Open Practice 2

[saints22]

Was at the open practice yesterday. First time seeing the team this year. Random comments:

Didn’t do a head count, but there were probably about sixty people there.
As mentioned in another thread, Kadeem and Georges didn’t participate in any meaningful way. Was told afterwards that they were held out mainly just to give them a rest. Nothing seriously wrong with either of them. Would have played if it were a game day.
Was told by someone I trust, and who was at the first open practice, that the team showed improvement yesterday from the first session.
Thought Jalen Pickett and Sloane Seymour were the most impressive players at yesterday’s session. Jalen does a lot of good things; all-around, solid player. Sloane hit a bunch of 3s, in drills when not guarded, as well as in drills and scrimmages while being guarded.
Everybody hustles. Lots of enthusiasm, and players yelling and clapping.
Jamion pretty quiet for much of the 2+ hours practice. Each of the assistants actively involved in different segments of the workout.
Surprised there wasn’t more time/focus on free-throws. Just a ten-minute segment at the end of the practice.
With Kadeem and Georges not playing, yesterday’s starting five seemed to be Khalil, Jalen, Evan, Tom and Sammy. But most of the offensive drills were 4-out, 1-in, so Evan and Sammy on the floor at the same time was probably just a temp thing.
Spent a good deal of time working on pressing defenses, which we know that Jamion emphasizes, but we also know that’s a double-edged sword. Can result in some turnovers and easy points, but most teams know how to handle a press, so there could be 2 on 1 or 3 on 1 breaks going the other way. Hopefully our guys will get better at it as the season progresses, and the strategy will work in our favor.

Was good to see the turnout of fans, and the energy and enthusiasm on the floor. Spoke with several players and managers, all of whom were very positive about the changes and new mind set.

[billmurray]

Agree on Pickett but Seymour didn’t shoot as well as Ratliff yesterday and needs to step up his motor and enthusiasm if he wants to get the most out of his game. Richard stood out more than Seymour yesterday as well.

[IndianSaint]

Agree that Richard played well at times but also tried too much sometimes and turned over ball.

Plus there at least once or twice he and or his team had to run the base line for apparent mistakes. One of the times he had to run by himself was letting Ben Diamond score (or Ben striped him) so easily in him during no one specific exercise.

That being said, towards end of practice when they ran a scrimmage type excercise he continually was able to hit jumpers. Not sure if that was the designed play or if it were because if a blown play that he was forced to take amthe tough contested jumper. But he made more than missed.

Pickett & Camper we’re testing each other during one excercise when they were defending each other.

What I noticed most was everyone seemed to really enjoy the practice. They were busting their butts hustling but seemed to be in great spirits and actually enjoying it. The entire mood seems different & positive. Cheering each other on during most of if not the entire practice.

[Dawg_gone_it]

I know it's hard to change at this stage, but if TH could just alter his jumper where he doesn't bring the ball down to his waist before going up, he'd get a lot more opportunities to score. He makes a good percentage but he usually has to be wide open.

Toward the end, it just seemed like Fisher had an attitude problem. Seen it before. I think the result reflects negatively on his teammates rather than efforting to rally the troops. JMO.

[SIENA1971]

Oct 13, 2018 15:45:49 GMT -5 Dawg_gone_it said:

I know it's hard to change at this stage, but if TH could just alter his jumper where he doesn't bring the ball down to his waist before going up, he'd get a lot more opportunities to score. He makes a good percentage but he usually has to be wide open.

Toward the end, it just seemed like Fisher had an attitude problem. Seen it before. I think the result reflects negatively on his teammates rather than efforting to rally the troops. JMO.

Think Bayer, the grad student, is going to emerge as the leader of this team from what I observed yesterday.

[mrsiena]

1971, I agree with you on both TH and EF. I keep saying Tom should Start his shot over his head like his brother. On Evan I was reminded of the time he went off on Jimmy and walked out of practice in a huff. He has to curtail that temper or he could cost Siena a game down the road.

[OneIndian]

New coach, new staff & new culture.

I have confidence that the staff will sort out the rotations unlike the last regime.

[SaintsFan]

I get the feeling they are keeping Darwiche out of the public eye

[goldsaint17]

FWIW: I know for a fact that the players LOVE Evan Fisher and they see him as a leader. Same with Kadeem.

I also know Jamion likes Evan and he’ll play. Question is whether he can play the 4. I don’t personally think so, but we’ll see.

[IndianSaint]

I must have missed the EF attitude issue two posters brought up. In fact I highly doubt it was an issue as the coaches would have corrected it instantly. Not only the head coach but all three assistants corrected players throughout the two practices (correcting the running of the plays).

I believe the coaches want and encourage emotions; why else did they stop one excercise and had Sammy redo the play (when he dunked the ball) but wanted him to show some emotion (after the successful dunk)?

No, I don’t see EF having an attitude issue with this staff because if they believed EF was actually having an attitude issue detrimental to the team they would have singled him out and put a stop to it instantly.

Towards the end of practice when they were running through scrimmage type scenarios, Ryan stop everyone and when players didn’t appear to be listening; asked them to “listen” and stand like statues. Everyone froze and listened. He then proceeded to remind them they just learned/ran specific plays/excercises at the beginning of practice and they needed to remember and build off that (paraphrasing). Then they ran the play again. No negative scolding just pointing out the error and practice continued.

Trust me, if the staff thought for one second EF had an attitude issue during yesterday’s practice they would have corrected it then. So,no, I didn’t see the same EF issues others are referencing.

[saints22]

Oct 13, 2018 12:32:33 GMT -5 billmurray said:

Agree on Pickett but Seymour didn’t shoot as well as Ratliff yesterday and needs to step up his motor and enthusiasm if he wants to get the most out of his game. Richard stood out more than Seymour yesterday as well.

I wasn’t counting shots, but Sloane made a bunch on Friday. And if Ratliff made more, I just didn’t see it.

Spoke to one of the coaches after practice, and another one the next day. They both said the same thing. Whole staff likes Sloane’s shooting ability a LOT. Said their job is to get him as many shots as possible, because they’re confident he’ll hit a good percentage.

[Deleted]

Does anyone know if and when there will be another open practice - didn't realize there was one last week?

[SaintMisbehavin]

Oct 15, 2018 9:00:08 GMT -5 @misspractice said:

Does anyone know if and when there will be another open practice - didn't realize there was one last week?

The first open practice was announced on Twitter three days before it occurred, and the second open practice was announced two days before it occurred. I don't think they'll be announcing any with large lead times, if they even hold any more at all.