Using Elijah Millsap to keep players at UL

[zephyr]

_ One of Millsaps' biggest issues was that he too often tried to force a play offensively. The guy was called for at least one charge every game.

It also didn't help that he took too many outside shots and sometimes refused to play within his role. He was better served as a No. 2 or 3 scorer who could get his points as a slasher and at the free throw line. His 40 percent shooting percentage backs that up. He seemed like a good kid, but he bickered with his teammates a lot and appeared to sometimes be a problem off the floor.

The guy was a talent but also a huge frustration to watch. He would have been a beast if he had stuck to rebounding, defending and being more of a slasher on offense instead of trying to be a shooter and the team's top offensive option.

igeaux.mobi _

I've tried to say it but never could this well... I didn't like Millsap and I'm pretty happy he's gone. He was no leader on or off the court and he also lead the team in TO's. As you put it, he was a very frustrating player to watch. He'd make a great play on the defensive end only to rush down the court and get a charge called. When you're not helping your team build chemistry and often at odds with other players and coaches, you're a distraction and I'm glad he's gone.


The Demarcus Cousins statement in there confused me as well. He was a commit that was going with coach Cal to Memphis but has now gone to Kentucky. Why were they speaking of him at UAB?

[Parrott]

He originally committed to UAB but decommitted when the school wouldn't give him an out clause if Mike Davis left.

That's when he switched to Memphis. Now he's following coach Cal to Kentucky.


igeaux.mobi

[Parrott]

Both sides were at fault with Elijah and that situation. But I know enough about what happened behind the scenes. Some of his teammates didn't like him and thought he was selfish. He specifically did what the coaches told him not to do offensively.

He would have been an all-conference player at this level if he focused on playing great defense, rebounding and slashing to the basket. Instead he ocassionally buckled down on d, did a solid job rebounding but played out of control offensively too often when he wasn't jacking up off-balanced and ill-timed shots.

Blame the coaches all you want, which we know you will, but the player had a big part in the problem.
igeaux.mobi

[MiamiCajun32]

_ Both sides were at fault with Elijah and that situation. But I know enough about what happened behind the scenes. Some of his teammates didn't like him and thought he was selfish. He specifically did what the coaches told him not to do offensively.

He would have been an all-conference player at this level if he focused on playing great defense, rebounding and slashing to the basket. Instead he ocassionally buckled down on d, did a solid job rebounding but played out of control offensively too often when he wasn't jacking up off-balanced and ill-timed shots.

Blame the coaches all you want, which we know you will, but the player had a big part in the problem.
igeaux.mobi _

If it is true that the guy is going to Kentucky to play, then compared to UL under Lee especially, I give him the win in the situation. Even if he were at UAB, a huge huge upgrade over Lee run Cajuns. Sad how far the program has fallen.

[wcd35]

_ If it is true that the guy is going to Kentucky to play, then compared to UL under Lee especially, I give him the win in the situation. Even if he were at UAB, a huge huge upgrade over Lee run Cajuns. Sad how far the program has fallen. _

Who's going to Kentucky. We talking about Millsap, right? He's not going to Kentucky.

[Cajunsmike]

_ If it is true that the guy is going to Kentucky to play, then compared to UL under Lee especially, I give him the win in the situation. Even if he were at UAB, a huge huge upgrade over Lee run Cajuns. Sad how far the program has fallen. _

Person going to Kentucky is not Milsap. I believe that is in reference to someone who originally committed to UAB. Milsap will be at UAB. He already transferred there and would only play one year if he tranferred again.

[Parrott]

I played and studied the game long enough to know what I'm talking about. Playing DI ball doesn't automatically make someone more qualified to do so.

What I gather from your post is that Millsap was selfish and had a bad attitude, but it's the coach's fault that he didnt listen and left the program? The player holds some responsibility. He was upset Gradnigo and Bureau took minutes from him. I don't believe he did what the coaches told him to do.

I'm not going to tell you you're wrong because it's your opinion. But it works both ways.

igeaux.mobi

[MiamiCajun32]

_ I played and studied the game long enough to know what I'm talking about. Playing DI ball doesn't automatically make someone more qualified to do so.

What I gather from your post is that Millsap was selfish and had a bad attitude, but it's the coach's fault that he didnt listen and left the program? The player holds some responsibility. He was upset Gradnigo and Bureau took minutes from him. I don't believe he did what the coaches told him to do.

I'm not going to tell you you're wrong because it's your opinion. But it works both ways.

igeaux.mobi _

Based on Lee's record, I would say that he is per se to blame on just about everything that has gone wrong. If Millsap is such a bad kid, why has he caught on elsewhere? Good coaches (even just mediocre ones, as Lee is far below just mediocre) figure out how to mold young freshmen into men and unify a team. Not every player that comes into a program as a 17 or 18 year old is going to have a high level of maturity and be a leader and team player just because you sign them and let them loose in the gym for practice and street ball during games (Lee's teams have no structure on offense).

how can you defend and give the benefit of the doubt to the worst coach in the history of the program? Open up some history books and maybe you will realize that Cajuns basketball was among the most winning in the country over a period of decades, up until Lee took control and the all was lost over night.

If a head coach can only generate 10 wins while running off talented players (because he can't lead young men very well) then can't always lay blame on the 18 year old. So what if Millsap had bad attitude (if that was the case) and had issues with some teammates and vice versa? That is the coach's job to work through. Crazy that a few players that did not like Millsap could help influence the head coach to run him off. The cajun program is really out of control, run by one of the worst, if not the worst, head basketball coaches in the country.

[Parrott]

I got to Lafayette in November 2007. Before that I worked for 2 1/2 years as the high school sports editor for a newspaper in Jackson, Tenn. In addition to covering some of the best prep ball in the country in the Memphis area, I got to cover the Memphis Grizzlies and University of Memphis and staff two Nike Hoop Summit events that included the nations elite prep players and coaches.

Again, playing at a high level doesn't automatically make anyone more qualified to talk about the game. In many cases it might, but not all former players are students of the game. I am a student of the game.

I'm not just a rec player. I dedicated years of my life to playing and studying the game. I went to college to be a walk-on and goofed it up. Instead of transferring, I continued studying to be a coach and later decided instead to become a journalist.

Since then, I've picked the brains of NBA and DI players and coaches while in this profession. That includes Shane Battier, Steve Nash, John Calipari and Bruce Pearl. Somehow I held my own in those conversations about Xs and Os.

So just assuming that you're automatically more qualified to talk about the game is quite narrow-minded. At last count, most of the people on this board have the same number of years as a full-time DI assistant and a head high school coach as you do: zero.

Not a knock on your work or "hatin'." Just saying.

igeaux.mobi
i

[ManAboutTown]

_ I got to Lafayette in November 2007. Before that I worked for 2 1/2 years as the high school sports editor for a newspaper in Jackson, Tenn. In addition to covering some of the best prep ball in the country in the Memphis area, I got to cover the Memphis Grizzlies and University of Memphis and staff two Nike Hoop Summit events that included the nations elite prep players and coaches.

Again, playing at a high level doesn't automatically make anyone more qualified to talk about the game. In many cases it might, but not all former players are students of the game. I am a student of the game.

I'm not just a rec player. I dedicated years of my life to playing and studying the game. I went to college to be a walk-on and goofed it up. Instead of transferring, I continued studying to be a coach and later decided instead to become a journalist.

Since then, I've picked the brains of NBA and DI players and coaches while in this profession. That includes Shane Battier, Steve Nash, John Calipari and Bruce Pearl. Somehow I held my own in those conversations about Xs and Os.

So just assuming that you're automatically more qualified to talk about the game is quite narrow-minded. At last count, most of the people on this board have the same number of years as a full-time DI assistant and a head high school coach as you do: zero.

Not a knock on your work or "hatin'." Just saying.

igeaux.mobi
i _

Dam JP. Didn't think you had it in ya.
Enjoyed the show this afternoon.

[Parrott]

So was that as a GA or full-time paid assistant? There is a difference there. I wasn't here, so I don't know.

And I don't ask to belittle you. You had a solid playing career. I know you know the game. If you've been offered a bunch of prep head coaching jobs, I guess I don't understand why you wouldn't take one. There's nothing wrong with working your way up the ladder. Most of us had to do that in our professional careers. Really, though, I guess it's none of my business.

I'll finish with this: My view on Millsap was formed based on my interaction with him, watching practices and games and talking with people close to the program.

Anyway, I'll leave this topic alone now. I hope at some point you find the job you're looking for, make the most of it and can get past some of the bitterness you have for some people. At some point you've got to let it go or it could destroy your dream. I offer that advice as someone who once struggled with similar issues.

igeaux.mobi

[Just1More]

Before someone on here goes off talking smack about my basketball knowledge.... I want to make something very clear about my expertise in the sport of basketball. I tried out in 5th grade and didn't make the team. I had most of the intangibles... I just sucked at it when others interfered with my dribbling and got in the way of my shot. I can, however, play a bad azz game of HORSE. I have casually paid attention to the sport for all of my many years without ever really picking up on anything but the obvious... and despite having been told I don't know much about the game... I've never let that stop me from out shouting someone to make my suspect point.

Occasionally, when my favorite team isn't winning, I have made trivial comments and criticisms that have not been dismissed by many who know more about the game. Likewise, when my favorite team is winning, I have made keen observations about good shooting and solid defense that has placed me in the company of many others saying similar things.