Toughness

[Olsondogg]

I hope it returns next year.

Outside of Zeus, I didn't really see much of it. I want fire, and passion. I want someone staring down someone to the point of a technical. I want someone who won't help the opposition up off of the floor after a foul. I want Parrom in the face of a rival--AS A FRESHMAN. I want someone, other than the coach, to burn when things go sideways.

I want fire. I want toughness. That's all.

[97cats]

i agree -- and it starts with the PG who for Arizona (this season) was manhandled over and over again at both ends of the floor.

[Olsondogg]

i agree -- and it starts with the PG who for Arizona (this season) was manhandled over and over again at both ends of the floor.

I agree, and I know you've thrown in the towel on PJC...

Kobi seems like a viable solution to me, provided that he responds to the coaching.

[Alieberman]

How tough is Kobi Simmons?

[Merkin]

Just love to see quotes from incoming players who "hate to lose" as much as Miller does.

Didn't see it this year.

[97cats]

I agree, and I know you've thrown in the towel on PJC...

hes fine as a 10min a game or so back-up player who can maybe change the pace a bit or provide a breather for the front line players -- anything more than that is unfair to the player as hes simply just not good enough and/or built for that type of responsibility both physically and in the head.

[Olsondogg]

Just love to see quotes from incoming players who "hate to lose" as much as Miller does.

Didn't see it this year.

It goes beyond tweeting or quotes for me. It's when a coach has to get in the face of the only player that responds on the court, to make a point to others. It's on the floor, when playing---a feeling. I can't remember when I read about Arizona being "soft" before, especially from former players.

It was embarrassing how this team folded. Absolutely embarrassing.

As far as PJC, I am not throwing in the towel on him. He's obviously not a starter for AZ, that much is clear. I do think he serves a purpose...a backup, someone that can hit a three...but yes, limited.

[84Cat]

Just love to see quotes from incoming players who "hate to lose" as much as Miller does.

Didn't see it this year.

It goes beyond tweeting or quotes for me. It's when a coach has to get in the face of the only player that responds on the court, to make a point to others. It's on the floor, when playing---a feeling. I can't remember when I read about Arizona being "soft" before, especially from former players.

It was embarrassing how this team folded. Absolutely embarrassing.

As far as PJC, I am not throwing in the towel on him. He's obviously not a starter for AZ, that much is clear. I do think he serves a purpose...a backup, someone that can hit a three...but yes, limited.

My thoughts exactly. I want to see it on the court.

[rgdeuce]

How tough is Kobi Simmons?

Don't know about his mental makeup, but he is 6'4 of 6'5 and 170 pounds soaking wet. Definitely need to get him started on our strength/nutrition program ASAP.

[pokinmik]

Agree w everyone here, we definitely need that edge and drive back next year. Like Miller hints at...the players think the ARIZONA on the chest will make things easy when in reality it makes things harder.

Gaining that toughness and competitiveness can happen suddenly though, even if it seems somewhat bleak now with the year we just went through and a lot of turnover upcoming. Now this isn't the norm, or apples to apples, and this group was obviously special, but the Florida class that went b2b were on a decent but not great team their freshman year led by Roberson, Walsh, etc. Eventually Noah and Brewer and co. got fed up in practice and basically took over the fuckin team, straight up. I think Noah even punched Walsh in the face at one point. The message was clear, they were ready to kick ass and take names.

Point is, the new guys can come up and make a difference. Plus what we've seen with Smith's attitude, how it killed him not to be out there this past year. Jackson alone brings credibility and toughness just by walking in the doors of McKale. Alkins coming in lookin like a ball of barbed wire from NY. Simmons has some attitude in his game. We have reasons for optimism in this regard.

[Catstatic]

Wouldn't be surprised at all to see more and more recruits from the NE. Recently, there is only one guy from the Pacific time zone that played with the heart of TJ, Zeus and RHJ (all NE guys): Stanley Johnson. The lack of effort we have all seen from many of the California guys, coupled with the AAU garbage, and I wouldn't blame Miller one bit if he began focusing elsewhere.

Everyone wants JJ, but notice where the rest of Arizona's incoming group is from. Coincidence?

Go Cats!!

[EOCT]

You want tough and intimidating?

Meet Rawle Adkins. Dude moves his already NBA body through a group of defenders whether in transition or stepping out and hitting a lane to meet a tough front line-------and he's continuously intimidating.

Need more intimidation? When he changes direction with one of his various cross Os, he jukes the hell out of the you and you hope the ankles are going to finish okay. Receives a pass around the perimeter and throws you a bitty juke followed with a very quick first step? He'll be in a lane before you can react.

Rawle really uses his body. Best comparison I can think of is J Randle, at 4/5 inches taller and playing PF, not SF. They both intimidate with the ball in their hands. It's in the DNA. Brooklyn ain't known for soft play. Remember KP? Lance Stephenson in HS?

[Olsondogg]

I know he's taken alot of grief over the years, but the program will miss Zeus in the middle. I mean, he did so much for Miller's defense that if he wasn't out there this year, things would have likely been ugly.

I hope Chance hits the weight room hard starting now, and that Lauri can defend as well...cause Ristic is as bas as K-real on the defensive end.

[rgdeuce]

Chance is from Beverly Hills right? Someone get Axel Foley in town.

[Beachcat97]

I know he's taken alot of grief over the years, but the program will miss Zeus in the middle. I mean, he did so much for Miller's defense that if he wasn't out there this year, things would have likely been ugly.

I hope Chance hits the weight room hard starting now, and that Lauri can defend as well...cause Ristic is as bas as K-real on the defensive end.

Oh, I don't think anyone here underestimates how much we'll miss Zeus. He's been anchoring our defense for four years. It's gonna look a lot different out there in the middle.

Just as this year there were questions about our backcourt, I'd say the same is true about next year's frontcourt, especially if we don't land JJ.

[Spaceman Spiff]

So you guys want to get hard?

https://youtu.be/mklsVsdxCP4" target="_blank

[teemackdee]

Aaron Gordon is from cali and that dude is tough. One of the greatest defenders I have ever watched.

[rgdeuce]

Aaron Gordon is just a special player, period. There are tough players out here, but the general vibe out west is laid back. You think of the history of tough guys, the majority of them are guys who grew up in poverty in the deep south, or places like Gary, Indiana, and Chicago, DC, Philly, NYC, few places in Jersey, Boston. I'd have to imagine it is easier to avoid the streets somewhere in the Los Angeles area, where you can hop in a car after practice drive straight home, park in your driveway, and not leave the house til the sun rises. Plenty of those guys are playing organized ball, AAU, inside gyms. You think about some of these guys in NYC for example, they are taking the train home, getting off and walking a few blocks in some of the scariest conditions and seeing everything. Playing pickup games in their own housing projects, or traveling to others to face the best players. They have the other stuff California does, but it seems they are around some stuff that will toughen you up a lot more frequently than other places when they want to play against the best comp in the area. East coast is much more blue collar too, u got to think of what types of jobs these kids fathers, uncles, grandfathers, mothers, etc., were working. Chuck Hayes and Matt Barnes are two California guys I would bring with me to a brawl, I'm racking my brain right now to think of some more current California tough guys, but I'm failing, maybe I need some coffee.

[Spaceman Spiff]

Aaron Gordon is just a special player, period. There are tough players out here, but the general vibe out west is laid back. You think of the history of tough guys, the majority of them are guys who grew up in poverty in the deep south, or places like Gary, Indiana, and Chicago, DC, Philly, NYC, few places in Jersey, Boston. I'd have to imagine it is easier to avoid the streets somewhere in the Los Angeles area, where you can hop in a car after practice drive straight home, park in your driveway, and not leave the house til the sun rises. Plenty of those guys are playing organized ball, AAU, inside gyms. You think about some of these guys in NYC for example, they are taking the train home, getting off and walking a few blocks in some of the scariest conditions and seeing everything. Playing pickup games in their own housing projects, or traveling to others to face the best players. They have the other stuff California does, but it seems they are around some stuff that will toughen you up a lot more frequently than other places when they want to play against the best comp in the area. East coast is much more blue collar too, u got to think of what types of jobs these kids fathers, uncles, grandfathers, mothers, etc., were working. Chuck Hayes and Matt Barnes are two California guys I would bring with me to a brawl, I'm racking my brain right now to think of some more current California tough guys, but I'm failing, maybe I need some coffee.

If you don't say Reeves Nelson, Reeves Nelson might come to your house and beat you up.

Just looking at Arizona, we've had some tough guys from the West Coast. For my money, Jason Terry is as tough a player as we've ever had. Salim might be the last tough guy under Lute for my money. He wasn't a physical intimidator, but he had zero backdown or fear in him.

[rgdeuce]

Im pretty sure Reeves Nelson is a serial killer, or will at least become one once his playing days are over.

[ALASKACAT]

Last time this topic was brought up....Kevin O'Neill was hired as an assistant.