The Senegal connection

[papawasamustang]

There is no question that we have a more athletic men's team & part of the reason is the influx of the foreign players on this roster.
But my question is why has Doh fallen in love with the foreign player?
We currently have 4 on our roster & that's not including Nyakundi.
Our incoming recruit is another foreigner.

Let me point out that I have no problem with the foreign player.
I understand the influx of talent coming to the US from other countries.

I'm talking about a chemistry situation. Maybe this is leading to the poor execution of our O & D. How long have these kids been playing hoops?
That could lead to the low bb IQ . It appears these kids are learning on the fly to me. These kids also appear to be very soft & they all play a position that requires strength. Are there communication problems?

No denying these are great kids & its great to have them here. I'm just asking the question should the foreign player be the foundation type of player that Doh intends on turning this program around with & is that the right direction?

I have looked @ many winning rosters & I see alot of rosters with NO foreign players on them. I see rosters that have 1 foreign player & occasionally 2 but none making up almost 40% of their roster that I have found.

In some ways, this reminds me of the Dallas Mavericks infatuation with the foreign player a few years ago.

[Erion]

I dont know if its a foreign vs domestic deal...cuz its judged on an individual basis. When the womens team was stripping all the talent from Canada they were at their best. Probably a little more difficult for the men cuz most of the better countries have established and worthwhile pro leagues that the kids will play until the NBA calls.

Experience is a major issue. Kids today just dont play as much as a whole. So they have all this ability...and no foundation. For example...Faye. Excellent intensity and execution when it comes to drills and things like that. But when the ball is tipped...his emotion takes over and his technique goes out the door. You know how many pickup games and 2 on 2 battles it takes...how many elbows must be absorbed...how many backpicks must bend you over before you are not only accustomed to it...but expecting it?? Right...they dont know either!!

Like the owl vs the kid in the tootsie pop commercials. Kid had the sucker...not the experience to 3-lick and bite the [deleted] out of it...so the owl finished with it. Prophetic. ;o)

[FriscoPMG]

I agree that the lack of experience definitely translates to a low basketball IQ and thus poor play. Compound that with either coaches who can't teach or players who can't learn, and somehow Bamba's post play has shown little improvement over 4 yrs in college.

And this might be a reach, but I think the cultural differences between Senegal and the US of A might make it more difficult for those players to find the desire to "leave everything out on the court." When talking to some of the players after their Africa trip, one observation was about how carefree the Senaglese live their lives. While American conversations often center around our careers and material objects, their conversations are mainly dominated by joking and general goofing around with friends and family. If you spend any time with Bamba, Papa or Mo, it's pretty evident that they're all easy going. Not saying this prevents them from working hard, but their upbringing might not necessarily translate into putting all of their heart and effort into something that's supposed to be fun and enjoyable.

At this point you've gotta question if any members of this team are having fun and enjoying their playing (and mostly losing) under Coach Doh...

[smupony]

I agree that the lack of experience definitely translates to a low basketball IQ and thus poor play. Compound that with either coaches who can't teach or players who can't learn, and somehow Bamba's post play has shown little improvement over 4 yrs in college.

And this might be a reach, but I think the cultural differences between Senegal and the US of A might make it more difficult for those players to find the desire to "leave everything out on the court." When talking to some of the players after their Africa trip, one observation was about how carefree the Senaglese live their lives. While American conversations often center around our careers and material objects, their conversations are mainly dominated by joking and general goofing around with friends and family. If you spend any time with Bamba, Papa or Mo, it's pretty evident that they're all easy going. Not saying this prevents them from working hard, but their upbringing might not necessarily translate into putting all of their heart and effort into something that's supposed to be fun and enjoyable.

At this point you've gotta question if any members of this team are having fun and enjoying their playing (and mostly losing) under Coach Doh...

If you watch Faye play, I think he is leaving everything on the floor.