These two together are providing a nice 1-2 punch with CC sitting on the bench. JJ with 8 pts and 10 boards in 27 minutes of play today. Gatkek with 2 pts, 3 boards, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 1 blk in only 9 minutes of play. JJ reportedly has lost right at 50 lbs and Gatkek is surprisingly tough and athletic under the basket. He also seems to have a nice feel for knowing where the bb will be.
Years ago I worked with juvenile delinquents who were wards of the state. I worked the lockup unit which was where they were sent for transgressions in the dorms. Often we would have to go in on them when they started tearing things up and put them in restraints. A couple of those thin wiry kids were the toughest to handle out of all of them. It was like trying to hold on to an eel. Just when you thought you had them they would wriggle free.
Gatkek is long and athletic, just unpolished and thin. He seems to be a good learner and is helping us. As long as he doesn't try to do too much, he'll continue to help. We need him right now.
Gatkek seems more Bol Bol than Manute Bol, if that makes sense. Very fluid with the ball, not herky jerky like you might expect given his physique. He might give us really good minutes next year if he sticks around and makes a nice sophomore leap.
Didn't like how much the O ran through JJ up high at first, but he was surpringly good with his decisions. Such great hands for his size
Mostly hand offs and not a real threat to cut down the lane after one, but we have to deal with the hand we have been given now.
Hall, you know how I feel about big JJ. By far my favorite Gator. JJ has waited this turn, never complained, never went to Twitter, and been our biggest cheerleader on the bench. I’ve always said you cannot teach size and physicality and JJ has both. The only guy we’ve had on our roster that I can think of since Patrick young that people bounce off of. Even when CC comes back We’ve gotta find 15 to 20 minutes for JJ
Gat and Kennedy are surprised to me as both don’t look scared. Both also seem extremely coachable and I think I have good futures as thinking two years Down the road they’ll be very solid SEC contributors.
