positive effect because the action veers away from the paint. If you can keep the opposition out of the paint, you are going to win most basketball games.

And Patrick Ewing didn't care too much about how "demoralizing" blocks were if they weren't collected by his teammates. He goaltended -- intentionally -- with regularity. But there was a moral: don't bring it in here. Punk. :X:D

[sardiscat]

"I disagree that blocks that are recovered by the other team are "demoralizing" in any way. If you've got an enforcer in there and he's throwing back shots with consistency, one lesson is going to be learned: don't take it at him."

Reading comprehension. I said that blocks thatare recovered by the "defensive team" (read, the team that the shot blocker is playing on) have a demoralizing effect (that is, on the teamthat shot the ball and had the shot blocked).

[JohnJ]

Will Lavender wrote: sardiscat wrote: "Shot-blocking is anundervalued art, I think."

Depends upon whether the shot-blocker keeps the ball in play so the block can be converted into a turnover, or swats it out of bounds so that the offensive team simply has to run another play. Blocks that are recovered by the defensive team have a demoralizing effect. Even if the offensive team recovers the ball, blocks that are kept in play have adisorganizing effect. However, blocks thatonlyrequire the offensive team to run an out of bounds play are shrugged off.

I disagree that blocks that are recovered by the other team are "demoralizing" in any way. If you've got an enforcer in there and he's throwing back shots with consistency, one lesson is going to be learned: don't take it at him.

Over time, that's going to have a positive effect because the action veers away from the paint. If you can keep the opposition out of the paint, you are going to win most basketball games.

And Patrick Ewing didn't care too much about how "demoralizing" blocks were if they weren't collected by his teammates. He goaltended -- intentionally -- with regularity. But there was a moral: don't bring it in here. Punk. :X:D

Blocked shots kept in play and recovered by the defensive team are very demoralizing. I have seen that many times, and it does have an added effect.

[RCS]

I think he was trying to say all blocks are demorilizing, not just blocks recovered by the defense. At least I think so.

[NC Cat]

Even if the ball is swatted OB and the offense gets another crack, there's still a message being sent.And with every block playersbecome a littlemore tentative in putting up a shot...and a littleless accurate as a result.Plus, the shot clock doesn't reset sothe defense still gets something of atime advantage.

And if a block winds up resulting ina fast break dunk going the other way,all the better!:cool:

[bleedbluelady]

WildcatDan wrote: Great stuff. I like this kid already.

I agree. :thumbup I also loved this comment about Morris. Bring it on! :cool:

Following Stevenson's failed attempt to score, Morris didn't say a word. He just stared at him.



"That spoke a thousand words," Stevenson said.

[Will Lavender]

sardiscat wrote: "I disagree that blocks that are recovered by the other team are "demoralizing" in any way. If you've got an enforcer in there and he's throwing back shots with consistency, one lesson is going to be learned: don't take it at him."

Reading comprehension. I said that blocks thatare recovered by the "defensive team" (read, the team that the shot blocker is playing on) have a demoralizing effect (that is, on the teamthat shot the ball and had the shot blocked).


OK. I misunderstood.

But I still disagree with your last point in the original post. I think blocking shots -- regardless of whether they are kept in play or not -- are crucial. (And really, if you've got a hellacious shot blocker, about half of his blocks are going to be in play and half are going to go out of bounds, so it should even out in the long run.) Blocks are just like deflections: deflections are often controlled by the offense, but that doesn't negate the effectiveness of the play.

[matt57]

I can see where sardiscat is coming from. but, i think the block that goes into the third row of the seats are even more demoralizing. how many times have you seen a guy get a shot swatted into the stands and then go right back at the defender only to travel after trying so many fakes. all blocks are good. but, when a shot is swatted into the stands it sends a definite message to the opposing team.

also, touching on the ewing goaltending thing. i used to love it when magloire would reach up and grab a shot someone throws up after a foul is called. it just brought a smile to my face for whatever reason.

[ukbob]

I have read a lot of stuff about and from kids like Meeks, Porter, Jasper and now Stevenson.

The one single aspect I have noticed is that they all seem to have something we have sorely missed lately...basketball IQ.

They are all willing to listen and learn. They all seem to understand that nothing comes easy and you have to work at it. And they al seem to understand that everyone plays a role.

I like it. It may not translate immediately to exceptional play, but it will in time. I believe it.

[poodoo]

ukbob wrote: I have read a lot of stuff about and from kids like Meeks, Porter, Jasper and now Stevenson.

The one single aspect I have noticed is that they all seem to have something we have sorely missed lately...basketball IQ.

They are all willing to listen and learn. They all seem to understand that nothing comes easy and you have to work at it. And they al seem to understand that everyone plays a role.

I like it. It may not translate immediately to exceptional play, but it will in time. I believe it.

Well-said, ukbob. I, too, like everything I have read about these guys. :)