Memphis East

[TonyG]

Just wanted to start the conversation about the HH game and get people's thoughts. We've been known they can be beat but can anyone in AAA do it?

[thenewguy85]

HH guards was to big for East guards, they was looking over the traps. Only way to beat East is to be bigger and have multiple shooters

[chattaauhoops]

Just wanted to start the conversation about the HH game and get people's thoughts. We've been known they can be beat but can anyone in AAA do it?

I watched the game and was very impressed with both teams. Admittedly, I am a fan of HH and the talent is well documented there. I thought the young Rawls kid did very well off the bench. East is a team that could win it all again. They had trouble in the paint vs. HH's length.

I know the debate about Penny coaching them, etc. but if we all watch the ESPN 30 for 30 about that program and his role, I believe he is doing it for the right reason. Penny could be doing a lot of other things with the $ he earned in the league. Those kids can play and are fortunate to have a skilled coach that can advance their skills.

[Icy]

Memphis East is a good team.  In my opinion, East lacks that lone star or stars that has a killer instinct at all times.  For example, Chris Jones Melrose, T-Head from BTW, Quintell Woods from Carver to name a few.  They are too passive with all that talent.  Penny Hardaway was a great player but at times, he was too passive against other top talent in my opinion.  They need somebody on that team to develop that attitude quickly.  They probably won't be challenged like that in AAA because they are too talented but they are much better than what they showed yesterday.  The energy wasn't there last night.  50-50 balls hustle on all plays is what is lacking for this team.  Hamilton that went undefeated was less talented than this group but they played 10 times harder than East.  Memphis native just giving his 2 cents...

Edited December 2, 2016 by Icy

[TonyG]

Memphis East is a good team.  In my opinion, East lacks that lone star or stars that has a killer instinct at all times.  For example, Chris Jones Melrose, T-Head from BTW, Quintell Woods from Carver to name a few.  They are too passive with all that talent.  Penny Hardaway was a great player but at times, he was too passive against other top talent in my opinion.  They need somebody on that team to develop that attitude quickly.  They probably won't be challenged like that in AAA because they are too talented but they are much better than what they showed yesterday.  The energy wasn't there last night.  50-50 balls hustle on all plays is what is lacking for this team.  Hamilton that went undefeated was less talented than this group but they played 10 times harder than East.  Memphis native just giving his 2 cents...

I wont lie after the first 2 sentences i was beginning to say what the heck but you brought me back around quickly. I agree with you east doesnt have any player imo if you are starting a team you be like thats the guy i want to build my team around as a focal point but they play well together. Id take Harris over Lomax, Douglas over Moss (same age one was held back), and Jeffries over Lawson. The energy wasnt their i agree but i dont think they have the defensive stallworths they had last year either. Ted Mcghee and Courtney Carter were great on ball defenders and they dont really have that this year and i saw that buy how Douglas almost single handedly beat them, Moss is not quick enough on his feet for me the athleticism isnt there. Yes Alo is pitbull i will never doubt that but if you have a big guard who isnt intimidated by the physicality of Lomax you will be fine. They wont lose in AAA imo it just takes other D1 caliber players to expose where they lack. After last night i now know the Brentwood games were not flukes I dont think East would beat them period it takes a lead guard thats not afraid of pressure and can get to the rack at will (Garland) and a shooter who will flat out shoot it when given open looks (Oatsvall). I really hope they meet in the city of palms. 

Edited December 2, 2016 by TonyG

[TonyG]

HH guards was to big for East guards, they was looking over the traps. Only way to beat East is to be bigger and have multiple shooters

 

If you can break the press, challenge lawson and dandrige on the board and knock down open shots you can beat em. I agree. I dont think you have to be bigger just have to have some strong guys who will challenge them on the boards. Brentwood has only one kid over 6'3 and they have done it twice. 

Edited December 2, 2016 by TonyG

[Icy]

If you can break the press, challenge lawson and dandrige on the board and knock down open shots you can beat em. I agree. I dont think you have to be bigger just have to have some strong guys who will challenge them on the boards. Brentwood has only one kid over 6'3 and they have done it twice. 

 

I agree with your assessment.  I take it that you don't know Woods from Carver back during Antonio Burks days at BTW.  He was a beast for Carver.  East has to play with more heart than they did last night.  They are talented across the board but they lack toughness as a team.  They should win AAA but the games will be close like last year if they don't attack teams immediately after tip-off.  I didn't see one player with that dog inside of them.  You can't coach that.  You either have it or don't have it.  Talent has gotten them along way at this point but I don't think it will be enough this year if they don't bring that hard work and dedication element to the table every game.  The season is still young and Memphis East is still a young talented team but they better bring that other element or this will be a disappointing season for them.  

[TonyG]

I agree with your assessment.  I take it that you don't know Woods from Carver back during Antonio Burks days at BTW.  He was a beast for Carver.  East has to play with more heart than they did last night.  They are talented across the board but they lack toughness as a team.  They should win AAA but the games will be close like last year if they don't attack teams immediately after tip-off.  I didn't see one player with that dog inside of them.  You can't coach that.  You either have it or don't have it.  Talent has gotten them along way at this point but I don't think it will be enough this year if they don't bring that hard work and dedication element to the table every game.  The season is still young and Memphis East is still a young talented team but they better bring that other element or this will be a disappointing season for them.  

Im familiar with quintel and tonio yes they were dogs. Cant coach size speed or heart, thats a given. I think their talent will triumph their faults any day within AAA but if they want to get the national recognition from the tourneys they are in they better player harder and smarter. I saw so many planned moves by lawson and lomax last night that it was painful. Its like they drove and made moves and expected the path to be clear, sometimes you need instinct also. 

Edited December 2, 2016 by TonyG

[thegame523]

Im familiar with quintel and tonio yes they were dogs. Cant coach size speed or heart, thats a given. I think their talent will triumph their faults any day within AAA but if they want to get the national recognition from the tourneys they are in they better player harder and smarter. I saw so many planned moves by lawson and lomax last night that it was painful. Its like they drove and made moves and expected the path to be clear, sometimes you need instinct also. 

The last few words of that next to last sentence described basically the whole game when watching it from a coaching standpoint (painful to watch). With less than 2 mins to go East's opponent up 6 takes a 1 pass contested 3 then the next trip they take a driving in vs 3 opponents layup. I was beginning to wonder if Tn had invoked a 12 second shot clock. East wasn't much better on the other end. Just saying Hubie Smith among others would have run some very nice sets to get their best players or shootes shots to get back into the game. Looking forward to seeing BA and East at the City of Palms. Will be fun. They very well may meet in the 2nd round. I see East beating Pace Academy and BA has a chance vs. Pebblebrook although PB will be more talented, but Coach Smith makes a habit of beating more talented teams. 

[TonyG]

The last few words of that next to last sentence described basically the whole game when watching it from a coaching standpoint (painful to watch). With less than 2 mins to go East's opponent up 6 takes a 1 pass contested 3 then the next trip they take a driving in vs 3 opponents layup. I was beginning to wonder if Tn had invoked a 12 second shot clock. East wasn't much better on the other end. Just saying Hubie Smith among others would have run some very nice sets to get their best players or shootes shots to get back into the game. Looking forward to seeing BA and East at the City of Palms. Will be fun. They very well may meet in the 2nd round. I see East beating Pace Academy and BA has a chance vs. Pebblebrook although PB will be more talented, but Coach Smith makes a habit of beating more talented teams. 

Comes down to execution. I think penny's teams have more talent than execution at all times, that when youre in a jam the kids just lean on talent. I look back at the peach jam championship that his team lost while being up 20, came down to execution.