A coach tells SI: Lawal and Favors don’t play well together
Gani Lawal gets rejected. (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
Not that I’m smart or anything — we all know better than that — but I suggested almost two months ago that Georgia Tech’s Gani Lawal and Derrick Favors hadn’t yet formed a mesh. Indeed, I typed as much (at 9:25 p.m., if you care to check) in a live chat off the Tech-North Carolina game last week: “Favors looks so much more comfortable when Lawal’s not in.”
Being all too human, I’m always encouraged when someone happens to agree with me. (Which almost never happens.) Here, from an unnamed opposing coach as told to SI.com’s Seth Davis, is an outsider’s look at Tech:
The biggest problem with Georgia Tech is that the Jackets invent turnovers. They play faster than they need to play at times, and that’s why they turn it over. They’re playing [Gani] Lawal and [Derrick] Favors, who are two mountains masquerading as men, but there’s not a lot of room when you play those two guys because they’re both low post players. They’re almost better when they play [Zachery] Peacock because now they have a four who opens them up a little bit. [Iman] Shumpert is very tough, but it looks to me like he’s trying to be in the NBA right now. [Mfon] Udofia doesn’t understand at this point how to play the point guard position. They’re so aggressive that they put you on the line. Lawal is an unbelievable rebounder but he’s a terrible passer out of double teams. Favors is a lottery pick but he’s unskilled labor right now. He’s a lot like that kid from Texas A&M, DeAndre Jordan — explosive, long and quick, but still learning how to play. They don’t have a guy that just knows how to get him the ball.
I wouldn’t disagree with much of that. (I’m not sure Lawal is so much a “terrible” passer as an unwilling one.) But the part about Peacock being a better complement is something I’ve likewise thought for a while now. If the game’s on the line, Peacock needs to be on the court.
Every team needs a post player, but not many teams in the history of basketball have been able to accommodate two. Wilt Chamblerlain and Nate Thurmond were a bad match; David Robinson and Tim Duncan were better. Al Horford and Joakim Noah were a complementary pair, but neither of those arrived as a McDonald’s All-American. Lawal and Favors were both accustomed to being the go-to guy, and teams really can’t have two go-to guys, can they? (Especially if they play the same position.)
Regarding the draft stock of Tech’s big men: The good folks at NBAdraft.net now have Favors going No. 8 in the June draft — that’s the lowest I can recall seeing him — and Lawal 15th, which is one pick out of the lottery.
Oh, and if you’re wondering about this week’s bracket projection: Joe Lunardi of ESPN.com has the Jackets a No. 10 seed now, down from No. 6 two weeks ago and No. 9 last week. That’s not exactly headed in the right direction, but it’s not yet in the danger zone. (The danger zone is Nos. 11 or 12.) I say again: Bid-wise, Tech’s OK.
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151 comments Add your comment
ND
February 23rd, 2010
2:30 pm
1st
Mark Bradley
February 23rd, 2010
2:31 pm
ND cuts down the nets, so to speak. Kudos to you.
ND
February 23rd, 2010
2:32 pm
Two words: Paul Blewitt.
todd grantham
February 23rd, 2010
2:33 pm
well, after being first last being third isnt so bad.
todd grantham
February 23rd, 2010
2:36 pm
Mark, do i need to clarify that statement?
AndyC
February 23rd, 2010
2:36 pm
Tech misses the tourney, Hewitt gets fired, and all of the good players leave for the draft. That’s my prediction.
Josh
February 23rd, 2010
2:37 pm
Its a 4 out 1 in motion offense that GT runs. Of course it works better with only one big. Hewitt was trying to make it work with both and it was horrible. I’d use Lawal off the bench to spell Favors, he is just a garbage player that gets his from rebounds and put backs, he’s a more athletic Hansbrough but has less skills.
Mark Bradley
February 23rd, 2010
2:48 pm
I think we’re only beginning to see what Derrick Favors can do, Josh. He’s not unskilled. He’s just playing a new position. As I tried to say, when he has his back to the basket he’s much more dynamic.
Brian
February 23rd, 2010
2:49 pm
Tough team to gauge. Would love to see more Brian Oliver on a regular basis. That said Go Jackets.
Random Fan
February 23rd, 2010
2:52 pm
CPH needs to look at Paul Johnson’s coaching philosophy- play to your strengths. At Hawaii, Johnson had more of a passing based attack, based on his personnel available. At Navy/GSU/GT, it’s a running attack. Forcing a 4-1 offense with the players available isn’t working. Why not just put in CPJ as basketball coach? It’s not like we’d lose MORE games.
misterwax
February 23rd, 2010
3:02 pm
If favors and/or Lawal or anyone else for that matter could shoot 80% free throws, we would not be discussing any of this and GT would have lost only one game this season…on the road at Duke….last in the ACC means a LOT of losses.
Mark Bradley
February 23rd, 2010
3:06 pm
As a freshman, Lawal didn’t make 50 percent of his free throws. He’s up to 59 percent now. Not good, but better.
messin with sasquatch
February 23rd, 2010
3:10 pm
so how many times have I brought up lack of team chemistry for this group of players – I think at least 5.
T-Bone
February 23rd, 2010
3:10 pm
Most coaches would love to have this problem–two NBA-caliber big men. The problem is coaching. Hewitt needs to figure out how to make his roster work, especially since he is the one who put it together.
I don’t know if this unnamed coach is right. But I do know that Tech is struggling with the same thing this year that they have for the last several years–too many turnovers, players that don’t mesh on the court, poor free throw shooting, and an inability to inbounds the ball. When the talent level gets better but the results don’t, that’s a coaching problem.
messin with sasquatch
February 23rd, 2010
3:11 pm
this is life after matt causey.
DawginLex
February 23rd, 2010
3:11 pm
Under .500 in the ACC won’t get a bid. They must win 2 more games to be a lock.
Mark Bradley
February 23rd, 2010
3:11 pm
You know, Stanley Roberts and Shaquille O’Neal were big-name big men who played together. And they lost to Georgia Tech in Round 2 in 1990.
FullMetalJacket
February 23rd, 2010
3:12 pm
I am sure many will blame Hewitt for their not playing well together; I wish we had already fired Hewitt and hope we still do at season’s end, but I can’t blame him for the mismatch. I do blame him for not recognizing it earlier (yet, for that matter), but the fact is sometimes the dynamic is just not there when certain combinations of players are on the floor. The coach is responsible for teams and individuals working together, but when it just doesn’t work he must find a way to use everyone to his maximum ability. While it may be no fault to the players or the coach, they may find a way to work together and meld into a real tandem when they both get less playing time because of the other. Here’s hoping Hewitt can lead them to a strong finish and tourney showings, but history tells us it just isn’t going to happen. My only fear is that he does just enough to keep around another couple of years of mediocrity.
Mark Bradley
February 23rd, 2010
3:14 pm
A further word on Hewitt’s behalf, FullMetalJacket: It’s not easy when your two most talented players play the same position. As nice as it is to have two big men, ideally they wouldn’t do almost the same things. (That’s why Peacock is such a complement: He’s a big man who does something different.)
messin with sasquatch
February 23rd, 2010
3:14 pm
I think they lost to Lethal Weapon 3……so 3 might be a critical mass.
Tech-xas Hoops Lover
February 23rd, 2010
3:14 pm
A real coach would utilize two talented big men effectively. John Thompson did it back in the day at Georgetown. I think the opposing coach who mentioned that Tech plays too fast sometimes, hit the nail on the head. Slowing it down would not only help both bigs in the offense together, but also help develop Udofia.
Ozzy
February 23rd, 2010
3:15 pm
Maybe Favor’s looks more comfortable when Lawal’s not in because he know’s he’s not going to have to watch Lawal airball another free throw, or toss up another brick.
Tech-xas Hoops Lover
February 23rd, 2010
3:16 pm
….oh yeah, Dale Brown did it for a couple of years with Shaq and Stanley Robertson, too.
Mark Bradley
February 23rd, 2010
3:17 pm
They did lose to Lethal Weapon 3 on a Saturday in Knoxville. LSU led 22-5 early. And you’ll recall that Chris Jackson, who was a great collegiate guard, was also on that Tiger team.
Josh
February 23rd, 2010
3:18 pm
Mark, I meant that Lawal is more like Hansbrough. Without the hustle he wouldn’t be a good player, lack of skills. He is athletic and works hard, thats all he has going. Favors has the skills and the talent, he just needs more seasoning. Lawal is one frustrating player to watch, he’s clueless out there.
messin with sasquatch
February 23rd, 2010
3:18 pm
as I said early in the season, a team needs an alpha dog to lead it…not just a bunch of starlets running around.
nickj0321
February 23rd, 2010
3:18 pm
dawginlex – go back to your doggy blog
nickj0321
February 23rd, 2010
3:19 pm
Josh – i think you’re clueless…Lawal is a great player
Gordon
February 23rd, 2010
3:19 pm
I’ll bet whoever that coach is could come in here and get things going pretty fast. He sounds like he actually knows what to do. I wonder how many coaches would love to take the steering wheel of this Tech team. Alas, we have Paul Hewitt driving the bus (sigh).
Tech-xas Hoops Lover
February 23rd, 2010
3:19 pm
Sorry Mark, I just realized you mentioned that old LSU team.
FullMetalJacket
February 23rd, 2010
3:19 pm
If they were making most of their free throws we’d have several more wins already, but Hewitt’s players never have and never will be good at that. I think eventually Hewitt’s earlier success, which has carried him through so many mediocre seasons since, will be his downfall. If we credit him with the success of the 2002-2004 teams, it becomes clear that he is capable of coaching and leading better. His subsequent consistent failure to coach and lead should therefore be evidence of his own lack of effort, commitment, or other inability to continue doing what he is clearly capable of. I don’t happen to think he was ever a good coach or leader, but either way, with the worst record of any coach with his experience in the ACC, we can’t keep him. If DRad doesn’t make the move soon, it will be even harder to buy Hewitt out in the future as revenues continue to decline.
Jacket Backer
February 23rd, 2010
3:20 pm
Mark Price!!!
Mark Bradley
February 23rd, 2010
3:20 pm
I don’t think Lawal is clueless, Josh. He was clearly Tech’s best player through December and January. But I think he gets tired toward the end of a season, maybe because he does play so hard. Remember how his numbers dropped at the end a year ago?
nickj0321
February 23rd, 2010
3:22 pm
Mark – I think the real problem is it seems like that no one progresses under Hewitt…take Shump for example…
Tech-xas Hoops Lover
February 23rd, 2010
3:22 pm
You think it might have something to do with the level of competition in January and February Mark, versus him (Lawal) just getting tired?
ND
February 23rd, 2010
3:22 pm
My prediction the rest of the way: They hold serve at home and lose at Clemson. If they can avoid the #6 seed for the tourney they will at least play for the tourney championship. The #6 seed plays the last game both Thurs and Fri meaning at the earliest 9:30 tips. This team comes out of the gate slow to begin with, playing that late would not help.
But then I think of the two words I mentioned above (Paul Blewitt) and know I certainly would not put one cent on my prediction being correct.
Tech-xas Hoops Lover
February 23rd, 2010
3:23 pm
Hey Nickj0321….did Anthony Morrow not progress under Hewitt?
Hewitt Basher
February 23rd, 2010
3:23 pm
I think Josh was saying that Gani is a garbageman. Gani gets his points from hanging out under the basket cleaning up the garbage down low (both his own garbage and the garbage of others). He actually does have a complementary skill to Favors in that he’s not a first option. If Gani were given the role of just sitting down low and waiting for the garbage to come his way, and Favors given the role of being the sole post option, I think Tech would be a lot better. However, like Josh said, Hewitt plays 4 out, 1 in…so there’s really no defined role in the offense for the garbageman playing alongside the postman (plus Gani is trying to play the postman role, but is absolutely terrible at kicking it out).
nickj0321
February 23rd, 2010
3:24 pm
Tech-xas Hoops – not that I recall…are you saying he did? if he progressed he certanly was never utilized correctly
FullMetalJacket
February 23rd, 2010
3:25 pm
Mark, you are right about having two big men in the same position with the same skillset. It is the proverbial wealth of riches…after so many years without a consistent, proven big man. You certainly can not afford to NOT recruit a talent like Favors, of course, but to a small extent I think the uncertainty of having a four-year cycle of players makes recruiting so much more challenging in figuring out what your current and future needs will be. It’s not just losing the talent, it’s having to juggle the talent when you have it on hand, to ensure everyone gets his minutes, the team gets the best combination on the court, and the end result is numerous “W’s” before one or more bolt for the big bucks of the NBA.
ZamBonE
February 23rd, 2010
3:28 pm
Lawal is like a black hole. Once he gets the ball, it’s gone. He usually forces up bad shots and misses or gets fouled. Lawal has a similar style to that of hansbrough, except that hansbrough was money from the charity stripe and could consistently hit open jump shots. Lawal shot 25% from the ft line against maryland, which accounted for two thirds of the teams misses from the line. A lot of his points come from offensive rebounds he puts back up. He is an outstanding rebounder, but not that great at anything else. I thought by year 3 his shot selection and shooting percentage would improve, but I don’t think it has.
Go Jackets
nickj0321
February 23rd, 2010
3:31 pm
Zambone – his shooting % is excellent, is it not?
Tech-xas Hoops Lover
February 23rd, 2010
3:31 pm
I guess my point is that Morrow wasn’t NBA material when he arrived at Tech, but you have to give Hewitt some credit for Morrow making it to the league. I mean if he were a 1 or 2 and done, I would questions Hewitt’s impact but this kid played his 4 years and made it as a free agent.
Tech-xas Hoops Lover
February 23rd, 2010
3:31 pm
question*
nickj0321
February 23rd, 2010
3:33 pm
I thought Morrow was highly recruited, and he never did anyting at GT…maybe im wrong but I think that is a bad example
FullMetalJacket
February 23rd, 2010
3:36 pm
I am no fan of Hewitt’s, again, and wish he was gone yesterday, but I can’t blame him for the Lawal/Favors situation, or even for recruiting some players who bolt after a year or so. His main recruiting problem is not also recruiting a core of strong talent who will stay long enough to develop (and of course to be able to develop them). Hewitt’s obvious (but unacknowledged) tunnel-vision in recruiting a particular kind of player is not politically correct to discuss but is a contributing factor here. Instead of fielding squads demographically more consistent with academic rivals Duke, UNC, UVA (and even Vandy in the SEC), Georgia Tech basketball under Hewitt more closely resembles the squads of (academically less challenging) basketball schools with dubious ethics, low standards of character and off-the-court performance, and questionable leadership and administration. Hewitt himself doesn’t look like some of his ethically-challenged peers, but his teams sure look like their teams.
Gordon
February 23rd, 2010
3:36 pm
FullMetalJacket @3:19:
I think Hewitt tries as hard as he ever did. I give him the benefit of the doubt on effort. There was a severe dropoff after the 04/05 season, and I think it is because the original assistants were both gone after that point. Things have not even been close to being the same since then, with even greater talent.
FullMetalJacket
February 23rd, 2010
3:39 pm
We beat BC, lose to Clemson on the road and VT to close the season. Lose in first round at Greensboro. Maybe one win in the NIT or even the NCAA.
dogdoodoo
February 23rd, 2010
3:39 pm
geez, CPH doesn’t realize this already, big surprise…
Paul in RDU
February 23rd, 2010
3:39 pm
Mark – Who do you think the “unnamed coach” was? My money is on Dino Gaudio.
techster
February 23rd, 2010
3:41 pm
Mark Price needs to be on the GT bench, in what capacity, I do not care, but DRAD I am pointing the finger at you know, Price lives in Atlanta and you need to go get him, he was Mr. GT Basketball
nickj0321
February 23rd, 2010
3:43 pm
Tech-xas hoops – on Amo – Named “Mr. Basketball” in North Carolina as a senior … Three-time all-state performer who led his Charlotte Latin High School team to state championships each of his last two years among North Carolina 3A Independent Schools … Lettered four years for coach Jerry Faulkner and served as team captain two years … Averaged 22.4 points, 9.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists as a senior as Latin went 27-4, and won MVP honors in the state tournament … Junior year averages were 24 points and eight rebounds per game while Latin went 26-1 and lost only to Mount Zion Christian Academy.
I dont think he improved very much under Hewitt
Dan
February 23rd, 2010
3:44 pm
I think your points are valid, Mark. The only thing I’d add is that they seem to struggle to feed the interior. It’s almost like they can’t complete a pass down to the block, which could be a reason Favors is playing a lot facing the hoop.
ZamBonE
February 23rd, 2010
3:44 pm
nickj0321…Lawal’s shooting percentage is .522 on the season, which isn’t bad. I just think it can be a lot better since most of his scoring is coming from layups and dunks. The last game he shot over 50% from the floor was against duke where he was 3 of 4 from the floor. As a comparison, Favors is shooting .597 on the season. I don’t have the time, but I would like to know what Lawal is shooting from the field in ACC play as well as how other big men in the NCAA fare from the field. He seems to slow down when the competition gets better.
FullMetalJacket
February 23rd, 2010
3:45 pm
Gordon: I agree the assistants played a major role in the earlier success. There is no dearth of good assistants out there, so either Hewitt isn’t developing his assistants or is too slow in pulling the trigger of firing inferior ones. You may be right: he may be trying just as hard as ever, but the dropoff also coincides with that too-sweet contract, which would understandably tempt most of us to feel more secure and smug than before. I really don’t have a problem with Hewitt’s character, and don’t even expect him to resign or give up the sweet deal he’s been handed (his priority should be family first, job somewhere further down the line…just like my own priorities). I do wish they would find another role for him, or would just try somemone else and pay the piper. I am not even sure if his blatant reluctance to recruit white players is malicious in any way, but the end results, as seen since 2004, just aren’t cutting it. Only one winning season in conference play in a decade is not acceptable.
CanHewitt
February 23rd, 2010
3:46 pm
I remember reading an article where scouts were saying it’s amazing how unknown Morrow was after playing for 4 years in college. “He came out of nowhere!” How was that possible? He played all 4 years in a major conference. If Morrow played for a coach who actually knows how to utilize a talented player, he would have been a late first rounder.
nickj0321
February 23rd, 2010
3:46 pm
zambone – got ya…i think that is down from previous years…
Josh
February 23rd, 2010
3:47 pm
Gani plays basketball in the ACC and doesn’t understand how to pass out of a double team. Yes, that would make him clueless. He can’t be the #1 option in an offense because his lack of post moves and his Bball IQ being so low, thats why he looks like a black hole when the offense is run thru him like they were trying to do at one time. The offense works much better when he is just what he is, a garbageman. Run the offense thru Favors and watch how his court awareness opens other things up. You won’t get that with Gani.
As for nickj0321, I know basketball. Gani has always been a garbage player. He’s just athletic, with a lack of bball IQ. Same as he was in high school. Its why he will be back for his senior year.
Paul in RDU
February 23rd, 2010
3:47 pm
Mark – Your mention of the LSU-GT game in 1990 brings back memories. Shaq and Stanley Roberts seemed to block every shot Tech took at the beginning. Kenny Anderson kept driving it in there though. I’d feel much better about this year’s GT team if Shumpert was playing like Anderson (not to mention if Rice played like his father or Dennis Scott).
nickj0321
February 23rd, 2010
3:48 pm
Josh – he is projected 15th in the draft – he’s not coming back
Unnamed opposing coach
February 23rd, 2010
3:49 pm
My identity is Oliver Purnell. My Clemson Tigers are the only team to play both GT and Texas A&M this year.
GT is simply a JOKE
February 23rd, 2010
3:53 pm
hahahahahahahaha!!!!!
i LOVE watching a tech team in absolute turmoil. I fully believe it’s a product of the Karma you BLIND Techie fans put on yourself. Let’e be honest, in 2008 you beat UGA in football, and all of a sudden you thought your sports programs were the greatest things on earth…..
WRONG!!!!
{{{{{30-24}}}}}
{{{{{73-66}}}}}
WonderDawg
February 23rd, 2010
3:54 pm
You’re almost better off now recruiting these one-and-done players. They come in, disrupt team unity and chemistry, then they’re gone …
nickj0321
February 23rd, 2010
3:54 pm
enter the rednecks
Eastside Jacket
February 23rd, 2010
3:55 pm
Ditto what CanHewitt said.
steve
February 23rd, 2010
3:56 pm
I don’t feel Paul Hewitt is a good coach GT can’t do inbound passes late in the game and can’t make free throws down the stretch and with two guys Favors and Lawall they should be a top basketball program.
old Tech fan in NC
February 23rd, 2010
3:57 pm
Lefty ran the double post in the late 60’s @ Davidson quiet successfully.
Morrow did “light it up” in Charlotte.
Gordon
February 23rd, 2010
3:58 pm
FullMetalJacket @3:45,
I agree with you, except I think the underachieving started after the 04/05 season. That season, we really did have a lot of injuries, but still managed to win an NCAA game. Since then, we are barely above .500 overall. The 06/07 team and this year’s team are the two most talented teams Hewitt has had, and both are bubble teams. The other 3 years we had losing records. A golden opportunity was lost this summer when Hewitt didn’t hire a seasoned X’s and O’s guy for offense to fill the opening on his staff. That told me he doesn’t see a problem, which is the most disturbing thing of all. I will be disappointed if Hewitt returns, but just downright angry if Hewitt returns with his staff intact. That would be an indictment on Radakovich as well as Hewitt.
RussThePaintedMascot
February 23rd, 2010
4:00 pm
Spent some time on campus earlier this week, and also talking to alumni who are far wealthier and more influential than I. The outrage and dislike for Hewitt seen here on the blogs is not being felt or heard by the Athletic Association. DRad is not even considering making a move on CPH this year, considering the season thus far sufficient improvement. The financial issue is significant, but not as big a deal as the Tech yeomanry seem to think. More than one alum and one executive administrator commented that we could afford the $30M AMC project, so we could surely afford the $7+M buyout if DRad “wanted” to make a move. While there has been some decline in BBall revenues over the past few years, it has not been as dramatic as some might think. Hewitt is still seen by the AA and Administration as a good ambassador for Tech and declining revenues are being blamed on the economy. One (completely illogical) CPH supporter even argued that CPJ’s success in football may have “robbed” some support from the hoops program. This seems terribly discouraging to me, as I thought this year should have been CPH’s last chance to show dramatic improvement and a strong blueprint for future improvement also.
Jesse Stone
February 23rd, 2010
4:02 pm
If Morrow had progressed under Hewitt, he would have least been drafted. I will admit that Luke Schenscher got better over his stint at GT.
FullMetalJacket
February 23rd, 2010
4:02 pm
Gordo: Well said. I echo your potential “disappointment” and “anger” depending on the future change(s) and lack thereof by DRad.
WILL POWER
February 23rd, 2010
4:05 pm
I want to blame Paul Hewitt @ times and I do. I then think about what he did with getting Tech to finals to compete for NCAA championship serveral years ago. I look @ NC and Roy Williams similar situation in 1 year how thing have turned around. He can not play nor think for the players. I blame the basketball I Q not the talent of the kids coming out HS. I have a question that I even had to ask myself. If all the players stayed with Hewitt through the 9 years, how many national titles could Tech possibly have or come close to having to be considered an elite in basketball? I do not have the answer. I look @ the home record for tech and say this is a elite team. I look @ the road losses and say you beat yourself. Tech is 1 & 1 against the #1 team in the conference. Do you think they want to play Tech again? Hewitt has done a great job throughout the years considering the lost of talent to the NBA and I can name Serveral people in NBA that are notible mentions that are starting in the League. I think Gani Lawal will be similar to Bosh. Hewitt is a national title from greatness. The diferrence between Duke and GT is style. ACC tourney will tell it all. By the way its strange that everyone is saying that the ACC is fall off due to NC situation. I think that the level of competition has grown due to some of the best players in the country wanting to attend the schools to compete with the best. We will see which ACC team will prove that in NCAA tourney
lsj
February 23rd, 2010
4:06 pm
I am amazed at some of the basketball experts on here talking about all of Lawal’s flaws, his “lack of basketball IQ”, his inability to pass effectively, etc.
If only the NBA scouts who judge him to be the 15th best player available had access to your internet expertise they could save themselves some worry.
Gordon
February 23rd, 2010
4:07 pm
Russ,
If what you say is true, I think they are in for a big surprise next year. With no stellar recruiting class, there is just nothing to bring people back. If you go to AMC and overhear conversations, you know that the discontentment goes a lot further than just people on the blogs. I will not waste any more of my money on watching a Hewitt coached team, and I am not alone. It’s hard for me to believe they would spend $30M on the arena with declining attendance. Radakovich cannot be that tone deaf.
nickj0321
February 23rd, 2010
4:08 pm
lsj – Josh “knows” basketball…come on man he is the expert here!!!!!! lol
nickj0321
February 23rd, 2010
4:11 pm
ahhhhh Russ why bring such bad news on here?????
Josh
February 23rd, 2010
4:12 pm
I wouldn’t believe blog websites for NBA draft placement like nbadraft.net . They are guesses. Last year he was high up then plummeted.
NBA GM’s don’t think much of Lawal, they didn’t last year and don’t this year. His stock hasn’t improved, the same flaws they told him that he had last year are still evident this year.
lsj, if you think he actually has a bball iq then you obviously don’t, also if you think he can effectively pass out of a double team then you must be blind.
FullMetalJacket
February 23rd, 2010
4:12 pm
lsj: If Hewitt had access to the internet “expertise” he would be a better coach, unfortunately. I agree most of us here are full of BS, but many of us also are alumni, ticket-holders, and true supporters of Tech athletics. I am really alarmed at Russ/Mascot’s observations. Hopefully, he is mistaken. Either way, everyone needs to speak up, expert or not, on where we want our money and the hoops program to go in the future.
nickj0321
February 23rd, 2010
4:14 pm
Josh – I tried to tell him how smart you are…LMAO…
Whew .........looooong flight from Venus
February 23rd, 2010
4:14 pm
Just got in form a looooooooong flight. Um, ah, have tech and UGA played basketball yet?
AAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHHAHA
Josh
February 23rd, 2010
4:14 pm
nickj0321, I played collegiately and now coach. I would say I know more than the GT dorks on the blogs.
nickj0321
February 23rd, 2010
4:15 pm
Josh – ahh so the truth comes out you are not a GT fan…no wonder you bring all the negativity…and I don’t think anyone believes your credentials you claim
FullMetalJacket
February 23rd, 2010
4:16 pm
Whew…. Glad you finally landed from your long, strange trip. I guess DeTox is your next stop? As for Tech/UGA, we haven’t played yet: only UGA showed up and played.
nickj0321
February 23rd, 2010
4:16 pm
Josh – you “coach” up the order takers at McDonalds?
Gordon
February 23rd, 2010
4:17 pm
WILL POWER,
Just look at the overall record:
25 games under .500 in the ACC.
No NCAA wins since 2005
Best ACC regular season 9-7 (one time).
Barely over .500 overall since 2005.
Once NCAA appearance (10 seed in 2007) since 2005.
The record speaks for itself. He has had long enough. Anyone can have a bad year, but he has had 5 in a row. The only way he should stay is if we just can’t afford the buyout. Even in that case, he should be forced to hire new assistants.
collegeballfan
February 23rd, 2010
4:20 pm
“If the game’s on the line, Peacock needs to be on the court.”
I have noticed, I believe, that in the past few games Peacock has been in the game at the end.
But the problem is free throws. The inability of this team to hit free throws is stunning. If they hit free throws they would still be a top 18 type team. If you can’t hit free throws you are a loser.
Tech-xas Hoops Lover
February 23rd, 2010
4:21 pm
Okay, so maybe I should have said, Morrow improved his game in 4 years at Tech to the point that he got noticed by an NBA scout. Despite his high school numbers, I don’t ever recall him being mentioned as a future NBA player (I.e. Thaddeus Young or Javaris Crittenton…who should’ve stayed at least another year). But, I will agree, Hewitt could have made him into a draft pick.
Josh
February 23rd, 2010
4:22 pm
nickj0321, believe what you want. Your comments show your level of basketball knowledge.
Tech-xas Hoops Lover
February 23rd, 2010
4:22 pm
So, how many undrafted players does Hewitt have in the NBA now, 3?
West, Morrow, and Bynum, right?
nickj0321
February 23rd, 2010
4:23 pm
josh – i probably know much more about basketball than you, but I am not going to try and act all bad and get into a pissing match like you are wanting too…go back to the redneck blawg please
Josh
February 23rd, 2010
4:25 pm
Morrow flourished because he got placed in the perfect spot, Golden State. Wide open offense. The NBA is much more shooter friendly as the court is spread. Its not like he wasn’t utilized at GT, he did average 16ppg as a Soph and 14 as a SR. He struggled getting his shot, like he does now as well, he is just open all the time because of a wide open offense and him being one of the last options, where at GT he was the guy other teams were keying on.
PMC
February 23rd, 2010
4:26 pm
Seems like too many great players to be a 10 seed doesn’t it? Especially in a down ACC?
Josh
February 23rd, 2010
4:30 pm
nickj0321, ok there hoss. And I’m not a UGA fan.
Tech-xas Hoops Lover
February 23rd, 2010
4:33 pm
Josh – Morrow didn’t look like the last option the other night against the Hawks (although, not the first either). But, like the commentary from the game the other night, Golden St. was probably the best fit in the NBA for him, or rather a Don Nelson coached team (All Offense, No Defense Donnie).
Jesse Stone
February 23rd, 2010
4:35 pm
WILL POWER- the only thing Gani and Bosh have in common is skin color. Bosh can actually take someone off the dribble. I’m not sure Gani can even dribble. Bosh can hit a jumpshot. Gani can’t hit a FREEthrow.
Tech-xas Hoops Lover
February 23rd, 2010
4:36 pm
Josh, you sound like a recording of the Hawks/Warriors telecast from the other night. When the commentators mentioned that GS had a bunch of undrafted and 2nd rouund picks thriving in a wide open offense, it didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that out. But, I disagree that Morrow is the last option on that team. Not the first, but not the last. I mean, the kid is a starter, who would’ve thunk it!
T3
February 23rd, 2010
4:39 pm
There’s no TEAM here.
Everyone playing as an individual…and it shows.
Technophobia
February 23rd, 2010
4:44 pm
Good analysis and spot on IMO, especially about Lawal, Shumpert and Udofia. Lawal is a great rebounder but a liability at the line and can’t seem to make good passing decisions to utilize the inside-outside game. Favors, when he’s on, can be huge for getting points in the paint. Udofia needs a lot of work but and should sit a fair amount but I think he’ll do well next year. If Shumpert’s hitting the 3’s it opens the rest of his game. If not, he seems pretty ineffective. Does Rick Barry have grandchildren old enough to play college ball yet?
heartofdarkness
February 23rd, 2010
4:51 pm
Mark, you seem plenty smart. You got all this stirred up using someone else’s quote. I thought Chamberlain and Luke Jackson played pretty well together for the 76ers. As for Favors and Gawal playing together, one sets picks on the perimeter and one slides along the baseline looking for a dish. Neither looks especially effective in the high post, but both rebound well on offense. Nothing exceptional here that is going to motivate me into one of those $70 NBA seats, however.
GT/Falcons fan
February 23rd, 2010
4:53 pm
Will Power please look hard @ Gordons post. These stats are not the type of work expected from a 10 yr veteran of the ACC, least of all an elite program. We will be a middle of the road team as long as Pewitt is at the the helm. The 9-7 ACC record posted as best is the biggest indictment of keeping coach around. Lets suck it up, have a bake sale, a carwash, and get this guy gone. hewitt simply cannot get it done 10 years is long enough.
Born2Buzz
February 23rd, 2010
4:55 pm
Gordon, i think you hit what will happen. Hewitt will be forced to hire some new assistants. That has been his biggest downfall.
I still think that if we miss out on the NCAA he is gone.
Tech Forever
February 23rd, 2010
4:59 pm
Well first of all if you put a tomato in a bowl and watch it, it doesn’t matter how long it’s never going to turn into ketchup. A good coach will find a way to get two players the caliber of Lawal and Favors to co-exist successfully. I would say you simply alter the offense, but there’s no rhythm or reason to Hewitt’s offensive scheme so that’s impossible to do. Bet you Jim Boeheim could get them to mesh. And even if John Woodson himself couldn’t get these two to mesh together on the court he’d be smart enough to sit one while the other is on the floor instead of forcing the issue….if in fact it came to that. As for no one knowing how to get them the ball….YOU FREAKIN TEACH THEM HOW!!!!!! JEEZ!!!!! 1) Acctually coach up your PGs to be able to play PG and distribute the ball. 2) Play either Lawal or Favors but not both if you recognize that you’re not a good enough coach to get them to play together. And 3) WIN SOME DAMN GAMES GOING AWAY LIKE YOU’RE SUPPOSED TO. There is no, ZERO, NADA reason why these two guys shouldn’t be averaging 20 a game each……none. A DECENT coach would figure out a way to get them to 15 or 16 ppg each. We have tow of the top 5 players in the whole damn conference and NEITHER of them is averaging 14 PPG!!!!!! I can promise you there’s some dude somewhere in Cobb County coaching Upward who could figure out a way to get these two the ball, dominate, and win games like Tech SHOULD HAVE this year.
As for “Tech’s O.K.” I ask again…..wanna bet?
Delbert D.
February 23rd, 2010
5:02 pm
It’s all about coaching the talent down, a Hewitt specialty. But who cares; it’s not really college sports.
GT
February 23rd, 2010
5:05 pm
Mark is on the money. Flavors gets ignored in the middle, he is use more for rebounding and the ball goes though Lawal. Almost upper class priviledge and I wonder if Hewitt is trying to make Lawal look a little better for staying and Flavors a little worse so he might have to stay.
yellarjacket
February 23rd, 2010
5:07 pm
Lawal better be glad the NBA drafts players based on potential. The only thing Gani can do consistently in the college game is rebound and miss free throws. You can’t even say he is a consistent dunker, because I’ve seen him several of those this year. He is the main reason why our overall free throw percentage as a team is dead last in the conference during ACC play. His missed FT’s are the reason this team is 6-7 in conference instead of 9-4. Go back and look at FSU (road), Miami (road) and Maryland (road). He shot a combined 8-24 from the line in those games. We lost all three games by a combined 6 points. His poor FT shooting is the difference between bubble team and 4 or 5 seed in NCAA tourney.
Hewitt finally realized this guy is a liability late in close games. Lawal was not on the court when Favors tipped in the go ahead shot with 3 seconds left at Maryland because Hewitt was afraid Lawal would get fouled and miss both FT’s. If I was the coach on the opposing team, everytime Tech got into the bonus (1 and 1) I would tell my players to foul Lawal. Worst case is one point or he misses the front end and it’s basically a turnover. I’ve seen it for three straight years.
WILL POWER
February 23rd, 2010
5:22 pm
I know you can not understand how I can support Hewitt and say Gani was the next Bosh. Hewitt is clever and he has manage to put within the last 5 years a competitive team. You still did not answer my ? If 2 or three of your best players left you, what would you do with recruiting limited due eligibility? Cheat the game? It kind of strange that Gani is one the most improved players in the ACC. John Sally took the same route and yet he along with Mark Price turned out to be 2 people that developed there game even more in the NBA . Bosh was not always as good. Athony Morrow? Jared Jack? List goes on. Gani, just fine. The NBA will polish him and you will remember WIll Power told you so. This season is not over. Tech will make a statement.
Tech Forever
February 23rd, 2010
5:37 pm
WILL POWER,
You fail to recognize who is responsible for recruiting kids who OPENLY ADMIT they are pretty much one and done at Tech before they sign. So before you have a “Hug Me, I’m A Victim” t-shirt printed up for Hewitt you must understand (well you don’t HAVE to because obviously you still don’t) the person responsible for the circumstance that has lead to your question is PAUL HEWITT!!!
Paul is the man?
February 23rd, 2010
6:06 pm
Just in case you were wondering, since the league expanded to 12 teams (2005-6 season) here is the up to date total ACC regular season wins by team. Of course, GT is in last place. By the way, if you add ACC tournament wins, GT is still in last place. No wonder why all the other ACC coaches have nothing but great things to say about CPH. Perhaps we should give him a 150K a year raise – oh I forgot his contract always gives him one every year unconditionally!
REGULAR SEASON Total Wins
Duke 57
North Carolina 53
Maryland 42
Clemson 40
Florida State 40
Boston College 38
Virginia Tech 38
Wake Forest 34
Virginia 32
Miami 29
N.C. St 28
Georgia Tech 27
matt r
February 23rd, 2010
6:10 pm
Lunardi’s bracket breaks the rules of bracketing (two big ten teams in the same half-region).
The most accurate bracketologists also have GT a 10:
http://bracketology101.blogspot.com
And the consensus combining every blog there is, has GT still an 8:
http://bracketproject.50webs.com/matrix.htm
Tech Fan
February 23rd, 2010
6:11 pm
Groundhog Day continues.
Bobbi Dud
February 23rd, 2010
6:14 pm
It’s not the players!!!!! It’s the coaching staff!!!
Yella Fella
February 23rd, 2010
6:22 pm
The coaching staff needs to be hit in the their heads with a treated 2×4 !
Golden Tornado
February 23rd, 2010
6:29 pm
Per “Paul is the man?”’s post, how can anyone defend CPH if GT has had the worse ACC record of any conference team in the last 5 or so years. Didn’t Virginia fire their coach last year for lousy performance – and evidently they performed better than Tech.
Per “RussThePaintedMascot”’s post, I do not understand how DRAD can think we are improving and that there is no thought in replacing CPH. Is last place over 5 years OK? How many more years do we need to give him?
Angus
February 23rd, 2010
6:31 pm
Lawal and Favors don’t play well together? Eh?
I wonder how many ACC coaches would love to have this “problem”.
hedgepruner
February 23rd, 2010
6:52 pm
STOP making excuses for Hewitt , fire him at whatever the cost, do what we had to do with our football team and hire someone who will spark interest, one of our former greats like Mark Price , Matt Harpring or John Salley should do the trick..and just maybe recruit some WHITE players too…
Conyers Yellow Jacket
February 23rd, 2010
7:32 pm
Mark: The SI writer knows a lot more than I do as a fan. So I cannot disagree with his assessment.
As I have said many times in previous posts, it does not matter at this point what else goes wrong in this season. GT is done except for a NIT bid.
Ray
February 23rd, 2010
7:38 pm
Mark
Have two nba first rounders who played on the same team in college ever not made the ncaa tourney? Heck, i doubt you could find ONE first round player who never has played in the ncaa tourney. And tech might have 2. And you could argue we have 3-4 future nba draftee’s who’ve never sniffed the big dance.
Carl s.
February 23rd, 2010
7:40 pm
Let’s be positive. Full Metal jacket just loves to find fault with everything that PH does. He reminds of the guy who knows the price of everyting and the value of nothing. What happens if Tech has a good run in the ACC tournament ( second) and makes it to the sweet 16? will you still want PH’s scalp. Probably.
Scott
February 23rd, 2010
7:43 pm
Carl
There is absolutely zero chance either one of those happens. And what’s the big deal with making the sweet 16. All you have to do is when 2 games. If Calipari was coaching this team, we would be where kentucky is. And if hewitt was coaching ky, they would be where we are. Hewitt just isn’t a coach. He has no clue what he’s doing.
Carl s.
February 23rd, 2010
7:57 pm
Scott:
Unbelievable. bobby Knight said it best about Calipari ‘ the guy should be in jail.” does anyone really care about the rules. Do we just the best ballers ( have someone else take their SAT’s) and play for a year before they are either discarded by flunking out or they play professionally in Afghanistan. the last time I checked – they call that eploitation.
To say he has no clue is just not true. If you like Calipari, root for Kentucky.
Mark Bradley
February 23rd, 2010
8:21 pm
I can find one lottery pick who never played in the NCAAs, Ray. Chris Bosh.
Joe
February 23rd, 2010
8:24 pm
I agree with Mark about Lawal. It is almost like Lawal feels more challenged when doubled team to get a shot off. Unfortunately you have a co dependent PH who want do the one thing that will cure that habit- sit him on the bench. If there was a degree of difficulty placed on shots-Tech BBall under PH would receive a gold nightly
Gordon
February 23rd, 2010
8:24 pm
Carl,
How do you respond to the Hewitt results I listed at 4:17? How long does a guy get? PH is a nice guy, recruits well, and represents GT well. But he just doesn’t win enough games. How many years will there be when the ACC is weaker than this year? How many years will there be when we have more talent than this year? We are 6-7 in conference and on the bubble for the NCAA! We should be arguing about whether Tech will be a 2 or 3 seed, and we may not get into the tournament! When you are the head coach and make over $100,000 a month, you have to produce. He hasn’t for 5 years running.
Mark Bradley
February 23rd, 2010
8:26 pm
Lawal was forcing things against North Carolina, Joe. He had his first two attempts blocked — one is pictured with this post — and was never on his game after that.
Joe
February 23rd, 2010
8:53 pm
There has been about 5x this year Lawal has tried to dribble the court after a steal. I think they have all ended with a student under the goal having a bball dropped kicked to him. Udofia plays very tentative now I believe he will go the path of the kid who transferred to SCarolina. PH is trying to make him a 2 as a slasher. Go to a name from the past- Craig Neal- awful for about 1/2 a year then was an assist machine- even played a stint in the NBA- Blazers I think. Bball is right behind football as the “ultimate” team sport. Your analogies between PJ and PH are spot on
dagtbuzzman
February 23rd, 2010
9:20 pm
Simple. Hewitt recruits them. He’s got to make it work. We EXPECT him to make it work. He is the coach. If he can’t make this work, he should not be shocked to be gone. Here’s the kicker. Lawal will be gone . favors will be gone. Peacock will be gone. All of his bigs will be gone & he will still be here. I guess I feel like I am getting kicked in the gut every time I watch another game. Dan R, you reading this stuff ?
Ray
February 23rd, 2010
9:29 pm
That is funny. The only other player was coached by hewitt. I can’t stop laughing.
Mark Bradley
February 23rd, 2010
9:32 pm
Ray, I’m not saying Bosh was the only other lottery pick not to make it to the tournament. There have been others. But he did leap to mind.
Harry the Hat
February 23rd, 2010
9:32 pm
“Not that I’m smart or anything — we all know better than that — but I suggested almost two months ago that Georgia Tech’s Gani Lawal and Derrick Favors hadn’t yet formed a mesh.”
You are smart, Mark. And you’re right. But it doesn’t really matter. Tech is going nowhere under Hewitt’s brilliant coaching, and both players will be in the NBA next season.
I guess there’s always next year. Well, not really, not as long as Hewitt is coaching.
Scott
February 23rd, 2010
9:32 pm
The post above with total wins says it all carl. I’d like to see where gt ranks with players in the nba since 2005. I bet it’s in the top 6 in the acc and not last!
Keep supporting this clown. He has no clue what he is doing. He’s the worst coach in the acc yet players continue to go to him. No wonder they leave early. If they stay longer, their skills will deteriorate.
Harry the Hat
February 23rd, 2010
9:35 pm
Please… someone start a rumor that Hewitt has been fired. We need some hope.
Ray
February 23rd, 2010
9:38 pm
I bet you he’s the only one in the past decade. 64 teams make it. And he’s on the verge of having 3 in a decade.
3 years at sienna and they thought this guy was something great…talk about bad DD.
Mark Bradley
February 23rd, 2010
9:39 pm
Tech has put six players into the NBA since 2005: Jack, Bynum, Morrow, West, Young and Crittenton. Carolina has put more — Marvin Williams, McCants, May, Felton, Wright, Hansbrough, Jawad Williams, Lawson and Ellington — but I don’t believe anyone else has. (Duke has likewise put six into the league: Redick, Daniel Ewing, Shelden Williams, McRoberts, Randolph and DeMarcus Nelson).
Ray
February 23rd, 2010
9:47 pm
Shelden. Ugh! Wow, you got that quick Mark! Well there you have it! Last in wins from 05-09. Second or third in players put in the nba. I think that says a lot. Next is to see how many ncaa tourneys each acc teams has since then. I know tech has one in 2006. I bet that is either last or tied for last.
Ray
February 23rd, 2010
10:07 pm
I wish we had a coach like Jamie Dixon. Look what he lost with pitt last year with blair, young, fields and the other guy. And they are a top 10 team again. That is a guy who knows how to coach.
Paul in RDU
February 23rd, 2010
10:09 pm
Mark – You beat me to it with the listing of players in the NBA.
Some other things to consider – current NBA players who left school since 2005
Clemson, UM, MD, UVA, VT – 0
BC, NCSU, FSU – 2 a piece
WF – 3
Current NBA players on last GT team to make NCAA and go 1 and done – 3 (West, Morrow, Young – Crittenton is suspended)
Kyle
February 23rd, 2010
10:11 pm
GT better watch out with their rpi. They need to win 2 of their last 3 bad. All 3 remaining opponents have rpi’s below them. So their sos and rpi will drop. BC is not even in the top 100. If they lost 2/3, I don’t think they get in the tournament. And to make matters worse, vt who they close with, will need a win over gt badly to get in the tournament. So you have to win that or at clemson. Of course this team could lose to BC.
Ray
February 23rd, 2010
10:18 pm
Md has had 3 players taken since 2005. But none currently play.
http://www.databasebasketball.com/players/bycollege.htm?sch=University+of+Maryland
Atlanta Jacket
February 23rd, 2010
10:23 pm
They’ll both be in the pros next year and Hewitt will still be at GT coaching a sub-500 team. They enjoying their millions slumming it in the pros as rookies and GT basketball, well the beat goes on…
tlkool
February 23rd, 2010
10:48 pm
losers/GEORGIA TECH YELLOW JACKETS @@@@@@@@LOSERVILLE = PAUL BLEWTT HEWITT
tlkool
February 23rd, 2010
11:11 pm
PAUL HEWITT NEEDS TO BE COACHING THE GEORGIIA STATE PANTHERS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AND THE N GEORGIA STATE PANTHERS WILL BE NCAA. NATIONAL CHAMPIONS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AlabamaRamblinwreck
February 24th, 2010
12:28 am
Carl s. has not got a clue. I work with high school and local youth basketball, and I am telling right now: I’ve seen many a varsity, JV, and yes, even a junior high coach with more coaching ability than Hewitt. He is terrible, and that is a plain and simple fact.
Daniel B.
February 24th, 2010
12:56 am
Mark, add Luke Schenscher to the list of players Tech has sent to the NBA since 2005. Schenscher had a short stint with the Bulls in 2006 and even played in the NBA Playoffs. He was matched up against Shaq when the Bulls faced the Heat.
As for big men tandems, David Robinson and Tim Duncan worked GREAT together. Duncan had to move from center to power forward so the Spurs could accommodate both big men. They immediately went from lottery team to title contenders. Year in and year out they were title contenders until Robinson retired in 2003. That duo won two NBA titles.
Also, IIRC, the 1999-2000 Tech team had a decent twin tower combo as well in Alvin Jones and Jason Collier, both of whom eventually wound up in the NBA as well.
Ed
February 24th, 2010
8:02 am
Hewitt’s resume before being hired here did not justify his hiring. He went from a player at some unknown place to 3 years at lasalle? And then to an acc school? Stupid hire by no brain. You could pluck over half the high school coaches in this state and find a better coach.
Mark Bradley
February 24th, 2010
8:12 am
Hewitt came from Siena. And he went to Siena after being an assistant coach at Villanova.
hjackr
February 24th, 2010
8:53 am
I agree PH must go
Dawg Fan
February 24th, 2010
9:31 am
Favors should have went to UGA. Mark Fox would have this guy projected as the number 2 pick in the upcoming draft, right behind Wall from UK. Favors has not been coached up. The only reason he is playing better at this point in the season is because he is getting more used to the college game. Favors loses money every game that he is coached by Hewitt.
Hayseed Dixie
February 24th, 2010
9:35 am
Out of curiosity- has anyone won a title with one-and-done players?
Mark, what do you think the chances of Favors staying are?
Mark Bradley
February 24th, 2010
9:37 am
Sure. Carmelo Anthony, 2003, Syracuse.
There’s no chance Derrick Favors sticks around.
Justafan
February 24th, 2010
12:48 pm
I gotta say this was the most informative and entertaining blog that I’ve read in some time.There were soooooooo many good and accurate points made.
Mark you did a great job of commenting when and where needed and also mediating(don’t kill me on my spelling)this blog…Great job,bloggers and Mark.
Mark Bradley
February 24th, 2010
1:06 pm
Thanks, Justafan.