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Thursday, January 17, 2008

Aldrich makes most of minutes

By Gary Bedore

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'Hawks ready themselves for Columbia

The Kansas Jayhawks men's basketball team will travel to Columbia on Saturday to take on rival Missouri.

Rush hopes to remain hot against Missouri

Columbia, Mo. is the perfect place for junior guard Brandon Rush to continue his torrid conference shooting stretch.

Cole Aldrich realizes he's not playing as many minutes as several of his McDonald's All-America Game contemporaries.

Does that fact bother Kansas University's 6-foot-11, 240-pound big man from Bloomington, Minn.?

Not in the least.

"I'd love to be playing 35 minutes, but I don't think I'd be a better player in the long run if I went to a school that didn't have such talented big guys or such a talented team," Aldrich said.

"It's a great learning experience going against 'Shady' (Darrell Arthur), Darnell (Jackson) and Sasha (Kaun), all those guys at practice every day. It's been great. It's really helped me improve a lot. It's showing on the floor. It's been a blast."

Aldrich, who had six points, three rebounds and three blocks while playing 13 minutes in Monday's 85-55 rout of Oklahoma, is content as the fourth man in KU's four-player big man rotation.

For the year, the freshman is averaging 3.3 points, 3.4 rebounds and has 19 blocks, third most on the team. He averages 9.2 minutes per game, fewest of all players 6-10 or taller in last April's McDonald's game.

Entering this week's action ...

¢ Michael Beasley, 6-10, is Kansas State's leading scorer (24.8) and rebounder (13.1) while playing 30.5 minutes per game.

¢ Kevin Love, 6-11, is UCLA's leading scorer (16.8) and rebounder (10.2) in 28.2 minutes a game.

¢ J.J. Hickson, 6-10, leads North Carolina State in scoring (15.6) and rebounding (7.7) in 26.8 minutes a game.

¢ Kosta Koufos, 7-1 from Ohio State, is second on the Buckeyes in scoring (13.8) and is the team's leading rebounder (6.9) in 25.5 minutes a game.

Of the 6-foot-9 players who played in the McDonald's Game. ..

¢ Donte Greene is Syracuse's leading scorer (18.9) and second leading rebounder (8.2) while logging 34.9 minutes.

¢ The injured Blake Griffin is Oklahoma's leading scorer (14.5) and rebounder (8.6) in 26.8 minutes per game.

¢ Kyle Singler is Duke's second-leading scorer (13.0) and second in rebounding (6.1) in 26.4 minutes.

¢ And Gani Lawal contributes 6.5 points and 3.7 rebounds in 15.5 minutes for Georgia Tech.

As far as the stat that matters the most to Aldrich ... KU is undefeated and ranked third in the country. He currently is playing on the team with the best record of that bunch.

"I'll go in two minutes, but I'll give it my all in those two minutes. I'll try to grab four rebounds and block three shots and all that in those two minutes," Aldrich said. "I'll do all I can with the playing time I get."

Aldrich has shown a nice shooting touch in hitting 22 of 43 shots for 51.2 percent. He's made 12 of 19 free throws for 63.2 percent.

He's grabbed 58 rebounds in his 157 total minutes played, including 39 defensive boards in which he's shown the ability to fire crisp outlet passes on the break.

"I think Cole is doing great. He's getting better weekly, you could say daily," KU coach Bill Self said. "He's playing tougher to me. I'm getting more confidence in him every day."

Aldrich, who may have played his best game versus OU, had a vicious block of Oklahoma senior center Longar Longar.

"He beat me once or twice," Aldrich said. "On one of 'em I went for the pump fake at the free throw line. I saw in his eyes he was going to dunk it. I said, 'No, he isn't going to dunk it. I'm going to get it.' Fortunately I got it."

Self applauded Aldrich's play against Oklahoma.

"Cole played great. He's a good player just not had many opportunities. He bought us some good minutes," Self said.

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Comments

Timmay97 (anonymous) says...

I'm not sure how polished Cole's offensive skills are, however, he's a tremendous defensive presence down low. He's a rebounding machine and either intimidates, or blocks shots.

I'd say by his junior year, he'll be showing his true colors for KU.

January 17, 2008 at 7:17 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

jayhawkinatl (anonymous) says...

I agree...Cole definitely has some polishing up to do on the offensive side, but he is definitely a help on the defensive end.

January 17, 2008 at 7:20 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

billhawk (anonymous) says...

I think this article is exactly right. He was a little soft, as are many big men out of high school, coming in. He faces quality bigs every day in practice here. He's getting better and hopefully will be ready for the main center position next year when Sasha, Darnell and Arthur are all gone...

January 17, 2008 at 7:46 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

jayhawkerjoel (anonymous) says...

I think we will see Cole's true potential in about 1 year. He will have to play more with everyone leaving this year (assuming Shady will be gone too) and he will be the most experienced Big we have next year.

January 17, 2008 at 8:52 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

hesshawk (anonymous) says...

The other thing that's going to make him better in a hurry is Danny Manning coaching him up every day. Sasha's footwork has gotten so much better this year for the same reason -- Danny Manning. And I suspect that some of Darnell's improvement is due to Danny also.

Gotta love these Hawks !!!!

January 17, 2008 at 9:28 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

speedy (anonymous) says...

why does everyone assume shady will be gone? he still needs another year at least. his shooting needs improvment by 5pts a game. hes not ready for the pros. just like rush was last year. but money beckons.

January 17, 2008 at 9:38 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

walkdog262 (anonymous) says...

You're smoking crack if you think Arthur will be back next year. That guy is a guaranteed top-10 pick. I'd leave too. The only way he comes back is if he suffers a Rush-like injury, which I hope does not happen.

January 17, 2008 at 10:20 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

okjhok (anonymous) says...

Let me start this off with this: Danny Manning is my all-time favorite Jayhawk, and probably the most talented Jayhawk in history.

Now, people that don't attend practices (which includes everyone that comments on this site) should stop commenting on how Danny Manning either is, or is going to make the bigs so much better. Danny was a baller with out-of-this-world talent, the likes of which have not been seen at KU since. But just because he could ball, doesn't mean he can teach others to ball. Most players at the division I level know the moves that he used, or at least will learn them, but unless the raw talent, instinct, and physical ability is there, coaching makes little difference.

Let's give credit to Danny for what he did, but don't expect him to transform his disciples into what he once was. That's not fair.

January 17, 2008 at 10:28 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Timmay97 (anonymous) says...

Yeah, if you don't think Shady is ready for the pro's, then I think we can all agree that Rush is not ready for the pros. This might be wrong to say, but I think Rush was more ready for the pros after his freshman year than the other two years he's played for KU (this year not concluded yet).

This is what's amazing about KU....they are so balanced that nobody really stands out. Nobody LOOKS like a lottery or first round pick in the draft. Personally, I think everyone COULD return next year, with the exception of the seniors of course.

It's obviously all about the money to these guys. Ask Julian Wright. Must be fun to be inactive and get paid 1.7 million a year.

January 17, 2008 at 10:32 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Royaljayhwk (anonymous) says...

I'm not sure they were saying that he is going to make every player into a clone of him okjhok. Obviously he can coach because he wouldn't have been hired as a "coach" if not. If you are denying that our big men have improved or you think it has nothing to do with him, I think you are greatly mistaken. My guess is that he doesn't stand by the treadmills and control them for the players.

January 17, 2008 at 10:42 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

hobrauer (anonymous) says...

Come on, let's be realistic - Shady is gone after this season if he continues at the clip he is on. Most draft boards have him as a top 10 pick and that, as it does for most kids, will lure Arthur to the league. We all need to remember that the NBA drafts players based on potential not necessarily achievement. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to see the kid play all four or even three of four, but that is becoming less and less likely as the season goes on.

January 17, 2008 at 11:02 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

okjhok (anonymous) says...

Yes, that's your guess, Royaljayhwk, because you don't go to practices. I never opined that he couldn't coach. The problem is that others seem to think that our bigs have an advantage as far as coaching/development goes when compared to other teams that don't have Manning on their staff, and I doubt that's the case. Also, thinking that Manning was hired because of his coaching merits is just short of laughable.

January 17, 2008 at 11:24 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

justanotherfan (anonymous) says...

Ready for the pros and ready to be a star in the pros are two completely different things. Some guys are ready for the pros, but aren't ready to be stars. Other guys are ready, but want to be stars, but don't have star type skills. There is a difference.

Is Brandon ready to play in the NBA? Yes. Will he be a 15-20 ppg scorer? No. Would he ever be that type of scorer in the NBA? Doubtful. Will that keep him from having a good career in the NBA barring injury? No.

Is Shady ready for the NBA? Yes. Will he be a star? Not right away, but he could turn into a Lamarcus Aldridge type as his career progresses.

Is DBlock ready for the NBA? Yes. Will he be a star? No. Will he play ten years and contribute? Yes.

Not everybody that goes to the NBA will be a star. Most won't be, or even be starters. The main question should be whether guys can contribute. In the case of the guys I just listed, that answer is yes. If you can contribute, you can play in the NBA for a long time without ever being a star.

January 17, 2008 at 12:20 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

wi_jayhawk (anonymous) says...

And okjhawk, you are entitled to your opinion. I tend to agree with Royaljayhawk. I have been reading statements from the players all year stating how much Danny has helped them.
Based on that, I would believe the players, since they are actually in practices, unlike all of us (as you have argued).

January 17, 2008 at 12:31 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Timmay97 (anonymous) says...

justanotherfan, did you think Julian Wright was ready for the NBA? What has he contributed? He will not last in that league. Just like Wayne Simien, he'll never get the opportunity.

The same will hold true for Rush. He'll be drafted, but never play. He'll turn into a Keith Langford.

Arthur is the only true pro prospect the Jayhawks have. And as far as I'm concerned, I think Chalmers is a better pro prospect than Rush is. Chalmers can use both hands and drive better and is a better defender. Unfortunately, he's just a couple inches shorter.

January 17, 2008 at 12:43 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

justanotherfan (anonymous) says...

Simien's case is tough because his opportunity was lost due to injury/ health problems. He missed basically his first two years, when you have to make an impact, due to those things. That cost him a shot in Miami. He may get another chance somewhere else, but because he never got a chance to play, no one has really seen him at that level and he hasn't played at a high level since leaving KU.

Julian was getting some minutes with the Hornets earlier in the year, but with them being in the thick of the playoff race, his minutes have dwindled as Scott has shortened his rotation. Julian was a lottery pick (unlike Wayne), and isn't a problem off the court, so he will have many chances to succeed in the League. I didn't feel like Julian was ready because he hadn't defined an NBA role for himself, but being a lottery pick will allow him to find a role somewhere, for someone eventually.

Rush has an opportunity to be somewhat like his brother (Kareem), except as a better defender, which will give him more opportunities to succeed in the League. Good perimeter defenders are a premium in the NBA. Bruce Bowen can't drive or create at all, but he starts for the World Champs. Langford fell into a tough situation in that he won't play for the Spurs, but they have his rights. He can't get into what is becoming an overcrowded backcourt/ wing situation (Parker, Ginobli, Bowen, Barry, Finley, Vaughn). All of those guys are NBA vets with championship experience. But since the Spurs have his rights and haven't traded him, he's a D-League phenom.

The key to NBA success if you are not a star is to have a very well defined role. Are you a third scorer? A three point specialist? A great perimeter defender? A post defender? A rebounder/ energy guy? A shot blocker? A distributor? If you have a well defined role that you are disciplined enough to stay within, you can play in the NBA. Langford's problem may be that he doesn't want to be the third (or fourth) option on the floor. I don't really know.

January 17, 2008 at 1:52 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Lebowski (anonymous) says...

OKJhawk... it is an argument worth making about Manning and his coaching ability. It is a very good point, and I in fact agree that most of the best coaches were never really good players.

But one thing I remember Coach Self saying (regarding the hiring of Danny), is that where Danny's real knowledge came from was after he got to the NBA. All of the athleticism and natural talent that helped him dominate in college didn't help him as much in the pros because of all of his knee injuries. Not only was there the obvious gap in talent that a player has to get acclimated to, but he also had to "relearn" how to compete with a little less athleticism than he was accustomed to.

His experience with that adversity I think has made him a much better coach than he would have been if he would have just breezed through his career injury-free averaging 20 a game.

Timmay... I will just say I strongly disagree on most of your points of view about KU's pro prospects, past or present.

But most of all.. comparing Rush to Langford... is not remotely a comparison at all. When Langford was a freshmen, the sky was the limit. But something happened to his knees. He was able to sustain the quickness and explosion that he showed early on, and I felt that by his senior year, he wasn't much of a prospect. He could never shoot like Brandon, he no longer could finish like Brandon, he could never come close to guarding like Brandon. A lot of Keith's bread and butter in college came from being able to take advantage of being left-handing and driving that direction. That doesn't help so much at the next level. And without the elevation, his ability to finish on those drives to the basket declined a bit in college, too... at least in my opinion.

I think Collins, Arthur, Rush and Chalmers will all be good pro prospects, and Kaun, Jackson, Robinson will have at least a chance to break into the league at some point through the D-league. It's impossible to say so early about Aldrich and Reed. Their roles will increase so much next year... we'll know more then. In the end, we could see 7 or 8 guys off this current team play in the NBA at some point in time. I guess the important question to ask is.. what do you consider a prospect? To be an All-Star? A Starter? A contributing role-player? To just be on a roster?

January 17, 2008 at 2:01 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

NavyHawk (anonymous) says...

okjhok, go back and read the article below about Danny Manning's new role as assistant coach and how he is helping the players improve on a daily basis. Bill Self even talks about how Danny had to relearn how to play after his injuries.

He wasn't allowed to coach under NCAA rules until Tim Jankovich left and Coach Self elevated him to assistant coach. I believe he IS working miracles with the big men.

http://www2.kusports.com/news/2007/no...

January 17, 2008 at 2:46 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

martyks (anonymous) says...

I have attended a few practices and, though I love Danny Manning, I have yet to see him coach anyone. Now, that does not mean he doesn't. Perhaps during film work, or just talking to them off to the side, but I just haven't seen anything happen on the court during practice. He's really new to his role though. I think we should rotate the four bigs as equals now, but Coach Self knows what he's doing, and Cole will be ready when called upon. I'm thinking whatever small chance that Shady would return would be snuffed in a hurry if we reduced his playing time in the least. I'm assuming Shady will be gone, but stranger things have happened. Aldrich's offensive skills are coming along, actually. Though he rarely gets off a shot on his own, the followups are pretty impressive and that's really all we may ever need out of him. We have shooters flying all over the place. If Cole was a shooter, it might do us more harm than good. What we really need this year is for Rush to continue to think shot first, dribble drive second, pass third.

January 17, 2008 at 2:56 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

frompekka2sasha (anonymous) says...

"It's obviously all about the money to these guys. Ask Julian Wright. Must be fun to be inactive and get paid 1.7 million a year."
-Timmay97

Actually I bet it is fun to have complete financial security while learning on the job. I don't get the "leaving too early" argument after a guy was a lottery pick. It just doesn't make much sense.

January 17, 2008 at 5:10 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jbrownjib (anonymous) says...

I like Cole's attitude and willingness to learn from his elder teammates. He may end up the star of his McDonalds group when all is said and done.
I definetly think the improvements that I have seen in Sasha, Darnell, and Shady are due to Danny. I attended KU during the Manning era and these big men are implementing the Manning hook shot and some post moves. They are positioning and posting better and showing improved movement in the paint. The one thing I don't yet see is the Manning touch passes. Danny's movement was so quick and fluid that he was unstoppable.

January 17, 2008 at 8:24 p.m. ( | suggest removal )