Kendall Pollard - Impressive Highlights

[Fudd]

He is a lane presence. I love his toughness.

+ YouTube Video

[San Diego Flyer]

That just gives me goosebumps. What a man-child. He is so versatile and just injects adrenaline into the whole lineup. KP is our overlooked nuclear force this year. He seems to have great body control which allows him 20 ways to finish a drive.

[TommyGola]

Wow, some of those blocks were simply incredible. We all talk about player development under Archie's tutelage. Kendall Pollard is the poster boy for player development. I can only imagine how good he will be over the next two years.

[Sid Louick]

His style inside leads to his getting fouled a lot but can he make more than half of his free throws attempts? I hope he is shooting 1,000 a day this summer.

[m21eagle45]

Originally Posted by Sid Louick His style inside leads to his getting fouled a lot but can he make more than half of his free throws attempts? I hope he is shooting 1,000 a day this summer.

Pollard went from 32% to 58%. While not great, he had many good games from the line. What killed his ft% was the games when he would go 4-11. Luckily those did not occur nearly as much as many people on here think. I would bet we continue to see improvement from KP from the line.

[priceg75]

Yeah, I will take 60% from KP all day long. Some guys just aren't ever going to be good free throw shooters. I would rather he work on his floor game rather than free throws, as long as he can maintain.

This kid may well vie with Ryan Perryman for one of my all-time favorites by the time he is done. Just so tough.

[priceg75]

I say that, but then wasn't the very first play in that video where he got a T against GW for a little too much celebration?

[Figgie123]

Originally Posted by m21eagle45 Pollard went from 32% to 58%. While not great, he had many good games from the line. What killed his ft% was the games when he would go 4-11. Luckily those did not occur nearly as much as many people on here think. I would bet we continue to see improvement from KP from the line.

He also didn't have that many games where he was shooting 11FTs. 22 of his games were 6 FTAs or less. But, the increase from 32% to 58% hopefully can continue to go up. It's easier to watch 2-5 than 4-11 because it most likely means someone else is taking the other 6 "missing" FTAs.

Pollard Average FTMs per FTA

 fta | gms | avg_ftm |  pct  
-----+-----+---------+-------
   2 |   6 |     1.0 | 0.500
   3 |   1 |     2.0 | 0.667
   4 |   5 |     3.0 | 0.750
   5 |   4 |     2.0 | 0.400
   6 |   6 |     3.5 | 0.583
   7 |   4 |     5.0 | 0.714
   8 |   4 |     5.0 | 0.625
   9 |   1 |     4.0 | 0.444
  11 |   1 |     4.0 | 0.364
  13 |   1 |     8.0 | 0.615
  14 |   2 |     7.5 | 0.536

[rollo]

Originally Posted by priceg75 too much celebration?

Too much Celebration? no

Too much Testosterone...YES!

[ohioflyer]

Agreed!! This guy can make a difference!

[UDGutter2]

I love all of the highlights, and I see what everyone brings to the table, but KPs highlights just bring excitement. They are missing the block that got trapped between the rim and backboard.

[CE80]

Originally Posted by ohioflyer Agreed!! This guy can make a difference!

Which guy? KP or the guy with the beard? I agree on KP. I don't know about the guy with the beard. As impressive as that is, I am not sure it translates to the basketball court.

[Medford]

even at 55%, you want Kendall at the line as much as possible (outside of the last 2 minutes) because that means he's getting the other team's big guys in foul trouble. He's a matchup nightmare for most teams. To fast and explosive for a tall plodding big guy, to strong for a quicker perimeter player. With the added depth, I think Archie would want Kendall to be even more aggressive on the offensive end and force the other team into foul trouble.

On that note, it wasn't that long ago that UD had too many players that were weak around the rim, couldn't fit thru contact, would miss too many bunnies or shy away from contact. Now, you've got Pollard, Pierre, Kyle Davis & Scoochie all returning, who all finish strong thru contact around the rim. All seem to have a bit of "old school" game to them in that they find creases where none seem to exist amongst defenders. Pierre is the best I've seen at finding those creases amongst UD players since Perryman was here.

[Gazoo]

Originally Posted by Medford even at 55%, you want Kendall at the line as much as possible (outside of the last 2 minutes) because that means he's getting the other team's big guys in foul trouble. He's a matchup nightmare for most teams. To fast and explosive for a tall plodding big guy, to strong for a quicker perimeter player. With the added depth, I think Archie would want Kendall to be even more aggressive on the offensive end and force the other team into foul trouble. On that note, it wasn't that long ago that UD had too many players that were weak around the rim, couldn't fit thru contact, would miss too many bunnies or shy away from contact. Now, you've got Pollard, Pierre, Kyle Davis & Scoochie all returning, who all finish strong thru contact around the rim. All seem to have a bit of "old school" game to them in that they find creases where none seem to exist amongst defenders. Pierre is the best I've seen at finding those creases amongst UD players since Perryman was here.

Yes, all the way. This was always my argument about why Dayton struggled against top talent for about 5 years in a row. It was always the inability to finish strong in traffic--while it always seemed like they had guys who could.

Interesting (to me) question: who was the last guy UD had who was truly worthy of a double team, and could KP be that player this year? I really don't think there's anyone in the A10 who will stop KP 1 on 1. He's just too beastly. If we throw the ball in to him in the post the other team is just going to have no choice except to double this year (assuming KP has continued to develop).

DP is very versatile and crafty around the rim but too good of a passer to double--plus he spins so much it's really hard to figure out where to double him from.

I think the last guy we had who made other coaches abandon ship and double team was Finn. Am I misremembering that?

I think most coaches took the following philosophy with Wright: wait to see if he dribbles off his foot or charges, then foul him if he gets close to the rim. Roberts was constantly doubled off the high pick and roll but that's a little different from a true double team in my opinion, but maybe not.

[CE80]

Originally Posted by Gazoo Yes, all the way. This was always my argument about why Dayton struggled against top talent for about 5 years in a row. It was always the inability to finish strong in traffic--while it always seemed like they had guys who could. Interesting (to me) question: who was the last guy UD had who was truly worthy of a double team, and could KP be that player this year? I really don't think there's anyone in the A10 who will stop KP 1 on 1. He's just too beastly. If we throw the ball in to him in the post the other team is just going to have no choice except to double this year (assuming KP has continued to develop). DP is very versatile and crafty around the rim but too good of a passer to double--plus he spins so much it's really hard to figure out where to double him from. I think the last guy we had who made other coaches abandon ship and double team was Finn. Am I misremembering that? I think most coaches took the following philosophy with Wright: wait to see if he dribbles off his foot or charges, then foul him if he gets close to the rim. Roberts was constantly doubled off the high pick and roll but that's a little different from a true double team in my opinion, but maybe not.

It was a lot easier to double Roberts because who else were you afraid of beating you? Double KP and a number of others will make you pay.

[Medford]

Doubling down, as alluded to above is often about 3 things, 1st what your capabilities are around the rim vs the man guarding you. 2nd, what you ability to pass the ball out of a double team trap when it occurs (ie you might double down on an average player with crappy hands trying to force a turnover not because you think they'll beat your man 1 on 1) and finally, 3 what other options you have available to you.

When BRob was here, at the end of his senior season with no Chris Wright, there weren't a ton of offensive options to go with, so you pressured and harrassed him out on the perimeter to 1) get the ball out of his hands & 2 to wear him down. When Finn was here, you had Ramod & Kieth, both capable offensive threats so you'd double down on him b/c he was lethal (70% field goal % his junior season) once he got on the blocks, and hoped he couldn't find an open teammate for an easy look.

On the current team, you doubling Pierre often burns the opposing defense due to his terrific passing game around the rim. Pollard isn't too shaby himself moving the ball, no where near Pierre (few are) but certainly adequate (and hopefully improving).

	Chris Wright CHRIS WRIGHT 6-8 225lb | Trotwood Madison, HS (OH) A10 All Rookie Team. Preseason 2008 2nd Team All A10. Member of the UD Flight Club with a 40+ inch vertical leap. Consensus Top-75 national recruit. Uncle is former Flyer J.D. Grigsby. Nickname is Top Flyght. CAREER STATS 2007-08 10.4ppg 5.7rpg

[BRob2Perryman3]

I cannot believe that folks are still crying about Pollards free throws. It is what it is. If i get 60% from him im happy. Hes a man child and i would not change a thing.

Keep doing what you're doing Kendall. You are the straw that stirs the Flyer drink!!

Most exciting player ive seen take Blackburn court...........EVER.

And ive seen Hahn,Stanley,CW and BRob.

Note: Velvet was just before this grasshoppers time

[Sid Louick]

Sorry folks. I am still old school enough to call 60% unacceptable. He would be so much more dangerous if he could approach 70%. That can be done with enough practice and better form. I suggested it last year jokingly but it can be done for real now -- hire Andrea Hoover to work with KP for a month on foul shooting technique. I can't imagine there wouldn't be some improvement.

[Buckleyma]

To me, poor free throw shooting, brings back embarrassing memories. Perhaps, that is why everyone else drones on about Pollard's free throw percentage and free throw form. I remember, painfully, an NCAA game between Dayton and DePaul where both teams played so ever hard. Both teams were so evenly matched. I believe that DePaul had a guy by the name of Dallas Comegys. A 6'10" guy. But, both teams embarrassingly and painfully could not hit free throws. Foul after foul and clank after clank off the rim went the basketball. I can still hear that clank sound in my ears. Painful not even the word. Perhaps, my colleagues can coin a better word? But, it all seemed so correctable. Just a little more practice could have made all the difference.
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[BRob2Perryman3]

Andre Brown(sp?) from DePaul went 0-10 in that game. #7-#10 matchup late game on a Friday i believe. This was the final game of the Wally/Ramod/Finn Senior class. Double overtime. Brutal loss. Closest we came to breaking thru before 2011

[BRob2Perryman3]

Originally Posted by rollo Too much Celebration? no Too much Testosterone...YES!

King Rollo, you should grow a beard and try this.

Bet you can't bet you can't!!

[ud2]

Per Rick Barry, KP should swallow his pride and shoot his ft's under-handed.

RB shot 89% from the line during his NBA and ABA career using the under-handed form.


http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2...nd-free-throws


“If you're shooting 80 percent or better, great," Barry told Kevin Fixler of the Post Game in 2013. "If you can't shoot 80 percent, you're not a good free-throw shooter, that simple. If you can't shoot in the mid-70s, you need to think seriously about it. If you're a 60 percent, 50 percent free-throw shooter, by God, you should try anything.”

[ud2]

KP shot 33% from the line freshman year, 58% sophomore year.


http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaab/players/120853/



Archie coached this Louisville player, Onuaku, this summer I think on the USA U19 team.

+ YouTube Video

[San Diego Flyer]

I don't subscribe to the notion that KP needs to try another approach to freethrow shooting.

My own experience was logging a lousy embarrassing 60% as a Junior. Then a respectable 73% as a Senior by shooting 200 every day of the summer between those years. Shoot 10, shoot jumpers, then 10 more to 200. Chase your own rebounds. Chart it. No gimmicks needed.

Repetition and focus will do it for him. He just has to be committed to that end.

[UDBrian]

I think that the major issue Kendall needs to fix is the sideways twist of his wrist. I've never seen a good shooter that doesn't keep his wrist lined up and the ncaa announcers also commented on this. I do think Kendall will put the work in, he wants to play in the nba.

My first thought on Kendall was "he is more athletic than I thought" which is a good thing

[Gazoo]

Originally Posted by San Diego Flyer I don't subscribe to the notion that KP needs to try another approach to freethrow shooting. My own experience was logging a lousy embarrassing 60% as a Junior. Then a respectable 73% as a Senior by shooting 200 every day of the summer between those years. Shoot 10, shoot jumpers, then 10 more to 200. Chase your own rebounds. Chart it. No gimmicks needed. Repetition and focus will do it for him. He just has to be committed to that end.

I don't know why anyone would say to stop "crying" about his FT's. They're turrible. Why not improve it? You can be an extremely exciting player AND a decent FT shooter. Why pick only 1?

My personal experience was as a ~50% FT shooter as a sophomore despite pretty good form on my shot. A wrestling coach at my HS suggested a self hypnotism / visualization cassette tape. I used it nearly every day and by the time I was a junior / senior I shot over 70%. And I wasn't a great overall shooter at the time.

[San Diego Flyer]

Free throw shooting is not unlike putting. A few fundamental things fixed, and then a thousand repetitions. Every once in while a great freethrow shooter will get away with a fundamental flaw. Like golfer Jordan Spieth looking at the hole instead of the ball on short putts. Try that one and you will be on the links 'til dark trying to finish the round.

200 free throws X 90 summer days = 18,000 free throws. Try it. It works.

[bhflyer5]

Originally Posted by UDGutter2 I love all of the highlights, and I see what everyone brings to the table, but KPs highlights just bring excitement. They are missing the block that got trapped between the rim and backboard.

Check out 0:53. Is that the one you're talking about? They DID miss the two he got against Providence though. Those two were, IMO, the best of the year.