Bragg - Thoughts and Feelings?
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@REHawk If I remember right the team was in KC having played at the Sprint center during the time that incident took place. That doesn’t mean they don’t have knowledge of what went on or even could have in some way shape or form contributed to it in some way. I am sure it has had a negative effect with the team in general probably more off the floor then on.
I met and interacted with Carlton a little over the summer at a kids camp. He was a happy go lucky, very bouncy and friendly person. During the course of the year his body language did not reflect that same demeanor all that often. Something is going on in his head and it is not possible to tell the cause. Possibilities that spring to mind definitaly include the off floor activities however lack of playing time for various reasons looms large to me. He grew a noticeably in both height and weight which from my own experience in another sport can screw with you. Also the entire system he learned to play his freshman year, and perhaps most his life, was thrown out with the shift to 1 in 4 out. No idea what he will end up doing I hope he sticks it out and finds his niche with the Hawks. He has showed glimpses of being a valuable part of next year.
My biggest fear since the Oregon game is something happened on that trip which we have yet to learn (as if we ever do) that has Self annoyed with him. If that is the case I can see that being the third strike that moves him down the road.
Not been posting much seldom around the computer and I am too old to make the damn phone work 100% with this site. I read everything here tho!
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@Kubie I wondered if anything happened before the Oregon game too. You guys that think you are to old to work your phones ask these young guys! They are very helpful and you are to valuable to lose!
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@truehawk93 Were not getting Duval. - - -Time to move on from this scenario - - -ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY
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I believe that with a little detective work on a previous thread we pretty much established that the team did not get to their hall until well after it had been reported to the police. Since several players were named as potential witnesses, the mots likely explanation is that while they were walking to the hall they might have seen someone leave. Other than the Star, I don’t know of anyone that has even remotely tied the players to the incident in question. A non issue, really.
I believe Carlton is going through some growing pains, both physical and maturity wise, and in the off season he will start all over and turn into a very serviceable player.
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I know people like the happy-go-lucky Bragg. But that’s not what anyone needs. Look at Frank Mason. How often does he smile? Sometimes a little seriousness and self-criticism is necessary to getting better.
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A Jr Bragg with a re-dedicated off-season would be great to have at Self’s disposal. No doubt that’s the best scenario here. One that I’m still holding onto as long as no decision has been made.
Self recruited over him getting Preston so that’s an interesting plot to think about. Then there’s Lightfoot who will be battling for more time after what should be an intense summer for him adding weight, continuing to develop. We also have a chance at landing a high level transfer in Juiston who would bring a lot of intangibles to the team. Self is certainly prepared to move on if that happens.
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@betterfireE Ah-HA! If that is the case, then Frank had best sit down for a chat with LightFeet…Pronto! That kid is the most colorful cut-up on our current bench squad.
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@REHawk Actually, REHawk, we might not see much of Frank Mason for a spell. NBA combines and training sessions will yank him off and away from springtime Lawrence, probably just as they did Sherron. I hope he can make it to the banquet (or has Self already hosted his last banquet for this season?).
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@REHawk what?
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@jayballer54 Big difference in “getting” Duval and being “interested.” You move on and I’ll remain interested in a great point guard, regardless of where he signs.
Let’s not forget Wiggins was a LONG shot too and many were guaranteeing him to FSU. Hope is a good thing @jayballer54.
@jayballer54 Don’t forget to tell HOF Coach Bill Self what you just responded to me. ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY
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@Crimsonorblue22 …just muttering to myself.
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@truehawk93 I won’t no problem lmao - - ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY
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He’ll be fine and successful at KU if he sticks it out, but KU is a tough place for players with thin skins.
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I wonder if our landing of Doke actually hurt Bragg’s spirit last year?
Maybe his feelings were hurt and as the season started the post talk was all about Doke… not much about Bragg.
I think it hurt his confidence… and he is a guy who wears his confidence on his sleeve. He clearly had confidence issues this year. The focus wasn’t there nor the ambition.
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@jaybate-1.0 More like Bill Self is a tough coach to play for, for players with thin skin.
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Good question. But they play different positions and all the off-season hype went to him and Vick as far as reports of improvement/ready to step into a bigger role goes.
I think what hurt his confidence more than anything was Jackson taking his spot. A known OAD comes here and plays out of position and thrives doing so. That was Bragg’s ticket to the NBA this year and it failed miserably.
Landen Lucas was recruited over almost every year he was here but Landen is a different breed, he took that as extra motivation and earned his keep at Kansas. So far I don’t think we can say Bragg has done the same or taken the same mentality to playing here. And now, Bragg’s been recruited over with Billy Preston… The plot thickens
Self told the media in the summer/fall that he wasn’t thrilled with his post situation and that was clearly his way of trying to motivate Bragg. Bragg seemed like a motivated fella when he got here especially as we saw him battle in the WUG.
It’s hard to believe he didn’t sustain what most fans thought was going to be a big year for him. So many in the past at KU have stepped up, no questions asked. The eye test says Bragg took 2 steps backwards (at least) in almost every phase of his game.
It’s still hard to believe IMO how poorly he played outside of a few games this season
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Yep. Me and many others were very wrong about Bragg. I thought he would thrive at KU. He needs a two post system, he is absolutely not a center.
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I’m apart of that wrong club.
I think its no excuse to say he’s not capable of playing the 5. Players play out of position all the time and find a way to adjust and thrive. He’s 6’10, that’s on him.
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Yeah… he is a 4 and Doke a 5. But in the old Self hi/lo system… one is left and one is right (offense).
I thought he had his shot at the 4 and only after he played horrible for quite some time did Josh take his minutes.
Doke came in every bit as green as any player we have brought in… equaling Diallo and Alexander. I bet practice minute attention in the post was mostly towards Doke.
In reality… Bragg was almost as green as Doke. We knew we had to formulate an offense with the players we had and it was going to be different from last year since he was taking over for Perry.
Maybe he just felt so inferior to Perry, and he couldn’t keep his confidence up knowing people were going to compare him to Perry at the 4?
I’m just throwing out ideas to try to pinpoint why he carried such a burden all year.
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He just doesn’t have enough girth/strength to bang with kids like Nick Ward. Gets tossed around way too easily. Now, I definitely think he could have played more in suitable match-ups, but Self didn’t fell that way. Which is a big part of why I think it could be best for everyone involved if he transferred. NOT SAYING I WANT HIM TO TRANSFER.
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Count me in that club… but I knew he would never be a 5.
I proclaimed him as becoming the best pick and pop/roll guy we have ever had. I saw that velvet touch he had in his freshman year from mid range and fell in love… knowing he could expand his range to trey and then we really have something. A good set of legs, good motor, and some ability to dribble…
I remember arguments if he would be more like Marcus or Kieff. Wow!
I think what Carlton needs to decide now is WHO IS HE? He needs to establish a basketball identity. That will give him a target to focus on (for his development), because what is clear is his lack of focus. He will never amount to a hill of beans if he doesn’t establish a basketball identity and then focus on becoming “the dream.”
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We are in the same boat. I thought he would be pretty darn good in a similar role to Perry Ellis. Wasn’t thinking Marcus though.
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Good points.
From what we saw on the court in limited time Doke looked like he had a mean streak (in a good way) to him. He knows he’s a big boy and can physically intimidate guys on the court.
Bragg has never really given that impression although he’s a pretty emotional guy on/off the court. Bragg’s maturity as we’ve seen this season did not make the next step forward for whatever reason. And maybe it was too much to expect him to step in for Perry seamlessly, its entirely possible the pressure got to him. I remember Perry earlier in his career would get down on himself for not being perfect. There’s probably some similarities in that with Bragg who once things started going south it was hard for him to find a way to put it behind him.
I hope if he returns we get some comments from Bragg & Self about how they will move forward
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None of the bb stuff matters if he can’t get his life under control.
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KU fans often appear to underestimate how demanding and critical they are.
My parents used to talk about 50 years ago. My brother talked about it 20 years ago.
It’s not the expectations of KU fans that are so tough. It’s their expressed judgements rendered from those frequently ridiculously over hopeful expectations that hurt players.
Getting chewed out by Self is obviously a stinging experience, but most players have heard that level of harshness or worse before they arrive. Nothing prepares them for the fans–ours and opponents. Not everyone turns out suited for life in the spotlight and education can be tough for those sheltered from it in the pass.
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I’m still pulling for him!
I don’t think people expected him to instantly replace Perry… but that doesn’t mean he wasn’t feeling the heat.
I would love to hear from him and Bill on moving forward. I don’t think it is likely he will leave. He has zero chance right now of getting picked up in the league. He could transfer… then he has to sit a season.
If he did decide to transfer, he would bounce down a big notch. Other blue blood programs have the same competitive fight for minutes Kansas has.
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@JayHawkFanToo You nailed the attitude side of it. Lightfoot has a nose for the ball. A better, bigger version of KYo. Hard to teach instinct.
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@jaybate-1.0 I have NO pity on those “sheltered” people who cant stand the limelight. Take your KU bball positive cue from Mason, Graham, TRob, Tyshawn, Sherron, Mario, and Cole. The Twins and Withey eventually came around. Josh Jackson with same mentality as Frank. Damn I’m going to miss those 2 alpha personas & producers…
Sheltered? What, are we supposed to have–> comfort zones next to AFH, so when Self makes them cry? If thats the case, then womens ku team is tougher than the boys? Weak. Comfort zones are for toddlers, who havent grown a pair yet, right? Stupidest concept ever heard of. Pansies.
