WiseKwacker

I'm not focused much on what Nix is getting; as far as that's concerned, I think he earned it with the amazing season he put up for the Ducks last year. By all rights, he should have moved on to the pros after completing his fourth year of college play, but got that free extra COVID year. We're the beneficiary of that fluke. What really jumps out at me on the list is Bronny James at the top. While many of the comments here are focusing on the disparity between the "rich" schools and the "not-so-rich" schools, I'm looking at the disparity between "student athletes." When this whole NIL deal was brewing, I think a majority of college sports fans were calling for student athletes to get a chance to get some financial benefit from their part in making college sports the big money-making machine that it's become. And, I think, many of us imagined a system where the money (NIL) would be spread around liberally to many "needy" student athletes. But, as things have developed with NIL, we're seeing that the vast majority of the money is going to a select few "top athletes," while most of the other athletes divide up the scraps. The example of Bronny James jumps out at me as how the system has developed in a not-necessarily-unexpected way, but certainly in a disappointing way: Is there a question of financial need in this case? Nope. Is Bronny James an established college star? Nope. Is Bronny James projected to be one of the top college stars next year? Nope. Is Bronny James projected to be a top NBA talent some day? Nope. Oh well, Go Ducks!

Man, would I love to see this kid play up to his potential. Watching him on the sidelines after yet another mediocre (or bad) on-field performance, he has that "deer in the headlights" look about him. Something about that tells me the problems are all in his head. To me, it almost feels like he needs someone on the field--or on the sideline--to make him angry. Sometimes, it seems, the most good-natured kids only tap into their potential when they are pi$$ed off at somebody or something. Pure speculation on my part. The fact that he didn't transfer, though, gives me hope that he feels he can turn the corner here as well as he could anyplace else. Hope so.

As Bronny James mulls his college choices, just wondering how it will play as Dana makes his final recruitment push by mentioning that he's coached such NBA stalwarts as Dillon Brooks. Talk about poking the "Cub..."

Likely not a popular opinion, but I truly have mixed feelings about this decision. Certainly, Dante made impressive strides in his game over the past few years. He was clearly a deserved All-PAC12 performer. BUT, as "mikethehiker" mentioned above, the Ducks' offense over the past two years has been pretty painful to watch most of the time. Certainly, the team's lack of consistent three-point shooters has been part of the problem. But, I also think the game has moved past the era of big, strong centers anchored in the key waiting for an entry pass. And, having seen Bittle come out of his shell and really begin to blossom during the NIT games, I wonder if he'll take a step back next year when playing power forward alongside Dante instead of being a mobile post man. Dante is a much better low post scorer than Bittle right now, and a better rebounder. Bittle is already a better defender than Dante in my opinion. He's a better outside shooter, and a far better passer. So, we'll see how things work out. Hopefully, Dana will pick up a couple more excellent outside shooters from the portal.

This one's a head-scratcher for me. Paopao is the one of those five fabulous freshmen that's been a starter from Day #1. She's had individual accolades in the Pac-12 as a Duck as well. On the other hand, it looks like the Ducks were not going to be serious Pac-12 contenders next year--much less national contenders--so it seems likely to me that she just has her eyes on transferring to a program that's on the verge of a title run who's in need of a point guard to get them there. Don't know if I can blame her for that sentiment, if that's what her motivation is. I guess we'll know more when she signs on with another program.

Personally, I see a distinction between trash talking and the hand/body gestures that are so prevalent these days. Trash talking has been around for years. (Has there ever been anybody better at it than Gary Payton?) It permeates every sport. What makes it acceptable to me is that it is something that happens between two athletes during the course of the competition. Clearly, the intent is to get the opponent off their game. Sometimes it works; sometimes it backfires. But, for the most part, it is an act between two players that most of us fans aren't privy to. The gesturing that's become so commonplace these days is different, in my opinion, because it's "public," out there for all to see. Frankly, most times it's used as a form of taunting an opponent. To me, it's a slippery slope that's rife with problems. When a smiling Steph Curry hits a three-pointer and gestures in celebration, most of us seem to think that's acceptable. Likewise, when Dame Lillard--an otherwise model NBA citizen--hits a game-winning 3-pointer and taps his wrist to signify "Dame Time," we are fine with it. To his opponents, though, it was a clear taunt. Ask Paul George what he thought of it. Thus, when Caitlin Clark went all WWE and did the "You can't see me" hand gesture against South Carolina, she set herself up for the retaliatory response that came from Angel Reese. Certainly, Reese took it to the next level of taunting by repeatedly doing it right in Clark's face. But, what's sad to me is that athletes today feel the need to do these stupid hand gestures to seemingly fire themselves up. Frankly, I'm sick athletes pounding themselves on the chest after a good play. (I guess that's easier than patting themselves on the back, eh?) Give me Barry Sanders, who understood a few things about the beauty of humility. Okay, gotta go and chase come laughing little kids off my lawn...

Don't like it. Don't like it one bit...doth sayeth the grouchy old man.

Frankly, I'm not terribly surprised. I don't really know how things go behind the scenes (off season workouts, practices, etc.), but I've heard the rumblings that Altman wasn't pleased with this guy's work ethic. Certainly, on the court Ware was a mixture of the spectacular and the really bad. You could see his potential, but he took way too many ill-advised shots, and he constantly tried for the spectacular block instead of just playing solid defense on his man. If a guy doesn't fit--particularly, with a good attitude about earning his spot in the lineup through his work during practices--then I think the team is better off without him. Frankly, by comparison, I also worried about Bittle as a highly-touted freshman when he played only sparingly in his first year as a Duck. He seems to have accepted the fact that he had to grow into a bigger role on the team and showed much improvement during the NIT when he got starter's minutes. Thus, I trust Altman. (Frankly, I liked his post-season rant. I like the fact that he is very dissatisfied with his team's performance the past two years. And, I think next year will be much improved.)

Tara V. is so highly-acclaimed--and she's earned it--but my impression every time after I hear her interviewed is, "Who'd wanna play for this grouch?" Of course, I always said that about guys like Bobby Knight, so there's that.

No disparaging remarks about the team's 3 leading scorers this season, BUT these last two games have been very revealing about this season. The team plays with much more fricken-L-O-W with this group of players. I'm really excited for next year...and I'm not giving up on this team's chances of winning the NIT. The real test for this group will be when they have to play away from Matt Court. So good to see guys like BIttle, Wor and Williams get a chance to show their skills.

Wow! What a super idea. ..

Thanks for taking the time to compile and share this info with us, Charles. As always, your GIFs are the best. You always manage to leave me smiling with those.

Saw him play one game in the Les Schwab tourney. Watching him move around on the court--with or without the ball in his hands--you can see the incredible cat-like quickness he possesses. Can't teach that or develop that through hard work. It is EXTREMELY rare, in my view. In game action, he mostly glides along at 3/4 speed (for him) and then just explodes with a quick move on either offense or defense. He's a pretty good shooter, but he'll need to work on his three-point shooting at the next level. A key factor there will be what is his work ethic? If it's anywhere close to Pritchard's, I predict great things for this kid. He's already a better athlete than Payton, and he seems to have that same kind of killer attitude. In the one game I saw, he was clearly the best player--by far--on his team, but was very unselfish while setting up his teammates for open shots. Yet, when the game was on the line in the closing minutes, he had the ball in his hands and took over. I love Will Richardson, and he can make some nifty close-in shots when taking the ball to the hoop. However, his lack of quickness is a real handicap when matched up with defenders who are quicker or have quick hands. How many times have we seen the ball stolen or stripped away when Will drives into the key? Shelstad will bring a quickness to the Duck offense next year that has been missing the past few years. As has been mentioned in other Duck basketball postings over the past few days/weeks, Ernie Kent's teams seemed to be totally reliant on having that great college point guard (Ridnour, Brooks) running to offense to have any sort of success. More recently, it seems Dana's teams have fallen into the same pattern. Because of that, I don't see much hope for this year's team. I think Shelstad will be the next great point guard for the Ducks.

Little League World Series 2011: Why Story of Cody Webster Cannot Be Forgotten BLEACHERREPORT.COM Huntington Beach's Nick Pratto has become a Little League hero after knocking in the game-winning single in the bottom of the sixth inning on Sunday in California's 2-1 win over Japan in the Little...

One thing's for certain in all this: Dan Lanning just got a few more gray hairs on his noggin today...

I'm with Charles on this. Clearly, the Ducks have had some outstanding QBs, DBs, OLs and DLs over the years, who've gone on to be outstanding pros. There have even been some LBs who've been better as pros (arguably) than they were as college players for the Ducks. The last great Duck receiver to go on to a solid pro career? Hmmmmm... I'm hoping Dickey can be a real breakout star for the Ducks. I love Franklin's potential--in addition to the skillset he's already shown us--but the kid hasn't put on much weight in two years. I'm afraid he's gonna be too light to make a difference at the next level. Dickey, though, is already at 210 on his 6'3" frame. He COULD be that guy.

Whoa! Not sure why you'd include Bittle in a list of "busts." Did he ever say he thought he'd be a one-and-done player headed to the NBA after his first year? The kid only played during garbage time during his freshman year. Did we hear him Jerk or moan about it? I sure didn't. This year, he began playing more from the get-go, and was making slow but steady progress when he injured his foot. Now, he's come back and has been getting more and more playing time with a last-minute starting assignment against Colorado. To my eyes, I can see the God-given long arms and legs and gracefulness this skinny kid possesses when he runs the court. He has a nice-looking jumper. Dana has said he needs to continue working in the weight room. Yes, that's apparent. But, can he develop into an excellent inside/outside big man over the next two seasons? I certainly think so. If he does, I'm not sure how his U of O career will be that much different than players like Pritchard and Richardson.

Yeah, I read that article this morning. It was a good one. What I got out of it was the idea that the best athletes--the flat-out all-around physical freaks--typically end up on defense. The guys who aren't quite as athletic will often be switched to offense at some point. From there, the ones who make it to the top are typically guys who are cerebral and/or have an incredibly strong work ethic. They mention guys like the Kelce brothers, Josh Jacobs, and Davante Adams--guys who weren't 5-star guys coming out of high school, but guys who worked on their craft until they became masters. It reminds me of a guy like Ryan Walk. And, how about quarterbacks? How many uber-talented kids have come out of high school with all the "tools" only to flop at the college level with the elite programs? Then a guy like Brock Purdy or Drew Brees finds success while apparently lacking those amazing athletic tools. Hard to put a rating on what's going on inside a person's brain.

Don't know the kid, so no judgments here about Bronny the person. I did see him play a game at the Les Schwab tourney last month, though. He hit a few nice outside shots and shared the ball with teammates in a game his team easily won. Gotta say, though, that he made a couple of athletic plays that really took my breath away. If he wants to play here and fit into Dana's system, I think he would be a GREAT addition based on what I saw.

Okay, Charles, you've talked me (shamed me) into it. Since I'm just a retired old guy living the "high life," I've got plenty of time on my hands to write FishDuck articles, blurbs, discussion starters. Here's a rundown of the ideas I'm noodling for this forum: "The Intersection of College Football with Modern Politics" "'What The fricken**k Are You Talking About, You Twit?!?!': A Debate Amongst Duck Fans on the Don Read Years" "The Sex Lives of College Football Boosters" "Secret Football Strategy Insights Derived From Scribblings on the Bathroom Stall Walls in Autzen" "Who's REALLY Behind the Halftime Snack Spread Along Press Row on Saturdays at Autzen" Whatya think? When do I start?

Enjoyable read, Dazed. I'm picking up what you're laying down.

Man, I love plays like this one. In my fantasy world, I have a job scheming up plays like this one with numerous options. (In this fantasy world, I've gained about 50 IQ points over my present intellectual status. ) Thanks for the analysis, Coach.

I appreciate the transparency, honesty and self-reflection, Charles. That's one of the reasons many of us are on here so often. I remember reading at least one of the posts you mentioned (and your quick response). Frankly, I thought at the time your comment was "right on" and an appropriate response to a negative rant. So you violated your own rules in chastising a person who REALLY violated your rules. Thanks for apologizing. I think these incidents are really becoming more commonplace these days--primarily, but not exclusively, on social media. In this case, I think it's a fair bet to say that everyone on this site is passionate about OBD. Yet, even though we may all share a passion for the same thing, that passion can come out in radically different directions. Some can only see Oregon sports through rose-colored glasses, and will not tolerate ANY negative talk about the Ducks. Others seem to react to any of the inevitable "failures"--either on the field or off--with an outpouring of negativism. Still others, try to navigate the territory somewhere in between. I've come to believe these kinds of occasional "blow-ups" are a part of the landscape. I hope you allow yourself the latitude to occasionally let your passion for OBD override your logical, rule-follower side. From my perspective, there's no better site around for us Duck fans hungry for the latest dope on OBD.

Saw Shelstad play for the first time earlier this week. Man, does he ever have explosive quickness. The ceiling on this kid is incredibly high in my opinion. Seems pretty unselfish, too. Much better natural athlete than Pritchard. Hope his work ethic is close to Payton's.