Carl Blair

[AdaSooner]

He needs to quit extending that fore arm. he could be called for an offensive foul almost everytime down the court.

Yep. I'm surprised the officials do not make that call more often. His turnovers would likely increase if he wasn't allowed to extend his off arm to keep defenders away.

I like some of the things Carl brings to the game. His defense and his turnovers are not on that list. If he can get better in the off season in those two areas, I think he has a chance of being a pretty good PG.

Stil, I want to see him as a back up, not the guy charged with running our offense. Capel does, too, or signing a point guard for next year would not be a high priority.

 

[jmizzy4ou]

So your argument is that Newell is better defensively than Pledger? Pledger has had some really solid defensive performances this season. I haven't seen Newell do anything defensively that makes me say he has the ability to be a stopper.

I have to agree here. What has Newell done besides get left standing by most PG's that we play against?? Pledger has actually had some good defensive games, and when he is on the floor, I gurantee you that opposing coaches tell their guys to not let him catch and shoot.....

He is always a threat to score, which means he must be guarded.

 

[Section31]

So your argument is that Newell is better defensively than Pledger? Pledger has had some really solid defensive performances this season. I haven't seen Newell do anything defensively that makes me say he has the ability to be a stopper.

Just to add to YOUR point...Newell is quite possibly the worst defender on the team outside of Thompson and Neal (and Neal will get better). Of course, Newell will get better too, but right now, defense, IMO, is what has kept him from seeing more action.


P.S....please don't quote BOB any more. These threads read so much better now with him/her on "ignore".

 

[SoonerDan74012]

He is always a threat to score, which means he must be guarded.

He really did show how big of a threat he is on those wide open uncontested 3 pointers he bricked. :ez-roll:

 

[AdaSooner]

At this point, if you have 2 players and neither one of them is making an offensive contribution, then you play the one who is better on defense.

Just my opinion and maybe I'm wrong. I just don't see how he could hurt us anymore than Pledger at this point.

Come on, BOB. You're better at judging talent that that. Newell's 5 fouls in 9minutes should tell you something about his defense. Putting the opponent on the line to score without so much as a hand in his face is not good defense.

 

[OUhoops11]

He really did show how big of a threat he is on those wide open uncontested 3 pointers he bricked. :ez-roll:

What exactly is humorous about this comment?

 

[Big Old Booger]

So your argument is that Newell is better defensively than Pledger? Pledger has had some really solid defensive performances this season. I haven't seen Newell do anything defensively that makes me say he has the ability to be a stopper.

Capel said in the pre-season that Newell was the best onball defender on the team. In fact, he said Newell could be a "lockdown defender".

The problem is, Newell only plays about 10 minutes a game so he hasn't really improved much in game situations but if he started at the 2G from day one, he would be a much better defender than he is now, and hes still better today than Pledger, IMO.

I also believe had Newell played more his offensive game would be much better. He has the tools he just needs the playing time, which he should have gotten when we were playing East Popcorn State and NW Basketweaving University.

 

[OUhoops11]

Capel said in the pre-season that Newell was the best onball defender on the team. In fact, he said Newell could be a "lockdown defender".

The problem is, Newell only plays about 10 minutes a game so he hasn't really improved much in game situations but if he started at the 2G from day one, he would be a much better defender than he is now, and hes still better today than Pledger, IMO.

I also believe had Newell played more his offensive game would be much better. He has the tools he just needs the playing time, which he should have gotten when we were playing East Popcorn State and NW Basketweaving University.

I don't even know what to say anymore. I have no idea what games you've watching.

 

[Big Old Booger]

For those of you who don't believe me:

http://ouhoops.com/forum/showthread.php?t=17224&highlight=lockdown+defender

Thread entitled "Couple if Interesting Things from a Recent Capel Interview"
Dated 10/25/2010

both involving Calvin "the animal" Newell.

Capel said/implied that:

1. Newell is a two guard
2. Newell will be a "lockdown" defender

Number 1 could explain why it is that Coach Capel is still bird dogging PG prospects in the 2011 class (ex Tharpe and Boatwright).

 

[jmizzy4ou]

He really did show how big of a threat he is on those wide open uncontested 3 pointers he bricked. :ez-roll:

Well Dan, he did go for almost 40 at ISU, and he averages double figures for the season, so YES he is a threat to score. Like most of OUr guys including Cade, he has had moments, and he has struggled....

 

[LoveDemSooners]

Capel should just start experimenting with different starting Line ups...what do we have to lose?

 

[Big Old Booger]

I don't even know what to say anymore. I have no idea what games you've watching.

Maybe I'm wrong...maybe Pledger is a better defender, but I haven't seen it.

Newell would be better if he had played more earlier in the season. The Capel thread I quoted/pasted proves Capel thinks he has all the tools to be a lockdown defender, I have yet to see anything like that from Pledger.

Newell right now is playing the wrong position at PG, and I think it affects his entire game because he's not comfortable at the PG position. If he played the 2G I think he would play better, but maybe I'm wrong.

 

[Sawyer]

For those of you who don't believe me:

http://ouhoops.com/forum/showthread.php?t=17224&highlight=lockdown+defender

Thread entitled "Couple if Interesting Things from a Recent Capel Interview"
Dated 10/25/2010

Will be and is are two very different things.

 

[NickZepp]

I think we need to play Newell at the 2 and see what he can do sometime the next couple weeks. He could just end up turning it over even more. I can't believe how bad a ball handler he is.

 

[OUhoops11]

Capel should just start experimenting with different starting Line ups...what do we have to lose?

The guys currently getting PT give us the best chance to win games. Except for Cade, they are the same players who will give us our best chance to win next season. If Capel starts conceeding wins by playing guys like Newell, Thompson, and Honore for extended minutes, then what a terrible message he's sending to his players.

 

[NickZepp]

The guys currently getting PT give us the best chance to win games. Except for Cade, they are the same players who will give us our best chance to win next season. If Capel starts conceeding wins by playing guys like Newell, Thompson, and Honore for extended minutes, then what a terrible message he's sending to his players.

I think Honore actually puts in some good minutes. But I don't disagree with the other 2 that much. I would still like to see Newell play the 2 some.

 

[OUhoops11]

I think Honore actually puts in some good minutes. But I don't disagree with the other 2 that much. I would still like to see Newell play the 2 some.

I don't mind Honore getting some minutes, because he does contribute when in the right matchup, but I said in my post "extended" minutes.

 

[Sid]

Well Dan, he did go for almost 40 at ISU, and he averages double figures for the season, so YES he is a threat to score. Like most of OUr guys including Cade, he has had moments, and he has struggled....

You could say the same thing about the OU basketball program under JC.

 

[Big Old Booger]

Will be and is are two very different things.

True. Good point.

Had he played more throughout the season, I think he would be better than he is now.

I see flashes from him like his drive to the bucket for the deuce. Pledger doesn't do that...he just stands behind the 3 point line and never moves. Newell is nervous with the ball but he hasn't played much. Neal is nervous, too, but we all agree he needs to play more.

At this point in the season, maybe you slide Pledger to the PG and put Newell in at 2G just to play for next year. Then after Blair gets the message that he can't lose his cool like that and cost us the game, you put him back at PG (after a couple of games on the bench) and then you see where you are with Newell and Pledger.

I think if Newell played as much as Pledger he would be much better than he is now.

 

[red recluse]

problem with newell's turnovers, they seem to come off passes when he's moving and dribbling out on the perimeter. if he would be in more of a 3 pt. stance when he makes passes, i think he'd cut down his careless turnovers.