Regress, regress

[sperry]

Good call. The team is 8-15 because of Kevin Kruger. :facepalm

Its part of it. Nepotism is a huge problem, and high level coaching is one of the few places its still considered acceptable. It shouldn't be.

 

[Big Old Booger]

What I didn't like is that you stated that James had an attitude problem and acted like he had read too many headlines, or something to that effect. James has struggled shooting the ball. That's obvious. That wasn't your complaint and to turn around now and act like it was is wholly disingenuous. You stated that he had a bad attitude and that it was harmful to the team. I disagreed with that then. I disagree with that now.

Interestingly, when I called you on your statement, you backed off and tried to pretend that you weren't really saying he had a bad attitude.

This team has struggled in a lot of areas but I haven't caught 1 whiff of a bad attitude, players bickering with pool need another or with the coaches, or players giving less than 100% effort. If you think any of them have done any of those things, back it up. Provide some evidence. But you can't.

Anyway, continue with your "James sucks" stuff if it makes you feel warm and tingly inside. It's not at all original. Most of those here agree with you. Of course, they were also anointing him 1st team All Big 12 before the season started so take that for what it's worth.

Criticize James if it makes you feel better, but all the insight was used up 3 months ago, if there was any there to begin with.

I was critical of James body language particularly when he made a shot, he would grandstand a little by just standing there. I don't recall questioning his effort but lately he has been putting forth the effort, he just can't do anything right. He had a home game in the last few weeks where he was rebounding and doing other things besides scoring. That's good, but this team needs offense. If he can't provide offense then he's useless -- particularly when on the floor with certain players (basically he can't play for McGusty because there goes the scoring). The point of my previous post, to which you replied above, was to be "more critical of him" than I was previously. That doesn't mean I'm stepping back from my complaint of his body language and attitude at times when the slump started. Now I'm saying he's showing no signs of coming out of this funk and appears to have completely regressed from where he was last year. In addition, as others have noted, he's put on some weight and he doesn't have the quickness he needs.

 

[Soonerinkc]

I trust Lon to hire the right guy. When you hire your son who does not have the credentials on paper for the position, and the subsequent season is the worst in 40 years you open yourself up to criticism. I'm pretty sure Lon can handle being criticized too.

guess that's where I see....IF you put his "job experience" from his resume up against others....where would that put him?

I don't believe he is the Head Asst...right? But would that matter?

I'm sure if the season was reversed it wouldn't be an issue...but being what it is, he has to know folks are questioning.

 

[Big Old Booger]

Its part of it. Nepotism is a huge problem, and high level coaching is one of the few places its still considered acceptable. It shouldn't be.

I'm with Sperry on this one. Had he hired his son last year then the nepotism wouldn't be a topic of conversation. However, he did it before the worst season at OU in Kruger's short tenure. Football fans complained and still complained about some of Bob's hires -- his brother has been a hot topic the last 3 years due to the defense. Kittle, Bob's best man, was a nepotistic type hire. That one had fans madder than anything when our OL was bad.

So, complaining about hiring Kevin is valid. Lon strikes me like Bob in they want people who they know won't change the dyamics of the staff. So, for that reason they are very picky about who they will hire. I'm sure they are leary of anyone who could bring the NCAA around too as they are both instructed to run clean programs and that comes from the top.

 

[BoulderSooner]

guess that's where I see....IF you put his "job experience" from his resume up against others....where would that put him?

I don't believe he is the Head Asst...right? But would that matter?

I'm sure if the season was reversed it wouldn't be an issue...but being what it is, he has to know folks are questioning.

correct he is the 3rd ast .... he didn't replace Henson

 

[Soonerinkc]

Thing is...

Not that it makes him a genesis...

BUT Kevin has been around D1 and professional basketball his entire life. I'm sure he's been exposed to more than any of us. He played D1, so he had to be decent. Basketball isn't rocket science I'm sure he'll end up just fine. KS has his son on his staff...

 

[Maverick008]

Thing is...

Not that it makes him a genesis...

BUT Kevin has been around D1 and professional basketball his entire life. I'm sure he's been exposed to more than any of us. He played D1, so he had to be decent. Basketball isn't rocket science I'm sure he'll end up just fine. KS has his son on his staff...

What's funny about this whole issue is another poster even put a "staff" together wanting Kelvin back and bringing his son with him!!! What has HE done to warrant that sort of respect? To claim this hire wasn't nepotism is laughable but "nepotism" happens ALL the time in different forms in the coaching world. Look around staffs all over the country and they are littered with former players of coaches. Is that "family" no, but to me it's no different. Roy williams hired Hubert Davis from ESPN with ZERO experience in coaching and was reamed for it from the locals until they started winning again. No one is yelling about it now with yet another top 10 team.

The jury is out on whether this is a good hire or not but to claim to know that with the same staff from last year this team would have a better record is also laughable. NO ONE knows if they would have a better record or not. Many on this board have pointed out the ups and downs of teams that Kruger has had throughout his coaching career and for some of those his son was in diapers. What was the excuse then??? Yes the team is down this year and it sucks for all of us fans, but to put that on one hire is unfair. IF they go 22-10 next year are we having the same discussion? Or then saying "in spite" of having him on staff.....or that the guys got better regardless of who was coaching him and so forth?

Programs go through stuff like this all the time. Yes I know OU hasn't had a season like this in forever but let's not forget they are also playing the toughest schedule in the nation per some reports. I would put that on the Head coach, not the 3rd assistant on the team regardless of who that is.

 

[Soonerinkc]

true...

yeah saw that post. Funny...I'm thinking Kevin was a better player than Kellen...not sure though. Not that means a hill of beans in the coaching world.

It's WHO ya know in coaching...not what. If you've (anyone) ever been in coaching ya know that.

 

[CoachTalk]

It looks like if you put Coach in front of your name on this forum, then you apparently know more about basketball than anyone else alive. That then gives you free reign to criticize and be-little any other poster that doesn't agree with your "opinion". Let's all try it. Everyone put Coach in your user name and we can all be experts.

Thats not it all. Hes a 3rd ast, been around D1 and coached before. Recruiting is about relationships, Culture, Age, cool factor... lots of things.

We hired Hartman from Big bad Rice, doesnt make him any less qualified.

 

[Sooner04]

yeah saw that post. Funny...I'm thinking Kevin was a better player than Kellen...not sure though. Not that means a hill of beans in the coaching world.

Slightly. Kevin scored over 1,300 points in his college career.

 

[usedtobe1]

Kevin was a pretty decent D1 PG and I'm sure he does a lot of his work behind the scenes. None of the assistants have a real active role at team practices. No doubt he knows LK's system and philosophies.

Neither Kevin or Carlin recruited any of the current players. I'm not sure if our record would be much different if we still had Henson and Hill. None of us know what goes on in the staff meetings.

I don't think LK will be complacent after the season is over. I bet he's a lot more direct behind closed doors. I imagine there will be some changes but I respect him for not publicly being critical of his players or staff.

I'm just going to be the best fan I can be. Hoping to get to 10 wins. Heck, I even expect Trae to commit to OU next week. I can't help it....

 

[Maverick008]

Slightly. Kevin scored over 1,300 points in his college career.

Which as SoonerinKC pointed out obviously doesn't mean he can coach but does mean he could probably out shoot half the guys on the roster :ez-laugh:

Lincoln Riley is a prime example of a guy that may not have had the talent to play at a high level but can coach at a high level.

And then of course there are guys like Jamie Dixon that have shown they can do both.

Hopefully Kevin is the right guy for the job he has and the team will only get better and benefit from having him on staff moving forward.

 

[sooner8693]

Thats not it all. Hes a 3rd ast, been around D1 and coached before. Recruiting is about relationships, Culture, Age, cool factor... lots of things.

We hired Hartman from Big bad Rice, doesnt make him any less qualified.

You are preaching to the choir sir.

 

[Soonerinkc]

Slightly. Kevin scored over 1,300 points in his college career.

ummm, maybe sarcasm? I didn't think Kellen even scored 13...

 

[Big Old Booger]

Which as SoonerinKC pointed out obviously doesn't mean he can coach but does mean he could probably out shoot half the guys on the roster :ez-laugh:

Lincoln Riley is a prime example of a guy that may not have had the talent to play at a high level but can coach at a high level.

And then of course there are guys like Jamie Dixon that have shown they can do both.

Hopefully Kevin is the right guy for the job he has and the team will only get better and benefit from having him on staff moving forward.

Beside the point but Riley had some injury from HS which prevented him from playing. Mike Leach is a better example, as he never played.