Ok, so Shanoff at the Quickie is saying that the College PoY award should not be a debate confined to Morrison and Redick. And of course, then Shanoff plays the race card. Honestly, don't play the damn race card in BASKETBALL of all sports. That's like playing the race card in marathon-running. Black athletes absolutely DOMINATE every level of basketball, but this year, it's quite obvious (ahem, #1 and #2 scorers in the nation are Adam and JJ) that there is an anomaly at the college level.
Which brings me to the next point: the college level and ONLY the college level should be considered in judging the winner of this award. That bastard league called the NBA which has taken a great game like basketball and bent it over has absolutely nothing to do with the PoY award. One of my co-workers says, "if you can't play at the next level, it demeans the award." Valid point. However, when the next level has demeaned the game itself (which the "me-first" NBA has), all bets are off on his point. College basketball is basketball at its purest: defense matters, players pass, and individuals praise their teammates instead of themselves. At one point last night, Duke had 17 assists on 23 FGs. Maybe I'm biased, but that is what basketball is about. So what if Kobe scored 62 points in three quarters? No one else on the team scored in double figures! Basketball is a team sport, and the NBA has systematically destroyed that concept by encouraging selfish play. I'm sure Aldridge and Gay will be superb NBA players, but no one on the college scene is more valuable to his team than Adam Morrison or JJ Redick.
So vote now, my 5 ardent followers! Who is the best player in college this year? Morrison? Redick? Write-in?
Redick wins with Morrison very close behind. Reason being: Redick wouldn't have had to bank in that last-second three against Ok State. He would've swished that shit. I agree that the National Thug Association is bullshit. Kobe scored 62 points on 40% threes and 58% shooting overall. If I shot every single time I had a leather sphere in my hand, I'd score a lot too. The NBA has turned its back on basketball. And I'm personally sending Shanoff a nice bouquet of flowers when we win the National Championship this year...and a box of chocolates when Redick wins Player of the Year.
ReplyDeleteGood point. But, I will make two counterpoints: first, JJ's FG% and 3P% may not be that impressive, but you have to realize that teams design defenses specifically to contain JJ. That he still manages to shoot nearly 50% from the field is that much more impressive, in my opinion. I don't think Foye garners as much defensive attention as Redick does, simply because three guys on Nova average in double figures (and a fourth at 9.5 ppg) and defenses must worry about them. Only two players on Duke average double figures. Second, while Foye may be a better all-around player (he pulls down more boards and dishes more dimes), I don't think there's a question as to who brings more intangibles to the table. I have not seen Foye play that much, but I think it is very tough to find a guy that brings the passion, intensity, and leadership that JJ brings to every single game.
ReplyDeleteFair enough, I'll give you that defenses have to key on JJ versus Foye because options on Duke are less then Nova, however, you said it yourself "While Foye may be a all-around better player"...Isn't the award the best player in college hoops? Like I said, JJ can shoot and I won't argue that at all, but he's not the best PLAYER in college hoops, just the best shooter. It will be interesting if villanova plays DUKE in the tourney, with their 4 guard offense/defense, a 3-2 zone, which many teams can't play will cause JJ trouble. Who has JJ had his worst games against? Teams that have a predominately 3 guard offense and can play and active zone (you can't play JJ man to man, i'll give him that, he's a shooter and great shooters can get open against man to man). JJ's worst games over that last two years FG% wise are: St. Johns, Deleware St. NC State, GT. Teams that are dominated by guards and play very active zones. If JJ player Gonzaga he'd pour in 50, they couldn't guard him.
ReplyDeleteBut there is no denying JJ's leadership and intensity that he brings to Duke, he is a great player, just not the best in college hoops and definitely not so great that the media should be focused on him and Morrison alone.