This program sacrificed for Trae

[coolm]

It feels like we just took a year of everyone's eligibility to give Trae a highlight reel for the NBA.

I can't say we gained in recruiting ... or player development ... or individual accolades ... or team accolades.

We just gave him a forum to make himself look good for the draft.

As much as I have enjoyed watching him play at times I think this was a disservice to the program and the other players.

 

[ousooners1baby]

Unfortunately he may become Enemy of the state. I’m just afraid, like you said, this is more about Trae and less about the Sooners. I feel terrible for thinking that and worse for speaking it. I just don’t think Dad was a fan of him coming and just hasn’t bought in. Lon has sold his soul and the team has quit. Those are my feelings and I hope I’m wrong and they prove me wrong and somehow, someway, make a run and show they have at least a small heart.


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[ousooners1baby]

And I do think Trae is tired.


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[sybarite]

I feel like I was invited to the Academy Awards, although I wasn't an actor. I got to watch the best do their job, and I spent a year having the opportunity to be around the best. OK. I didn't win an award, but I really wasn't expecting to be up for any. At least, I was where the action was.

So, we didn't win a national title. We got to be around and watch an outstanding talent, up close. I guess I'll put my tux in the back of the closet. It will probably be a long time before I get an invite to another ball like this one.

 

[coolm]

I got to watch the best do their job, and I spent a year having the opportunity to be around the best.

I agree about the entertainment level ... but there will be a steep cost to pay. Our next couple of years will suffer as a result also.

 

[mict085]

I agree with all of this. This all coming after a FF run and the program has been driven off a cliff.

 

[sybarite]

I agree about the entertainment level ... but there will be a steep cost to pay. Our next couple of years will suffer as a result also.

I don't even think we were going to be attending a ice cream party at Dairy Queen this year. On what merit? I was stunned to see two freshmen instill some life into a "what if" group.

 

[Chuck Schick]

Agreed. This is year 2 post Final Four. That was a senior laden team so we knew there would be a rebuild. But next year looks bleak. I had hoped we could capitalize better. And we have the national player of the year this year. Strange.

 

[skyvue]

How did being a Sooner prevent the other players from progressing, coolm? Do you think we'd better at this point in the season if he had not come to OU?

And if so, what is seen as the issue? Have the other players stopped working and playing hard because they're counting on Trae to carry them? Do they resent all the attention he receives? Has he been a ballhog to the extent that they haven't had any chances to improve their play during live action?

I don't think any of the above is true, but I'm trying to understand your post and your point.

If I could snap my fingers and change one thing leading into this season, it would be that we'd kept all our assistants following the Final Four. I expressed concern about their departure at the time, but other posters seemed convinced we'd not miss a beat without them. I was -- and remain -- skeptical.

 

[JBaker]

Couldn’t disagree with this more.

This is a bad team filled with bad, low IQ basketball players that won 11 games last year.

There is absolutely a zero percent chance we would have had a better record this year without Trae.


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[Stikboy]

I couldn't care less about Trae Young's NBA dreams or aspirations, or watching one player. I want OU to win. If his individual goals being met are a side product, then great. Good for him. But if what this thread is saying is true, what a travesty.

 

[steverocks35]

This is crazy. Trae Young is our best player and he makes everyone around him better. Unfortunately for him he can't shoot or play defense for Manek, he can't play defense or develop a low post game for Lattin, he can't rebound or shoot for Odomes, he can't hustle or have a good attitude for James, he can't coach for Kruger, he can't produce for the bench. None of this is his fault.

 

[oudna]

This is crazy. Trae Young is our best player and he makes everyone around him better. Unfortunately for him he can't shoot or play defense for Manek, he can't play defense or develop a low post game for Lattin, he can't rebound or shoot for Odomes, he can't hustle or have a good attitude for James, he can't coach for Kruger, he can't produce for the bench. None of this is his fault.

You’re honestly calling out other player’s defense, in regards to Young?

 

[coolm]

First of all, I love watching trae play ball. But I think our players would have been in better shape now for the future without him here running the whole show like this.

Of course, given the comparative talent what do you ask him to do less? I mean he's a competitive kid so he's gonna go all out to win and I really don't fault him that.

But, that said, if more of the load had been slammed onto these other guys then I feel like we'd be in better shape for next year and beyond.

Our guys are timid on the floor other than Trae and now he is even playing with doubt. I see hesitation from Odomes, complete lack of confidence from Shepherd, and no consistency from CJ. Lattin's overall game has regressed and McNeace has taken 2 steps back offensively from where he was last season. The one other shining spot was Manek and we've seen that crash & burn as well.

These guys didnt grow together as a team culminating in their best play at the end of the season. They languished behind Trae and can't answer the bell when he's down.

Maybe we needed to lose a few more games early and either give Jordan more of the load or play Trae much more at the 2. IDK the answer. I just know we're in a tight spot for the next 2 seasons as a result.

 

[steverocks35]

You’re honestly calling out other player’s defense, in regards to Young?

You missed my point. It's not Trae Young's role to be a defender. It IS the other players' role. Also, it's important to note that OU can't afford to have Trae Young in foul trouble so he doesn't play tough defense, although he is capable.

 

[oketex]

I think and I don't know but it seems that the others have stopped playing because this team is only about one player. This is not Trae's fault its the media who are feeding their ratings but I will say there is probably some resentment from some of the others and I say that without knowing anything from within the program.

 

[steverocks35]

First of all, I love watching trae play ball. But I think our players would have been in better shape now for the future without him here running the whole show like this.

Of course, given the comparative talent what do you ask him to do less? I mean he's a competitive kid so he's gonna go all out to win and I really don't fault him that.

But, that said, if more of the load had been slammed onto these other guys then I feel like we'd be in better shape for next year and beyond.

Our guys are timid on the floor other than Trae and now he is even playing with doubt. I see hesitation from Odomes, complete lack of confidence from Shepherd, and no consistency from CJ. Lattin's overall game has regressed and McNeace has taken 2 steps back offensively from where he was last season. The one other shining spot was Manek and we've seen that crash & burn as well.

These guys didnt grow together as a team culminating in their best play at the end of the season. They languished behind Trae and can't answer the bell when he's down.

Maybe we needed to lose a few more games early and either give Jordan more of the load or play Trae much more at the 2. IDK the answer. I just know we're in a tight spot for the next 2 seasons as a result.

What you're describing to me is a bad coaching job.

 

[steverocks35]

I think and I don't know but it seems that the others have stopped playing because this team is only about one player. This is not Trae's fault its the media who are feeding their ratings but I will say there is probably some resentment from some of the others and I say that without knowing anything from within the program.

Again, coaching coaching coaching.

 

[coolm]

I am not disputing Trae's talent at all.

I am saying it's not a certainty to me that his presence and role on this team was the best thing for Sooner basketball.

I think it was ideally suited to highlight Trae basketball and that may have been to our chagrin.

I remember how much people here railed on Mitch Solomon. Personally I would love to see our guys make the progress Solomon made over time for OSUx. That growth is born of experience and hard knocks.

 

[steverocks35]

I am not disputing Trae's talent at all.

I am saying it's not a certainty to me that his presence and role on this team was the best thing for Sooner basketball.

I think it was ideally suited to highlight Trae basketball and that may have been to our chagrin.

Take him off this team and where are we? Jordan Shepherd running the point? Hard pass.