Illini in the Pros (Basketball)

#505      
Nohops 73
With DiVincenzo out many months and Anthony Edwards likely out for the rest of this series, the Timberwolves have 3 chances to win one game and advance. Hoping that TSJ is feeling stronger and can be a second Illini major contributor, along with Ayo, to pull them across the finish line. Take advantage of the opportunity!
 
#508      
Goillinikobd
Ayo is in the starting lineup, but they’re not going to involve him in the offense, bring him off the bench when he can play a more pivotal role in the office. Standing in the corner, waiting for someone to throw the ball is not what he does best.
 
#510      
WyattEarp
Goillinikobd said:
Ayo is in the starting lineup, but they’re not going to involve him in the offense, bring him off the bench when he can play a more pivotal role in the office. Standing in the corner, waiting for someone to throw the ball is not what he does best.
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Episode 2 Reaction GIF by The Office
 
#514      
HensonHall71
Illini_Jack said:
Terrance last night: 14 pts in 15 minutes in a playoff game :cool:
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He seems to be in Finch's dog house for some reason - he played a pivotal role last year in the playoffs and earned more minutes, but he's barely played this year, mostly due to injuries but when healthy he's not been playing

He seems to bring instant offense when he does play -but it must be on the defensive end Finch is not happy with him? playing 38 year old Conley as much as he does is just old school coaching stubbornness. He needs to have Ayo and Hyland on ball and let TSJ play meaningful minutes to have a chance to close out this series
 
#516      
ChiefGritty
HensonHall71 said:
He seems to be in Finch's dog house for some reason - he played a pivotal role last year in the playoffs and earned more minutes, but he's barely played this year, mostly due to injuries but when healthy he's not been playing

He seems to bring instant offense when he does play -but it must be on the defensive end Finch is not happy with him? playing 38 year old Conley as much as he does is just old school coaching stubbornness. He needs to have Ayo and Hyland on ball and let TSJ play meaningful minutes to have a chance to close out this series
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I don't think it's a negative judgment on TSJ, it's just a deep and expensive roster. Rob Dillingham was a higher pick than TSJ and was playing even less (because he stinks) and Leonard Miller looks like a good player and he wasn't playing at all.

Part of it is TSJ is best with the ball in his hands and playing through the middle of the floor and the opportunities to do that on a team that has Anthony Edwards are very limited.

I hope there's a parting of ways between him and the T'Wolves this offseason, but we'll see. In the meantime, TSJ and Ayo have an absolutely monster game on Thursday night. If it gets back to Denver for Game 7 it only ends one way, this is their one opportunity and both guys are going to have to contribute.
 
#521      
blackdog
HensonHall71 said:
He seems to be in Finch's dog house for some reason - he played a pivotal role last year in the playoffs and earned more minutes, but he's barely played this year, mostly due to injuries but when healthy he's not been playing

He seems to bring instant offense when he does play -but it must be on the defensive end Finch is not happy with him? playing 38 year old Conley as much as he does is just old school coaching stubbornness. He needs to have Ayo and Hyland on ball and let TSJ play meaningful minutes to have a chance to close out this series
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Part of his problem has been some questions on defense and he needs to find other ways to impact the game besides scoring. Only 1 rebound and no other stats in his 14 minutes last night
 
#524      
the juiceman cometh
blackdog said:
Part of his problem has been some questions on defense and he needs to find other ways to impact the game besides scoring. Only 1 rebound and no other stats in his 14 minutes last night
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Yes, rebounding and defense needs to be the offseason focus for him. Given his positional size and athleticism, I do think he can improve in those areas. He was a good defender in college, but obviously NBA scoring is other-worldly (to the point where it fools people into thinking there is no defense in the NBA, when really it's just NBA players doing insane stuff and making it look easy) so defending NBA players is a huge adjustment, that he hasn't made yet.
 
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