RuneTrack Forums
It is currently Mon Mar 10, 2025 11:22 pm

All times are UTC [ DST ]




Reply to topic  [ 1 post ] 
Author Message
PostPosted: Mon Nov 13, 2017 7:17 am 
Offline

Joined: Fri Mar 10, 2017 2:27 am
Posts: 2975
TSNs Jack Armstrong offers his thoughts on the agressiveness of Paul George, the struggles of LeBron James in Game 5, the prospects of Billy Donovan as an NBA head coach, the swagger of Cory Joseph and the maturation of Russell Westbrook. 1. Paul George (Pacers): Brilliant fourth quarter Wednesday night as he saved his team from elimination. Unfortunately, we havent see that from him enough in the playoffs and surely in the second half of the regular season. He let it rip in Game 5 and loved his aggressiveness and the attack mode that he took. When he plays like an elite player, it settles the rest of the roster down and guys are able to play their games. Still dont like their chances though; their bench has been a huge bust and though the defence was a bit better Wednesday, it hasnt been up to par in this series. I like Miami to close in Game 6 at home. 2. LeBron James (Heat): Played less than 25 minutes due to foul trouble! How often do you ever hear or see that? An aberration to say the least. Obviously, that helped the Pacers immensely. I tend to doubt youll be hearing that phrase too often the rest of the playoffs for Mr. James. When its time for the spotlight to shine brightest, hell be out there. 3. Billy Donovan (University of Florida): Where there is smoke, there is fire. Keep hearing his name when you talk about NBA jobs. Hes a terrific head coach and has done a wonderful job with the Gators. Already took the Orlando Magic job and then backed out years ago when Stan Van Gundy ended up taking it. Worked out great for both guys. Talking to a number of college coaches of late, many of them are getting tired of the one and done mentality that many players have and the concept of the free agent mentality that many players have today regarding transferring out each offseason. I know, I get it, its a two-way street for both sides yet I think when you coach at the highest level in top-notch leagues and have constant movement each year, you say to yourself, might as well get to where everyones trying to get to and not have to deal with recruiting and academics and the goofy NCAA rules and deal totally with why you do it in the first place: basketball - the game - and not the other nonsense. Like many college coaches, Im sure Donovan has had those thoughts. If he comes to the NBA, I have no doubt hed be good. 4. Cory Joseph (Spurs): Loved the swagger he played with in Game 4. Came in and looked like he belonged. Love the dunk on Serge Ibaka; posterized him! Hes a passionate competitor and you cant discount that playing in San Antonio has greatly helped his development as a young player. Hes had nice stints of play at times this year and with a guy like Patty Mills in front of him behind Tony Parker, minutes are tough to come by. When youre called upon, be ready. He has shown me that when that happens, hes ready to get after it. Good for him. 5. Russell Westbrook (Thunder): What a Game 4 performance with 40 points, 10 assists, five rebounds and five steals. When you look around the NBA right now, there arent many more talented guys than this guy out there. Yes, at times, he can drive you crazy with his self-absorbed play but you cant discount his ability. Hopefully, the consistent maturity and professional/team-oriented approach becomes a part of his daily persona. I see a young guy that is maturing and still figuring it out; a guy you definitely stick with because there is so much there and he really wants to win. Just still learning how to go about it the right way, but its coming. Sergi Roberto Jersey . But qualifying for her first Scotties Tournament of Hearts after years of falling short in tough Manitoba provincial championships is as good as consolation prizes get for the 29-year-old from Winnipegs Fort Rouge Curling Club. Javier Mascherano Jersey . Today, their baseball playing sons were reportedly traded for each other. According to the Los Angeles Times, the Chicago Cubs dealt minor league outfield Trevor Gretzky to the Angels for catcher Matt Scioscia. http://www.barcelonasoccerpro.com/Authe ... na-Jersey/. Granlund scored 2:04 into the first period. Max Reinhart, on his first NHL shift of the season, neatly stripped the puck from Zack Smith at the Senators blue-line. As he moved in, his attempted shot deflected into the slot where Granlund buried a shot past Craig Anderson. Munir El Haddadi Jersey .ca contributor Grant McCagg provides a look at some risers and fallers on the prospect watch. Custom Barcelona Jerseys . Josh Bailey had a goal and an assist as the New York Islanders earned a 2-1 win over Ottawa Wednesday, leaving the Senators five points out of a playoff spot with just five games to play and four teams ahead of them.MISSISSAUGA, Ont. -- Sam Bennett isnt accustomed to being last in anything. First among North American skaters in NHL Central Scoutings final 2014 draft rankings, the Kingston Frontenacs centre finished dead-last in one category during Saturdays fitness testing at the annual combine. Bennett couldnt do a single pull-up. "I was definitely disappointed with myself," Bennett said. "I was wanting to do the best I can in every test. But, I guess, ultimately games arent won or lost if you can do a pull-up in the gym." Bennett likely wont take much of a hit from being 12 pull-ups behind the leaders. If anything, his showing could help whichever team takes him early in the first round June 27 in Philadelphia. "The fact that he can play the game the way he plays the game, I think the teams feel that hes a pretty complete package," NHL Central Scouting director Dan Marr said. "This is what the whole combines about: The team thats going to get Sam Bennett knows what work lies ahead and theyll be able to put him on the proper path for development." Bennett finished ahead of Barrie defenceman Aaron Ekblad, Kootenay centre Sam Reinhart and two other potential top picks, Prince Albert winger Leon Draisaitl and Oshawa winger Michael Dal Colle because of what he developed into on the ice. With his fathers favourite player, Doug Gilmour, overseeing his progress as Kingstons general manager, the Holland Landing, Ont., native had 36 goals and 55 assists in 57 OHL games this past season. But just like with pull-ups, Bennett doesnt want to be defined by numbers alone. "I think (what sets me apart) really just a combination of my hockey sense along with my compete level," he said. "I think I compete as hard, if not harder, than anyone else." Bennett isnt the only one trying to compete to go first overall, or in the top five, the first round or in the draft, period. Over a hundred fellow prospects joined him at this weeks combine with the aim of impressing NHL teams. Well before the physical grind that was Saturdays fitness testing, players gathered outside of Toronto to meet with NHL teams. Marr likened the entire process to a giant conveyor belt as these teenagers went through the mental trials of often answering the same questions over and over. Most dont mind it. Top European skater Kasperi Kapanen -- son of former NHL forward Sami -- called it "natural&quoot; to sit around and talk to people, and Draisaitl didnt want to downplay the week, either.dddddddddddd "I think its really important for them to know what kind of a guy I am and how I work off the ice," said Draisaitl, the only German-born player at the combine. "Thats a really important part of it. Its not only everything about the ice." Teams have spent countless hours watching these players on the ice, and thats not what the combine is about. Despite talk among general managers about adding on-ice testing, there is nothing of the sort, and individual teams arent allowed to invite prospects to their cities to skate. At the annual GM meeting in March, commissioner Gary Bettman said there was some discussion to see "what needs to be done to make the combine as effective as possible." After consultation with strength coaches, Marr said that new, more "dynamic" tests were put in this year to better gauge players physical abilities. One change was pull-ups replacing push-ups because it meant players had to lift their own body weight. While Bennett couldnt do one, Brandon centre Jayce Hawryluk and Czech winger David Pastrnak each did 12. Of course that doesnt necessarily mean theyll be better players, or that theyre closer to being NHL-ready. "This isnt a pass or fail type of test," Marr said. "It just allows the NHL teams to see where these players are in their current state of development." Bennett, who turns 18 in June, conceded that hell need to work on his upper-body strength in the gym this summer. As Marr knows, thats not unusual for junior-aged players. "(At age) 17, 18, 19, if you go back in history with some of the players in the game, theyll find that there was one summer that really made a difference in their physical development," he said. "So maybe at this stage he just hasnt had that summer of development, and itll come." By then, Bennett will more than likely be a top-five pick. If he goes first to the Florida Panthers -- or whoever makes that selection -- itll be clear that on-ice potential is worth tons more than a lack of pull-ups. "It would be pretty special," Bennett said. "At the end of the day it is just a number, and everyones going to be in the same spot come training camp, trying to make the team. Obviously it is every kids dream to go as high as they can get into the NHL." Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Jerseys From China Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys ' ' '


Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Reply to topic  [ 1 post ] 

All times are UTC [ DST ]


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 8 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Search for:
Jump to:  
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group