[Kricket]

It was actually Wylers and not Kool Aid

Yes, and I'm not sure Kool Aid would agree with the phrase that "any pub is good pub" in this case.

Again, they drank WYLERS not Kool Aid

http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?client=mv- ... verified=1

So if you are going to be offended be offended by the correct term.

I never said they actually drank Kool Aid. The term is "drinking the kool-aid" and that's why I used it. And when I said Yes, I was agreeing with you, and saying that Kool Aid is probably not happy that this publicity got attributed to them mistakenly. Perhaps should have worded my response to you more carefully to you Purple.

And I'm in no way offended by the term. Just think it should be used more carefully. I regret I brought it up, moving on... lol

[Purple Haize]

I'm just trying to help you get over your pet peeve!

[Chippy]

According to Lang, the problem with Baird is his defense................................or lack thereof. It didn't keep us from winning all 3 games he started though. Just sayin.

For someone coming off major kness surgery he looked pretty comfortable under the boards mixing it up with the opposition from the games I have seen him play. It must be his mobility to play "D" consistently???!!!!

[Chris Lang]

Two of the three games Baird started were against non-DIs, the other was against the #321 team in the RPI. I wouldn't use that sample size to bolster your argument.

Coaches use players they can trust. Layer can't trust Baird (or Chene Phillips for that matter) right now. Simple as that. When Baird shows it in practice and regains that trust, he'll play.

[olldflame]

Can't get anything past you Lang! Yes, I was well aware that those 3 games were against weak opponents. There is no doubt Layer has a "doghouse", in that there are players he does not trust, and they do not play. Minaya spent a year there. Now he plays major minutes even when he can't hit the broad side of a barn. Chene has gone in the other direction. At the start of the season Layer referred to him as our most improved player. There is no doubt though, that he has earned his spot on the bench. He has been awful.

[prototype]

Again, they drank WYLERS not Kool Aid

http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?client=mv- ... verified=1

So if you are going to be offended be offended by the correct term.

We should start saying "your drinking Wylers "now? Kricket - Are we really being sensitive about the statement "drinking the koolaid"? I think everyone on this board knows what we are saying and not that we are telling anyone to kill them self.

[Chippy]

Can't get anything past you Lang! Yes, I was well aware that those 3 games were against weak opponents. There is no doubt Layer has a "doghouse", in that there are players he does not trust, and they do not play. Minaya spent a year there. Now he plays major minutes even when he can't hit the broad side of a barn. Chene has gone in the other direction. At the start of the season Layer referred to him as our most improved player. There is no doubt though, that he has earned his spot on the bench. He has been awful.

It's also obvious that Layer has really shortened his bench and is sticking to the 7, maybe 8, players he trusts. It can't be that these are the best defenders though. There are a couple or 3 of these guys who defend very poorly but I guess the options (who's on the bench) there are limited too.

[Chris Lang]

To answer the original question with Gielo, a lot of it has to do with John Caleb Sanders being a much better player coming off the bench. He understands the flow of the offense much better once he sees things for a bit from the bench. I'd like to go back and look at JC's efficiency in his starts vs. his games coming off the bench. I would think he's much more efficient when he doesn't start.

If you watch Gielo, Smith and Baird, you'll still see some confusion on where they're supposed to be when the team is running sets, who's supposed to be cutting where, who's supposed to be setting screens, etc. They're getting better at it, but it's tough to learn on the fly against a pretty experienced league. It's not all about defense with those guys, but that plays a big role. Minaya has gotten to the point where he's contributing and impacting on the game even when he's not shooting well, so he's been hard to take out. That may not have been the case earlier in the year.

[Chippy]

Here's another thought. We have JVP and Burrus sharing time at the 5. We have a big coming in from JUCO next year who also plays the 5. We have Sommy coming back from injury and Baird, Geilo and Smith who will compete at the 4. A crowded front court to say the least next year. That's 7 guys playing only 2 positions unless Smith and/or Baird can play the 3 which I would love to see.

[olldflame]

With Coronado coming and Sommy returning, I don't see any way Burrus does not move full-time to the 4, which is his natural position. Minaya is gone, and we haven't recruited a swing player, so the 3 will be a competition between Gielo, Baird and Smith, or possibly Speaks if we go small. We could also go really big and play Burrus at the 3. If Sommy is healthy, I think he would be a beast at the 4.

[ballah09]

i wouldn't be surprised if Tomasz goes back to Poland next year.

[olldflame]

i wouldn't be surprised if Tomasz goes back to Poland next year.

Any reason?

[ballah09]

crowded spot, limited playing time, and after all it's Liberty basketball so you know some players are leaving (I think the writing is on the wall with Chene)

I hope he stays because he can play the 3, a position that is never recruited here, so it seems.

[olldflame]

Right on cue, the SID site just posted an Alan York interview with Gielo.

http://www.libertyflames.com/index.cfm? ... ewsID=8405
He certainly doesn't sound like he is unhappy here.

[Chippy]

I'm more worried that Smith or Baird will be looking elsewhere. Burrus cannot play the three. Smith would be the best/most athletic swing/3 with Geilo at the 4.

[olldflame]

I disagree about Antwan flat out not being able to play the 3. He might struggle a bit on defense against quick opponents, but he is athletic, and has actually become one of the better mid-range jump shooters on the team. I do think he is a better fit at the 4, and although he gets the job done, he is definately playing out of position at the 5.

[Chippy]

I disagree about Antwan flat out not being able to play the 3. He might struggle a bit on defense against quick opponents, but he is athletic, and has actually become one of the better mid-range jump shooters on the team. I do think he is a better fit at the 4, and although he gets the job done, he is definately playing out of position at the 5.

The 3 is a swing position which means being able to put the ball on the floor to create shots. I only see Baird, Smith, Geilo being able to do that. Minaya is tailored made for a 3 because he is athletic enough and quick enough to take people off the dribble and hit the midrange and long range shot. I seriously doubt Burrus can do that and he would be a liability on D playing against quicker players. He is definitely suited to play the 4 considering his height and girth and is not a 5 at this level of competition.

[SuperJon]

Wow. Some of you guys are just insane. Just because a freshman doesn't play huge minutes doesn't mean he's going to look elsewhere or leave. That's just dumb. Even they realize that they are freshmen and college is a lot different than high school.

Baird would have to drop a level to transfer.

[Chippy]

Wow. Some of you guys are just insane. Just because a freshman doesn't play huge minutes doesn't mean he's going to look elsewhere or leave. That's just dumb. Even they realize that they are freshmen and college is a lot different than high school.

Baird would have to drop a level to transfer.

Just sayin that the minutes will be less available when we add two more bigs next season. That means the "end of the bench" gets a lot further from the coach.

[flamehunter]

It's T-O-M-A-S-Z. He probably would like for us to spell it right. Thanks.

[olldflame]

In browsing through this years team stats, I was somewhat surprised to see just how effecient Gielo has been in his Freshman season. Of those players who have a significant number of attempts, he is leading in FG% (.527), 3PT% (.429) and FT% (.833). Only 5/6 on the FT, but there is no doubt the kid can shoot at 6'9. I think he has a bright future.

[Chippy]

In browsing through this years team stats, I was somewhat surprised to see just how effecient Gielo has been in his Freshman season. Of those players who have a significant number of attempts, he is leading in FG% (.527), 3PT% (.429) and FT% (.833). Only 5/6 on the FT, but there is no doubt the kid can shoot at 6'9. I think he has a bright future.

. . .and have you seen Andrew Smith play? He's going to be really good too. If we can get a healthy Stephen Baird, we'll be good for some time.

[olldflame]

There is no doubt Andrew has a lot of upside as well, (maybe more than Tomasz) but right now he needs a lot more work on his skills. He's made 10 baskets, and I think 8 or 9 of them have been dunks. I have to admit I'm getting a bit impatient to see those 3 freshman bigs play more. If you look at Minaya's numbers, you can argue that he has hurt us more than helped. Even the games when he finished with a lot of points, he was inconsistent. Great one half and awful the other. He is shooting 19% from 3, but he keeps jacking them up. I know he's a senior, and Layer trusts him, but at some point you need to move on.

[Chippy]

There is no doubt Andrew has a lot of upside as well, (maybe more than Tomasz) but right now he needs a lot more work on his skills. He's made 10 baskets, and I think 8 or 9 of them have been dunks. I have to admit I'm getting a bit impatient to see those 3 freshman bigs play more. If you look at Minaya's numbers, you can argue that he has hurt us more than helped. Even the games when he finished with a lot of points, he was inconsistent. Great one half and awful the other. He is shooting 19% from 3, but he keeps jacking them up. I know he's a senior, and Layer trusts him, but at some point you need to move on.

I believe your expressing the sentiments of a lot of us here on FF.

[Cider Jim]

BUMP

Lang's article about Gielo being done for the season and seeking a medical red shirt:
http://www.newsadvance.com/sports/liber ... 54ec9.html