ChumpDumper
02-09-2008, 03:15 AM
Box Score (http://www.nba.com/dleague/games/20080208/AUSRGV/boxscore.html)
A nice win against an opponent that is almost unrecognizable from the team they played in the season opener. Conversely, the Toros have gone through a similar number of changes that have had the net effect of putting them back to the point where they were playing their best basketballl. Still, the Vipers have some talented players and a good coach, so they can't be taken lightly. the Toros didn't and led by double digits most of the game.
- Justin Reed was not with the team tonight. I have no idea why. It's entirely possible he got a contract to play overseas. Whatever the case, his absence and that of the departed Kris Lang seem to have alleviated a lot of the tension in the offense caused by too many players looking for their own shot. There was much less in the way of selfishness and ill-advised shooting than there had been in recent games. The result was 52% shooting overall and 43.5% from the arc.
- Ian had a good game, which should be expected against the likes of a slow Jesse Smith and new arrival Kyle Davis. Ian's speed put Smith into foul trouble pretty quickly, but Ian's own foul situation seemed to make him less aggressive in his post offense as the game went on -- that and the Vipers doubled a bit more and better in the second half, getting a few strips as Ian went up for his shot. It was one of Ian's better rebounding games as he got very good position most of the game. I find it hard to believe that he wasn't credited with a single block. I saw at least two. It's possible they didn't catch them because he hit the ball so early in the shooters stroke. He played pretty good defense except there seemed to be some disconnect when he was helping others. It was some combination of the other defender's not rotating or Ian's not recovering after helping. This led to the majority of Jesse Smith's points tonight.
- Keith Langford was excellent. He was hitting from everywhere, including 4-8 from the arc, as if to justify his inclusion in the D-League All-Star 3-point contest. His finishes at the basket were better than they have been lately, and he didn't hesitate to take the ball in against two or more defenders at a time. He played shooting guard pretty exclusively this time around, and was a big factor in keeping the Vipers best scorer 1-4 from the field.
DerMarr Johnson also had a strong game on offense anyway. It was nice because I didn't realize he had put up 30 points until I saw the final box. With only two or three exceptions (which ended up in misses or turnovers), he played within the offense and took the scoring opportunities that were given to or made for him. He only ended up with one foul and one rebound, which kind of illustrates his efforts in those departments. Hoping for a complete game from him soon.
- Marcus Williams came off the bench as Justin Bowen got the start. He was looking for his shot a little too much, but his selfishness disappears in transition. His passing in the fastbreak is still his best. His last few shots were a result of playing in the offense or hustle, and raised his shooting 50% for the game. He got pushed around a little by Trent Strickland when he guarded him, but was active enough on defense.
- Squeaky Johnson got the start - possibly as a reward for saving the Toros game against the Dakota Wizards. Anyway he and Cheyne Gadson can share the same review because they played pretty much the same way - deferential on offense to the point of passing up shots they should have taken and more or less turnstiles on defense. Squeaky was driving too deep before looking to kick out, and Cheyne was trying a few too many unnecessary no looks -- both led to turnovers. The Vipers starting point, former Toro Quannas White, shot 6-7, and his backup got to the line for 8 free throws.
- Justin Bowen, Kenton Paulino and Anthony Fuqua eased back into their more familiar roles, and none of them played exceptionally good or bad. Fuqua fouled out mostly from trying to correct his mistakes. He needs to learn to let some things go and get em next time down.
Next week starts a solid month of quality opponents for Ian and the Toros. If they continue to play the way they did against the Vipers, they should be in good shape.
A nice win against an opponent that is almost unrecognizable from the team they played in the season opener. Conversely, the Toros have gone through a similar number of changes that have had the net effect of putting them back to the point where they were playing their best basketballl. Still, the Vipers have some talented players and a good coach, so they can't be taken lightly. the Toros didn't and led by double digits most of the game.
- Justin Reed was not with the team tonight. I have no idea why. It's entirely possible he got a contract to play overseas. Whatever the case, his absence and that of the departed Kris Lang seem to have alleviated a lot of the tension in the offense caused by too many players looking for their own shot. There was much less in the way of selfishness and ill-advised shooting than there had been in recent games. The result was 52% shooting overall and 43.5% from the arc.
- Ian had a good game, which should be expected against the likes of a slow Jesse Smith and new arrival Kyle Davis. Ian's speed put Smith into foul trouble pretty quickly, but Ian's own foul situation seemed to make him less aggressive in his post offense as the game went on -- that and the Vipers doubled a bit more and better in the second half, getting a few strips as Ian went up for his shot. It was one of Ian's better rebounding games as he got very good position most of the game. I find it hard to believe that he wasn't credited with a single block. I saw at least two. It's possible they didn't catch them because he hit the ball so early in the shooters stroke. He played pretty good defense except there seemed to be some disconnect when he was helping others. It was some combination of the other defender's not rotating or Ian's not recovering after helping. This led to the majority of Jesse Smith's points tonight.
- Keith Langford was excellent. He was hitting from everywhere, including 4-8 from the arc, as if to justify his inclusion in the D-League All-Star 3-point contest. His finishes at the basket were better than they have been lately, and he didn't hesitate to take the ball in against two or more defenders at a time. He played shooting guard pretty exclusively this time around, and was a big factor in keeping the Vipers best scorer 1-4 from the field.
DerMarr Johnson also had a strong game on offense anyway. It was nice because I didn't realize he had put up 30 points until I saw the final box. With only two or three exceptions (which ended up in misses or turnovers), he played within the offense and took the scoring opportunities that were given to or made for him. He only ended up with one foul and one rebound, which kind of illustrates his efforts in those departments. Hoping for a complete game from him soon.
- Marcus Williams came off the bench as Justin Bowen got the start. He was looking for his shot a little too much, but his selfishness disappears in transition. His passing in the fastbreak is still his best. His last few shots were a result of playing in the offense or hustle, and raised his shooting 50% for the game. He got pushed around a little by Trent Strickland when he guarded him, but was active enough on defense.
- Squeaky Johnson got the start - possibly as a reward for saving the Toros game against the Dakota Wizards. Anyway he and Cheyne Gadson can share the same review because they played pretty much the same way - deferential on offense to the point of passing up shots they should have taken and more or less turnstiles on defense. Squeaky was driving too deep before looking to kick out, and Cheyne was trying a few too many unnecessary no looks -- both led to turnovers. The Vipers starting point, former Toro Quannas White, shot 6-7, and his backup got to the line for 8 free throws.
- Justin Bowen, Kenton Paulino and Anthony Fuqua eased back into their more familiar roles, and none of them played exceptionally good or bad. Fuqua fouled out mostly from trying to correct his mistakes. He needs to learn to let some things go and get em next time down.
Next week starts a solid month of quality opponents for Ian and the Toros. If they continue to play the way they did against the Vipers, they should be in good shape.