Daequan had a rough go of it today (0-5 in limited PT). We really need him to step it up for the tournament if there's going to be a Final Four in our future.
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- Thread starter Buckskin86
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tibor75
Banned
I'm confused to so why a non-big man (i.e. one who can't use his size to say he's ready for the NBA) would talk that the NBA is a possibility while he is unable to make a single field goal in a game
I'm I missing something? Cook is a fine player don't get me wrong, but is the NBA so diluted in talent that a non-center freshman who averages less than 12 a game can go to the NBA and get drafted on potential alone?
The most he's scored in a Big 10 game is 13.
"When the season?s over and done with, I?ll sit down and lay everything out on the table," he said. "Right now, we?ve got to finish out the season strong."
I certainly hope this is an attempt to save face because I'm sure he talked about the NBA before the year began. Going pro after his year would be foolish.
I'm I missing something? Cook is a fine player don't get me wrong, but is the NBA so diluted in talent that a non-center freshman who averages less than 12 a game can go to the NBA and get drafted on potential alone?
The most he's scored in a Big 10 game is 13.
"When the season?s over and done with, I?ll sit down and lay everything out on the table," he said. "Right now, we?ve got to finish out the season strong."
I certainly hope this is an attempt to save face because I'm sure he talked about the NBA before the year began. Going pro after his year would be foolish.
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Cornerback6
Optimism Lover
I don't think going pro would have even been a topic of discussion with Daequan if he hadn't come out on fire while Oden was resting the wrist. I think with the team chemistry now, he is not expected to score as much. Also, he's not doing it nearly as efficient as he was prior to Greg's return.
The NBA has indeed become a league that drafts almost solely on potential now (due to the youth of the draft generally...which has gotten one year better), but I just don't see 'Quan coming out. I think he knows his stock (with or without Oden back) will only rise if he returns. If he leaves now, as is...he's a late first at best. If he sticks around, he's destined to be a leader on the team and someone who we will NEED to put up 15 or so a night. Until then, he can work on his total game and make eventual millions in the process.
The NBA has indeed become a league that drafts almost solely on potential now (due to the youth of the draft generally...which has gotten one year better), but I just don't see 'Quan coming out. I think he knows his stock (with or without Oden back) will only rise if he returns. If he leaves now, as is...he's a late first at best. If he sticks around, he's destined to be a leader on the team and someone who we will NEED to put up 15 or so a night. Until then, he can work on his total game and make eventual millions in the process.
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Axlrose4eva
Freshman
This is a head thing not a talent or work ethic thing. Just watch him, he got dunked on today and you could just see by his body language and facial expressions that as soon as he got the ball he was going to try to score. Ive watched him play for years now and hes an emotional guy. He hasnt changed this year. Today after the dunk he tried to drive on a double team, put up an out of control shot, got his own rebound and got fouled. He is an amazing player, a great athlete, but he's got head issues. I dont think hes shooting well because he is getting very little playing time. Also has he even attempted a dunk since he missed that open one against UT 2 months ago? Every shot is important to him so rather than being a confident shooter like he started out, he is tense out there.
Cook has always been coachable and I think he is trying too hard to please Matta. His mom made it clear that he doesnt understand what hes doing wrong. If you watch Cook, he looks at Oden more than anyone. He seems so determined to please Matta that it hurts his game. His loose, free running, fun game is now a highly stressed, do or die, highly mechanical game. It has to be tough on a kid who loves to play basketball to know that if he misses his first 3 shots, he is only playing for 10 minutes that night. I like Matta but think his coaching of Cook has been way wrong. Truthfully i dont think he should play him if hes only going to give Cook ten minutes. Cook isnt the kind of guy who can give 10 good minutes, he's used to being a star and I believe in his mind he is the best player on the court when he plays. Either Matta should give Cook 25 minutes a game or he shouldnt give him any. Shooters have to be comfortable, Cook obviously isnt.
Cook has always been coachable and I think he is trying too hard to please Matta. His mom made it clear that he doesnt understand what hes doing wrong. If you watch Cook, he looks at Oden more than anyone. He seems so determined to please Matta that it hurts his game. His loose, free running, fun game is now a highly stressed, do or die, highly mechanical game. It has to be tough on a kid who loves to play basketball to know that if he misses his first 3 shots, he is only playing for 10 minutes that night. I like Matta but think his coaching of Cook has been way wrong. Truthfully i dont think he should play him if hes only going to give Cook ten minutes. Cook isnt the kind of guy who can give 10 good minutes, he's used to being a star and I believe in his mind he is the best player on the court when he plays. Either Matta should give Cook 25 minutes a game or he shouldnt give him any. Shooters have to be comfortable, Cook obviously isnt.
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Cornerback6
Optimism Lover
Axlrose4eva;770299; said:
A: Every kid that comes through these ranks on schollie is used to being a "star" in high school.
B: Most top-talent college players probably do believe in their minds that they're the best. I'd say this is common.
You did make some other good points, but if Daequan is very coachable and what not, then being coached shouldn't disrupt his game that much. He's just getting used to a system is all. You can't play street ball your whole life. He'll be okay in time...he just needs to adjust to a game with a court full of 4/5 star players who he needs to function in a system with.
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Axlrose4eva
Freshman
Cook has a scorers mentality, thats a hard thing to change. Yes a lot of players are used to being the star, but not a lot are considered to be locks for the first round of the NBA draft whenever they choose to come out. Hes been told by everyone since his junior year of highschool that whenever he wants he will be a first round NBA draft pick and now he goes to OSU and hes playing 10 minutes a game? Thats rough on him. He's played with more talented teams than OSU, they were younger, but Indy Spiece was all 5 stars and Cook shined with them. He just needs consistent minutes. He gets hit in the eye this game at the 14 minute mark of the second half and then doesnt get back in the game. So how does that help Cook improve and how did he get a chance to help the team in the second half?
He is coachable, but not when hes not getting any minutes. He gets in the game tries to hard to do exactly what Matta wants, because if he doesnt hes on the bench the rest of the game. He seems to be the only player Matta has every coached like this. Matta let Sylvester run wild, and Lewis gets minutes whether he plays great like today or goes 2/10 with 2 charges and 4 to's. If I were advising Cook id tell him to go to the NBA. Why should he learn the college game? Hes got a great midrange jumper, all the athleticism in the world and his family from all reports wants him to go pro. I dont want him to go pro cause im an OSU fan, but I think he probably should. Something is up with he and Matta, im not sure what it is but its something.
He is coachable, but not when hes not getting any minutes. He gets in the game tries to hard to do exactly what Matta wants, because if he doesnt hes on the bench the rest of the game. He seems to be the only player Matta has every coached like this. Matta let Sylvester run wild, and Lewis gets minutes whether he plays great like today or goes 2/10 with 2 charges and 4 to's. If I were advising Cook id tell him to go to the NBA. Why should he learn the college game? Hes got a great midrange jumper, all the athleticism in the world and his family from all reports wants him to go pro. I dont want him to go pro cause im an OSU fan, but I think he probably should. Something is up with he and Matta, im not sure what it is but its something.
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SanAntonioBuck
RIP Our Friend and Hero
Daequan has to let the game come to him. He needs to regain his confidence out on the floor.
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Axlrose4eva
Freshman
SanAntonioBuck;770317; said:
Again thats all well and good, but its not going to happen when you think if you miss a shot youre not playing the rest of the game. You have to play your way out of slumps, he gets 10 minutes a night.
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Axlrose4eva
Freshman
Buckmark1;770315; said:
I dont have any exact stats, but from the games I saw he was a 14-18 ppg, 7 rpg, 3 assists type of guy. http://kentucky.rivals.com/content.asp?SID=888&CID=436942 This talks about Spieces game against Greyhounds. What I found most interesting about it is how with the game on the line the ball was in Cook's hands. Cook rarely even sees the floor for OSU in the last 10 minutes.
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OSU_Buckguy
Head Coach
i wonder if matta doesn't play cook more because he thinks/knows that cook is leaving after this season. perhaps he doesn't want to invest more time in a player who will be gone so soon. it could be that matta thinks/knows that oden (possible but unlikely) and conley (possible and likely) aren't leaving. it could also be that oden and conley are much more integral to the team's success (certainly).
of course, the simplest explanation is that he plays cook less because his defense is often questionable, because he is no longer the scoring threat he used to be, and because he is not an upperclassman. cook's diminished playing time could also be a result of being the odd man out of the playing rotations. the simplest explanation is usually the correct explanation.
of course, the simplest explanation is that he plays cook less because his defense is often questionable, because he is no longer the scoring threat he used to be, and because he is not an upperclassman. cook's diminished playing time could also be a result of being the odd man out of the playing rotations. the simplest explanation is usually the correct explanation.
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I understand that it appears that DQ is struggling in his attempt to define his role, but, last time I checked, tOSU was the #1 ranked team in college basketball. Let's not confuse AAU with NCAA.
So, since I'm not playing, I'm not listening? Sorry, can't have it both ways. Every Buckeye fan would love for Daequan to get hot. But, it needs to happen, right now. Matta is going to play who's hot, as crunch time approaches. Believe me, we all want Cook to light it up.
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HabaneroBuck
Non-Nike Design
Daequan will have a very good sophomore season with Lewis and Harris gone (more responsibility = happier scorer). He'll be back, and he will surely do well with the increase in scoring expectations. How could he possibly be so much as a late-first-round draft pick right now? Cook would most certainly be one of those players who was disappointed in his position if he should leave early...JMHO.
But, really, he seems like the type of talent who will come back next year and remind us all of his scoring "brilliance." He showed amazing flashes earlier this year.
But, really, he seems like the type of talent who will come back next year and remind us all of his scoring "brilliance." He showed amazing flashes earlier this year.
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OSUBasketballJunkie
Never Forget 31-0
Cook will get more minutes when he is more productive on the court......Matta is not holding him back.
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OSUBasketballJunkie;770417; said:
Agreed. Matta doesn't have time for personalities or attitudes. He's going to put the team on the floor that wins. Cook had some early flashes of impressive play, but days like yesterday suggest that he lacks some maturity and confidence.
He needs to relax, forget about what others think, and make his shots. The rest will happen. In basketball, the shots start falling when you forget about thinking your shot and just play the game.
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