Macklin = Adrian Moss

[tampajack1]

Originally Posted by Zebulon

Hibbert is playing 30+ minutes a game in the NBA right now, averaging a double-double (and #2 in the league in blocks).

While I can understand that being stuck behind an NBA-talent doesn't mean that Macklin isn't a great player as well, the claim that the GU system is the wrong type of a system for a strong Center seems unfounded.

It sure didn't hamper Hibbert's development.

Zeb:

Hibbert is a big, somewhat slow, 7+ foot guy who is outstanding getting the ball in the post and scoring. He fit well into the Princeton-style offense at G'Town. Macklin appears to be a guy who will benefit in a system where he can run up and down the court in more of a fast break style offense or set a pick and roll to the basket. I am not saying that Macklin has the upside of a Hibbert. I sure am hoping, however, that he is more of an impact player for us than was Adrian Moss (and I liked Moss).

[Go2gtr]

Originally Posted by Ahab

From all the quotes I've seen, Billy hasn't implied Macklin has a bad attitude or isn't giving a good effort. In fact quite the opposite.

I'm gonna weigh back in on this one. Last year in his sitting out year Coach had to call him out in the media because of lack of effort (led to by an attitude problem) in practice. Macklin admits as much in quotes in the Alligator.

“There was a time at practice last year when I didn’t have everything figured out,” Macklin said. “I was thinking about like, ‘What am I doing? This is tough. I’m sitting out a whole year. I’m working for nothing.’

“But then when coach Donovan called me out, I started working toward that, and I started seeing improvement from a lot of guys. So I said, ‘If I keep this up, we’ll make a big improvement.’”

http://www.alligator.org/sports/bask...cc4c002e0.html

I'm not trying to label him. I think Billy reached him and those transfer years are tough on these guys.

BTW, the Alligator story is pretty good except it doesn't deal with the whole team. Shipman and Walker and Murphy don't even get mentioned. I have a good feeling about Ray Ray, Walker has already shown his toughness and clutchness as a frosh and Murphy has gotten good early reviews in the exhibition games.

[Ahab]

Macklin looks to be a much better athlete than Moss IMO. He's not someone you can base the offense around but he's got all the physical tools and I think will play a big part in our success this year.

[GatorPlanet]

Originally Posted by Ahab

Macklin looks to be a much better athlete than Moss IMO. He's not someone you can base the offense around but he's got all the physical tools and I think will play a big part in our success this year.

It was quite evident yesterday that Macklin is a better athlete than Moss. I loved what Adrian Moss did for us, but Macklin is simply bigger, stronger, and quicker. Adrian probably had a nicer touch on short jump shots, and was much, much better at the free throw line.

[SM1010]

As advertised, Macklin is a superior athlete at 6'10 240. Hes certainly not going to be undermatched in athleticism by anyone in the country. He just needs a little more tenacity. Imagine if he had Horford's demeanor. Horford's offensive game in his Freshmen year wasn't any better than Macklin's but he was huge presence down low for us. If Macklin can develop a nasty attitude down low hes going to be huge for us, yesterday was a good start.

[themistocles]

Yes, having Macklin also allows for Murphy to play more, and both he and Kadji have pretty good hands and a good shooting touch.

And yes, Billy D clearly stated that we shouldn't set very high expectations. I hope he does become like Chris Richard. I remember one Center in the NCAA Tournament talking about playing against Richard and saying: "I felt like I was playing against a football player, not a roundball man."

[gator7_5]

Originally Posted by dlowe2k2

Short memory. Horford was labeled overrated until SEC play.

YEP! Horford was hammered and called "soft" all over this board up intil the SEC Tourney the first National Championship year - blew my freakin mind. People on this board are harder on players than on swampgas!

[bachikarn]

Originally Posted by themistocles

Yes, having Macklin also allows for Murphy to play more, and both he and Kadji have pretty good hands and a good shooting touch.

And yes, Billy D clearly stated that we shouldn't set very high expectations. I hope he does become like Chris Richard. I remember one Center in the NCAA Tournament talking about playing against Richard and saying: "I felt like I was playing against a football player, not a roundball man."

That was Oden, which means a lot considering how big he is.

[mldental]

Mac hasnt played in two years and last year we had zero big bodies to practice against..you guys are crazy...chill out and let him grow. I personally thought he had a pretty good game the other day and if Kadji only played 6 minutes, that coach we have must have decided Mac was a better option, but what does he know, right?

[UFco2001]

Originally Posted by Donzo

Who stated that?... Gosh, it sure looks like reading comprehension is a real problem for Gator fans in this thread... Now, if you're referencing Richard's awful hands, then the answer is ever since he got to UF, if not before.

I don't want to crack on Richard, he's a great Gator... But, his awful hands are a matter of record on this forum & pretty well know in the basketball world.

As I stated, if he just had average hands he'd be millionaire & in the NBA... I have a friend who's a Milwaukee Bucks fan & gets some info from the team since he's some type of season ticket holder... My friend was excited when Richard signed with the Bucks this summer. My friend said the organization thought Richard had a shot at making the Bucks rebuilding roster... Well, after the 1st practice the Bucks were disappointed they signed Richard for the summer league- Richard's hands are that bad... Just the way it is.

All I was commenting upon was the general flow of the discussion towards Richard, who was not a bad offensive player. I would love to see a few clips of Richard mishandling post passes at Florida...because honestly, I don't remember that happening, just like I don't remember a lot of howling on this forum regarding his hands. I'm not saying I don't believe you...I'm sure if you remember it so vividly that you're probably right, but I just don't remember those complaints about Richard in his time here.

In fact, I feel like I remember Richard catching a lot of tough passes. I'm sure I'm wrong if you're so sure about this, I just don't remember it.

If Macklin became the overall offensive player that Richard was, just as a total package, I'm sure we'll all be happy.

[Go2gtr]

Originally Posted by UFco2001

All I was commenting upon was the general flow of the discussion towards Richard, who was not a bad offensive player. I would love to see a few clips of Richard mishandling post passes at Florida...because honestly, I don't remember that happening, just like I don't remember a lot of howling on this forum regarding his hands. I'm not saying I don't believe you...I'm sure if you remember it so vividly that you're probably right, but I just don't remember those complaints about Richard in his time here.

In fact, I feel like I remember Richard catching a lot of tough passes. I'm sure I'm wrong if you're so sure about this, I just don't remember it.

If Macklin became the overall offensive player that Richard was, just as a total package, I'm sure we'll all be happy.

"Cliff" had trouble handling the ball in his first season or so. He got it together to shoot like 78% from the field one season, if I remember correctly.

[UFco2001]

It's most likely that he had trouble catching, particularly early in his time, and I just don't remember it well.

[gator7_5]

looked solid last night.

[XRAY]

I like what I see of Vernon Macklin (maxwell)

[tampajack1]

If Vernon doesn't start making his foul shots, he will not be playing at the end of games. Did any of you notice that Vernon was on the bench down the stretch of last night's game?

[gatorlover974]

He'll be a guy who will threaten for a double double game in and game out... IMO he'll average around 12 pts 9 rebounds this year... I've loved what I've seen so far, IDK why some people are down on him.