Greivis Vasquez killed us today

[Great 2BA FL Gator]

The guy shot 2-13. I love his energy and enthusiasm, but he has to become a smarter player if he wants to win anything at Maryland. As far as him playing point guard, I think Bowie impressed me a lot more with his ability to distribute and get others involved. Vasquez tends to take very questionable shots, sometimes with 25+ seconds on the shot clock, and today he really didn't help us with his poor shooting. Perhaps i got spoiled the last few years watching my Gators down here in Florida orchestrate a finely tuned offense. At any rate, I feel like the Terps offense would really improve if they had a true Point guard out there that would spread the ball around and get everyone involved, rather than Vasquez who shoots without a conscience.

[section18]

Vasquez thinks he's all world literally. He does not share the ball and has no idea there is a clock involved in the game of basketball. His forced shots, not working the clock down to our advantage and poor shot selection have contributed to several of our losses this year. He has some games where he seems to play smart and others like today where he literally blows the game for the team.

Somebody (Gary?) has to talk to him. Maybe we can get one of the Wizards stars to talk to him. I had to walk out of the room with us down by one and nine seconds to go. I knew who would take the last shot and could not watch. We win when we work the ball inside and GV made no attempt to get the ball inside which might have got us to the foul line even if we didn't make the shot. Why?

[jerryterp]

TERRIBLE!!!!! You would have thought there was less then a second on the clock. However, Gary has to take some blame IF that was the play. I agree with the previous two posts about Grevis. Why the play wasn't to work it in & at least get a foul shot out of it, I'll never know.
I'm looking forward to watching the women against Duke Monday.
GO TERPS!!!

[Fairfax Bird]

Vasquez thinks he's all world literally. He does not share the ball and has no idea there is a clock involved in the game of basketball. His forced shots, not working the clock down to our advantage and poor shot selection have contributed to several of our losses this year. He has some games where he seems to play smart and others like today where he literally blows the game for the team.

Somebody (Gary?) has to talk to him. Maybe we can get one of the Wizards stars to talk to him. I had to walk out of the room with us down by one and nine seconds to go. I knew who would take the last shot and could not watch. We win when we work the ball inside and GV made no attempt to get the ball inside which might have got us to the foul line even if we didn't make the shot. Why?

Yeah, those 5 assists a game prove that he never shares the ball. He had a bad night shooting and took a terrible shot to end the game. Other than being out of control at times, there really isn't much to complain about when a guy averages 16 ppg, 6 rpg, and 5 apg.

[BaltBird 24]

The guy will put up OK stats, but just watching him play is painful to the eyes. He's sloppy, is almost always out of control, and isn't a particularly good pure shooter.

[Lucky Jim]

Bad last shot. tough game. But he's not a selfish player at all.

[Great 2BA FL Gator]

I completely agree. The Gators were successful last year because they started from the inside and gave Horford and Noah touches, and then from there, they could either take their man or find someone open on the perimeter. It doesn't even seem as if Gary has set an offensive game plan other than let Greivis shoot whatever shot he wants. This team has talent, they just play dumb, and I attribute that to a lack of coaching which is sad to say because Gary has had some great years at UMD.

[section18]

I'm surprised he only has 5 assists a game. When you think you're Gilbert Arenas and have to shoot close to 15 times a game the other players don't throw the ball back and shoot it pretty quick if they want to score any points. Pretty soon he won't be getting the shots because he won't get the ball back. His assists will go up but his scoring will drop.

He has star written all over him but.......he needs to be talked to by somebody with NBA experience and told to move the ball around or as they say... distribute the ball. There were rumors after his first season he may go pro. Really! I'm sure you know this. He played against Kobe Bryant in the off season and now he's Arenas, Iverson....pick your shooter. The only thing missing is the shot. His shooting percentage is nowhere near what Arenas or Iverson's is so let's cut it back and pass the ball or one of the big guys is going to run in to him and give him a wake up call.

Vasquez has 211 field goal attempts (FGA)-41.7%, Gist 176 FGA -50%, Hayes 132 FGA - 41.7%. Bowie is shooting at 54.5% and Tucker is at 50%. Gist, Bowie and Tucker are our best shooters and need to get the ball more.

Speaking of Arenas....the Wizards are playing much better without Arenas. Why? They are moving the ball around and more players are involved in the motion offense.

[JohnD]

The guy makes too many terrible decisions. It's a tremendous gamble every time he's in the game in the final moments because he's just as likely to make a basket to win you the game as he is to throw up a monumentally stupid shot to lose it for you like he did yesterday.

But there's just no excuse for him to make such assanine and destructive decisions. I mean that was just really, really awful. But it's becoming all too typical for him on the court this season. He's got lots of ability but seemingly no instinct. Honestly, I'm not at all a fan.

[Mackus]

I don't understand why he's becoming such a polarizing player. He either makes great plays or terrible ones. That last shot was simply terrible yesterday, and the bigger problem was that he shot 7 3's yesterday and all of them looked like that. I'm not sure he even should have been in the game at the end yet alone taking the final shot.

[inmn]

Guys,

They have two guys who can score, that's it. It was a pick and roll with Gist;
Vasquez should have taken it to the hole-in retrospect it was a bad decision. The game was not lost on one specific play but GW is trying to develop Vasquez as a scorer as no one else on the the roster has that ability.

[Mackus]

Vasquez certainly has the ability to score, and at times he's fantastic. But he needs to realize when he's got his A-game and when he doesn't, and when he doesn't, he needs to slow down a bit and not throw up so many bad shots.

Every single 3-pointer he shot yesterday I was screaming at him as he pulled up to shoot. Not a single one was anything better than a poor shot and most were far, far worse. He played like a complete moron yesterday, plain and simple.

I'll still go to battle with him, but he needs to tone things down when everything isn't going his way. Either that, or make sure things are always going his way.

[JohnD]

That pretty much sums it up exactly.

[Lucky Jim]

I'm surprised he only has 5 assists a game. When you think you're Gilbert Arenas and have to shoot close to 15 times a game the other players don't throw the ball back and shoot it pretty quick if they want to score any points. Pretty soon he won't be getting the shots because he won't get the ball back. His assists will go up but his scoring will drop.

He has star written all over him but.......he needs to be talked to by somebody with NBA experience and told to move the ball around or as they say... distribute the ball. There were rumors after his first season he may go pro. Really! I'm sure you know this. He played against Kobe Bryant in the off season and now he's Arenas, Iverson....pick your shooter. The only thing missing is the shot. His shooting percentage is nowhere near what Arenas or Iverson's is so let's cut it back and pass the ball or one of the big guys is going to run in to him and give him a wake up call.

Vasquez has 211 field goal attempts (FGA)-41.7%, Gist 176 FGA -50%, Hayes 132 FGA - 41.7%. Bowie is shooting at 54.5% and Tucker is at 50%. Gist, Bowie and Tucker are our best shooters and need to get the ball more.

Speaking of Arenas....the Wizards are playing much better without Arenas. Why? They are moving the ball around and more players are involved in the motion offense.

This is remarkably specious logic. Sample-size issues, for instance. Bowie and Tucker are not "our best shooters." Hayes is our best shooter. Vasquez is our best scorer (though he happens to be streaky.)

As for Iveson - Vasquez is very similar to Iverson. Lots of ill-advised shots, strong will-to-win. Some issues with consistency.

Iverson's been a 42-45% shooter for his entire career. My guess is that Vasquez ends up around 44-45% by the end of the year.

[Eight]

Vasquez has 211 field goal attempts (FGA)-41.7%, Gist 176 FGA -50%, Hayes 132 FGA - 41.7%. Bowie is shooting at 54.5% and Tucker is at 50%. Gist, Bowie and Tucker are our best shooters and need to get the ball more.



Wow! Have you watched many games this season? Bowie has taken maybe five jump shots all season and is in no way a shooter. Tucker is, at very best, about as good as Vasquez as a shooter. Gist is certainly not as good as Vasquez.

Gist has a higher shooting percentage because he plays inside and takes higher percentage shots. Tucker and Bowie both have higher percentages because they (deservedly) have a smaller role in the offense than Vasquez and play less frequently.

[ccbird]

Again it comes down to Vasquez having to be the man and forcing way too much. He played well last year when he was the 3rd or 4th scoring option. He isn't a good enough player to be the go to guy, neither is Gist for that matter. The problems with this team are largely due to the marginal talent level.

[Mackus]

Gist really is the 2nd best outside shooter on the team behind Hayes. He's shot a low percentage this season for some reason, but when he gets an open look, he can knock it down about 35-40% of the time. I don't want him focusing on that, but if he's open and has time, I have no problems with him shooting from the outside.

I don't have a problem with Greivis shooting from the outside either, but only when he's open. When he shoots off the dribble, he's about a 10% shooter. Nobody on the team can shoot from the outside without being fairly open. We don't have any Mike Jones type guys who an bury bombs quickly, off the dribble, or with a hand in the face.

[Tony-OH]

Wow, everyone does realize he's just a sophomore and he's going to make mistakes. He's got a ton of potential and although I understand the frustration from his bone-headed shot at the end of the game and his poor shooting night, but Vasquez is one of the most exciting players to watch at Maryland. He needs coaching and needs to do some maturing. i think he'll be fine.

[square634]

Gist really is the 2nd best outside shooter on the team behind Hayes. He's shot a low percentage this season for some reason, but when he gets an open look, he can knock it down about 35-40% of the time. I don't want him focusing on that, but if he's open and has time, I have no problems with him shooting from the outside.

I don't have a problem with Greivis shooting from the outside either, but only when he's open. When he shoots off the dribble, he's about a 10% shooter. Nobody on the team can shoot from the outside without being fairly open. We don't have any Mike Jones type guys who an bury bombs quickly, off the dribble, or with a hand in the face.

Well even Jones rarely created his own outside shot off the dribble (I can't think of a time that he did, actually). It always seems like Vasquez takes wild, off-balance shots even when he doesn't have to.

[Ruzious]

Wow, everyone does realize he's just a sophomore and he's going to make mistakes. He's got a ton of potential and although I understand the frustration from his bone-headed shot at the end of the game and his poor shooting night, but Vasquez is one of the most exciting players to watch at Maryland. He needs coaching and needs to do some maturing. i think he'll be fine.

I agree with that. His shooting problem is a fixable flawed fundamental (or fiflfu). He just has to work on getting his feet set before shooting. Most of the time, he rushes his shot, and he's off balance. And there's no reason to do that, because 1- Most teams don't play him real tight, because they don't respect his outside shot, and B- He's got a height advantage over PGs and some 2's - he can shoot right over the top of them if they do crowd him.

Correct the fiflfu, and he'll be good to go.

[Mackus]

I agree with that. His shooting problem is a fixable flawed fundamental (or fiflfu). He just has to work on getting his feet set before shooting. Most of the time, he rushes his shot, and he's off balance. And there's no reason to do that, because 1- Most teams don't play him real tight, because they don't respect his outside shot, and B- He's got a height advantage over PGs and some 2's - he can shoot right over the top of them if they do crowd him.

Correct the fiflfu, and he'll be good to go.The problem is decison-making, not a flaw in his jumpshot. The types of 3's he was launching up on Saturday will never be good shots, no matter how deadly he becomes from the outside.

[Great 2BA FL Gator]

Yeah, I question his shot selection. Sometimes he'll just pull up and shoot a three, without having anyone else touch the ball. He is a sophomore, but who knows how long he'll stick around.. I'd just like to see him spread the ball around a little more and work the ball inside.

[JohnD]

Tony, with all the ripping of Steve Blake you did, I can't believe for a minute that you tolerate Vasquez and his amazingly stupid decisions game in and game out.

Tonight, Maryland is lucky that Wake can't make jump shots and that the freshman guards are playing well, because Vasquez has been all turnovers and boneheadedly stupid shots.

[Fairfax Bird]

Tony, with all the ripping of Steve Blake you did, I can't believe for a minute that you tolerate Vasquez and his amazingly stupid decisions game in and game out.

Tonight, Maryland is lucky that Wake can't make jump shots and that the freshman guards are playing well, because Vasquez has been all turnovers and boneheadedly stupid shots.

yeah, I really came to his defense the other day, but I turned the critical eye on him tonight and I have to say that he has been terrible. Lazy with his passes and taking poor shots. Thank God Gary took him off the point.

[Mackus]

yeah, I really came to his defense the other day, but I turned the critical eye on him tonight and I have to say that he has been terrible. Lazy with his passes and taking poor shots. Thank God Gary took him off the point.The lazy passes he threw away tonight were infuriating. Its one thing to make mistakes when trying to do too much, but its another to be just giving the ball away stupidly. Plus, I cannot believe that Gary hasn't gotten on him about his incredibly poor 3-pt shot selection.

I don't mind when he sets and shoots, but every single 3-pointer he's taken the last two games have been on the move, and he's absolutely terrible shooting those. He made 2 tonight (one banked), but he's airballed or hit nothing but backboard more often than he's made them the last two games. He absolutely needs to stop throwing up so many stupid shots. If he's set and open, I'm fine with him shooting, because he can hit those at an acceptable percentage, but he's like Mike Mardesich from beyond the arc when shooting the type of shots he's been taking the past two games.

Its frustrating because he's still got so much talent and can take over games. When he was running that curl play with Bowie on point, it was completely unstoppable. He certainly needs to be off the ball. I think Bowie should start over Tucker (not that I don't like Tucker, but Bowie has been playing better and we need Greivis off the ball) and have Vasquez at the 2-guard spot running that curl in the lane.

[Ruzious]

The problem is decison-making, not a flaw in his jumpshot. The types of 3's he was launching up on Saturday will never be good shots, no matter how deadly he becomes from the outside.
Not exactly. They're poor decisions only because he has poor fundamentals on his jump shot. When you have a 6 foot height advantage, it's a good decision to shoot over your defender - with a fundamentally sound jump shot.

[Mackus]

Not exactly. They're poor decisions only because he has poor fundamentals on his jump shot. When you have a 6 foot height advantage, it's a good decision to shoot over your defender - with a fundamentally sound jump shot.This doesn't make a lot of sense. If Osby was throwing up 3's wildly would it only be a poor decision because he has poor fundamentals on his jump shot? He has a 6 foot 9 height advantage, so it's a good decision to shoot over your defender?

Greivis is incapable of making that type of shot. Ergo, it is a poor decision for him to shoot it.

[Ruzious]

This doesn't make a lot of sense. If Osby was throwing up 3's wildly would it only be a poor decision because he has poor fundamentals on his jump shot? He has a 6 foot 9 height advantage, so it's a good decision to shoot over your defender?

Greivis is incapable of making that type of shot. Ergo, it is a poor decision for him to shoot it.

Que?

He's very capable of making outside shots. He has made outside shots this year and last year. All he had to do was be consistent about setting his feet before shooting to make it a reasonably high percentage shot. Your Osby comparison is ridiculous. Firstly, he's never shown any ability to shoot from the outside. Secondly, he generally has a height disadvantage against his man. Thirdly, he's never shown any perimeter skills that would lead you to believe he could get off an outside shot while being guarded. You might have noticed that he's a bit clumsy with the ball in his hands.

[Mackus]

Que?

He's very capable of making outside shots. He has made outside shots this year and last year. All he had to do was be consistent about setting his feet before shooting to make it a reasonably high percentage shot. Your Osby comparison is ridiculous. Firstly, he's never shown any ability to shoot from the outside. Secondly, he generally has a height disadvantage against his man. Thirdly, he's never shown any perimeter skills that would lead you to believe he could get off an outside shot while being guarded. You might have noticed that he's a bit clumsy with the ball in his hands.Osby has shown the same level ability to make outside shots as Vasquez has shown to make any of the 3-pointers he's taken the past two games - none. Every one of those was an awful shot that he had no business taking, and he was incredibly lucky (yes, lucky, not good) to make the two he did make.

I've said repeatedly that I have no problems with Vasquez shooting from the outside when he's got time to get set. Absolutely none, he's a decent if not good outside threat in that case. But, he is absolutely abysmal when he shoots those turning, twisting 3-pointers that Re**** always used to shoot. He simply can't make them. Its not any sort of fundamental flaw in his shooting form, its simple bad decision making to throw up that kind of crap. Every time he shoots a 3-pointer like that, he is making a terrible decision (unless there are <2 seconds on the shot clock).

[Ruzious]

Osby has shown the same level ability to make outside shots as Vasquez has shown to make any of the 3-pointers he's taken the past two games - none. Every one of those was an awful shot that he had no business taking, and he was incredibly lucky (yes, lucky, not good) to make the two he did make.

I've said repeatedly that I have no problems with Vasquez shooting from the outside when he's got time to get set. Absolutely none, he's a decent if not good outside threat in that case. But, he is absolutely abysmal when he shoots those turning, twisting 3-pointers that Re**** always used to shoot. He simply can't make them. Its not any sort of fundamental flaw in his shooting form, its simple bad decision making to throw up that kind of crap. Every time he shoots a 3-pointer like that, he is making a terrible decision (unless there are <2 seconds on the shot clock).
You're basically saying what I'm saying - but processing it differently.

[Mackus]

You're basically saying what I'm saying - but processing it differently.You seem to be forgiving him for even taking the shot, calling it a mechanical/fundamental flaw, rather than a poor decision.

Everytime he shoots a 3 like that, I consider it a turnover, which bumps his total up to about 20 for the last 2 games. Poor decision making.

[Ruzious]

You seem to be forgiving him for even taking the shot, calling it a mechanical/fundamental flaw, rather than a poor decision.

Everytime he shoots a 3 like that, I consider it a turnover, which bumps his total up to about 20 for the last 2 games. Poor decision making.
It's a matter of semantics. We're saying the same thing differently. I call it a fundamental problem when you take an unforced off-balance shot, and you call it a poor decision. Whichever way we call it, we see the same problem.

[Mackus]

It's a matter of semantics. We're saying the same thing differently. I call it a fundamental problem when you take an unforced off-balance shot, and you call it a poor decision. Whichever way we call it, we see the same problem.I don't think its a semantical argument. I think a fundamental problem is a very different thing than poor decision-making.

A poor decision means playing stupidly. It means doing things that you know, or should know, are poor basketball moves. Its hoisting up a 3 with 29 seconds on the shot clock with a 5 point lead and a minute to play. Its attacking the basket on a fast break when you are outnumbered 3-1.

A fundamental problem is having bad form on your jumpshot. Not being able to finish with your off hand. Being a poor free throw shooter. Not knowing how to box out. Reaching constantly on defense.

Vasquez isn't shooting these off-balanced 3-pointers because he has a problem with understanding the fundamentals of good shooting form. He's doing them because he's not playing intelligently when he is capable of doing so. Its poor decision making, not poor mechanics.

[ccbird]

I don't think its a semantical argument. I think a fundamental problem is a very different thing than poor decision-making.

A poor decision means playing stupidly. It means doing things that you know, or should know, are poor basketball moves. Its hoisting up a 3 with 29 seconds on the shot clock with a 5 point lead and a minute to play. Its attacking the basket on a fast break when you are outnumbered 3-1.

A fundamental problem is having bad form on your jumpshot. Not being able to finish with your off hand. Being a poor free throw shooter. Not knowing how to box out. Reaching constantly on defense.

Vasquez isn't shooting these off-balanced 3-pointers because he has a problem with understanding the fundamentals of good shooting form. He's doing them because he's not playing intelligently when he is capable of doing so. Its poor decision making, not poor mechanics.

Truer words have never been spoken.

[Ruzious]

I say banana; you say potato. It really doesn't matter when we're eating beef burritoes.