Is it a case of “he is what he is” at this point in his career.

Dog is actually a better shooter with his right hand but he is a natural left hander. He should ask Barnes if he can use his right hand more.

By the way he also has another level of play that we have not seen as yet.IMO He has not played at the level that he was on when he played for his country’s national team !

SLX, Clint “The Clank” Chapman has been one of my biggest disappointments this season. Remember he began the year as a starter? Yeah, me neither.

Ditto that he is a disappointment but he is a diamond in the rough. I went over all the videos that I could find on him and he has the skill set to be very good with some weight and muscle, someone please ask Barnes to give Clint his golden nuggets back for next season.

” My hope is that Avery Bradley is”
The one that I see stepping up next season is Jordan, who by nature is able to speak freely in most situations. He is a high IQ player that understands X’s and O’s on the floor. I really am wondering how Avery and Jordan will respond to Barnes coaching style.
Overall a team offense would have helped this year as well as a pressure defense like after a made shot, time outs, when we made a foul shot, after a steal and just to change the look of our team from time to time. We have been predictable from game one.
I really expected the team to be more flexible and play a different style of play with the players we have at least a top#14-20 type of team. Hope we get lucky tonight.

And it’s a must win, unless someone is holding out hope for a victory in Lawrence.

I have no problem with Barnes tearing them down only to build them back up. I’m just waiting for the building. It’s March and it is way too late.

This team is certainly limited, especially offensively, but I still feel like we could have achieved so much more. It is also frustrating watching Bill Self coach two stars and a bunch of role players to 15-1! Needless to say, this hasn’t been Rick’s finest year.

I just finished my Baylor preview. I’m really worried that w/o Gary, it could be a long night. Shit.

Especially with players like Atchley and Mason, he should have realized that a tough-love style needed more love. Now they’re at the end of the season and two guys that we thought were going to be solid are afraid to walk and chew gum. That’s squarely on Barnes.

Meanwhile, Trips has it exactly right… Smith isn’t afraid to do anything. He really does need to play if nobody else is going to shoot a three like they think it will go in.

“But in Clint’s defense he was playing against one of the elite frontcourts in the nation.”

Clint “The Clank” Chapman has been one of my biggest disappointments this season. Remember he began the year as a starter? Yeah, me neither.

Barnes is so good at challenging the people around him and getting the most out of them. However, for the people who don’t respond as well, he’s great at ripping whatever self confidence they may have right out of them.

IMO, Barnes’ best teams have someone on them who can act as a buffer. Team leaders like TJ Ford, PJ Tucker, and DJ Augustin could demand the most out of their teammates while standing up to Barnes’ worst tirades. AJ Abrams isn’t that guy. Neither is Justin Mason. My hope is that Avery Bradley is.

One thing people underestimate — which Trips isn’t — is the value of confidence, especially in a sport like basketball. When a player has it, they can perform above their head. When they don’t have it, they can look like dogshit, specifically in making shots.

This team doesn’t look like they have any confidence. It’s not a rare look for Barnes’ teams, but usually he’s able to “tear them apart” and then build them back together — like a Marine boot camp or something. That isn’t going to happen with this crew.

I’ve honestly watched out of loyalty, because this season has been a train wreck. I’m so ready for it to be over.

One of the things I wonder about next year, is how in the heck are they going to replace Damion James’ rebounding? Also, before the season I assumed the big men would develop, so the idea of a front court of Pittman, Hill, Chapman, Wangmene, and Johnson didn’t bother me. Now it looks like a real problem.

Of course, compared to this season, I expect a much better output. I’ve just ratcheted down my expectations of what next year holds based on the team’s performance this season.