My Marlin Defense

[SlappyCajun]

Zephyr -

I understand that your position. It may take awhile to get the casual fan back to the dome. But, I do think recruiting is improving. Escpecially in the New Orleans area, a lot of it due to Elfrid's success. It's been a long time, maybe since Bo/Ebron. That you've seen a guard/post combination the caliber of Payton/Long. IMO, both guys are legitimate NBA prospects. Elfird for sure and Shawn is a long shot. Plus, Kasey Shepherd is developing into quite a compliment as he leads the nation in 3p%.

[zephyr]

Zephyr -

I understand that your position. It may take awhile to get the casual fan back to the dome. But, I do think recruiting is improving. Escpecially in the New Orleans area, a lot of it due to Elfrid's success. It's been a long time, maybe since Bo/Ebron. That you've seen a guard/post combination the caliber of Payton/Long. IMO, both guys are legitimate NBA prospects. Elfird for sure and Shawn is a long shot. Plus, Kasey Shepherd is developing into quite a compliment as he leads the nation in 3p%.

I am not the casual fan and I continue to go to games. I've been going for the past 25 years and love it. And to set it straight, I do like Marlin. As I mentioned earlier, I think he is a top X and O coach and we haven't really had that here. My beef with him has been his inability to match Evans and even to a smaller degree Lee in getting some good talent here. Long is a transfer as we were unable to get him the first time around. You take that along with the track record so far in keeping guys here and its just a bit unsettling. I think the 2014 class is looking pretty good and hopefully, we can continue to make way with some of the top talent in the state in the upcoming years

[CrazyCajun]

Zephyr -

I understand that your position. It may take awhile to get the casual fan back to the dome. But, I do think recruiting is improving. Escpecially in the New Orleans area, a lot of it due to Elfrid's success. It's been a long time, maybe since Bo/Ebron. That you've seen a guard/post combination the caliber of Payton/Long. IMO, both guys are legitimate NBA prospects. Elfird for sure and Shawn is a long shot. Plus, Kasey Shepherd is developing into quite a compliment as he leads the nation in 3p%.

I know it will be difficult but if Long can make another jump in progress and with his body like he did this year from last...I don't think he will be a long shot anymore. He is only a sophomore. He looks like he really worked hard in both gyms in the offseason. I would imagine the success of EP has only pushed all his teammates to work harder. They see what hard work can do and that you can get to the next level from here.

[zephyr]

I know it will be difficult but if Long can make another jump in progress and with his body like he did this year from last...I don't think he will be a long shot anymore. He is only a sophomore. He looks like he really worked hard in both gyms in the offseason. I would imagine the success of EP has only pushed all his teammates to work harder. They see what hard work can do and that you can get to the next level from here.

I think Long will play professionally, even if it is overseas where his game could fit that mold. I'm not sure about the NBA but he can improve over the next couple of years and who knows.

[SlappyCajun]

I am not the casual fan and I continue to go to games. I've been going for the past 25 years and love it. And to set it straight, I do like Marlin. As I mentioned earlier, I think he is a top X and O coach and we haven't really had that here. My beef with him has been his inability to match Evans and even to a smaller degree Lee in getting some good talent here. Long is a transfer as we were unable to get him the first time around. You take that along with the track record so far in keeping guys here and its just a bit unsettling. I think the 2014 class is looking pretty good and hopefully, we can continue to make way with some of the top talent in the state in the upcoming years

I didn't mean to imply you were a casual fan. Just that we need to keep winning to peak casual fans interest in general. I will say this though, when comparing Evans and Marlin's recruiting. One must recognize that most of Jesse's best players were transfers. I think the high school guys we signed this spring and Kasey Shepherd are similar to the types of high school guys Evans signed. Remember Laurie Bridges, Antoine Landry and even Brad Boyd had very little impact as freshman.

[SlappyCajun]

I think the problem with Long is that he is stuck between a 3 and a 4 in the NBA. He could be a 4 for the right team though.

[zephyr]

I didn't mean to imply you were a casual fan. Just that we need to keep winning to peak casual fans interest in general. I will say this though, when comparing Evans and Marlin's recruiting. One must recognize that most of Jesse's best players were transfers. I think the high school guys we signed this spring and Kasey Shepherd are similar to the types of high school guys Evans signed. Remember Laurie Bridges, Antoine Landry and even Brad Boyd had very little impact as freshman.

I agree. I hated Evans and still do but its always hard for me to argue with friends about his impact because he was able to get those types of players here. I just wish that Marlin had that knack for getting major talent here with his ability to develop players and coach.......Could be a scary combination.

[CrazyCajun]

I think Long will play professionally, even if it is overseas where his game could fit that mold. I'm not sure about the NBA but he can improve over the next couple of years and who knows.

I agree... I think he is a lock for over seas now. I think he is way better this year with everything... Shape,game,attitude everything. If he stays that course for 2 more years who knows.

[scotto_25]

Not sure if his play/frame fits the NBA mold...? He's a "tweener", which is great for Mid-Level DI basketball because he can cause major mismatches. Now, we haven't really been able to take full advantage of that until we get a legit 5-man, but he's done exceptionally well when JJ comes in at the 5. In the NBA, his skills won't allow him to drop down to a small forward type spot. He's not quick enough to guard that NBA 3/4 position and is very small for a 5. He will continue to develop and the sky's the limit if he sticks with it...just don't see NBA as his final destination.

[Hudsheen#Fired]

I see him as a stretch 4 type player. If he gets with an organization like the spurs he can possibly make it in the NBA. Matt Bonner has stuck with them, and he does pretty much absolutely nothing other than knock down 3s. I think Shawn long is much better defender and obviously better rebounder.

I see no reason he cant make it in the NBA if he continues to improve his body and game

[Chop]

I agree. I hated Evans and still do but its always hard for me to argue with friends about his impact because he was able to get those types of players here. I just wish that Marlin had that knack for getting major talent here with his ability to develop players and coach.......Could be a scary combination.

Why did you hate Evans?

[SlappyCajun]

I still think our best lineup is with Shawn at the 5. Making a big man guard Shawn on the perimeter clears the land for Elfrid, Kasey, and Rimmer to get to the rim.