Lee's shot was a little prettier. ...but I'll take the results. Maybe instead of Lee for three we can say Clay for trey?
Hard discussion b/c of different eras and positions. Walter is on the ball every play (more opportunity, risk and responsibility) than say Horford. I haven't seen many guys show up night in/out or take over games as frequently as him. He would be a guard on my Gator all time starting 5. In the end, a Gator great/hall of famer!
It depends if we're going off what he has done in college vs their entire college and pro resumes. Also, we haven't even had our NCAAT run yet. Let's wait until after. If we win the NC, how could you not put him in the Top 5? He's our only 1st team All-American, won the SECT MVP and if he shines in the NCAAT - that's a resume that would stack up against any other Gator great - in college. But let's wait to see how the NCAAT unfolds first...then we can compare resumes
Walter leading his team to a fifth SEC championship means at least top five. As for Neal Walk, I saw him play in the early sixties, my dad took me to a couple of Saturday games in Alligator Alley. He reminded me of Johnni Broome. Leading rebounder in the nation and scored in the twenties nightly. Was strong and smart. made me love Gator basketball. My top five; Walk, Al Horford, Jason Williams, Vernon Maxwell & Walter. All these guys were recognized around the nation as great players.
He has to be top 5. Although I do scratch my head when Cross and DeClercq get left off these lists. That 94 team got no respect outside of the SEC, but we know better.
I had faith in him and little doubt if he wanted it he could become an excellent pg. He has improved in every area. So has every player. A credit to them and the staff. Clayton's long passes are as accurate as any player we've ever had.
I have Pond Birds and agree it is a must read for Gator basketball lovers, especially younger fans, who may not know the history of earlier teams like us older fans/alums.
I think Lee was more of a spot shooter; he’d get open for a split second, receive a pass and boom, string magic. Clayton can do that too, but can also set up his own shot or drive for a short jumper or drive for layups. I saw Lee shooting long shots before the LSU game in BR, he still has it!
Totally Agree. I was more meaning just the beauty of the actual form on their shot. All around game is clearly Walt by a mile.
Was drafting a post just like this. I think Lee is probably a better shooter in a 3 point competition, but Walter can create his own shot.
Recency bias is hard to ignore, but I think it's safe to say that this was likely one of, if not the greatest, single regular seasons for a Gator PG ever.
IMO, what makes a player a GOAT, they have to transcend something more rudimentary. And, it is all about their career at UF rather than in the pros. Tebow, Weurffel and Spurrier make the cut, although I would give Spurs it for coaching and not for his playing career. Emmitt can't make it just because he single handedly beat Bama and had a great NFL career. Sorry. In basketball, there were some really nice players who embraced UF and UF basketball. They all should get a nice applause for their efforts. Jason Williams does not make the cut. Again, sorry. Neal Walk was an incredible talent and had a nice NBA career and perhaps his team could not help him get over the hump. I am going to give him "honorable mention" status due to the results. That to me is like Michael Vick, he got his team to the NC game with a couple of decent players. Walk did not transcend the rudimentary. I am still going to go with what I feel was THE makeup of the B-t-B teams: it needed a maestro to run the symphony. Taurean is my pick right now. Horford was the player with the highest floor and a really good ceiling. No use of the NBA. I will also give Jo great props for bringing the passion (let's call him John to the Beatle's Paul). And the best combination of the two - passion and basketball skill - may have been Brewer. Great memories. One of the things I was aware in the SECC game was that it felt like Clayton wanted to be THE reason why we won the game. Some of his shots were less "Taurean-like" and more "Jason-like". Based on plenty of games in the past, he can get on a Superman kick and then get into a funk if his plans don't work out. I think he has exorcized those demons via Taurean being on the staff but we shall see when it gets closer to the FF and NC games. And if he does indeed take over and they win the NC game then I will give him co-GOAT. And probably give him 1a status.
Did a thing for the last 3 exceptinal PG seasons. Green best, yellow second, red third. Save the scoring, Cheese has had the best PG season in recent years.
Great post! I recall a play yesterday near mid court; Tenn had the ball bringing it up. There was a scrum of sorts with two UT players and Clayton battling for the ball. Clayton wrestles it away and drives for a big layup after outrunning the UT players. Elite athlete at his best!!
Yeah - a pretty important stat for a PG. Just looking at those numbers made those seasons come back to me. Those two were also ridiculous. Not taking anything away from Walter's year. From an offensive, take-a-game-over perspective, I'd guess we've never seen a season like this from a PG. From an overall PG perspective and all the things they are supposed to do - he has lots of competition. Pullin didn't exactly stink the place up last year, either
Yeah. I mean, how in the heck did we ever use Scottie as a key player on a good team when all he shot on the free throw line was 0.725 percent??? Hack-a-Scot!
In fact, adding Pullin is eye opening: I recall many of us here saying he had an historic year and these numbers back that up. Giving an entirely arbitrary and unscientific rating of 4 points for green down to 1 point for red: he's had the best season out of what I assume would be the 21st century's top gator PG seasons.
