From Twitter to the aisles of the Barclay Center.
What did she do at the Barclay Center? I was in row one behind the bench, and don't recall seeing anything untoward in the stands.
Update: D.J. Williams back with Illini
What did she do at the Barclay Center? I was in row one behind the bench, and don't recall seeing anything untoward in the stands.
I understand the frustration but these aren't professional athletes. If someone in your family was battling addiction or having an affair (both hypothetical's), would you want everyone in your office/social circles making unrelenting wild guesses until you had no choice but to share your dirty laundry to end the speculation? I don't even think professional athletes should have to divulge their personal lives to satisfy our thirsts but at least they get paid.
I hope he's back. He has a bright future here, I still really believe that.
Despite my feelings that currently he hasn't done much to justify the constant calling by many for him to receive more minutes, I agree. I think he can still be an asset this year and a huge contributor next year. Hopefully everything is fine with him and his family, and he's just taking a little time to get his head straight.
DJW does have a right to privacy and has chosen this as his statement of reason for now. This is probably not be an apples to apples comparison, but Dee Brown resigned from UI basketball duties, asking for respect to his privacy, without a full explanation, unless I missed it somewhere along the way (assume this is not public even yet). We've also seen this in recruiting, as well, with a commitment being delayed and then questioned later whether it's for real or not (this example not necessarily for privacy reasons, though).
That's life and one's choice in the way some people handle their future in a particular basketball program. We, as fans, can usually do nothing more than to standby for further explanation and hope the best for these individuals in whatever situation they're going through.
He's been in a tough spot IMO. Comes out of hs with a high ranking and all kinds of talk of him having NBA potential. Doesn't get much PT, and is behind Hill. Not sure he's shown much versatility as a 4 or 2, but those are also strong positions for us with Black and JCL. As a point forward, he could be bringing up the ball like Hill occasionally does, but even with us struggling there, he didn't seem to get Groce's trust. Now Kipper comes in, and has exactly what we need in terms of heart, toughness, and defense, and DJW is at a watershed moment....will I ever break the rotation?
If it's true he doesn't show much passion for defending, I don't see how he'll pass Kipper. And if that's true, he really does need to have some time to reconcile where he's at vs where he wants to be. Some kids respond to adversity well, others struggle.
If it's true he doesn't show much passion for defending, I don't see how he'll pass Kipper. And if that's true, he really does need to have some time to reconcile where he's at vs where he wants to be. Some kids respond to adversity well, others struggle.
I doubt the problem is Malcolm being in front moreso than the the fact that he gets no benefit of the doubt for any mistake he makes while watching the rest of the team sometimes go with long stretches with little impact on their minutes .
Also DJ is a 2/3 not a 3/4 and I think his game has been hurt the most by the subpar PG play .He should be able to play next to Malcolm but because Groce seems to want to have 2 pseudo guards on the floor at times or a specialist and a pseudo guard.
I agree with some of this, and I like DJ's potential, but DJ has done the same things in college that he did in high school. He plays in spurts of effort. Not consistent effort. He was benched in high school multiple times.
He is behind Hill at the three and likely Nichols, too. He is behind JCL and Abrams at the two. I say Abrams because he often moves to the two when another point guard comes in.
It may not be fair, and it doesn't just apply to DJ, but when a reserve comes in for a few minutes, his number goal is to not hurt the team. When he does make a mistake, he is more likely to be pulled that a starter.
DJ has an opportunity to play a lot next year, but it is totally on him.
Deleted member 10676
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I was going to mention this. His junior year he sat almost the entire Pontiac tournament after very lackadaisical play in the first half of the first game. Even in his senior game he was on the bench frequently in big games, like the entire second half of a Morgan Park game. It's not like he's never gotten chances. Or is affected by others on the floor.
I love DJ and when he brings it he brings a lot, his motor just isn't wired to 100 all the time.
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What he did in HS is irrelevant that was over 2 years ago.
I dont see how anyone can have watched this team the last few years and then try and claim one guy is not playing because he doesn't give consistent effort . None of them give consistent effort and since we have no pros on this team when you start off any defense of the situation by saying it may not be fair.
You simply cannot take a young player place him on a team with no pg and then penalize for being inconsistencies while at the same time ignoring the inconsistencies of everyone including seniors.
JCL has more turnovers than assists and went through a stretch of games where he was 5-28 or something like that and his minutes didnt waiver all.
AJ while not playing as much actually started some games and went through a stretch where he played double digit minutes in at least 4 straight games.
DJ has not come close being given that opportunity to grow. Groce constantly talks about Djs all around game and skillset but hes put out there consistently with pseudo guards looking for shots who dont do much else when they dont have the ball .
I laugh sometimes when I read people say he will have a chance to play next year because of people leaving but all that does is perpetrate the same cycle that has the program in its current state . A bunch of talented young players come into a losing situation where there is zero accountability for the upperclassmen and being told to not make noise and wait it out until its their turn to be in the same situation.
At some point youve got to change the narrative
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Ken, not everything is Groce's fault.
ILL in IA
- Iowa City
Some of its Obamas
Deleted member 10676
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haha:thumb:
Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
Yep, right, sorry. When Hill's at the 2, DJW can get some tick as a 3.
Malcolm Hill has most definitely "gotten it done" over his 3.5 years here, and that's who DJ has been behind. While our PGs as well as our PFs and Cs have frequently not gotten it done, those guys aren't that relevant for DJ's PT. For 1.5 years, he's been playing behind our best player. It's extremely obvious why he hasn't played alot.
Wittsdream
- Chicago
I get what people are saying about D.J. Williams being somewhat plagued by lacking a consistent motor, but the kid has talent and has been a difference maker on a number of occasions in recent games.
Moreover, how can a coach justify playing a kid like Jaylon Tate twice as many minutes? Is it because he plays such stellar defense? I haven't seen it. What about playmaking ability? If you're referring to his good A/TO ratio, well, of course it's going to look good. Most of the time, all he does is dribble the ball east to west, and with his limited outside shooting ability, defenses prevent him from attacking the basket, which essentially nullifies the ability for your offense to get consistent open shots from the perimeter, which is what Groce's offense is largely predicated on. This makes zero sense when you have a kid like TJL on the bench chomping at the bit to attack the basket and find gaps to kick the ball back out.
If you want to see a more "enthused" D.J. Williams, why don't you cut Tate's PT down to 5 mins/game, instead of 20. Give TJL 8 of those minutes, thereby bringing him closer to 20 mins/game, and the other 7 minutes to D.J., thereby giving him closer to 18 mins/game. Kipper's minutes will come from Thorne's being reduced in addition to a few shaved off Hill to give him more rest down the stretch of conference play.
Sound good coach?
Moreover, how can a coach justify playing a kid like Jaylon Tate twice as many minutes? Is it because he plays such stellar defense? I haven't seen it. What about playmaking ability? If you're referring to his good A/TO ratio, well, of course it's going to look good. Most of the time, all he does is dribble the ball east to west, and with his limited outside shooting ability, defenses prevent him from attacking the basket, which essentially nullifies the ability for your offense to get consistent open shots from the perimeter, which is what Groce's offense is largely predicated on. This makes zero sense when you have a kid like TJL on the bench chomping at the bit to attack the basket and find gaps to kick the ball back out.
If you want to see a more "enthused" D.J. Williams, why don't you cut Tate's PT down to 5 mins/game, instead of 20. Give TJL 8 of those minutes, thereby bringing him closer to 20 mins/game, and the other 7 minutes to D.J., thereby giving him closer to 18 mins/game. Kipper's minutes will come from Thorne's being reduced in addition to a few shaved off Hill to give him more rest down the stretch of conference play.
Sound good coach?
Has anyone checked to see if the Russians have anything to do with JG decisions?
At some point you should change your own narrative Kenny. Look at the results last night. I'm sure DJW is a great kid but so was Mike Shaw. Kipper brought it last night. DJW has no room for playing time now. To blame Groce for that is strange considering how well the rotation worked last night.
It's Boris and Natasha, just to be accurate!
Yeah because no way that DJ could've benefited from actually playing with a PG ...right ?
As I said before if you put Kipper out there last night with Tate in all those minutes how effective do you think he wouldve been.
To suggest that the last 5 years be ignored because the 2nd worst defensive team in the big ten had a great offensive night against the worst is a big part of why its stuck in a rut .
The fact that people think that on a team that hasnt made the tourney in years that somehow that there arent enough minutes for young players is :tsk:
You are of the minority opinion here. You can't blame Groce for EVERYTHING. Stop denying the fact that the kid has had a questionable motor and work ethic since his freshman year of HS. Players play players. If he brought it more in practice and in games he would have more minutes.
And stop with the PG stuff. Almost all of Kipper's points last night were from out hustling the defense. Things DJW does not do.
You can't tell one poster that 2 years ago doesn't matter and then turn around and say you can't ignore the past 5 years.
Goldeneye reference, nice!!