Whitehead feature in NY Post
- Thread starter TrueBlue1989
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As I have been saying for a very long time, Whitehead got way too much blame for the locker room issues.
In short there was enough blame to be shared by many, many people. Losing can do that to a team from the bottom up.
Also, the posse issues were a joke. I noted often that I had the opportunity to attend practices and all the post game press conferences located near the locker room as well. Not once did I ever see the so called posse.
I know it's hard to believe watching him on the court but Whitehead is actually shy, almost a mama's boy.
When you see him away from the court often it's alone or with a teammate or two at most.
In short there was enough blame to be shared by many, many people. Losing can do that to a team from the bottom up.
Also, the posse issues were a joke. I noted often that I had the opportunity to attend practices and all the post game press conferences located near the locker room as well. Not once did I ever see the so called posse.
I know it's hard to believe watching him on the court but Whitehead is actually shy, almost a mama's boy.
When you see him away from the court often it's alone or with a teammate or two at most.
Zach has been great in covering Isaiah and I hope SHU fans get behind this great player and his teammates.
Make no mistake; the success of the team this year is solely in Whitehead's hands. Ball will be in his hands; he will dictate how his teammates are involved; he will have to overcome his coaches inadequacies. Lot's of responsibility for a sophomore, but he is our best shot for an NCAA bid and he seems to have put the work in personally.
No sense in rehashing last year...there was a lot of selfishness and poor teamwork to go around. This is Isaiah's team.
No sense in rehashing last year...there was a lot of selfishness and poor teamwork to go around. This is Isaiah's team.
"The move to point guard remains a work in progress. He’s never played the position full time. He spent large portions of his summer watching film of NBA floor generals....talking about the transition. He’s learning how, as the point guard, he is now responsible for everyone on the floor, not just himself."
Does this statement refer to last season or High School? I thought IW played PG in HS.
Does this statement refer to last season or High School? I thought IW played PG in HS.
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You know I value your opinions highly but in this case I would say the success of this team and this season rest squarely in Willard's hands. It's his responsibility to get the most out of each player and to put each player in a position to succeed and to get the staff and the players on the same page.
You know I value your opinions highly but in this case I would say the success of this team and this season rest squarely in Willard's hands. It's his responsibility to get the most out of each player and to put each player in a position to succeed and to get the staff and the players on the same page.
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anon_4htvdezyfe7k9
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I'm far from an insider, but IW's reaction to SG going after him in the sideline huddle resonated with me. He looked surprised and not at all aggressive.
I'm honored you value my opinion....what drugs are you on??? lol
I agree with you, but IMO, I've given up on Willard after last year (and the last five years). I don't think he's capable of getting everyone on the same page, making adjustments and leading a team through adversity. IW is going to have to be the coach-by-default. Like you said, it is Willard's responsibility, but he quit on the team (more than once)....when the tough get going, he runs to the exit.
Whitehead has enormous talent. I think his biggest obstacle is his mental approach to the game. In High school, he could go 1 on 3 and score the bucket. But this is high D-1 level. You can't do that. In order for the Hall to have any modicum of success, IW must distribute the ball and be a facilitator on offense. The ball will be in his hands 80% of the time. He needs to make everyone around him better. He will score but he needs to be efficient. No jacking up threes, no 1 on 3's, and get everyone involved.
Defenses will key on IW. They may even double team him. And when they do, it is his responsibility to find the open man. I think our 5 best players can play with anyone in this league. It is the depth which is a huge concern.
Defenses will key on IW. They may even double team him. And when they do, it is his responsibility to find the open man. I think our 5 best players can play with anyone in this league. It is the depth which is a huge concern.
IW may not have been literal point, but he grew up with the ball in his hands all the time. I am not concerned and think much of the discord with last year's team was with the decision not to give him the ball. Instead, we had him guarding the other team's three, ad never heard a peep and he guarded with a lot of effort.
If you look at the way Gibbs improved from Texas as well as JT from Willard's first year to his second, it would not surprise me if IW surprises a lot of people. For all of Willard's shortcomings , he knows how develop PG's and allows them the freedom to put up big numbers.
I thought the quote itself was ridiculous. Yes, he needs to improve as a PG at this level, but he certainly knows what he needs to do.
I prefer to look forward but since you mentioned the past, having IW play as a SF was the logical choice for last year's team and to his credit, IW worked hard and without public complaint. From his development point of view, learning to play WITHOUT the ball in his hands was not the worst thing that could happen to him.
In addition, the way we play (which I know you hate) gave IW plenty of opportunity to have the ball in his hands. The fact remains the two alpha dogs couldn't share the ball and the blame must be shared though each person can have his own opinion as to how to divvy up the percent. The bottom line is the battles are over and we move forward. Let's see how this year plays out.
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There are times when teams win despite the coach because of the character and desire of the players to win. Let's hope this team is one of those . While IW may be the key component to the outcome of the season every starter and every reserve are going to have to contribute if this team is going to reverse the results we saw on the court last year.
IMO Whitehead has been a lead guard but never a pure point.
Having the ball in your hands in HS and AAU and being able do do most anything you want because of the disparity in talent between yourself and your defender does not teach you how to run a team. That's what a PG needs to do.
It took Theodore nearly three years to learn how to play the point. Although that time span was increased by having two coaches.
Whitehead is so physically talented at this level that he has options that other players do not have. Meaning he has more choices to make.
He'll need time to master the position. But having two points in Holloway and Willard will certainly help him.
Having the ball in your hands in HS and AAU and being able do do most anything you want because of the disparity in talent between yourself and your defender does not teach you how to run a team. That's what a PG needs to do.
It took Theodore nearly three years to learn how to play the point. Although that time span was increased by having two coaches.
Whitehead is so physically talented at this level that he has options that other players do not have. Meaning he has more choices to make.
He'll need time to master the position. But having two points in Holloway and Willard will certainly help him.
I would NEVER have had Sina on the ball, but as a 2. The kid was a great shooter but not while at SHU. He shot 32% last season and is way better. So imo, that move was the stone in the shoe that was gonna cause irritation, it put the wrong guy in charge and it took away an amazing talent of one of our guys. We got a MCD AA and handed the keys to an all state kid who was no more a point that Isaiah..
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As I see it, we took a MCDAA and asked him to take on a new role (SF) for the good of the team. He did, and without public complaint, which I greatly appreciate. No one else was equipped to do the job. There was plenty of opportunity to share the ball; after all we run an offense (which I know you hate) that allows the offense to start from multiple positions. Unfortunately, it didn't work out as well as it could have. The good news is all the stones have been removed; I expect smooth sailing from here on out.
I have no inside info on this, but it's my impression that the person who is REALLY responsible for the development of those guys was Shaheen Holloway.
My bet is on IW. He is committed to the Hall and will prove to be the real leader that this team so desperately needs.
Every time I think of the way that Jaren Sina left the team last year it makes my stomach turn. And to think that he got pretty much of a pass for it.... not right. IW was made the scapegoat. Willard should have done more to dispel those rumors.
Every time I think of the way that Jaren Sina left the team last year it makes my stomach turn. And to think that he got pretty much of a pass for it.... not right. IW was made the scapegoat. Willard should have done more to dispel those rumors.
Agree with you again. This team may win in spite of Willard. Everyone is going to have to contribute though like you said, but my point was that IW is the one in the position to make that happen which makes him THE Man.
IW has all the tools to be a pretty good point guard, just needs to be in a position to make plays (coaching) and make better decisions (on him.)
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