[b]God is .500 at Best!!!!!!!![/b]

[Wizard57]

Ok,

One half way through the CBA season and God is hoping for .500 ball.

Who can't help but snicker just a little here! Someone on here guaranteed us the best record in the league at the start of the season. (Not naming names). Regardless, Rockford has a decent team. However they are not near as aggressive as I expected.

Fields is living proof that most GM's in the NBA no nothing about basketball. The guy is a player!

Not So Fast, Lightning Fan, Ronnie Fan, you guys missed a heck of a game tonight!!

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

...don't forget JAKMAN and Jon. There are alot of Rockford fans on this board.

:lol: I have been grinning about the "Daleo is God" thing all season. A coach is only as good as his supporting cast of players. Having Snap Hunter and Ronnie Fields on the same team is like trying to mix oil and water. I've said it before and I'll say it again--Snap is going to lose more games for you than win.

[not so fast]

Congrats to the wizards, Joerger has done another great job this season, I understand it was a good game. Ken steelheads fan, with all due respect, the combination of Ronnie Fields and Snap Hunter is not a problem. Last I checked they defeated the steelheads. Rockford style is uptempo as we all know, and that means being aggressive.

As it looks right now, any of the top 5 teams could win it, and as I recall last year, Rockford and Dakota had the two best records but were not in the finals, so anything can happen.

[RonnieFan]

I'll be at the Sioux Falls games Tue and Thursday and hope to see ROckford put on a couple of good performances. I think a few players on the Lightning were more than advertised this year. No doubt Hunter is a "good" player, but from I've seen, that's as far as I'd go. He doesn't seem to get into the flow of the offense and sometimes flat out halts it. And Wadley, don't get me started...

Plus, I'd say their post players are disappointing at best. Definately a guard oriented offense, but there are no real shooters. Fields is developing a shot, but still doesn't trust it, Snap is inconsistent and can't be counted on to hit it when open, and Quincy... see above trail off. That's just what I've observed... probably way off...

I haven't seen that many game this year and the schedule hasn't been good for me, but we'll see where things are this week.

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

Yakima was head and shoulders better than the rest of the league last season. They went on a losing streak toward the end of the season because injuries depleted their squad down to six players. Yakima was healthy in time for the play-offs though and took it all.

Grand Rapids should not have gone to the play-offs in the first place. It should have been Gary, but I don't think the Gary Steelheads fully understood the importance of winning quarter points last season. Key players have returned to Gary's line-up this season. They remember the hurt of missing the play-offs by 1.5 lousy quarter points. Missing the play-offs again is not an option.

Now I'm not saying Gary is head and shoulders better than the rest of the league (Hmmmm, am I?), but injuries have depleted Gary's squad just like injuries reduced Yakima's talent pool last season. Gary has been down to eight players for some time now--two of their best big men out, Louis Truscott and Leon Smith.

Rockford defeated a 'worn-out' Gary January 6th. Hopefully, a healthy Gary team 'invades' Rockford the next time these two teams are scheduled to meet on February 5th.

[not so fast]

Listen, I am not putting gary down, they were playing real well until recently, and they were a streaky team last year and they are a streaky team this season, more so than any other team for some reason, and whats wrong with Leon, what injury does he have? And they are no more injured than any other team so thats not an excuse!

Notree was so big for them last year, I don't see anyone filling that role for them.

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

not so fast,
Check out the play of Immanuel McElroy. His play reminds me of Notree.

Leon Smith is on injured reserve. At first, I thought he was just depressed because things didn't work out with the Knicks. "Upon further review" of the tape of the January 3rd Gary vs. Idaho game, you could clearly see he was having mobility problems. Apparently, he hurt his back during his workout with the Knicks.

See, I told you there isn't much to do in Gary. You can either go to Steelheads games or watch old Steelheads games on tape. If it snows, shoveling the sidewalk adds additional excitement to the Gary experience.

[not so fast]

Well I'll say this, having profesional sports franchises is great for a small community like Gary, and the people seem to be supporting it and thats great. Mcelroy is a nice player, but he is not in Notree"s league.

I went to "Kennys Chicken and Ribs" the other day, and it was okay, but there must be better rib shacks in Gary than that aren't there? I mean how did Oliver Miller get that big last season!

[Jon]

Be patient my diciples, God will make Wine out of Water and Oil. Just takes some patience. I would agree that he is having trouble with the personel getting them to run his game but they will realize he knows what he is doing and they will respond.

[hoosierboy]

I really enjoyed the game Sunday night. Rockford is as athletic as any team in the league. They are fun to watch.

Couple of things I questioned about Daleo. Dakota picked apart Rockford's press, getting at least 15 or so dunks/layups after breaking it. I'd say only there were only 2 or 3 turnovers because of the press. Dakota did struggle at times with Rockford's half-court D. So why didn't Daleo adjust and call off the dogs, meet them at half-court and make Dakota earn their points every possession? Seems like Rockford would hit a couple shots, start to get the mo' on their side, but then Dakota would then get an easy one in transition.

Also, there is no rhyme or reason to Rockford's offense. No sets, no plays, nothing. And it's not a motion offense by any means. You get a guy like Ronnie Fields, you should be creating plays for him to get the ball off of cuts or screens. It's amazing he scores as much as he does, because all of his points is off an iso and backing a guy down or breaking down the defender off the dribble. IMO, he'd be much more effective running in somewhat of a structured offense. He is a great talent.

Last thing -- two point game. Nine seconds left. Daleo calls a timeout. He doesn't even use the clipboard to draw up a play. I've never seen that before. You would think a coach would design something for a last second shot, but he did none of that. And it showed, with Tim Winn throwing up a fadeaway 35-footer at the buzzer. Ronnie didn't even touch the ball the last possession. You need to get the ball in that guy's hands. He's your best player, he just tied the game the possession before. Give him the ball.

[not so fast]

Hoosierboy, all I will say is this: Rockford did averaged about 130 points a game last season with this style of play (i'm not sure what they are averaging this season), And I think Ronnie is at his best in this system because he is a great ISO player, and would not be as effective in a motion offense.

As far as drawing up a play, how many times have you seen NBA, CBA, College coaches draw up a play in the closing seconds, and then proceed to getting off a bad shot anyway. I'm not sure a clipboard play drawn up is a guarentee of a successful play. I mean, players ultimately have to make the right read in those situations, then you need a little luck like maybe a good bounce once and awhile.

As far as pulling back the pressure, its not going to happen. Thats Rockford trademark, and it certainly worked well all last season. I mean Rockford has lost several close games or they would be right in the thick of things. And also, give Joerger credit for being prepared for the game, if dakota got a lot of easy baskets, then they did a good job as well. But in spite all of what you listed, Rockford almost won the game.

[RonnieFan]

time for me to jump in here. it's funny that HoosierBoy's arguments are very much the same as mine, and that's "try to get Ronnie the ball off of screens or cuts and let him not have do everything to get the ball in the hole." And yes, I'm amazed he does score as much as he does on almost all ISOs and 3s. I say that because it would seem to me to be easier to get him involved in other ways than just ISOs. Of course, he is the most deadly one-on-one player in the league... period....

BUT... and anybody reading this take note, it IS the same offense as last year, and yes, it was VERY VERY successful. That being said, I think what's lost is the fast that Rockford has ZERO big guys that are effective in any way, and no reliable shooter. I'd like to know if Daleo's offense is structured to allow Ronnie to get the points he needs to supplement the rest of the team. I'd honestly like to ask Chris if he plans any part of the offense around Ronnie or let's him take control when needed. THAT's not a knock, but an observation. I see his offense in action, but then Ronnie not always a "scoring" part of it. That might be Fields' doing though too.

Honestly, this looks like a tough year, talent-wise for the Lightning. I'm suprised Coach Daleo has gotten what he has out of this team. From the teams I've seen play, Rockford has some catching up to do.

Also, there are quite a few games left, and plenty of opportunities for the Lightning to catch up. Throw out a few bonehead plays and Rockford has a much better record.

I'd still stand behind him anyday as coach in comparison to Bill Lavery or Mike Mashak. He seems to get a lot out of his players... and with the CBA being destroyed and scavaged by Europe, he's done an admirable job.

[hoosierboy]

Ronniefan that might be the first time I've had a Rockford fan agree with me on something. : )

NSF -- your points are well taken. I think we will agree to disagree on this one. Rockford's point average is 116 this year, tops in the league. But they are giving up 114 per game as well, most in the league.

Does that mean Rockford has the worst defense? Not at all. Does that mean that Rockford has the best offensive system? No. Those stats reflect more of the pace that Rockford plays (which I love watching, by the way). Rockford gets up an average of 91 shots per game, compared to a 79 average for the rest of the league.

And while I agree with you that Ronnie thrives on iso's, I find it hard to believe that he wouldn't mind coming of a pick or two and getting a clean look once and a while.

The last second thought thing - I know full-well how players forget plays. It baffles me how you can draw up something and they forget by the time they step back on the floor. But in that situation, something needs to be set up. Give Ronnie a stagger screen so he can curl it and take it to the basket. Give Coverdale a fade screen so he can bomb a three. Anything. If they screw it up, they screw it up, but give the players something. Watching Tim Winn dribble it around for 8 seconds and heaving up a prayer should not happen.

And I'm not saying that Daleo needs to change his philosophy on his full court pressure. But I thought he would adjust because we kept getting easy baskets off the full-court press. When we struggled is when Rockford set up at half court, and did their run and jump/trap from there. It gave us less room to work, and gave us fits. Rockford would hit a couple shots, and then we'd come back with a dunk that just deflated Rockford's momentum.

Hey, I definitely don't want to get a pissing match with you. I respect your knowledge of the game and your posts. I think it's cool you can debate someone without getting personal.....

[RonnieFan]

That's a great post. An honest post.

Here's the bottom line... THE PLAYERS AREN'T EXECUTING IN COACH DALEO 's SYSTEM. PERIOD.

Sorry to yell, but you can only deal with the talent you have.

Don't misrepresent what's really going on. It's the same system he's used in the past and he's been VERY effective with it. Maybe this year's squad isn't quite as successful with it, and he should add some variety.

But I'm not going to second-guess someone with his track record, someone who gets PAID to coach for a living, and to live and breathe basketball.

He's a damn good coach who, in my opinion, maximizes his players' effectiveness. Unfortunately I know there were a couple of players that didn't turn out quite as well as the Lightning would have liked, and now what do you do? He's got to coach with what he's had and there's been quite a few changes.

I'd say let's see how it all pans out... let's see how it goes. lots of games to be played. honestly, YES, i'd like to see Ronnie get the ball off a few screens and get him moving toward the hoop, but it's got to work with everything else he runs, and it might not.

When it's all said and done I think Coach Daleo, Ronnie and the Lightning will be in the thick of things at the end of the season...

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

Upon further review, is Leon Smith really hurt? Now I'm hearing different reports. Seeing him in street clothes during Friday night's game (which seemed normal enough) with earphones in ear and CD player in hand (which seemed abnormal enough) didn't inspire much confidence in his desire to play the game of basketball either.

Upon further review, is Ronnie Fields of Rockford really hurt? How can one be too hurt to play in the all*star game, but NOT hurt enough to play against Dakota the Sunday before the all*star game?

[RonnieFan]

Ronnie's been banged up a little i think... he wants to contribue to his team and help them win, but probably doesn't want to play in the All-Star game to rest some nagging injuries or to risk aggravating them.

Upon further review, who the hell is Quincy Wadley lately... I'm ready for a big I TOLD YOU SO from a few people...

I'll be the first to admit I might have been a little hard on him. Hopefully he's becoming more comfortable with the offense and the team and just playing ball again. This much I know, he's not shy with the ball!!!

GO RONNIE, GO LIGHTNING!!!!

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

Snap Hunter is the kind of player you love to see...on the OTHER team! The Gary Steelheads were guaranteed a victory tonight when Coach Daleo of the Lightning (mistakenly?) gave Snap the green light in the second half.

Funny thing is that Snap seems to be a good player when he doesn't look to shoot.