Capel sticking up for Willie Warren

[SoonerfanTU]

How do people know things like this?

It just seems like it is rumor unless Willie Warren tells you, the women tells you or perhaps the guy who dated the girl.

You didn't have any problems believing it a couple of weeks ago when you PM'd me asking if that was what a bunch of us were talking about.

I'm sorry, but it's true. Last year and this year.

 

[Max Power]

first, I am not an espn insider so the only part of the article I could read was what was posted. I never took any of that as a shot at WW. Just stating the fact that he was hyped up at the beginning of the year and he hasn't delivered. and by not delivered meaning he hasn't lived up to the hype. maybe if somebody could post the article we could settle it.

whatever though, play is never wrong...why do i bother

I am an insider and here is the article:

Why is Oklahoma so dysfunctional? The conversation should start and end with Willie Warren. Some had Warren as a possible lottery pick had he come out last year, and Fran Fraschilla and I bought his new-and-improved act, despite his reputation as a malcontent.



Fast forward to Year 2 under head coach Jeff Capel, who convinced Warren and his mother that if Warren returned, he would be treated like Blake Griffin and become a potential No. 1 draft pick. This seems to be the point at which things went downhill.



The Sooners have lacked top-level play and leadership as well as suffering from a variety of injuries, most recently Warren coming down with mononucleosis, sidelining him indefinitely. Warren's season is lost, and he would almost certainly need to return to Norman to repair his draft status.



Don't count on it, say a few coaches in the Big 12.



"No way he comes back," said one.



"Is that really a good thing for Jeff?" says another

 

[Sooner Quick]

Hey, I've got some ocean front property in Arizona, you interested?

Great song!


boca honestly people would probably not be so hard on you if you didn't cry foul on what people say about WW and then go and do the EXACT same thing on Cade Davis. And no I'm not gonna go dig up posts, I don't need to because the majority of the board knows you did. The act is getting old, please stop!

 

[Sooner Quick]

Here is the article that the quote was taken from and there are several other interesting quotes in that article that suggest some blame be placed at WW's feet, like the on court bickering.

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/news;_ylt=Aj7EDG3paQ05BW6bl9wOdNjevbYF?slug=jn-kotc022410&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

“We’ve got guys playing for something other than Oklahoma,” Capel said after Monday’s 81-68 loss to Kansas. “We just haven’t become a team.”

Capel said the on-court bickering, lack of effort and overall selfishness became ridiculous at times. He said some of the Sooners may have been trying to impress NBA scouts or attempting to elevate their statistics. He’s just not sure. “It could be a lot of different things,” he said. “I read something [coach] Flip Saunders said with the Washington Wizards. Any time you’ve got guys complaining about having plays called for them, you know you’ve got problems. That’s something we’ve had.”

Even more aggravating for Capel is remembering just how good the Sooners were a year ago. With the Griffin brothers leading the way, Oklahoma climbed to No. 1 in the national rankings. Discipline issues were rarely a problem and neither was effort – mainly because of the example set by his departed stars.

“We don’t have a player like that on this team, a guy that sets an example,” Capel said. “That’s unfortunate. I thought some of our returning guys, having been around Blake and around Taylor, I thought some of that would’ve rubbed off. But it hasn’t to the level that I hoped it would.

“It really all boils down to hard work. When I recruited Blake, he told me what he wanted to achieve, and my message to him was, ‘Dream bigger that that.’ He said he wanted to be a pro. I said, ‘Why not become the No. 1 pick? ’ He came to understand the things that it took to attain that. He worked like he’d never worked before. That’s what we’ve got to get these guys to do.”

Warren is the main player who has underachieved. The guard who was dubbed “Preseason National Player of the Year” by one publication is averaging 16.3 points, but he’s shooting just 43 percent from the field and only 30 percent from 3-point range.

Even worse, Warren has failed to take on the leadership role that Capel hoped he would embrace.

“Sometimes as a coach and a leader, you wonder, ‘Gosh, what more do I have to do to get the message through, other than get rid of a kid?’”

Capel did that during the offseason with Pattillo and he hinted earlier this week that he won’t be afraid to do it again.

“Scholarships are not guaranteed for next year,” he said. “There will be some decisions that will be made. So if guys aren’t motivated, they’ll make that decision a little bit easier.”

Asked after Monday’s game if he was trying to send a message to his players, Capel said: “It’s just reality. If guys can’t do what they’re supposed to do on and off the floor – if they’re not willing to compete and work and do the things necessary to get better – then this probably isn’t the place for them.”

 

[DenverSooner]

You didn't have any problems believing it a couple of weeks ago when you PM'd me asking if that was what a bunch of us were talking about.

I'm sorry, but it's true. Last year and this year.

I think I asked you what you were talking about because I did not want to guess. I don't know if I believed it then or if I believe it now (I don't know if I didn't believe it then or don't believe it now). I do know I don't for a fact whether or not it happened. But how does that address the question? I just don't see how you or anyone knows this type of information.

 

[buttermaker1]

Boy this comment is ugly, ouch. No way to win with this type of attitude.

Quote:
Capel said the on-court bickering, lack of effort and overall selfishness became ridiculous at times. He said some of the Sooners may have been trying to impress NBA scouts or attempting to elevate their statistics. He’s just not sure. “It could be a lot of different things,” he said. “I read something [coach] Flip Saunders said with the Washington Wizards. Any time you’ve got guys complaining about having plays called for them, you know you’ve got problems. That’s something we’ve had.”

 

[SoonerfanTU]

Any time you’ve got guys complaining about having plays called for them, you know you’ve got problems. That’s something we’ve had.”

My guess is that is Tiny. And while I don't completely disagree with him, it's tough to call plays for a big man that won't get, and/or stay inside.

 

[playmakr]

Boy this comment is ugly, ouch. No way to win with this type of attitude.

Quote:
Capel said the on-court bickering, lack of effort and overall selfishness became ridiculous at times. He said some of the Sooners may have been trying to impress NBA scouts or attempting to elevate their statistics. He’s just not sure. “It could be a lot of different things,” he said. “I read something [coach] Flip Saunders said with the Washington Wizards. Any time you’ve got guys complaining about having plays called for them, you know you’ve got problems. That’s something we’ve had.”

Yea there is a difference in "wanting the ball" to help your team win or knowing you have a mismatch vs. having selfish reasons to score.

I have to say, this starts at the top with Capel. A coach's main job is to get ego's checked at the door. Granted, he's had a tough task with some of the ego's on this team, but he also recruited all these guys. It's on Capel, but I think he will figure it out as he develops as a coach.

 

[cre54]

I believe that once the season is over, we're going to see Capel make some changes. Think we'll see his approach change some and maybe some changes with his players. All coaches go through seasons like this. I believe in Capel and know he's heading in the right direction. He allowed the team to get to where they are now so he'll have to be the one to make the change. The high profile players come with baggage. Some are willing to take the good and hope the bad doesn't overcome the team. It's a gamble either way.

 

[IndySooner]

I have to say, this starts at the top with Capel. A coach's main job is to get ego's checked at the door. Granted, he's had a tough task with some of the ego's on this team, but he also recruited all these guys. It's on Capel, but I think he will figure it out as he develops as a coach.

I'm not sure anyone could have managed these egos. Maybe, the mistake he made was not putting together a "team" when recruiting. These guys obviously don't mesh.

 

[SoonerfanTU]

I'm not sure anyone could have managed these egos. Maybe, the mistake he made was not putting together a "team" when recruiting. These guys obviously don't mesh.

I agree with that, I think.

I think Capel should have done a better job spotting the weaknesses of Willie, Allen, Wright, and Tiny last year, and recruited accordingly. I think he put WAY too much faith in those guys.

 

[buttermaker1]

Cade Davis indeed had the lowest field goal % of any starter in the Big XII. That was a statistical fact. You want to see where he ranks now?

Please direct me to any post where I say Cade Davis should be kicked off the team, is screwing somebody else's girlfriend, is a malcontent, a cancer, where I stalked his facebook page, criticized his demeanor, etc.

BTW you're a stalker too. lol Of not only me but also Willie Warren.

I never read that comment from you. However you did state Davis wasn't good enough to start for OU and questioned his ability to be a D-1 player at a Big 12 school. When you made the statement Davis wasn't productive on the road. To date Davis has been 1 of 3 best all around players. He has been money at home and lately solid on the road.

Everyone makes mistakes and I assume you would agree Davis has been clearly 1 of our top 3 players during Big 12 play.

 

[Shooterms]

I never read that comment from you. However you did state Davis wasn't good enough to start for OU and questioned his ability to be a D-1 player at a Big 12 school. When you made the statement Davis wasn't productive on the road. To date Davis has been 1 of 3 best all around players. He has been money at home and lately solid on the road.

Everyone makes mistakes and I assume you would agree Davis has been clearly 1 of our top 3 players during Big 12 play.

Quit stalking Boca.

 

[SoonerBounce13]

Cade Davis indeed had the lowest field goal % of any starter in the Big XII. That was a statistical fact.

thats a lie

 

[Shooterms]

thats a lie

Stalker!

(Boca doesn't seem to be here, so I'm trying to help him out)

 

[htownSOONER]

The ridicule and bashing of Willie Warren has been disgusting. The people who do it non stop need to take a moment and look in the mirror. I'm sure they don't like what they see so it makes them feel better to trash WW.

This coming from the guy that trashes Cade Davis any chance he gets.