...posted 16 points, 11 boards and 6 dimes in 33 minutes of run with the Pelicans last night.
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...posted 16 points, 11 boards and 6 dimes in 33 minutes of run with the Pelicans last night.
Go Naji! You made me CRAZY, but I wish all the best!
Naji has been awesome, and a huge fan favorite over the last week or two.
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by Masterofreality
So he wasn’t dumb after all but just undermining the team’s efforts? That would seem counterproductive to his long term goal.Quote:
Originally Posted by 94GRAD
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by Masterofreality
Naji and the Pelicans are about to tip off on ESPN in a few minutes - in case anybody wants to check it out.
At the half for Naji:
11 mins, 5 points, 1 rebound, 2 assist, 1 steal, 2/6 from the field
Final line today:
25 mins, 9 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 2/7 from the field, 4/4 from the FT line.
Defintion of a broken record.....Quote:
Originally Posted by Masterofreality
It certainly can get tiresome.Quote:
Originally Posted by JEHARDI
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.
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by drudy23
Thank you!Quote:
Originally Posted by JEHARDI
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by JEHARDI
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?Quote:
Originally Posted by Masterofreality
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by XU 87
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by Masterofreality
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?Quote:
Originally Posted by XU 87
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by Masterofreality
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by XU 87
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
That would be awesome.Quote:
Originally Posted by Masterofreality
AmenQuote:
Originally Posted by xeus
Make sure that you apply the same comment to those who call Xavier players “dumb”.Quote:
Originally Posted by xeus
I sure will...when those people do it four times a day, six months in a row.Quote:
Originally Posted by Masterofreality
I’ll believe it when I see it....or actually don’t see it.Quote:
Originally Posted by xeus
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”.Quote:
Originally Posted by Masterofreality
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by xu82
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
Quote:
Originally Posted by Masterofreality
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.
Aint gonna happen.. thread-derailedQuote:
Originally Posted by XUGRAD80
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.
He’s on TNT tonight - Pelicans v. Nets.
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!”Quote:
Originally Posted by xu82
ESPN's note on Naji:
Maybe he belongs in the degenerate gambler thread.Quote:
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.
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by XUOWNSUC
.
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.
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by XUOWNSUC
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.