I've been waiting to bitch about something and now I have the opportunity. It angers me that Dejuan Blair had to share the Big East Player of the Year award with U Conn's Hasheem Thabeet. I knew this would happen but I still think it is a bogus vote. I mean do coaches watch the games or do they just vote just to vote?
I do feel Blair should have been Player of the Year and this isn't me being a homer. I have no problem with him having to share the award, but not with Thabeet. There are so many other deserving great players in the conference. Thabeet is the most overrated player in college basketball right now. He's not even the best player on his own team. AJ Price and Jeff Adrien get that distinction.
Just because he's big doesn't mean he's great. I will give him credit, he can block some shots and changes even more, but only when he has his feet on the floor and doesn't have to move. If Thabeet is forced to play defense, he is a stiff. If he is forced to actually compete, he is soft. he has has some good games, but anytime he gets tested, then he folds.
Blair's performance against the best competition warrants his half of the vote, but Thabeet's doesn't. He got handled by Blair in their two previous meetings. His 13.6pts, 10.6 reb, and 4.5 blocks are good numbers, but not great. Blair on the other hand had 15.6pts, and 12.4 reb per game. Both numbers better than Thabeet. the difference is that Blair was a true difference maker on the floor.
Again, I have no problem with Blair sharing the award, but just not with Thabeet. there are plenty other player worthy: Louisville's Terrence Williams is a stat sheet filler, Marquette's Jerel McNeal is probably the best scorer in the conference (20.1ppg), and despite the teams struggles, Notre Dame's Luke Harrangody is worthy (23.1ppg, 12.1 reb).
I just don't see why people love Thabeet. he is big and has the potential to be a difference maker for a very talented U Conn team. He just doesn't have the skill set of a dominant big man yet. He is a good player, just not worthy of being called Big East Player of the Year.
Showing posts with label AJ Price. Show all posts
Showing posts with label AJ Price. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Thursday, March 5, 2009
NCAA Basketball Player of the Year
I have been hearing alot of talk about who is the player of the year in men's basketball this year and quite frankly, I can't even believe that there is a discussion. We have heard names thrown around all year, but there is truly only one guy that should be talked about here.
Right now, I think U Conn's AJ Price is playing as well as anyone in the nation, but he isn't even in the running here. I have limited it down to the top 5 candidates and here they are in reverse order.
5. Jodie Meeks- Kentucky This kid is very exciting and can flat out score. he averages 25.1 ppg, good for 5th in the nation. Out of the 6 games of 45 point or more this season, Meeks has 3 of them.
4. Tyler Hansbrough- North Carolina Last years player of the year is averaging 21.2 per game and 7.8 rebounds. Maybe we have just gotten used to his consistent production, but he has done nothing that jumps off the page to give him the award. He has a chance to go down as the NCAA's all-time leading scorer, but the award is for this year.
3. Stephen Curry- Davidson The switch to point guard hasn't slowed Curry down one bit. He leads the nation in scoring at 28.4 per game and also averages 6 assists and nearly 5 rebounds per.
2. Dejuan Blair- Pitt maybe I'm a little too high on him, but i feel he is one of the two most dominant players I have seen all season. Blair averages over 16pts per game to go along with 12.8 rebounds. His 6.0 offense boards per game leads the nation.
Out of that list, I would give the award to Blair, but not even Dejuan should be talked about when it comes to player of the year. That distinction goes to Oklahoma's Blake Griffen and it should be unanimous.
Both Blair and Griffen are truly men among boys on the court, but Griffen's performance has truly been the most dominant of the season. He averages 21.9 ppg and 14 reb per game and has kept the Sooners in the top 5 in the nation all season. Blair maybe the front runner next season if he stays, but this year, Blake Griffen is hands down your player of the year.
That's not to say he is the better player, he has though had the best season. I for one would love to see the Pitt-Oklahoma game and the Blair-Griffen duel. Hopefully we will see it in Detroit.
Right now, I think U Conn's AJ Price is playing as well as anyone in the nation, but he isn't even in the running here. I have limited it down to the top 5 candidates and here they are in reverse order.
5. Jodie Meeks- Kentucky This kid is very exciting and can flat out score. he averages 25.1 ppg, good for 5th in the nation. Out of the 6 games of 45 point or more this season, Meeks has 3 of them.
4. Tyler Hansbrough- North Carolina Last years player of the year is averaging 21.2 per game and 7.8 rebounds. Maybe we have just gotten used to his consistent production, but he has done nothing that jumps off the page to give him the award. He has a chance to go down as the NCAA's all-time leading scorer, but the award is for this year.
3. Stephen Curry- Davidson The switch to point guard hasn't slowed Curry down one bit. He leads the nation in scoring at 28.4 per game and also averages 6 assists and nearly 5 rebounds per.
2. Dejuan Blair- Pitt maybe I'm a little too high on him, but i feel he is one of the two most dominant players I have seen all season. Blair averages over 16pts per game to go along with 12.8 rebounds. His 6.0 offense boards per game leads the nation.
Out of that list, I would give the award to Blair, but not even Dejuan should be talked about when it comes to player of the year. That distinction goes to Oklahoma's Blake Griffen and it should be unanimous.
Both Blair and Griffen are truly men among boys on the court, but Griffen's performance has truly been the most dominant of the season. He averages 21.9 ppg and 14 reb per game and has kept the Sooners in the top 5 in the nation all season. Blair maybe the front runner next season if he stays, but this year, Blake Griffen is hands down your player of the year.
That's not to say he is the better player, he has though had the best season. I for one would love to see the Pitt-Oklahoma game and the Blair-Griffen duel. Hopefully we will see it in Detroit.
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