how do you know devoe didnt work hard up until he quit the team?
and devoe could do more than shoot a basketball! he could create his own shot, he could dribble w/o looking like he was 9 yrs old, and he plays better perimeter defense than blake. if devoe is still here we dont play nearly as much 2-3 zone to protect blakes weak athletic ability. blake is a great shooter but thats all he is.
who said it had anything to do about starting? im saying devoe was pushed to play the point when he really isnt a point guard. he was put behind blake who isnt as good all around as devoe.
overall you are a dumbass for trying to bash a kid for being in an unhappy situation because of your own selfish needs.
in summary: you dont know sh*t
Lakes, despite all evidence to the contrary, you seem to be under the same delusion(s) that Devoe is:
1) I don't know how hard worked before he quit, but I do know he did a number of things to seriously affect his ability to play here. Whether it was drugs, grades, insubordination; who knows? And frankly, who cares? He was already a major distraction for this team (6 game suspension, and likely another multiple game suspension before he left). No team needs that. Nolen started over him because Joseph was suspended to start the season. Hoffarber started over him because is our best shooter (one of the best in the country), leading returning scorer, and obviously improved his overall game over the summer.
2) Devoe's defense was atrocious; he was easily one of the worst couple of defenders on our team (hence the reason Tubby often sat him in his first couple of years). His on-ball defense was consistently putrid, his help-side defense was never there, and his defensive positioning was never correct.
3) Regarding their all-around game; there is no question Hoffarber is a better all-around player. Look at his passing, shooting, understanding of the game (positioning), fundamentals (cross court passes, entry to the post, etc.), it's really not close. Devoe never hit an open player on time (if he even passed it to him), was rarely in the correct position defensively, and perhaps worst of all, probably had the worst understanding of what is a good/bad shot of any player to play for the Gophers in the last 15-20 years. He appeared to be incredibly selfish on the court, and based on his actions in the past 12 months or so, appears to be selfish off the court as well. Devoe only seems interested in what's best for Devoe. Doesn't matter if we were winning or losing, he appeared to rub some of the team, and apparently Tubby the wrong way with his attitude.
You act like he's a mix of Bruce Bowen and Kobe Bryant.
Devoe will never have a sniff at the NBA, and will struggle to even play overseas. He's an undersized and unathletic (in comparison to professionals) shooting guard that lacks the body and basic fundamentals necessary to seriously compete for any spot on a professional roster.
It's just too bad Devoe and the people whispering sweet nothings in his ear don't understand this simple fact.
