Losing Newell Has Hurt

[cowboysooner]

Calvin was our designated inner city street ball kid that was tough and could create his own shot and better yet he was quick enough to stop dribble penetration from the perimeter.

When I first heard he left, I thought his loss would be a big blow to this team, because I thought we were generally slow on the perimeter and would have trouble playing man defense (which is all lon does). Then, in the first few games following his departure, Neal goes out of body and plays like larry bird and I thought, well hey, this just opened up the door for Neal.

Well, it looks like now my first thought was correct. First, we have scoring droughts that we didn't have with Calvin. Second, Pledger doesn't look like he is playing as hard now that Newell isn't there to push him. third, we are having a devil of a time staying in front of folks off the dribble, and we are being broken down time and time, e.g. our defense isn't as good. Man, I wish Calvin would have waited until this summer to transfer, if he was going to do it.

I think we win the Cincy game with Calvin, and would have played better, but maybe not won, the other losses. But, looking back, I think there were at least a couple of games we would have lost but for Calvin.

Lon is the kind of guy that is going to stick with his style and philosophy of play even if it doesn't fit our talent, this could mean some losses this year, but I'm ok with it. You see who can play your style, get kids ready for next year, and then recruit like h-ll kids that can play your type of ball.

I predicted we would win half of our conf. games, plus or minus a game. I may have been optimistic. But, I am sure we got the right coach and am excited for the future of the program. M'Baye will make a difference next year, the returning players will be improved and maybe some of the recruits will help.

 

[AdaSooner]

I doubt if anyone here will disagree with you. Newell was a player who could create his own shot and score in a lot of ways. He gave us instant offense off of the bench, a luxury we don't have now. He was a viable member of our seven man rotation, whether he was a starter or coming off the bench. Losing him gives us fewer options on offense and makes it easier for our opponents to game plan to stop our most consistent scorers.

That said, if what I heard is true and he left because Coach Kruger would not promise him a starting position, it's good that he's gone. No coach should ever let the players dictate how the team is run. By all accounts, our former coach let that happen, and we know how that turned out.

 

[campbest]

Funny thing is Newell would probably be starting right now if he was still here.

 

[WTSooner]

Funny thing is Newell would probably be starting right now if he was still here.

Grooms, Newell, and Pledger at the 1-3?

Possibly.

He'd definitely be getting starter minutes, that is for sure.

 

[NorthCarolinaSooner]

coincidentally I spoke with his prep school coach at a tournament recently.....even he thought his decision may not have been the best one. Kids make decisions they have to live with.....we have to live with this as well....but I think we are better off in the next year or two with the extra scholly......things are going to get better quickly.....next year this will all be a distant memory.

 

[thebigabd]

Oh ya, losing Newell has hurt a lot. He could come in and score 20 on any given night.

 

[sdcloud9]

I agree about Newell.

You can run quality sets for shooters but against athletic teams that are good defensively, a player has to be able to create. Newell was up and down but he could create shots and provide another offensive option.

 

[Krugerfan52]

I think it hurt our depth, but he was on the team when we got smoked by St. Louis and he was part of the problem, jacking up bad shots.

I think losing him hurt our guard depth a little, but I dont think he's the reason we've lost the last 3 games.

 

[OUhoops11]

Hurts the short term, helps in the long run.



Calvin was a guy who could shoot you into and out of games. He took a ton of bad shots against inferior opponents that just happened to go in because his defender was not very solid. Those shots don't go in nearly as often in conference play.

 

[DenverSooner]

I think it hurst this year and in two years. Having him as a senior would have helped what is going to be a young team.

 

[Ounumberone]

Losing Newell hurt our depth. Not only for times we get into foul trouble but also for resting other players during the game. Plus he could score. He would have been a valuable asset to have on this team for the next two years if he was still with us. I hope he is doing well.

 

[JBaker]

I disagree with the people who say it helps us in the long run.

Dude was a great athlete, a true sophomore, who only played 6 games under a new head coach. His ceiling was still high, and we would have had him for two more seasons after this one.
AND, while he was erratic at times, he was at least a decent ball-handler, which is something we are sorely missing right now.

 

[jerry]

I disagree with the people who say it helps us in the long run.

Dude was a great athlete, a true sophomore, who only played 6 games under a new head coach. His ceiling was still high, and we would have had him for two more seasons after this one.
AND, while he was erratic at times, he was at least a decent ball-handler, which is something we are sorely missing right now.

It hurts but Newell can be replaced in the future. This year it really set us back though, especially since Cam has been so inconsistent.

 

[thebigabd]

it hurts but newell can be replaced in the future. This year it really set us back though, especially since cam has been such a bust.

fify.

 

[OUhoops11]

I disagree with the people who say it helps us in the long run.

Dude was a great athlete, a true sophomore, who only played 6 games under a new head coach. His ceiling was still high, and we would have had him for two more seasons after this one.
AND, while he was erratic at times, he was at least a decent ball-handler, which is something we are sorely missing right now.

Yes, in the long term, Newell would help us on the court. Also in the long term, Newell would hurt us off it. I'm not bashing the kid, but he quit on his teammates and coaches five games into the season because, for whatever reason, he no longer wanted to be a Sooner.

 

[garyeb2]

Yes, in the long term, Newell would help us on the court. Also in the long term, Newell would hurt us off it. I'm not bashing the kid, but he quit on his teammates and coaches five games into the season because, for whatever reason, he no longer wanted to be a Sooner.

Niether myself, or any other poster have offered up a clear broad perspective explanation for Calvin's departure.

 

[thebigabd]

Pretty easy to see....

UCF is joining the Big East, they have a brand new 10,000 seat arena, a brand new basketball practice facility, and its in Orlando, FL.

On top of that, they are 13-3, pretty solid, and have a loaded team coming back next year. At OU, Calvin was on a crappy team and his entire tenure is going to be part of a rebuilding process. At UCF, he can go win right away.

PG: Marcus Jordan (michael jordans son). Averages 17 and 3 this year as a junior.
SG: Calvin Newell. Will start right away and be a big time scorer next to Marcus.
SF: Isaiah Sykes. Averaging 12 and 7 this year a soph.
PF: Tristan Spurlock. 6'8'' 230 transfer from Virginia averaging 8 and 5 as a soph.
C: Keith Clanton. 6'9'' 250 and averages 15 and 10 as a junior.

Calvin probably just wanted to be part of a team that he can start for, and be on a winning team instead of a rebuilding project.

 

[WTSooner]

LOL @ UCF winning in the Big East.

OU is better than UCF right now, and we'll only be better next year.

 

[WTSooner]

And that sure as heck isn't why he left. He left b/c his feelings got hurt. He left because he thought he should be starting, even though he was getting starter minutes. He left b/c he wanted to be able to chuck up contested jumpers, without having coach tell him not to.

 

[garyeb2]

For reasons that are not clear, Calvin was Capel's whipping boy. For reasons that are not clear, Calvin was Kruger's whipping boy. For reasons that are not clear, a few of the older players treated him like he was the team mascot. For reasons that are not clear, he was not the starting #2 guard on a weak Oklahoma team.

What is clear is that Calvin's loss was devastating to any realistic chance this group had to win enough games to post a measurable and significant improvement from last year. His loss has cost them 2 games already. The things Calvin can do would have been enough to beat both Cincy and OSU.