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Post by sdaztec4life on Mar 20, 2024 18:40:07 GMT -8
UT Zeigler article regarding Reese giving away his shoes after games. Reese said he would come back next year if he doesn't go Pro.
And there’s a decent chance young Aztecs fans could be the recipient of more size 13s next season. Waters has another year of collegiate eligibility and indicated that he’ll return if he
doesn’t turn pro.
It would be a welcome decision on the Mesa given the prospect of losing all five starters — three who don’t have remaining eligibility and two others (Lamont Butler and Micah Parrish) who do but may chase six-figure NIL inducements at another program like Keshad Johnson did last year.
“I wouldn’t go to any other school,” Waters says. “Definitely not. That’s not happening. It would either be stay or go pro. I went to USC. The situation didn’t work, for whatever reason. I don’t want to just hop around and try to find the perfect fit.
“Also, because I love it here. I don’t want to think the grass is greener anywhere else and go over there and it’s not what I wanted. I like it here. I like the coaches, I like the culture, it’s very comfortable. It’s definitely a place where I’ve grown my game, and I don’t think anywhere else could do that.”
It’s a mature perspective from a guy who’s had an up-and-down season, with more downs than ups lately. The 6-foot-6 guard scored 22 points on just 11 shots in the historic road win at Gonzaga, but then twisted an ankle in shootaround the morning before the next game. He taped it up and played against Fresno State, then landed on a defender’s foot in the first half and rolled it even worse.
He went from averaging 14.7 points and shooting 45.1 percent on 3s in the nonconference to 7.7 points and 34.4 percent in the Mountain West. Since losing his starting spot nine games ago, it’s 6.9 points and 19.2 percent.
“In the beginning of the year, I was healthy and everything was easy,” Waters says. “You get more tired and fatigued as the season goes on, and you have to dig deeper. Although I’m not playing the best right now, not playing great, I just think it’s more a mental thing of what I expect from myself and what I know my family expects from me. I put pressure on me.
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Post by craztec on Mar 20, 2024 19:41:05 GMT -8
Great news!!
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Post by montezumaduck on Mar 20, 2024 19:46:50 GMT -8
Good shooter (when healthy) and underrated defender. Stoked to have him back.
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Post by hoobs on Mar 20, 2024 19:47:28 GMT -8
I want to see an injury free Waters absolutely dominate next season
And he will
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Post by gigglyforshrigley on Mar 20, 2024 19:52:17 GMT -8
Having a healthy Waters next season will really help
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Post by johneaztec on Mar 20, 2024 19:55:39 GMT -8
Going Pro, could also mean going Overseas, which he could definitely do. Not sure if he's including the Overseas factor, or just the NBA. I'm would think both.
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Post by junior on Mar 20, 2024 20:16:37 GMT -8
Probably his best choice considering this year's variable performance. He should be one of the starters in 2024-25. If someone can beat him to earn a spot, they'll deserve it more.
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Post by aztecs2019 on Mar 20, 2024 20:25:20 GMT -8
Do the players get free shoes for every game or something?
I'm impressed with how generous he is with giving them away.
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Post by sdaztec4life on Mar 20, 2024 20:55:18 GMT -8
Do the players get free shoes for every game or something? I'm impressed with how generous he is with giving them away. I'm not sure how many pairs they got when the season started, but they got two new pairs before the MWC tournament. I also think that when they play in their turquoise uniforms, they get a turquoise pair. |
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Post by Gundo on Mar 20, 2024 21:13:29 GMT -8
I am not thrilled over this statement for Lamont & Micah, and chasing NIL Deals. Butler should be an Aztec4Life
"...It would be a welcome decision on the Mesa given the prospect of losing all five starters — three who don’t have remaining eligibility and two others (Lamont Butler and Micah Parrish) who do but may chase six-figure NIL inducements at another program like Keshad Johnson did last year..."
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Post by canthandlethetecs on Mar 20, 2024 21:19:03 GMT -8
I don’t know exactly why but I just really like watching waters play ball. Some of his iso moves are so filthy.
Noted, some clang hard off the rim, but some are real clutch and no matter what it always looks smoov
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Post by AzTex on Mar 20, 2024 21:36:37 GMT -8
UT Zeigler article regarding Reese giving away his shoes after games. Reese said he would come back next year if he doesn't go Pro. And there’s a decent chance young Aztecs fans could be the recipient of more size 13s next season. Waters has another year of collegiate eligibility and indicated that he’ll return if he doesn’t turn pro. It would be a welcome decision on the Mesa given the prospect of losing all five starters — three who don’t have remaining eligibility and two others (Lamont Butler and Micah Parrish) who do but may chase six-figure NIL inducements at another program like Keshad Johnson did last year. “I wouldn’t go to any other school,” Waters says. “Definitely not. That’s not happening. It would either be stay or go pro. I went to USC. The situation didn’t work, for whatever reason. I don’t want to just hop around and try to find the perfect fit. “Also, because I love it here. I don’t want to think the grass is greener anywhere else and go over there and it’s not what I wanted. I like it here. I like the coaches, I like the culture, it’s very comfortable. It’s definitely a place where I’ve grown my game, and I don’t think anywhere else could do that.” It’s a mature perspective from a guy who’s had an up-and-down season, with more downs than ups lately. The 6-foot-6 guard scored 22 points on just 11 shots in the historic road win at Gonzaga, but then twisted an ankle in shootaround the morning before the next game. He taped it up and played against Fresno State, then landed on a defender’s foot in the first half and rolled it even worse. He went from averaging 14.7 points and shooting 45.1 percent on 3s in the nonconference to 7.7 points and 34.4 percent in the Mountain West. Since losing his starting spot nine games ago, it’s 6.9 points and 19.2 percent. “In the beginning of the year, I was healthy and everything was easy,” Waters says. “You get more tired and fatigued as the season goes on, and you have to dig deeper. Although I’m not playing the best right now, not playing great, I just think it’s more a mental thing of what I expect from myself and what I know my family expects from me. I put pressure on me. In now have another all time favorite player just because of that comment. |
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Post by AzTex on Mar 20, 2024 21:38:32 GMT -8
I am not thrilled over this statement for Lamont & Micah, and chasing NIL Deals. Butler should be an Aztec4Life
"...It would be a welcome decision on the Mesa given the prospect of losing all five starters — three who don’t have remaining eligibility and two others (Lamont Butler and Micah Parrish) who do but may chase six-figure NIL inducements at another program like Keshad Johnson did last year..."I'll withhold judgement until I see what they actually do. I'll understand if they decide to chase the money, but I'll be very disappointed. |
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Post by johneaztec on Mar 20, 2024 21:57:34 GMT -8
I don’t know exactly why but I just really like watching waters play ball. Some of his iso moves are so filthy. Noted, some clang hard off the rim, but some are real clutch and no matter what it always looks smoov The good thing is that he can get real hot at any given moment, and I'm hoping that moment is next game. |
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Post by aztech on Mar 20, 2024 22:30:27 GMT -8
UT Zeigler article regarding Reese giving away his shoes after games. Reese said he would come back next year if he doesn't go Pro. And there’s a decent chance young Aztecs fans could be the recipient of more size 13s next season. Waters has another year of collegiate eligibility and indicated that he’ll return if he doesn’t turn pro. It would be a welcome decision on the Mesa given the prospect of losing all five starters — three who don’t have remaining eligibility and two others (Lamont Butler and Micah Parrish) who do but may chase six-figure NIL inducements at another program like Keshad Johnson did last year. “I wouldn’t go to any other school,” Waters says. “Definitely not. That’s not happening. It would either be stay or go pro. I went to USC. The situation didn’t work, for whatever reason. I don’t want to just hop around and try to find the perfect fit. “Also, because I love it here. I don’t want to think the grass is greener anywhere else and go over there and it’s not what I wanted. I like it here. I like the coaches, I like the culture, it’s very comfortable. It’s definitely a place where I’ve grown my game, and I don’t think anywhere else could do that.” It’s a mature perspective from a guy who’s had an up-and-down season, with more downs than ups lately. The 6-foot-6 guard scored 22 points on just 11 shots in the historic road win at Gonzaga, but then twisted an ankle in shootaround the morning before the next game. He taped it up and played against Fresno State, then landed on a defender’s foot in the first half and rolled it even worse. He went from averaging 14.7 points and shooting 45.1 percent on 3s in the nonconference to 7.7 points and 34.4 percent in the Mountain West. Since losing his starting spot nine games ago, it’s 6.9 points and 19.2 percent. “In the beginning of the year, I was healthy and everything was easy,” Waters says. “You get more tired and fatigued as the season goes on, and you have to dig deeper. Although I’m not playing the best right now, not playing great, I just think it’s more a mental thing of what I expect from myself and what I know my family expects from me. I put pressure on me. I like that he admitted he was getting tired. So if he's intent on coming back then I hope he trains like LeDee did in the offseason to maintain his endurance. Can you imagine him shooting like he started this year, but kept it going without fatigue? He could easily be the MVP. |
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Post by longtimebooster on Mar 21, 2024 4:45:50 GMT -8
I dunno. Not buying the "he's playing poorly because he twisted his ankle" nonsense. Got it. Rolled his ankle. Went into a funk. Never found his way out. But he seemed to be moving fine a week after his injury. And his ankle doesn't explain his multiple airballs from behind the arc on wiiiiide open looks. Dude has such a smooth stroke. Prettiest shot on the team by far. But it just seems like he forces things. Rushing shots. Fadeaway jumpers with a hand in his face. Side-to-side jumpers. Those are difficult shots. I think he'd be much better focusing on squaring up to the basket on shots and/or catching the ball in rhythm and shooting rather than always trying to shoot while on the move.
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Post by longtimebooster on Mar 21, 2024 4:57:53 GMT -8
Actually, after reading Zeigler's piece, I think I've identified the problem. It seems Waters has stopped putting salt in his shoes. Someone needs to run out and get a big old container of Morton's. It ain't superstition if it works.
* * * *
It’s about him now, not coaches, not superstitions.
And he was superstitious. At USC, he began putting salt in his sneakers before games. The inspiration was “Salt in his Shoes: Michael Jordan and his Pursuit of a Dream,” a book by Jordan’s mother and sister about how the future legend did it, hoping it would make him grow.
“I used to really, like, dump it in there,” Waters says. “Kids were probably like, ‘Why is there salt in these shoes?’”
His shoes aren’t salty these days, nor is he.
* * * *
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Post by 84aztec96 on Mar 21, 2024 5:40:23 GMT -8
From the article: Coach Dutcher “But Reese is a really, really good player, and I’ve got to do a better job of putting him in positions to be successful.”
Might be too late, but he is the missing piece of our offense. Wish he was starting and we would get him some looks early. In the UNM game he makes a little run around the 12 min mark, doesn't touch the ball for a couple possessions, commits a couple of fouls and is subbed out. Does not get another shot off until about 2 min left. Meanwhile we can't score.
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Post by hoobs on Mar 21, 2024 6:24:50 GMT -8
I dunno. Not buying the "he's playing poorly because he twisted his ankle" nonsense. Got it. Rolled his ankle. Went into a funk. Never found his way out. But he seemed to be moving fine a week after his injury. And his ankle doesn't explain his multiple airballs from behind the arc on wiiiiide open looks. Dude has such a smooth stroke. Prettiest shot on the team by far. But it just seems like he forces things. Rushing shots. Fadeaway jumpers with a hand in his face. Side-to-side jumpers. Those are difficult shots. I think he'd be much better focusing on squaring up to the basket on shots and/or catching the ball in rhythm and shooting rather than always trying to shoot while on the move. I agree the injury shouldn't be the cause of the lingering 'slump'. However, he mentioned the fatigue angle as well... and that can easily be mental as much as physical, which would plausibly contibute to an extended slump. |
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Post by docmm on Mar 21, 2024 6:32:48 GMT -8
Good kid with a great attitude. Would love to see him be our next "LeDee". Let him work hard this off-season and come back next year and shoot like he did in the beginning of this year but at a higher volume. Let him get up around or over 20 ppg. It'd sure be nice to see us with a real shooter. That could help solve a lot of anticipated #4 and #5 position issues.
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