This says it...

[gary-7]

...in Adam Lucas' most recent article.

I noticed it when I watched the game and Adam confirms it. Our boy Justin finally got pissed. I know some of y'all don't always notice but several teams have tried to take him out of his game by being "physical" (air quotes used to indicate euphemism) with him off the ball. Normally JJ just calmly takes it in stride, but over the last few games this junk (and the accompanying no-calls) have clearly affected his game to the point of being tentative.

Seems his benching combined with the thuggery that was being perpetrated at BC finally got his dander up. I noticed on TV him being separated from BC's Hicks at one point. All I can say is, I like it.

http://www.goheels.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=3350&ATCLID=210708405

 

[mikeirbyusa]

Need that to rub off on our whole front line.

 

[Heelicious]

...in Adam Lucas' most recent article.

I noticed it when I watched the game and Adam confirms it. Our boy Justin finally got pissed. I know some of y'all don't always notice but several teams have tried to take him out of his game by being "physical" (air quotes used to indicate euphemism) with him off the ball. Normally JJ just calmly takes it in stride, but over the last few games this junk (and the accompanying no-calls) have clearly affected his game to the point of being tentative.

Seems his benching combined with the thuggery that was being perpetrated at BC finally got his dander up. I noticed on TV him being separated from Hicks at one point. All I can say is, I like it.

http://www.goheels.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=3350&ATCLID=210708405

I love Homeschool as a player and a "kid". I admit part of it is b/c I homeschool our three kids.
I saw an interview with him on Inside Carolina after BC. Loved it. They asked him what he did differently. He kept saying "I told myself, 'just play. Shut out and forget about what fans or other opposing players or even my family was saying, and just go out and play".

I liked that, because to me, it means he gets that he needs to turn off his overthinking and analyzing the past, and just play like he can, more on instinct, vs. trying to correct for or over accommodate recent past play. Go Justin

 

[gary-7]

I love Homeschool as a player and a "kid". I admit part of it is b/c I homeschool our three kids.
I saw an interview with him on Inside Carolina after BC. Loved it. They asked him what he did differently. He kept saying "I told myself, 'just play. Shut out and forget about what fans or other opposing players or even my family was saying, and just go out and play".

I liked that, because to me, it means he gets that he needs to turn off his overthinking and analyzing the past, and just play like he can, more on instinct, vs. trying to correct for or over accommodate recent past play. Go Justin

Yep.
Down the stretch last season he got locked in, and from what I was told he continued to be this Summer, which is why so many in the Carolina basketball family were convinced he would have a breakout season. Unfortunately his outside shooting slump and the physical stuff has thrown off his game. Hopefully this will be the catalyst for restoring his mojo.

Marcus has his stroke back and the mojo should follow. JB is dog --- when guys get too physical with him he'll fire a forearm shiver that makes them think twice --- he takes it to the rack strong, just needs to have another good 3-ball outing. If JJ gets locked in this Ferrari might get firing again.

 

[Sk1310]

...in Adam Lucas' most recent article.

I noticed it when I watched the game and Adam confirms it. Our boy Justin finally got pissed. I know some of y'all don't always notice but several teams have tried to take him out of his game by being "physical" (air quotes used to indicate euphemism) with him off the ball. Normally JJ just calmly takes it in stride, but over the last few games this junk (and the accompanying no-calls) have clearly affected his game to the point of being tentative.

Seems his benching combined with the thuggery that was being perpetrated at BC finally got his dander up. I noticed on TV him being separated from Hicks at one point. All I can say is, I like it.

http://www.goheels.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=3350&ATCLID=210708405

I noticed that too. After one of his turnarounds, he started talking a little smack to the BC player guarding him. I was like "Dammn he is pissed and in the zone now". Now he must keep it up.

 

[BillyL]

Justin was as dialed in as a team player could have possibly been against BC, I absolutely loved his aggressiveness on offense in looking for his shot. He's not an easy player to guard at all and IMO, I think he realized that he was the hottest shooter of all our players and decided 'this one is on me' and went after it.

 

[TarHeelTroy]

Yes! The play that was most telling to me was in the 2nd half when Justin took a pass near the baseline and mishandled it, by the time he recovered his handle on the ball he was too far under the backboard. Most times when he was playing more tentative he would have passed it back up top or outside out of that. But instead he dribbled a few times and curled back into the paint and shot it right up over that 7' Clifford dude. I was like dang!

 

[BillyL]

Yes! The play that was most telling to me was in the 2nd half when Justin took a pass near the baseline and mishandled it, by the time he recovered his handle on the ball he was too far under the backboard. Most times when he was playing more tentative he would have passed it back up top or outside out of that. But instead he dribbled a few times and curled back into the paint and shot it right up over that 7' Clifford dude. I was like dang!

Good call on that play sequence, Troy . .

 

[GoNtheDistance]

Justin definitely played great last time out. Hope it continues.

 

[strummingram]

I wish the whole team would crank up the aggressive, assertive intention. Play like you own the court. Refs see timid and call it.

 

[Ozheelfan]

Thanks for the share Gary, great read from Lucas as always.

It makes sense and for a while I've been wondering if the scouting report has been for players to use as much body as they can get away with against Justin.

There've been a number of times this season where more than a little hip and shoulder contact has seen Justin beaten for a rebound or defended out of a shot (I'd say Marcus attracts plenty of similar attention on the perimeter!) In particular, Justin's offensive rebounding has been affected with defenders running and diving towards the flight of the ball (and if they barrel him out of the way, meh).

Both players are good enough to counter by elevating their game and you could see that towards the end of the BC wrestling match.

So, if the 3 interlopers on the court aren't going to do anything about all that bump and grind it'll just be up to the players to continue finding ways to counter it.

 

[Tom79]

I like what strumming posted, I saw Berry with his "look" during that last 7 minutes. I think the team understands that, as strumming said, three people on the court call timid at times and to the Heels detriment. Well hell boys, let's just not go there, go out there and play hard and together...and smart.

 

[gary-7]

Thanks for the share Gary, great read from Lucas as always.

It makes sense and for a while I've been wondering if the scouting report has been for players to use as much body as they can get away with against Justin.

There've been a number of times this season where more than a little hip and shoulder contact has seen Justin beaten for a rebound or defended out of a shot (I'd say Marcus attracts plenty of similar attention on the perimeter!) In particular, Justin's offensive rebounding has been affected with defenders running and diving towards the flight of the ball (and if they barrel him out of the way, meh).

Both players are good enough to counter by elevating their game and you could see that towards the end of the BC wrestling match.

So, if the 3 interlopers on the court aren't going to do anything about all that bump and grind it'll just be up to the players to continue finding ways to counter it.

That is absolutely the book on guarding him. If you let him roam free he is so active and gets so many phantom buckets. The best way to combat that strategy is to get mad and make em pay. I am really hoping to see some swagger from our guys going forward. It's time to start lighting up he scoreboard again.

 

[TarHeelMark]

I wish the whole team would crank up the aggressive, assertive intention. Play like you own the court. Refs see timid and call it.

exactly... we're getting called for the freakin' fouls anyway, so make 'em count! Hammer somebody instead of the touchy-feely crap that gives them the AND 1 opportunities. Nothing flagrant or dirty... just HARD fouls, not the mamby-pamby stuff. Not only do we prevent the basket, but it will get into our opponents heads that it's gonna cost them when they challenge us.