So long as the coaches and school employees themselves aren’t leaving a paper trail, there’s not much you can do about back channeling.
Good player, excellent defender, but in addition to the deficiencies you list, he simply is a bit slow for an SEC guard. Compare his speed to any of Martin's, Clayton's, and Richard's, and you'll find him lacking. Also, an average ballhandler at best. Still, he was in line for a starting role and he will be missed.
The “deficiencies” I noted were just related to him playing the one. No way Richard is quicker than Aberdeen, IMO. Martin and Clayton are both elite athletes, but Aberdeen had the team’s best vertical. Also depends on what you mean by ball handler. He doesn’t turn the ball over at all. He isn’t a distributor, but neither were most of the guards last year. People complained about over dribbling at times, but seldom did it cost us (any more than other kids initiating an action too early or turning down a screen or picking up their dribble with it a shot or play—all of which happen routinely).
It’s all happening through agents anyway. And I don’t even mind the tampering. I would much rather a kid get transfer knowing he has a better deal locked up than jumping in the portal on a lark, us filling his spot with a worse player for comparable money, then him wanting back in but you don’t have space or cash.
It’s a risky game. I have little sympathy for anyone that gets stuck in the portal. The grass ain’t always greener.
hence he was being selfish. The 04s turned down the buck for the Gators, DA didn’t. I don’t blame him, but he Still putting himself first.
The point isn’t wrong, but it’s just completely different nowadays. DA spent as much time in Gainesville as the 04s I think. If another team is willing to blow the bank for him it’s hard to refuse.
Right. The 04s didn’t turn down NBA cash to run it back as seniors. But more to the point, there’s more than two options—04s or selfish.
One of the best adjustments down the stretch of both the Uconn and especially the National Championship game was putting the ball in Aberdeens hands so Clayton could get free off the ball. I thought he’d definitely be our 1 next year as a SR. You are correct he’s just “ok” offensively (for a high major contender i mean), just rock solid everywhere but perhaps not spectacular or all-SEC potential. But he has that invaluable experience and had so many key moments in a Gator uniform. I thought, put a couple scorers next to him and it would work just fine. Making up all that scoring from the big 3 is what had me worried, but with Denzel you at least had that SEC built guy and strong ball handler locked in at the 1. Just needed to figure who would step up at the 2 and 3 to keep some consistent scoring pop on the offensive side. Of course Lee may or may not be the better option if given minutes at the 1. Maybe he is better overall offensive efficiency wise. Hard to know if he can get through the grind of the SEC, until you see him through some battles. If we just essentially “traded” Aberdeen for Lee then I don’t know. Although portal moves probably aren’t done yet. I guess no matter what one could say the same thing about needing to replace the key 3. Most of the guard spot contribution from last year is gone, new guys always needed to step up or from a big time portal add. Without Denzel it just went from about 90% to 99%.
It will be interesting to see what Coach Golden does with roster and portal moves should DA not come back. After listening to Condo's dads interview, my impression was his father was leaning toward Condo probably coming back. I don't think we should automatically think Reuben is coming back, I get it that many think he is not a first round NBA guy, but as was previously posted he "may be" an overseas league guy. I have no idea whet Reuben's family situation is $ wise, he may or may not be encouraged to leave for an overseas gig in order to help family out. I really don't know. Hopefully all of them come back to UF.
I’m a big Aberdeen fan, so I won’t argue with any of this, but will say that look with Martin at the one and Clayton off the ball against Tennessee was a great adjustment, too. Took an elite on-ball defender in Ziegler and forced him to chase Clayton off those pin downs, where his lack of length worked against him.
I'd say that he owe's us a bit of gratitude. What did the 04s owe UF to come back for #2? Less than what DA owed as they were'nt collecting a dime and they came back. I'm not finding fault with DA, but not refusing to call it as it is.
I'm not finding fault with DA. But he is not a Gator anymore, and I think that should mean a lot. If you don't finish up your school years at UF, then you are not a Gator and shouldn't be invited back imo. He probably doesn't care and neither do I. I appreciate what he has done for the basketball program and harbor no ill will towards him, he is just going to finish school somewhere else, and forever be an alumnus of that school. Same as with Jacob Copeland. I think 99% of these athletes would be better off staying where they are and working harder at their craft. I have nothing against them, but they are just not Gators anymore, and I root for Gators.
I guess he found what he was looking for. Chinyelu going to bust his arse if he comes into the lane against us.
