It's taken me a long time to let the memories of last year's team begin to fade away, and allow the goodness of this year's team to step forward. I'm beginning to let all I loved about NWG to fade, and to let Josh Perkins be himself and to appreciate all he is doing for this team, as well as, to enjoy his talent and the good things he does. I feel the same for Mathews. I need to let his tremendous 3 point shooting just slip away into the future and let the tremendous shooters we have in Kispert and Norvell. The exact same things for Karno and Collins and all the great things and great memories they gave me. I WANT, and I need, TO STOP COMPARING THIS YEARS TEAM TO LAST YEARS, and let them be who they are.
Before the season began I knew we had a lot of talent and they proved it in the PK80. But then they had a few bumps in the road and I immediately began to compare them to last years team. That was a mistake, but certainlly understandable. It was a great team. However, I am noticing recently, in the last two away games, that I am beginning to see this Zag team and who they are. I am not seeing their talent in comparison to last year's team. Tille, Williams and Hatchimura are nothing like PK and Collins. Nothing. But they are now coming into their own and the team has been adjusting to a new style of play that I don't think we've ever seen Mark Few use. His team is pressing more, running more, and scoring more. He has post players looking like they are Magic Johnson bringing the ball up court full speed and making lay ups. The chemistry is improving as this team is learning to play together and to play off of each other.
Many fans who post here on GUboard believed that the way the team is playing now would be something really cool to seem and by George we're seeing it now. I think we now know that this team can score, but we are now in the WCC where it is easier. The focus now, I believe needs to be on the defensive end, and when this team wants to play great defense they have. It just seems that they are not able to play a full game on the D side. I see, week after week, several top ten and even more top 25 teams lose, and yet our Zags prevail. They're winning and while they do they are improving and gaining confidence. This team IS REALLY GOOD.
One last word on the WCC. It's totally fine with me to see us in the WCC. It has not hurt us in the past nor will it hurt us this year or in the future. It may not be a lot of fun to watch us kill teams week after week, but I accept it, and I think the team is beginning to accept it too.. The thing that the Zags need to do is slaughter teams if they can. Never let up again. Petal to Metal. I'm looking forward to the rest of the year and growing with this team. Actually, I've waited for a year or two to watch some of these guys play: like Norvell and Rui. They are playing now and now I want to watch them grow into stars. I heard so much about Kispert, and I was eager to see him play in a Zag uniform. He's from Washington, and all players from our state have a special place in my heart. He's playing now and doing great, He contributes every single game. He's a great shooter, a great rebounder and a good defender, He's tough. Washington tough. Like many Zags in the past who had a lot more players from Washington playing for GU. There is toughness built into the Zag genes from our wonderful state. And because I loved Pargo so much, I have long awaited the 2nd player from Chicago to put on a Zag uniform, And I love Norvell too.
I am glad I'm seeing the 2917-18 Gonzaga team emerge. They're coming into their own. I hope you can see it too. One thing to remember about this year's team. They started out very young, and in many ways they still are, and they've made many mistakes (and I've pointed them all out). They will get better and by the end of the year they will not be freshmen any longer. Most teasms in top 25 or 30 are going through the same growing pains as Gonzaga is. Knowing this has made me feel better. What does it mean? A couple of #8 rankings, one in Kenpom and one in BPI. That can possibly translate into a top 3 seed which in my opinion would be outstanding.
Go Zags!!!
Before the season began I knew we had a lot of talent and they proved it in the PK80. But then they had a few bumps in the road and I immediately began to compare them to last years team. That was a mistake, but certainlly understandable. It was a great team. However, I am noticing recently, in the last two away games, that I am beginning to see this Zag team and who they are. I am not seeing their talent in comparison to last year's team. Tille, Williams and Hatchimura are nothing like PK and Collins. Nothing. But they are now coming into their own and the team has been adjusting to a new style of play that I don't think we've ever seen Mark Few use. His team is pressing more, running more, and scoring more. He has post players looking like they are Magic Johnson bringing the ball up court full speed and making lay ups. The chemistry is improving as this team is learning to play together and to play off of each other.
Many fans who post here on GUboard believed that the way the team is playing now would be something really cool to seem and by George we're seeing it now. I think we now know that this team can score, but we are now in the WCC where it is easier. The focus now, I believe needs to be on the defensive end, and when this team wants to play great defense they have. It just seems that they are not able to play a full game on the D side. I see, week after week, several top ten and even more top 25 teams lose, and yet our Zags prevail. They're winning and while they do they are improving and gaining confidence. This team IS REALLY GOOD.
One last word on the WCC. It's totally fine with me to see us in the WCC. It has not hurt us in the past nor will it hurt us this year or in the future. It may not be a lot of fun to watch us kill teams week after week, but I accept it, and I think the team is beginning to accept it too.. The thing that the Zags need to do is slaughter teams if they can. Never let up again. Petal to Metal. I'm looking forward to the rest of the year and growing with this team. Actually, I've waited for a year or two to watch some of these guys play: like Norvell and Rui. They are playing now and now I want to watch them grow into stars. I heard so much about Kispert, and I was eager to see him play in a Zag uniform. He's from Washington, and all players from our state have a special place in my heart. He's playing now and doing great, He contributes every single game. He's a great shooter, a great rebounder and a good defender, He's tough. Washington tough. Like many Zags in the past who had a lot more players from Washington playing for GU. There is toughness built into the Zag genes from our wonderful state. And because I loved Pargo so much, I have long awaited the 2nd player from Chicago to put on a Zag uniform, And I love Norvell too.
I am glad I'm seeing the 2917-18 Gonzaga team emerge. They're coming into their own. I hope you can see it too. One thing to remember about this year's team. They started out very young, and in many ways they still are, and they've made many mistakes (and I've pointed them all out). They will get better and by the end of the year they will not be freshmen any longer. Most teasms in top 25 or 30 are going through the same growing pains as Gonzaga is. Knowing this has made me feel better. What does it mean? A couple of #8 rankings, one in Kenpom and one in BPI. That can possibly translate into a top 3 seed which in my opinion would be outstanding.
Go Zags!!!
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