Dear Dakari

[EvilMD]

I love you, man. You (almost) single-handedly won that Sweet 16 game against Louisville last year. And you were huge in the Alabama game. But at this point you need to do one of two things....

A. Learn to jump higher
B. Get your shot up as soon as you catch it


If you don't do either of those two things, you are going to keep getting stripped and blocked, every time. The SEC and the teams in the NCAA tournament are all going to have athletes capable of blocking your shot. And it's like the People's Elbow...everyone can see it coming five seconds before it happens.

 

[hotelblue]

dear mr. johndon,

please ignore this shiz, and keep banging those free throws killer

 

[spotter34]

Dakari is getting better at his free throws but the OP is correct. Johnson struggles scoring inside more than a 7 footer should. He does hold onto the ball too long, he should hardly ever put the ball on the floor in the post, and he brings the ball up right in front of the defender. KAT's not much better right now. We need the Dakari from the end of last season.

 

[TruBluCatFan]

So hotelblue you don't think Dakari has any room for improvement? He's reached his according to you.

OP wasn't bashing DJ. I think DJ would agree he needs to improve on both.
Posted from Rivals Mobile

 

[cdmm]

DJ's release point on his close in shots and layups is far too low. He's letting the ball go from under the net which allows it to be blocked. It should be much higher, closer to rim level for a man his size. Honestly it's my only complaint about him. His speed up n down the court is much improved and he uses his size well. Free throws are sketchy but he's hit them when he's needed to.

I like Dakari but when he goes to lay it in he needs to get more lift and present the ball higher.

 

[J. Shellacque]

DJ's stuff gets beat up way too often.

 

[etowncatfan]

Dakari needs to learn something simple........the ball will never go in if you don't get the ball over the rim. All our bigs need to learn " touch" rather than just throwing the ball up there.

 

[kyjeff1]

DJ has taken some huge strides since last year but he can't bring this game to the pros, the results won't be good.

 

[catrecruit]

Guys who can't jump very well, like Dakari, can learn to use their body as a shield and work on little jump-hooks....

He's 7 feet tall so this would be his best way to get shots off IMHO

 

[uk78]

There is nothing wrong with the OP. He is getting shots blocked before they even get close to the rim for the very reasons stated. What I a more concerned with is exactly what post moves are any of our bigs being taught. At this point, Dakari has a post move for a lay-up, a slight hook, and he often takes a bad angle to the basket. Towns? It seems all his offensive moves have gotten worse, not better. He holds on the ball too long, tries to dribble to get into position, and that half hook moves away from the basket not toward it, WCS and Lee seem to have zero up and under moves, and Lee has no offense other than put back baskets. What exactly is Kenny Payne working on with them? Yes all talented and some will not get the observations from these posts and will just complain about the posters. But, observations on the court offensively sure seem to be what I just described. Defense, maybe that is what is always worked on.

Also, so all those who can't handle any team criticism, really all Cal could talk about is "energy."? I could coach that. Warm-ups baby, you have to be doing some cardio before the whistle sounds.

 

[rolaid]

Originally posted by uk78:
There is nothing wrong with the OP. He is getting shots blocked before they even get close to the rim for the very reasons stated. What I a more concerned with is exactly what post moves are any of our bigs being taught. At this point, Dakari has a post move for a lay-up, a slight hook, and he often takes a bad angle to the basket. Towns? It seems all his offensive moves have gotten worse, not better. He holds on the ball too long, tries to dribble to get into position, and that half hook moves away from the basket not toward it, WCS and Lee seem to have zero up and under moves, and Lee has no offense other than put back baskets. What exactly is Kenny Payne working on with them? Yes all talented and some will not get the observations from these posts and will just complain about the posters. But, observations on the court offensively sure seem to be what I just described. Defense, maybe that is what is always worked on.

Also, so all those who can't handle any team criticism, really all Cal could talk about is "energy."? I could coach that. Warm-ups baby, you have to be doing some cardio before the whistle sounds.

Good post. If Payne is in fact big man Coach he gets a failing grade so far. Outside of conditioning DJ has not improved his offensive game. Towns hasn't improved from start of year. WCS is a turnover machine in the half court if he even attempts to make a play. Stallings took the 3 shot away from us the best he could and dared the bigs to beat him. Tonight was a step back from Bama game. Hopefully Saturday our bigs will take it strong & finish

 

[Tannerdad]

Johnson may set a record for being a 7 footer with the most of his shots blocked. It's maddening at times. He has great post presence, makes good moves and then he becomes a 6' guard trying to score by playing small.

The thing he did do was work his butt off on his FT shooting, which has helped this team a great deal. I would rather see him at the line than posting up for a shot sometimes.

Something he needs to work on over the summer, IMO.

 

[throatpoker]

dakari's jumping ability is fine. he just needs to learn to use his body better, quicker release, modify technique. as far as solely jumping ability, he and KAT have nearly identical standing verticals, with KAT being only 1/2 inch superior. 28.5" and 29" respectively.

This post was edited on 1/21 6:27 AM by throatpoker

 

[EvilMD]

Wow. That surprises me about his vertical. I don't think I've ever seen him jump other than on an open dunk.

 

[Joe Buck]

I would love to see our big guys go up strong with both hands on the ball and USE THE BACKBOARD! I've said before they try to finesse over the front of the rim too much.

 

[throatpoker]

Originally posted by TubbysTabbys:

Wow. That surprises me about his vertical. I don't think I've ever seen him jump other than on an open dunk.

official measurements from kentucky combine, note the standing vert which is what matters in this discussion

This post was edited on 1/21 11:24 AM by throatpoker

 

[Blueaz]

Originally posted by etowncatfan:
Dakari needs to learn something simple........the ball will never go in if you don't get the ball over the rim. All our bigs need to learn " touch" rather than just throwing the ball up there.

I don't agree with you often, but spot on...those "throws" were going in at the beginning of the season. IMO they thought it would always be that simple. As Cal. has said a million times..."this is league play" everything is different.

 

[Jazzycat]

Mobility is more important than movement and right now, DJ and KAT need to improve in this area to really separate themselves from the other centers in the NCAA. The posters above are exactly right. Stop putting the ball below the head and take it up strong on impact. Practice, practice, practice makes permanent.....

 

[Littlemoreaction Lessconversatio]

Originally posted by JasonSpear:
Hey Dakari,

Since you're reading this obviously I wanna ask if you remember that time we met at Fayette Mall and you laughed at my joke while standing in line to get some food about how you were a Cat probably eating real cat at the oriental buffet... and how I said that's like cannibalism? Did you really think that was funny? I did.

Also it really was me that farted. It stunk. I'm sorry. I lied when you asked "Do you smell that?" and said shook my head.

That took guts man. Right on...Right on!!

 

[caneintally]

Originally posted by throatpoker:
dakari's jumping ability is fine. he just needs to learn to use his body better, quicker release, modify technique. as far as solely jumping ability, he and KAT have nearly identical standing verticals, with KAT being only 1/2 inch superior. 28.5" and 29" respectively.

This post was edited on 1/21 6:27 AM by throatpoker

this is spot on . He can jump he just needs to learn to use his body . i really wish people would know facts before speaking .

 

[maysvilleky]

Those are insane numbers for Alex P. I hope he can get back to close to those after surgery.

 

[anon_013cn8yrfncx2]

Standing vertical means something but not everything. Dakari is not quick off his feet and that's why he's blocked so often. He has to gather himself to jump and most of the time it's too late (after that).

 

[UKBrassowTipIN]

He's still eletter than wcs offensively, and he'll keep improving. There's no way he out runs a guy the length of the floor for the ball and puts it in last yr, and he did it last night. Also he has really good footwork, not as good as demarcus, but he'll keep getting better

 

[throatpoker]

Originally posted by no_neutrality:

Standing vertical means something but not everything. Dakari is not quick off his feet and that's why he's blocked so often. He has to gather himself to jump and most of the time it's too late (after that).

the op says "learn to jump higher"; therefore, standing vertical means everything in rebuttal to his opinion. had he based his argument around, "learn to jump quicker" then you would be right in your assessment of standing vertical "meaning something, but not everything".

 

[EvilMD]

There's always that one guy, isn't there?

 

[5iveStarRecruit]

People need to learn combine numbers can be deceiving. Its not always a good indicator of someones athleticism.

I made this example before : Doug McDermott had the same max vertical recorded as Blake Griffin.

Anyone with two eyes knows the drastic difference in both players leaping ability.

You simply have to use the eye test with Dakari. He has a serious lack of lift.

 

[Samwise Ganjee]

Dear John,

You are the sweetest man I have ever met.

But, .......


SMH

Don't do this to our players, let Cal coach them

Sheesh!!!

CLUTTER!!![/B]

 

[CELTICAT]