I think that Gibbs and Sina bailing hardened Willard into who he is now. He molded the team around them last year putting the ball in Sina's hands, structuring the offense around Gibbs getting late shot clock looks, making Isaiah the secondary ball handler and scorer and sticking him at forward. To me, hard defense and 3's was always the style he wanted to play. But North Jersey prep style basketball doesn't really mesh with NYC public, and it didn't help his preferred defensive style that Sina and Gibbs were the worst perimeter defenders on the team.
Nonetheless, Willard tried his best to blend it all. Putting the ball in Sina's hands primarily when he could not drive and was incapable of making a layup. Not trying to be overly mean, that's just reality. Gibbs was a good scorer but he never really led us anywhere in two seasons and he had some of the worst body language I've ever seen here, including the Gonzo era. Also when everything hit the fan last season it was he who snapped, not Whitehead.
Willard had that famous quote that he didn't even have to coach Sina or Gibbs in practice because their iq's were so advanced. He started Sina well after it was apparent his style didn't mesh with the freshmen he recruited and the way his team's style would inevitably trend. After all that, Sina quit after the first game he didn't start. It makes you wonder what had to happen backstage to pacify him to that point, besides constant starting and gushy media quotes.
After Gibbs left as well, which I don't fault the way he did it, he had no choice but to play the hard-nosed style of the players he had. Developing Ish into a do everything menace 4 was a stroke of genius and a credit to the staff. So was getting Braedan Anderson. Even if he gives nothing on the court, an adult going to law school is good for the locker room. I wouldn't mind having Gibbs around but not at the expense of Gordon. Gordon fits this team perfectly both on court and in the wise older brother role, which Gibbs never seemed to me to want to take on. I'm sure it cuts both ways and the freshmen last year were not deferential in the way that college freshmen are expected to be (besides Isaiah and Desi playing the whole season out of position). To me, though, it always struck me that Sina and Gibbs were more concerned with holding their spots and winning on their terms than anything. I'll never forget MSG but I'll never forget the seasons before or after it either.
Nonetheless, Willard tried his best to blend it all. Putting the ball in Sina's hands primarily when he could not drive and was incapable of making a layup. Not trying to be overly mean, that's just reality. Gibbs was a good scorer but he never really led us anywhere in two seasons and he had some of the worst body language I've ever seen here, including the Gonzo era. Also when everything hit the fan last season it was he who snapped, not Whitehead.
Willard had that famous quote that he didn't even have to coach Sina or Gibbs in practice because their iq's were so advanced. He started Sina well after it was apparent his style didn't mesh with the freshmen he recruited and the way his team's style would inevitably trend. After all that, Sina quit after the first game he didn't start. It makes you wonder what had to happen backstage to pacify him to that point, besides constant starting and gushy media quotes.
After Gibbs left as well, which I don't fault the way he did it, he had no choice but to play the hard-nosed style of the players he had. Developing Ish into a do everything menace 4 was a stroke of genius and a credit to the staff. So was getting Braedan Anderson. Even if he gives nothing on the court, an adult going to law school is good for the locker room. I wouldn't mind having Gibbs around but not at the expense of Gordon. Gordon fits this team perfectly both on court and in the wise older brother role, which Gibbs never seemed to me to want to take on. I'm sure it cuts both ways and the freshmen last year were not deferential in the way that college freshmen are expected to be (besides Isaiah and Desi playing the whole season out of position). To me, though, it always struck me that Sina and Gibbs were more concerned with holding their spots and winning on their terms than anything. I'll never forget MSG but I'll never forget the seasons before or after it either.
