Who Takes On the Leadership Role?

[jcatcher]

Spencer has been the guy calling the players together in huddles, talking during breaks, and putting players in position during the games. Who takes over this role in his absence?

Ski seems to be the obvious choice being a starter and the oldest players in the rotation, but he's not exactly the calm guy at the end of games.

Josh Scott is probably the best player now on the floor, but he seems very quiet and not a vocal leader type.

X Talton may be the PG at the end of games, but he's lacking in experience.

Wes Gordon is quietly putting together a really solid season and is becoming more assertive game by game, but freshman.

I really am curious to see who takes on the role.

I wonder who Spencer pulls aside and has a talk with?

 

[tante]

Ski was, is and will continue to be the leader of the team. If he can carry the team we will win, if he can't then we won't.

 

[Eggon]

X and Ski will both elevate their play. As they have when Spencer had foul trouble in the past. Josh always steady. Spencer will continue to be an important team leader. The culture that Tad has painstakingly created will grind us to a legitimate shot to the dance. Will be hard fought.

Thinking of you injured Buffs! Get well!

 

[MarkW]

Leadership is most definitely the key to the Buffs success or lack of it the rest of the season. It's not just scoring points, etc., it's taking charge of the team especially when the chips are down. Spencer has done a great job with that, but it's hard to tell who will actually take over.

It will be interesting to watch tomorrow night. Tough opponent to start out with, but at least it's at home.

 

[BehindEnemyLines]

Made the same question in the PacHoops thread. Hope we get a glimpse of the answer tomorrow night.

 

[jgisland]

Made the same question in the PacHoops thread. Hope we get a glimpse of the answer tomorrow night.

I said Ski in that thread and while I still think that b/c he has been the vocal leader to date, it sounds like Tad is challenging Hopkins to help fill that void.

If there’s one thing Boyle wants Hopkins to do more of as his minutes increase, it’s talk – not merely for the sake of speaking, but taking command on the court. That can be a rare thing for a freshman, and Boyle knows it’s a role Hopkins has to grow into: “I think everybody has that capability . . . I think sometimes as freshman it takes a really special guy to come in and have the confidence to have your voice heard,” Boyle said. “I don’t believe in leadership by example. I think if you’ve got a leadership-by-example guy, you’ve got a hard-worker who busts his tail every day (but) it doesn’t make him a leader. Don’t use the term leadership; (he’s) a great example.

 

[absinthe]

Spencer has been the guy calling the players together in huddles, talking during breaks, and putting players in position during the games. Who takes over this role in his absence?

what team are you watching?

 

[jcatcher]

what team are you watching?

I'll say the same to you. Leadership isn't measured by who has the loudest voice when you're leading Elon by 20, it's the guy who goes around at puts his finger into his guys chests when it's a five point game in the last minute against Oregon. Hint: It's not Askia Booker.

 

[jgisland]

I'll say the same to you. Leadership isn't measured by who has the loudest voice when you're leading Elon by 20, it's the guy who goes around at puts his finger into his guys chests when it's a five point game in the last minute against Oregon. Hint: It's not Askia Booker.

You just described booker to a T, he's the guy tell guys where to go, gets guys motivated, he even called out Dinwiddie in the Oregon game....

On Him And Spencer Dinwiddie Combining For 50 Points


“It’s wonderful. I think he’s probably the best point guard I play with. He’s 6’6” and handles the ball like me, almost. [It’s nice] to have somebody like that on my side and know I can trust him. There’s times when he missed a free throw and I went up to him and said, ‘we don’t do that,’ and he made the next one. It’s just a trust thing we have in each other, and I think that the past two years that we’ve played with each other have been great. I think we’re learning to get along and read each other on the court.”


you think Ski goes that to Dinwiddie if he wasn't the leader?

 

[BehindEnemyLines]

Okay, jg, goose, cville, et al -- a question about Ski (I'm asking because I really have no idea what the answer is). Since Ski can be a streaky player, particularly on offense, can he command enough respect with the young guns if he's having one of his off nights?

Curious to hear what you (and others) think.

 

[Darth Snow]

They were both leaders.

 

[Buffnik]

I said Ski in that thread and while I still think that b/c he has been the vocal leader to date, it sounds like Tad is challenging Hopkins to help fill that void.

If there’s one thing Boyle wants Hopkins to do more of as his minutes increase, it’s talk – not merely for the sake of speaking, but taking command on the court. That can be a rare thing for a freshman, and Boyle knows it’s a role Hopkins has to grow into: “I think everybody has that capability . . . I think sometimes as freshman it takes a really special guy to come in and have the confidence to have your voice heard,” Boyle said. “I don’t believe in leadership by example. I think if you’ve got a leadership-by-example guy, you’ve got a hard-worker who busts his tail every day (but) it doesn’t make him a leader. Don’t use the term leadership; (he’s) a great example.

I 100% agree with Tad. We've had this argument before on the board. A good leader also has to work harder than everyone else and perform when it counts or it's empty talk and no one will follow. But working hard and getting the job done does not make a guy a leader.

 

[SECOBuffsFan]

Hopkins talking more and taking ownership goes hand in hand with him moving into the point guard role....you can't have a meek and unassuming point

 

[Shldr2Shldr]

Something we forget is that Spencer will still be there. He isn't going to not show up to games. He will be on the sidelines to offer support, leadership, and criticism when guys come off the floor. We need another on court leader, but the team isn't losing spencer's knowledge and passion for the game.

 

[wyobuff]

Okay, jg, goose, cville, et al -- a question about Ski (I'm asking because I really have no idea what the answer is). Since Ski can be a streaky player, particularly on offense, can he command enough respect with the young guns if he's having one of his off nights?

Curious to hear what you (and others) think.

See @Wazzu. He had awful shooting night (2/8?) and still put up like 17 points.

 

[jgisland]

Okay, jg, goose, cville, et al -- a question about Ski (I'm asking because I really have no idea what the answer is). Since Ski can be a streaky player, particularly on offense, can he command enough respect with the young guns if he's having one of his off nights?

Curious to hear what you (and others) think.

i think he already does command that respect, everybody knows what Ski brings. He's going to have off nights, but he knows what Tad wants, he always plays defense, he seems like he wants to win on every possession, so effort is not an issue.

Dinwiddie sums this up pretty good in the post game presser after Oregon.

On Scoring Efficiency
“It’s pretty simple. When [Askia Booker] plays really well, we play really well; we kind of go as he goes. Me, Josh [Scott] and Xavier [Johnson] don’t change that much. Xavier can be a little up and down. No offense Askia knows it he can be up and down. When he’s up we are one good team, and when he’s down we struggle. I guess that’s a sign of a very good player when he has that kind of effect on a team. He played extremely well today and we got a good win against a top-ranked team.

Everybody on the teams clearly knows Ski, Abs and I have had this discussion a million times. If Dinwiddie had Ski's leadership qualities and want to win he'd be an all-american. (not that dinwdiddie doesn't want to win, he just projects it differently). Dre was the same way, he was more of a lead by example not by words guy, Scott looks to be similar. Tad clearly wants vocal leaders - he wants Hopkins to take that role and he wants Scott to be more vocal leadership.


Hopefully we'll see Ski be efficient and continue to do what he does with Hopkins and Scott stepping into more vocal leadership roles.

 

[absinthe]

I'll say the same to you. Leadership isn't measured by who has the loudest voice when you're leading Elon by 20, it's the guy who goes around at puts his finger into his guys chests when it's a five point game in the last minute against Oregon. Hint: It's not Askia Booker.

I'll see if i can get a replay some how i missed this in the heat of the game it has been my biggest criticism of Spencer, he leads to quietly and too much by example. As JG said if you could get Ski's leadership and want to win into Spencer you'd have an all-american. Late against KU, late against OSU, against UCSB, Wazzu - Ski is the guy huddling up the team durring play stoppages, he's the guy barking orders. Spencer really except against CSU doesnt show that way.

 

[CUBuffs24]

I'm laughing at the idiocy on the board. I'm sorry, but this is just ridiculous, do you really think that Askia is the past, present and future leader? All because of a few good games? (The streak was broken on the road as usual though 2/12 against WSU and 0/9 against Washington). Most of you really need to actually watch the games before commenting because if you think Askia's a leader, than you are clearly struggling mentally or extremely ill informed. Askia is a streak, unreliable, momentum player that can't even lead/control himself, let alone an entire basketball team. If our team is reduced to Askia leading it because of Spencer's injury, I'll pray for them. Not to mention, when it actually counts (aka close games against good teams) SPENCER is the one talking and giving orders, telling defensive positions and plays, guarding the best man etc. It doesn't take a lot of leadership to shoot 15+ shots a game with only about a 30% efficiency, if that. I'll pray for how they do against UCLA, but with Washington as the evidence of how our team plays without Spencer, I've almost lost all hope already. Please, do tell me more about how Askia is really the "leader of our team" because he talks a lot of trash against bad teams? Because he has the occasional good game? Sure, if that's what you think a leader is then by all means, Askia is our leader.

 

[jgisland]

I'm laughing at the idiocy on the board. I'm sorry, but this is just ridiculous, do you really think that Askia is the past, present and future leader? All because of a few good games? (The streak was broken on the road as usual though 2/12 against WSU and 0/9 against Washington). Most of you really need to actually watch the games before commenting because if you think Askia's a leader, than you are clearly struggling mentally or extremely ill informed. Askia is a streak, unreliable, momentum player that can't even lead/control himself, let alone an entire basketball team. If our team is reduced to Askia leading it because of Spencer's injury, I'll pray for them. Not to mention, when it actually counts (aka close games against good teams) SPENCER is the one talking and giving orders, telling defensive positions and plays, guarding the best man etc. It doesn't take a lot of leadership to shoot 15+ shots a game with only about a 30% efficiency, if that. I'll pray for how they do against UCLA, but with Washington as the evidence of how our team plays without Spencer, I've almost lost all hope already. Please, do tell me more about how Askia is really the "leader of our team" because he talks a lot of trash against bad teams? Because he has the occasional good game? Sure, if that's what you think a leader is then by all means, Askia is our leader.

You're opinionated, ill informed and mostly wrong.....welcome, you'll fit right in

 

[torero]

I'm laughing at the idiocy on the board. I'm sorry, but this is just ridiculous, do you really think that Askia is the past, present and future leader? All because of a few good games? (The streak was broken on the road as usual though 2/12 against WSU and 0/9 against Washington). Most of you really need to actually watch the games before commenting because if you think Askia's a leader, than you are clearly struggling mentally or extremely ill informed. Askia is a streak, unreliable, momentum player that can't even lead/control himself, let alone an entire basketball team. If our team is reduced to Askia leading it because of Spencer's injury, I'll pray for them. Not to mention, when it actually counts (aka close games against good teams) SPENCER is the one talking and giving orders, telling defensive positions and plays, guarding the best man etc. It doesn't take a lot of leadership to shoot 15+ shots a game with only about a 30% efficiency, if that. I'll pray for how they do against UCLA, but with Washington as the evidence of how our team plays without Spencer, I've almost lost all hope already. Please, do tell me more about how Askia is really the "leader of our team" because he talks a lot of trash against bad teams? Because he has the occasional good game? Sure, if that's what you think a leader is then by all means, Askia is our leader.

:wtf:

 

[absinthe]

I'm laughing at the idiocy on the board. I'm sorry, but this is just ridiculous, do you really think that Askia is the past, present and future leader? All because of a few good games? (The streak was broken on the road as usual though 2/12 against WSU and 0/9 against Washington). Most of you really need to actually watch the games before commenting because if you think Askia's a leader, than you are clearly struggling mentally or extremely ill informed. Askia is a streak, unreliable, momentum player that can't even lead/control himself, let alone an entire basketball team. If our team is reduced to Askia leading it because of Spencer's injury, I'll pray for them. Not to mention, when it actually counts (aka close games against good teams) SPENCER is the one talking and giving orders, telling defensive positions and plays, guarding the best man etc. It doesn't take a lot of leadership to shoot 15+ shots a game with only about a 30% efficiency, if that. I'll pray for how they do against UCLA, but with Washington as the evidence of how our team plays without Spencer, I've almost lost all hope already. Please, do tell me more about how Askia is really the "leader of our team" because he talks a lot of trash against bad teams? Because he has the occasional good game? Sure, if that's what you think a leader is then by all means, Askia is our leader.

Solid drive by.

You are right though it is really hard for me to see from my courtside seats.

 

[Scotch]

I'm laughing at the idiocy on the board. I'm sorry, but this is just ridiculous, do you really think that Askia is the past, present and future leader? All because of a few good games? (The streak was broken on the road as usual though 2/12 against WSU and 0/9 against Washington). Most of you really need to actually watch the games before commenting because if you think Askia's a leader, than you are clearly struggling mentally or extremely ill informed. Askia is a streak, unreliable, momentum player that can't even lead/control himself, let alone an entire basketball team. If our team is reduced to Askia leading it because of Spencer's injury, I'll pray for them. Not to mention, when it actually counts (aka close games against good teams) SPENCER is the one talking and giving orders, telling defensive positions and plays, guarding the best man etc. It doesn't take a lot of leadership to shoot 15+ shots a game with only about a 30% efficiency, if that. I'll pray for how they do against UCLA, but with Washington as the evidence of how our team plays without Spencer, I've almost lost all hope already. Please, do tell me more about how Askia is really the "leader of our team" because he talks a lot of trash against bad teams? Because he has the occasional good game? Sure, if that's what you think a leader is then by all means, Askia is our leader.

:lol: this is me laughing at you :lol: Go back to Buffscoop

 

[absinthe]

:lol: this is me laughing at you :lol: Go back to Buffscoop

Cant be from there they have 1 post about basketball in 2 days. Still hung up arguing Embree's staff.

 

[Goose]

Cant be from there they have 1 post about basketball in 2 days. Still hung up arguing Embree's staff.

Do the Buccaneers let their TE Coach have a staff?

 

[Shldr2Shldr]

I'm laughing at the idiocy on the board. I'm sorry, but this is just ridiculous, do you really think that Askia is the past, present and future leader? All because of a few good games? (The streak was broken on the road as usual though 2/12 against WSU and 0/9 against Washington). Most of you really need to actually watch the games before commenting because if you think Askia's a leader, than you are clearly struggling mentally or extremely ill informed. Askia is a streak, unreliable, momentum player that can't even lead/control himself, let alone an entire basketball team. If our team is reduced to Askia leading it because of Spencer's injury, I'll pray for them. Not to mention, when it actually counts (aka close games against good teams) SPENCER is the one talking and giving orders, telling defensive positions and plays, guarding the best man etc. It doesn't take a lot of leadership to shoot 15+ shots a game with only about a 30% efficiency, if that. I'll pray for how they do against UCLA, but with Washington as the evidence of how our team plays without Spencer, I've almost lost all hope already. Please, do tell me more about how Askia is really the "leader of our team" because he talks a lot of trash against bad teams? Because he has the occasional good game? Sure, if that's what you think a leader is then by all means, Askia is our leader.

No one said that Askia is our leader in any statistical category other than attempted shots. However the kid is the emotional and physical leader on this team. Spencer is the floor general. He does what point guards do. If YOU actually watched a game you would understand that Askia huddles the team up. Askia calls players out. That is where he leads. You do not need necessarily need to be a consistent offensive weapon to be a leader.

 

[Quattro]

Solid drive by.

You are right though it is really hard for me to see from my courtside seats.

I guess I can't see either from the court


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Professor3]

i think he already does command that respect, everybody knows what Ski brings. He's going to have off nights, but he knows what Tad wants, he always plays defense, he seems like he wants to win on every possession, so effort is not an issue.

Dinwiddie sums this up pretty good in the post game presser after Oregon.

On Scoring Efficiency
“It’s pretty simple. When [Askia Booker] plays really well, we play really well; we kind of go as he goes. Me, Josh [Scott] and Xavier [Johnson] don’t change that much. Xavier can be a little up and down. No offense Askia knows it he can be up and down. When he’s up we are one good team, and when he’s down we struggle. I guess that’s a sign of a very good player when he has that kind of effect on a team. He played extremely well today and we got a good win against a top-ranked team.

Everybody on the teams clearly knows Ski, Abs and I have had this discussion a million times. If Dinwiddie had Ski's leadership qualities and want to win he'd be an all-american. (not that dinwdiddie doesn't want to win, he just projects it differently). Dre was the same way, he was more of a lead by example not by words guy, Scott looks to be similar. Tad clearly wants vocal leaders - he wants Hopkins to take that role and he wants Scott to be more vocal leadership.


Hopefully we'll see Ski be efficient and continue to do what he does with Hopkins and Scott stepping into more vocal leadership roles.

Spencer provided a diplomatic response in an interview, and that's good; but that's what that was ... leadership ... taking a step back to allow and encourage a teammate to shine. In the same post game interview, Askia complimented Spencer, but immediately qualified his compliment by saying (approximately), "Don't get me wrong, he's not better than me." Kind of negates the compliment. Do I think that we will be anything close to a team that will make it to the Sweet 16 or the Elite 8 now? No. No. Emphatically, no!! That ship has sailed. Spencer's willingness to take a back seat for the good of the team is well documented. That real "team first mentality" does not exist with Askia. Sorry, but it doesn't. Askia is an exiting player when he is "on". Not so much when he's rushing things, and demanding the ball, play after play after play - whether he's hot or not - and pouting when he doesn't get it. Leadership requires sacrifice. Leadership is not self serving. Leadership is an art. It is an art that Spencer has mastered; and the fact that he will not be on the court, leading this team; will be a very telling revelation long before the end of the season. Spencer has been the essential element that brought magic to the court under CTB's direction. It's unfortunate that his value and contributions seem so easily discounted by some of the posters on this board. Going forward, we'll win some games and we'll lose some games, but we won't be what we could have been if he was still playing and leading this team. Hint: Tonight's game against UCLA. We'll learn a lot. Here's wishing Spencer a speedy recovery and an incredible future playing the game that he plays so well and loves so much.

 

[jgisland]

A) that isn't what Ski said, if you scrolled up and read....you'd see i quoted Ski
B) while Dinwiddie was "taking a step back to allow and encourage a teammate to shine" - Ski was telling him to make his damn free throws
C) netbuffs and buffscoop are starting to look more and more appealing

 

[Buffnik]

No one said that Askia is our leader in any statistical category other than attempted shots. However the kid is the emotional and physical leader on this team. Spencer is the floor general. He does what point guards do. If YOU actually watched a game you would understand that Askia huddles the team up. Askia calls players out. That is where he leads. You do not need necessarily need to be a consistent offensive weapon to be a leader.

Also a gym rat who was awarded for the way he impacted the team during the Navy Seals training before this season.

CUBuffs24 is clearly confused by the difference between "team's best player" and "team leader". Ski is the 3rd or 4th best player on the team, but his streakiness has carried him to a tournament MVP and a couple Pac-12 POWs.

Maybe that's why there's so much Ski hate? When he's on a hot streak, he can be the best player on the team or even look like the best guard in the west. But when he's on a cold streak, he can look like the worst starting guard in the west. So people get frustrated and rip on him.

I love Ski. Always have. I defended him all last year when he was taking a ton of heat. He's the one guy we have who plays from his heart and his balls. All the time.

 

[absinthe]

Also a gym rat who was awarded for the way he impacted the team during the Navy Seals training before this season.

CUBuffs24 is clearly confused by the difference between "team's best player" and "team leader". Ski is the 3rd or 4th best player on the team, but his streakiness has carried him to a tournament MVP and a couple Pac-12 POWs.

Maybe that's why there's so much Ski hate? When he's on a hot streak, he can be the best player on the team or even look like the best guard in the west. But when he's on a cold streak, he can look like the worst starting guard in the west. So people get frustrated and rip on him.

I love Ski. Always have. I defended him all last year when he was taking a ton of heat. He's the one guy we have who plays from his heart and his balls. All the time.

We should lock this thread it is a no win situation