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Post by Fisher Fanatic on Nov 29, 2015 21:45:27 GMT -8
I'm a huge fan Fisher Fanatic thanks for asking and have been since Gwynn was our point guard in the late '70's. A guy as heralded as Pope should not have to struggle so much to put the ball in the basket. I think after a year and a half the broken leg excuse is getting tired. I'm not expecting him to put up 20, 10 and 5 each game like the freshman from LSU, but a consistent 10 with effort on D and rebounding is not asking for the world considering he's supposed to be a lottery talent. So my point is he has to be frustrated too (see Goodluck at UNLV) and I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't transfer. This is called first guessing instead of 2nd guessing and saying I told you so later. I wouldn't want it to happen just like I wanted Zabo to stay, but I wouldn't be surprised. I didn't ask if you were a fan or asked a single question in my comment. I started attending games when as a freshman and the games were okay at first and great lately. Sorry I'm not as old as you. A lot of people thought/assumed Allen might transfer. I haven't heard any murmurs of that this year. I guessed that worked out well for him. Why does Pope need to live up to our expectations of him? Maybe the shots are falling in practice and not in the games. Maybe he has a small (non public) injury like Rahon did. Who knows. He will come around. That's my "first guessing". Yeah I know that doesn't sound right grammatically. It was fun to say though. I think we are just disappointed as fans due to the early losses. No need to turn on our players. Everyone can guess what they like. I just strongly disagree
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Post by Fishn'Aztec on Nov 30, 2015 6:43:55 GMT -8
Malik will get it together as Raftery said in his Las Vegas commentary his shot looks good he is only missing by a little. I trust Malik will take care of his shooting and look like the player we saw in flashes last season. JMO P.S. why do we have posters here that can't wait for players to struggle so they can tell these young people to fold their tents and transfer? I don't get that!!
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Post by mnico213 on Nov 30, 2015 8:28:42 GMT -8
I don't really get the OP. Are nuns really any worse at basketball than the pope? I mean Francis is what, 78 years old? Someone please explain this joke and why it's funny.
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Post by mfaulkhof2011 on Nov 30, 2015 10:36:11 GMT -8
I didn't say I thought he should transfer but that he might be considering it given that his playing time is slipping. This is the inevitable issue that arises as our program gets better players and some don't pan out for whatever reason. He was more heralded than Kawhi coming out of high school and Kawhi could not break into the lottery top 14 picks. Kawhi never struggled like he has to find his game. Does anyone have an example of a college player who was predicted to be a top 5 lottery pick who struggled this mightily through the first part of their career and turned it around to be a lottery top 5 pick by the end of the season? I can't recall anyone.
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Post by sdmotohead on Nov 30, 2015 10:54:24 GMT -8
P.S. why do we have posters here that can't wait for players to struggle so they can tell these young people to fold their tents and transfer? I don't get that!! I just assumed this was a troll thread.
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Post by NCAztec82 on Nov 30, 2015 11:24:06 GMT -8
P.S. why do we have posters here that can't wait for players to struggle so they can tell these young people to fold their tents and transfer? I don't get that!! I just assumed this was a troll thread. Yeah, I thought it was just trolling based on the bad title, but now I think the OP is expressing reasonable (is there such a thing?) fan thoughts on both the team's bumpy start, and Pope's individual performance. It has been mentioned how highly rated Malik was, and the expectations were raised due to some flashes of brilliance in limited play last season. I always wondered how he could be so highly rated when he had missed so many seasons and parts of seasons leading up to joining SDSU. Just because you have his physical stats (6'10" 205?) shouldn't automatically give you a 4-star rating, should it? Based on what? He hasn't been playing! The comparisons to Kahwi and Shepard are valid in the sense of great hype, but he is starting out looking inexperienced and rusty. I understand why he was benched. I also heard Rafterry mention how Malik was barely missing shots. Let's hope more reps and more PT leads to some made buckets. That's the main thing we fans will see as making the difference, made shots, even if he seems barely interested in rebounding with say, Josh Davis's or even Malcolm Thomas's intensity. Another factor is the presence of the other highly rated studs, Cheatham and Hemsley. They appear to be rising as the better performers. This is the first year of our BEST bunch of recruits, and it's too dang early to conclude anything about their eventual prospects until we see them play as a member of a TEAM. Other than the ECU game, we have yet to see a consistent team performance where everyone is doing their job properly. I must add I see Malik's gait, the way he runs and jumps, as a bit wobbly and loping, lacking power or precision. It seems that his so-called "smoothness" comes from more of a lack of aggression in his style of play, a trait not uncommon in the San Diego area. Sigh. Just saying. Clearly, he is a big key to whether or not this team will break it's NCAA tourney streak, and I am optimistic he will come around, but it will no doubt depend upon his teammates, and some one or two players to become true leaders. Rather than pick on Pope with bad puns . . . " More like nun" . . . we fans should pull for ALL the players to grow into the unit they are projected to be ... MWC Champions and beyond.
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Post by yahteh on Nov 30, 2015 19:54:47 GMT -8
He looks so lost right now I wouldn't be surprised to see him transfer out of SDSU for a fresh start somewhere else next year. Of course this would require a red shirt, but he may feel he's not being used right. you are right.
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Post by ctap13 on Nov 30, 2015 22:20:15 GMT -8
I didn't say I thought he should transfer but that he might be considering it given that his playing time is slipping. This is the inevitable issue that arises as our program gets better players and some don't pan out for whatever reason. He was more heralded than Kawhi coming out of high school and Kawhi could not break into the lottery top 14 picks. Kawhi never struggled like he has to find his game. Does anyone have an example of a college player who was predicted to be a top 5 lottery pick who struggled this mightily through the first part of their career and turned it around to be a lottery top 5 pick by the end of the season? I can't recall anyone. If I was him, I would definitely consider transferring. He's being so underutilized right now it is unbelievable. He should've went to an offensive minded coach, someone who can actually get him the ball. I am very disappointed with Coach Fisher on how he has handled Pope. I mean what's the point of us trying to get big scorers when we can't even get them the ball or give him any shots or make them a priority in the offense?The only shots he takes are forced shots as it's like a do whatever you want offense.
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Post by ignoranus on Dec 1, 2015 7:36:34 GMT -8
If Pope's shots actually entered the basket and scored points you would all shutup.
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Post by wolfstartec on Dec 1, 2015 9:04:58 GMT -8
There is no doubt his play so far this season has been extremely disappointing. He is a talented guy, but at this point really doesn't impact the games much as all he seems to want to do is take long outside shots. He needs to start playing better D and rebounding a lot better. Forget scoring, that will come in time but start doing the dirty work instead and impacting the game that way. A sophomore slump? Well, at least no one, including himself, will think and talk about him going pro next year.
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Post by ctap13 on Dec 1, 2015 9:09:42 GMT -8
If Pope's shots actually entered the basket and scored points you would all shutup. We would see that if Coach Fisher would design some plays for him but he has not and will not.
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Post by ctap13 on Dec 1, 2015 9:11:55 GMT -8
There is no doubt his play so far this season has been extremely disappointing. He is a talented guy, but at this point really doesn't impact the games much as all he seems to want to do is take long outside shots. He needs to start playing better D and rebounding a lot better. Forget scoring, that will come in time but start doing the dirty work instead and impacting the game that way. A sophomore slump? Well, at least no one, including himself, will think and talk about him going pro next year. It's not his fault that coach can't get him the ball. Most of the shots he takes are forced because hes trying to make something happen. Most coaches in America would love to have him on their team but not Fisher. Fisher doesn't know what to do with a scorer.
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Post by azdick on Dec 1, 2015 9:27:24 GMT -8
Isn't it amazing how Coach Fisher, after 17 years of incredible success, has suddenly lost the ability to coach? I guess he's forgotten how to handle players, teach and get production out of his team.
This team, for whatever reason, is taking longer to come together. Once Pope hits a couple of threes, they will rain and all of you geniuses can STFU.
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Post by 🥸 Hopeless Aztec on Dec 1, 2015 9:43:21 GMT -8
Still gotta love this kid. His game will come around and he is not transferring. The team talks so highly of him and what he can do. All the negative nellies should just stahp because he is going to break out soon.
I still remember him posterizing that Colorado State kid last year. We have all seen what he can do and Fisher will get it corrected.
Also, even with his struggles he is still a great kid with a huge smile. Every home game he still gives my kids high fives and talks with them for a second. This is really his first full year of basketball in how many seasons?
If they sold them I would be the first one to purchase and wear my Pope jersey!
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Post by jpaztec on Dec 1, 2015 9:46:18 GMT -8
Oh. My. God. My list of potential blocked posters is ever growing with this thread.
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Post by ctap13 on Dec 1, 2015 9:49:43 GMT -8
Isn't it amazing how Coach Fisher, after 17 years of incredible success, has suddenly lost the ability to coach? I guess he's forgotten how to handle players, teach and get production out of his team. This team, for whatever reason, is taking longer to come together. Once Pope hits a couple of threes, they will rain and all of you geniuses can STFU. Oh yeah, I forgot how awesome our offense is every year! Lol
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Post by sdcoug on Dec 1, 2015 10:13:15 GMT -8
A sophomore slump? Well, at least no one, including himself, will think and talk about him going pro next year. It's not his fault that coach can't get him the ball. Most of the shots he takes are forced because hes trying to make something happen. Most coaches in America would love to have him on their team but not Fisher. Fisher doesn't know what to do with a scorer. You're not serious are you? Are you actually watching him play, or are you playing his HS videos while our team is on the court?
They've gone to Pope, especially early in games. He's making HORRIBLE decisions with the ball. HORRIBLE. He looks like he just learned the game this year when it comes to decision making. His skills are fine - his shot will eventually fall. But his decision making on O' is absolutely pathetic and hurts the team. Simple things, like being in position to shoot when someone else penetrates. He'll stand 5 feet behind the line while his defender is helping on D', so when he gets the ball he's nowhere near where he should be. Takes a LONG 3 vs. a much easier 3. His %'s are suffering as a result. He'll have a 5 inch height advantage & take a step back fade on the post. Compare that to Z'.
On D' he's a joke right now. Looks lost about 1 every 3 trips down the court. Hands are never up. You can't do that on a Fisher coached team.
This isn't some NBA summer camp where you throw players with potential out there & see how they can do. This is real ball, and players have to EARN their PT. Including Pope. Pope is playing more than half the minutes, ranking 6th on the team. He's played the 4 as much as anyone, and he's been in the line-up which as been used more than any other (w/ Hemsley, Kell, Sky & Win). Given his shortcomings thus far I think that's about right, if not providing TOO MUCH PT. His eFG% is 19% - think about that for a moment - 19%, where made 3's count extra. His TS% is 27%, which takes into account getting to the line where he ranks among the worst on the team. His assist rate is 3%! Seriously, 3%! Sky is 3%; Chol is 9%! So, not shooting well and doing nothing to get teammates involved. Not the best combo. Kell's not shooting well & his TS% is 44%, and he does the other things on the court. He makes good decisions, and despite his shooting woes is shooting significantly better than Pope while also having an assist rate nearly 5x.
Pope has all the talent in the world, but his struggles are on HIM. They're not on the staff. He needs to look at film. He needs to realize what type of effort is necessary on D'. HE needs to understand where to be on the floor. HE needs to understand how he can help make this team better. All the other players appear to be learning, and my guess is Fisher & crew aren't teaching them any differently than Pope. He'll figure it out, but until then you don't hand him minutes. He has to actually EARN them.
It's not like we've played a bunch of patsies where we can afford to have someone out there who isn't helping the team. He's a better player than he's showed. Hopefully he'll find himself & figure things out. We need him to.
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Post by legkick on Dec 1, 2015 12:03:57 GMT -8
<the standing 8 count has been administered to crap13>
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Post by azdick on Dec 1, 2015 13:40:16 GMT -8
Isn't it amazing how Coach Fisher, after 17 years of incredible success, has suddenly lost the ability to coach? I guess he's forgotten how to handle players, teach and get production out of his team. This team, for whatever reason, is taking longer to come together. Once Pope hits a couple of threes, they will rain and all of you geniuses can STFU. Oh yeah, I forgot how awesome our offense is every year! Lol CTAP = Cranium Tapped ...or are you just trolling, as usual. Seriously, whose tool are you?
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Post by longtimebooster on Dec 1, 2015 13:48:04 GMT -8
I didn't say I thought he should transfer but that he might be considering it given that his playing time is slipping. This is the inevitable issue that arises as our program gets better players and some don't pan out for whatever reason. He was more heralded than Kawhi coming out of high school and Kawhi could not break into the lottery top 14 picks. Kawhi never struggled like he has to find his game. Does anyone have an example of a college player who was predicted to be a top 5 lottery pick who struggled this mightily through the first part of their career and turned it around to be a lottery top 5 pick by the end of the season? I can't recall anyone. Kawhi was unheralded (if you can call being the L.A. Times POY unheralded) coming out of h.s. because he didn't play ball his freshman year and was behind on all the AAU circuits that determine McD All-Americans, etc. (which he almost surely would've been.) He also committed early to SDSU and many of the blue bloods (UCLA, Zona, etc.) backed off. As for struggling, Kawhi couldn't shoot a lick while he was on the Mesa. I believe his 3-pt. % was 18%. That's gawd awful. His transformation from behind the arc has been stunning in the pros. Furthermore, there are about 14 other GM's kicking themselves for having passed on KL. Same could happen with Pope. We'll see. But IMO, he needs to put on about 20 lbs. of muscle to make it in the NBA.
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