Naji Marshall

[smileyy]

...posted 16 points, 11 boards and 6 dimes in 33 minutes of run with the Pelicans last night.

[xu82]

Go Naji! You made me CRAZY, but I wish all the best!

[D-West & PO-Z]

Naji has been awesome, and a huge fan favorite over the last week or two.

[Masterofreality]

Stan Van Gundy has been praising Naji’s intelligence and instincts on the court.
Wait!!! All I heard from some on this board was that last year was the “dumbest” Xavier team they’d ever seen and Naji was a big part of that?
Hmmmm.
Maybe the turnovers and bad play were the result of bad offensive design and trash schemes where guys weren’t coached to a clear idea of what to do and where to be?

[94GRAD]

Stan Van Gundy has been praising Naji’s intelligence and instincts on the court.
Wait!!! All I heard from some on this board was that last year was the “dumbest” Xavier team they’d ever seen and Naji was a big part of that?
Hmmmm.
Maybe the turnovers and bad play were the result of bad offensive design and trash schemes where guys weren’t coached to a clear idea of what to do and where to be?

Or maybe it's because he has to play within the system if he wants to earn/keep a well-playing job. There were no repercussions playing at X with the lack of depth on the bench and no pay.

[Masterofreality]

Or maybe it's because he has to play within the system if he wants to earn/keep a well-playing job. There were no repercussions playing at X with the lack of depth on the bench and no pay.

So he wasn’t dumb after all but just undermining the team’s efforts? That would seem counterproductive to his long term goal.
Or, just maybe he took too much upon himself to SAVE the team from uncertain outcomes?

[94GRAD]

So he wasn’t dumb after all but just undermining the team’s efforts? That would seem counterproductive to his long term goal.
Or, just maybe he took too much upon himself to SAVE the team from uncertain outcomes?

There is no doubt being the best player on the team he put more on his shoulders. He doesn't have to do that anymore with all the talent on the Pelicans.

[XUOWNSUC]

Naji and the Pelicans are about to tip off on ESPN in a few minutes - in case anybody wants to check it out.

[D-West & PO-Z]

At the half for Naji:

11 mins, 5 points, 1 rebound, 2 assist, 1 steal, 2/6 from the field

[D-West & PO-Z]

Final line today:

25 mins, 9 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 2/7 from the field, 4/4 from the FT line.

[JEHARDI]

Stan Van Gundy has been praising Naji’s intelligence and instincts on the court.
Wait!!! All I heard from some on this board was that last year was the “dumbest” Xavier team they’d ever seen and Naji was a big part of that?
Hmmmm.
Maybe the turnovers and bad play were the result of bad offensive design and trash schemes where guys weren’t coached to a clear idea of what to do and where to be?

Defintion of a broken record.....

[xu82]

Defintion of a broken record.....

It certainly can get tiresome.

There is no question that Naji often didn’t value the ball. They did not appear to be very well coached at times, but he was certainly not showing smart basketball decisions at times. It can be both.

[drudy23]

He also needs to play a certain role in the NBA if he wants to continue to work. He's not looked upon as being "the guy".

Huge difference from his role at X when he tried to do everything.

[xu82]

He also needs to play a certain role in the NBA if he wants to continue to work. He's not looked upon as being "the guy".

Huge difference from his role at X when he tried to do everything.

This is also true. I hope he finds the Goldie Locks zone where he can find his niche and hang in the Bigs for a long, long time.

[Smails]

Defintion of a broken record.....

Thank you!

[Masterofreality]

Defintion of a broken record.....

Until Steele stops misusing rosters and players, stops losing winnable games like Butler the last two years and actually wins in February and March you’ll keep hearing it. Denial is not a River in Egypt.

[XU 87]

Until Steele stops misusing rosters and players, stops losing winnable games like Butler the last two years and actually wins in February and March you’ll keep hearing it. Denial is not a River in Egypt.

Well, on behalf of just about everyone else on the board, could you stop? We get it- you think Steele is incompetent and a bad coach. How many more times do you have to tell us?

[Final4]

Well, on behalf of just about everyone else on the board, could you stop? We get it- you think Steele is incompetent and a bad coach. How many more times do you have to tell us?

I agree. How many different times/ways are you going to say the same thing. If you feel so strongly about it why don’t you put your money where your mouth is and indicate how much money you’re willing to commit to funding his buyout.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

Until Steele stops misusing rosters and players, stops losing winnable games like Butler the last two years and actually wins in February and March you’ll keep hearing it. Denial is not a River in Egypt.

This is probably the only thing MOR and I agree on. Steele has a lot of flexibility to learn now to season's start. There is a not-so-small group of KU posters on one of their sites that complain about the same thing of their HOF coach. The number of good NBA level players to go through that program should have resulted in 2-3 titles. Some see Self as being too strict to his system.

[Masterofreality]

Well, on behalf of just about everyone else on the board, could you stop? We get it- you think Steele is incompetent and a bad coach. How many more times do you have to tell us?

Until others stop trying to be clever to prove otherwise. He did quote my post after all. And where is his, and your response to defend Steele after my take?

[XU 87]

Until others stop trying to be clever to prove otherwise. He did quote my post after all. And where is his, and your response to defend Steele after my take?

This thread is not about Steele, it's about Naji Marshal, yet you feel the need to once again turn an unrelated thread into how bad you think Steele is. You have told us this literally hundreds and hundreds of times this past year. It may even be in the thousands. People are tired of reading these same complaints over and over and over again. Trust me, we get it- you don't like Steele and think he's a bad coach.

I used to really like reading your posts. Isn't there anything else you have to say other than how bad you think Steele is?

[Masterofreality]

This thread is not about Steele, it's about Naji Marshal, yet you feel the need to once again turn an unrelated thread into how bad you think Steele is. You have told us this literally hundreds and hundreds of times this past year. It may even be in the thousands. People are tired of reading these same complaints over and over and over again. Trust me, we get it- you don't like Steele and think he's a bad coach.

I used to really like reading your posts. Isn't there anything else you have to say other than how bad you think Steele is?

Plenty if you read.
Look. I get really sick of “internet experts” on this Board opining badly about really good college basketball players who are not getting paid, working their asses off and playing hard as hell for the school on the front of their jerseys and for the fans of that school. Some of the commentary last year about why Xavier lost games- A LOT of it- was how the players on that team were dumb and stupid. Players, mind you, who were getting a Xavier education. Jumping all over those players, while absolving the coach from his obvious mistakes and lousy schemes that created turnover after turnover, a coach who is handsomely paid to do better, is pure bullsheet. When a guy like Naji, who was trashed incessantly for his IQ, succeeds at a higher level and earns the praise of a long term NBA coach, you bet I’m going to point out the bullsheet.
I’m done talking about this. Naji is showing the bullsheet with his play. That’s all that’s needed to be said.
#DanceOrDie

[xeus]

I’m done talking about this.

That would be awesome.

[JEHARDI]

That would be awesome.

Amen

[Masterofreality]

That would be awesome.

Make sure that you apply the same comment to those who call Xavier players “dumb”.

[xeus]

Make sure that you apply the same comment to those who call Xavier players “dumb”.

I sure will...when those people do it four times a day, six months in a row.

[XUGRAD80]

That would be awesome.

I’ll believe it when I see it....or actually don’t see it.

[xu82]

Make sure that you apply the same comment to those who call Xavier players “dumb”.

There is a difference between questioning basketball decisions and calling a player/person “dumb”. I’ve never even met the guy! I don’t remember anyone ever calling the person “dumb”.

He certainly won us some games, but he also had some very questionable decision making while trying to do too much. It’s a double edged sword.

It seems you are sticking up for Naji in yet another attempt to bash Steele. We get it, you want him gone. Since I have no control, I won’t let it make me crazy. I will not crusade. I will just hope he grows into the job because that would be best for all of us.

[Masterofreality]

There is a difference between questioning basketball decisions and calling a player/person “dumb”. I’ve never even met the guy! I don’t remember anyone ever calling the person “dumb”.

He certainly won us some games, but he also had some very questionable decision making while trying to do too much. It’s a double edged sword.

It seems you are sticking up for Naji in yet another attempt to bash Steele. We get it, you want him gone. Since I have no control, I won’t let it make me crazy. I will not crusade. I will just hope he grows into the job because that would be best for all of us.

I don’t want him “gone”, now. Don’t put words in my mouth. I want to make the Tournament. I want Xavier to return to the level of basketball success that we previously were located.
If in his Fourth year as head coach he is unable to deliver the simple task of making the NCAA Tournament, that is, being in the upper 45 (in NET) of D1 College Basketball programs then, yes.
#DanceOrDie

[xu82]

I don’t want him “gone”, now. Don’t put words in my mouth. I want to make the Tournament. I want Xavier to return to the level of basketball success that we previously were located.
If in his Fourth year as head coach he is unable to deliver the simple task of making the NCAA Tournament, that is, being in the upper 45 (in NET) of D1 College Basketball programs then, yes.
#DanceOrDie


Flimsy post there. Your intent is painfully clear.

I want the dance every year too, but your complaints don’t help. In fact, they may hurt to some degree.

I totally respect the level of your fandom and support. You are certainly entitled to your opinion. I’ll just express my hope for the future a little differently.

[Smails]

I’ll believe it when I see it....or actually don’t see it.

Aint gonna happen.. thread-derailed

[xu82]

Zion is one of the few guys I will try to see in the NBA (maybe the only one). Having Naji (or any X guy) on the same team is a big win for me.

[XUOWNSUC]

He’s on TNT tonight - Pelicans v. Nets.

[noteggs]

Zion is one of the few guys I will try to see in the NBA (maybe the only one). Having Naji (or any X guy) on the same team is a big win for me.

I know these players have a much different mindset from us, but if I were Naji I would be saying, “Holy shit, I’m playing with Zion!”

[paulxu]

ESPN's note on Naji:


Over nine games and four starts in April, Marshall has averaged 27.3 minutes a game, but his 9.1 points, 5.8 boards, 3.7 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.0 threes over that stretch marks him as more of a DFS tournament play than a reliable asset in season-long formats.

Maybe he belongs in the degenerate gambler thread.

[xu82]

He’s on TNT tonight - Pelicans v. Nets.

Thanks, I just set that to record in case I forget. The draw of Zion AND Naji is (just barely) enough to get me to watch a little NBA.


.

[xu82]

Naji looking like good Naji out there tonight. Playing well, though he did have one of those maddening TO’s. One is not a rash, it happens.

[XUOWNSUC]

Kyrie just scored on Naji on back to back possessions. Naji’s defense on Irving was pretty damn good - Irving is just so damn good it didn’t matter.

Naji is going to end up leading the Pelicans in minutes played tonight. Unbelievable.

[xu82]

Kyrie just scored on Naji on back to back possessions. Naji’s defense on Irving was pretty damn good - Irving is just so damn good it didn’t matter.

Naji is going to end up leading the Pelicans in minutes played tonight. Unbelievable.

It was indeed good D by Naji. Kyrie can do that to just about anyone....when he’s in the mood.

[Lloyd Braun]

Naji played well. However he should not be chucking up shots under two minutes to go in a close game. I say this because I had Ingram OVER 2.5 threes in the degenerative gambling thread. Like his confidence though.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Nice game from Naji. Rough night at the FT line tho. I picked him up in my fantasy a couple nights ago. I am in the playoffs, he has been a nice addition bc he gets stats in multiple categories.

[paulxu]

Yep, his FT shooting definitely didn't help last night.
He did play 35 minutes with Zion, so they must like his contributions, and led the team in assists.
Kyrie looked like he was asleep as he put the game away.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Over the last 7 days Naji is averaging:

31.5 mins, 13.5 pts, 7.0 rebounds, 5 assists, 1.3 steals, 2.0 threes, on 41.5% from the field, and 66.7% from the FT line

[GIMMFD]

Over the last 7 days Naji is averaging:

31.5 mins, 13.5 pts, 7.0 rebounds, 5 assists, 1.3 steals, 2.0 threes, on 41.5% from the field, and 66.7% from the FT line

Not shabby at all, happy to see him getting some extended run out there, can only do positive things for recruiting. Easier to sell the program when you have Naji on this tear, and Ed starting for the Pacers. Hope we can continue the trend of getting guys into the NBA who get significant playing time.

[paulxu]

If Naji and Zion were better foul shooters, the Pelicans would have won yesterday.

[Lloyd Braun]

https://twitter.com/shamscharania/status/1390324862737129475?s=21

Naji gettin paid.


New Orleans Pelicans two-way forward Naji Marshall has agreed to a new three-year, $5.3 million deal, with rest of this season and next season fully guaranteed, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Marshall has had a strong rookie season.

[drudy23]

https://twitter.com/shamscharania/status/1390324862737129475?s=21

Naji gettin paid.

Not surprising to me. He has a great frame for the NBA. He can be a 10 year guy if he doesn't try to do too much and focuses on ways he can help teams win with 8-10 points per game and great defense.

He was still frustrating as hell his final 2 year lol (mostly because he was doing the opposite of what I typed above).

[XUOWNSUC]

Hell yeah! Congrats Naji!

He gets $1.5 million next year guaranteed!

[Xville]

Congrats to Naji, that’s awesome. Figured he was going to get the chance and he seized the opportunity, the frame and athleticism was nba ready, he just needed to play within himself, which he seems to have done.

[XU 87]

Not surprising to me. He has a great frame for the NBA. He can be a 10 year guy if he doesn't try to do too much and focuses on ways he can help teams win with 8-10 points per game and great defense.

He was still frustrating as hell his final 2 year lol (mostly because he was doing the opposite of what I typed above).

The best player on the X team two years in a row, and also the most frustrating to watch.

[American X]

So where did this other Naji Marshall play college basketball?

[bobbiemcgee]

Nice double-double for Naji last nite with the summer league 3-0 Pelicans

X summer leaguers:

https://twitter.com/XavierMBB/status/1426268315324923906/photo/1