Steve Pledger

[stoops4pres]

Other than the fact that this is a fashionable thing to say, I'd love to hear why this is such an indicator.

Before I explain, let me be clear in that I appreciated all that Cade did for us last year. He was one of the only few bright spots for the team.

Its an indicator, because when a guy capable of only being a role player like Cade is thrusted into the lead role from the scoring department, its something he's not capable of doing. Thus, we're going to have a hard time scoring efficiently, which will more than likely lead to a hard time winning games.

Hopefully that wasn't a "fashionable thing to say", and I'd love to hear what your opinion of my explanation was.

 

[Seymore Cox]

I want to be clear in the fact taht I don't think he'll be our best player, but the fact that he'll get more looks and he is an outstanding shooter will give him an opportunity to get good numbers.

 

[Shooterms]

Before I explain, let me be clear in that I appreciated all that Cade did for us last year. He was one of the only few bright spots for the team.

Its an indicator, because when a guy capable of only being a role player like Cade is thrusted into the lead role from the scoring department, its something he's not capable of doing. Thus, we're going to have a hard time scoring efficiently, which will more than likely lead to a hard time winning games.

Hopefully that wasn't a "fashionable thing to say", and I'd love to hear what your opinion of my explanation was.

He is capable of being more than a role player. He'll be a leader during his senior year, and he'll be much improved again, just as he has improved each year he has been at OU.

When Cade scored a lot of points last year, the team did well.

 

[Edmond_Sooner]

He very well could be the leading scorer, but if so 1 of 2 things will have happened...

1) he has developed a much more versatile game and with added minutes plays tons more confident...

2) no one else can score consistently...


The reason for the second point is because even though Pledger will get tons more minutes it is a strong possibility he is a very similiar player in the fact that he was only a 3pt threat and didnt do much else...I do think he will shoot the ball with tons more confidence (playing time tends to do that) and if that happens the rest of his game may blossom, but that is an unknown...

 

[stoops4pres]

He is capable of being more than a role player. He'll be a leader during his senior year, and he'll be much improved again, just as he has improved each year he has been at OU.

When Cade scored a lot of points last year, the team did well.

Just curious, in what areas do you believe Cade will be much improved? I think he can improve on aspects regarding his shooting, but in order for him to become the offensive player I assume you think he's capable of being, he's going to have to make tremendous improvements in his ability to beat opponents off the dribble and ball handling. Considering that I haven't seen that out of him since his career began, I don't see that happening. Hopefully I'm wrong.

If he is in fact the leading scorer and main focus of the offense, for the team to be successful he's going to have to expand his all-around game greatly, which would be an incredible feat to accomplish after not showing that aspect of his game this past year. If he can do that then the team will be better then I expect, but that is a big if.

 

[stoops4pres]

He very well could be the leading scorer, but if so 1 of 2 things will have happened...

1) he has developed a much more versatile game and with added minutes plays tons more confident...

2) no one else can score consistently...


The reason for the second point is because even though Pledger will get tons more minutes it is a strong possibility he is a very similiar player in the fact that he was only a 3pt threat and didnt do much else...I do think he will shoot the ball with tons more confidence (playing time tends to do that) and if that happens the rest of his game may blossom, but that is an unknown...

+1

I can definitely see him being a more confident shooter and improving in that area, but I don't see the rest of his game blossoming. I like Cade and he's one of my favorite Sooners, but its an objective opinion of mine. You're right it is an unknown, and hopefully he proves me wrong.

 

[Big Old Booger]

If Pledger is going to lead us in scoring, he's got to get better at defense. IMO, he is a good scorer, but he's as much a liability on defense as he is a good scorer.

Obviously, he can improve in this area from this season to next, but can he improve enough to stay on the court? We need him to.

 

[stoopified]

Seeing Cade Davis as the leading scorer serves as one of the main indicators that this will be a very long, long season.

Exactly what I was thinking.Cade has shown in his three years here that he is a complimentary player and not a scorer.

 

[Shooterms]

Exactly what I was thinking.Cade has shown in his three years here that he is a complimentary player and not a scorer.

And, according to your post in the other thread, you'd be happy to see his production go down by a couple of PPG.

 

[sharp1]

Wow...(+&-)...I watched the entire Great alasken shoot out...In the San Diego game was 2 for 2...but didnt get to play in the 2nd half, also check the Houston game...hit multiple 3's when they came out on him he went to the basket, I watched a freshman be the vocal leader of this team...Then I watched as we returned home and he didnt play, right off the bat...check the games...I watched WW, TMG, and Tiny dominate the ball, I watched Tiny catch the ball at the top of the key with Pledger open one more pass away and tiny shot it....Then I watched him hit the free-throws to beat Texas and shut Jordan Hamilton down...watch the tape, then hit 6 3's (Ou record in Big12 champship play) against OKS...Pledger will be at the top in scoring and assist and he will lead the team in free throw %...He will be a leader and work hard and be a positive influence

 

[Darwin]

I think we're going to see Pledger and Cade avg 10 to 12 ppg. The leading scorer will be the guy that gets to the line the most and neither guy has the game to do that. NT or CC would be a better bet for leading scorer.

 

[topcat]

Pledger reminds me a little of Obi. Both are a little stiff and lack the ability to breakdown their defender off the dribble consistently. Obi ended up as a very good 3pt shooter and so will Pledger. HCJC will need to find some good sets to utilize Steven's abilities. If we have better ball movement next year we will create plenty of open looks for Pledger to shine.

If that happens I could see Pledge having an outstanding year.

 

[red recluse]

cade showed incredible improvement of the dribble last year, and did a great job of a) finding teammates open b) getting buckets.

i think pledger's off the dribble game is underrated as well because he lost so much confidence shooting during the season, it affected his overall game. defense, driving, etc. i think he'll be more comfortable and make better decisions if he gets in the lane. he did it several times last season, but got himself in the air and took bad shots. i expect that to change. and he won't be so timid to play his game now that the trio is gone.

 

[p230]

Better ball movement and moving without the ball will be key for him. We will see how it goes and if he breaks out of his funk from the get go. His defense does need to be more consistant but we could say that of most of the guys.

 

[NickZepp]

Pledger started out good last year just couldn't keep it going. The thing I didn't like about him last year is that I'm not sure if he's athletic or quick enough to play a faster pace game.

 

[Big Old Booger]

Wow...(+&-)...I watched the entire Great alasken shoot out...In the San Diego game was 2 for 2...but didnt get to play in the 2nd half, also check the Houston game...hit multiple 3's when they came out on him he went to the basket, I watched a freshman be the vocal leader of this team...Then I watched as we returned home and he didnt play, right off the bat...check the games...I watched WW, TMG, and Tiny dominate the ball, I watched Tiny catch the ball at the top of the key with Pledger open one more pass away and tiny shot it....Then I watched him hit the free-throws to beat Texas and shut Jordan Hamilton down...watch the tape, then hit 6 3's (Ou record in Big12 champship play) against OKS...Pledger will be at the top in scoring and assist and he will lead the team in free throw %...He will be a leader and work hard and be a positive influence

Did he shutdown Jordan Hamilton or did Hamilton miss a bunch of shots? I'd say it was the latter based on Pledger's defensive performance in other games, but maybe my memory is foggy in my older years.

 

[BigTime]

Wow...(+&-)...I watched the entire Great alasken shoot out...In the San Diego game was 2 for 2...but didnt get to play in the 2nd half, also check the Houston game...hit multiple 3's when they came out on him he went to the basket, I watched a freshman be the vocal leader of this team...Then I watched as we returned home and he didnt play, right off the bat...check the games...I watched WW, TMG, and Tiny dominate the ball, I watched Tiny catch the ball at the top of the key with Pledger open one more pass away and tiny shot it....Then I watched him hit the free-throws to beat Texas and shut Jordan Hamilton down...watch the tape, then hit 6 3's (Ou record in Big12 champship play) against OKS...Pledger will be at the top in scoring and assist and he will lead the team in free throw %...He will be a leader and work hard and be a positive influence

There is no doubt that he looked impressive up in Alaska, and I also saw him trying to be a vocal leader, something which I think we will see more of from him as an upperclassmen.

I have high hopes for Bird and really am wishing that he is working on dropping some weight and improving his lateral quickness. We need him to become a much better defender starting next season if he is going to be the type of player that many of us want him to be.

In the conversations that I have had with him, he seems like a great kid and I am glad that he is at OU. Flushing out some of the bad influences on last year's team will really help he and Fitz. I just hope that they haven't developed too many bad habits being around those guys.

 

[IBleedCrimson&Cream]

cade showed incredible improvement of the dribble last year, and did a great job of a) finding teammates open b) getting buckets.

i think pledger's off the dribble game is underrated as well because he lost so much confidence shooting during the season, it affected his overall game. defense, driving, etc. i think he'll be more comfortable and make better decisions if he gets in the lane. he did it several times last season, but got himself in the air and took bad shots. i expect that to change. and he won't be so timid to play his game now that the trio is gone.

^. IBC&C agrees with this.

Honestly, I don't care who is our leading scorer, as long as we don't have a season like last year.

 

[brumFTW]

Until we know what kind of pg will be on the court its hard to determine who will lead us in scoring. Its true that Cade improved his offensive game last season, but he still struggles to create his own shot.

 

[sharp1]

Did he shutdown Jordan Hamilton or did Hamilton miss a bunch of shots? I'd say it was the latter based on Pledger's defensive performance in other games, but maybe my memory is foggy in my older years.

Well when your shooting with a hand in your face u tell me? Contested every shot he took, made hime force shots...sounds like good "D"