Laval Lucas Perry gets mentioned during Texas-Villanova Game
Dicky V did a little short graphic on 5 players that are going to make a big impact when they return and Laval Lucas Perry got a mention. If the big wigs at ESPN are talking about someone at Michigan who played only a short while at Arizona and has yet to play a game at Michigan, he must be something special. Can't wait for the Oakland game to see what he can do.
December 10th, 2008 at 12:04 AM ^
I couldn't tell if that comment about ESPN was sarcastic or not. We all know that ESPN can (and does) hype something or someone without much actual substance to the story.
But I digress, I'm ready for LLP to get on the court as well... I just want to see what the kid's game looks like. Everyone is jumping on the "LLP will put this team over the top" bandwagon but most (including myself) have never seen him take a jump shot, D up an opponent, or dish the ball to his teammates. I want to see what he's got before I get too excited.
December 10th, 2008 at 11:43 AM ^
Dickie V's not the type to be sarcastic. If that was his list, he believes it.
December 10th, 2008 at 12:09 AM ^
but still its nice to see michigan finally getting some national recognition. In years past they wouldn't even list a player from our team up there because we were irrelevant.
December 10th, 2008 at 12:39 AM ^
Is he a point guard or a shooting guard? Whose minutes is he going to take away? It's kinda weird because for how good I hear he is - UM is playing pretty well in the spots he would fill up. Novak has been clutch and Grady is improving. I hope they can insert him in without losing anything. Sounds kinda ridiculous to say that though given what espn keeps saying about him...
December 10th, 2008 at 12:54 AM ^
Will probably take most of Merritt and some of Grady's. I've heard they expect him to play 20-25 MPG.
December 10th, 2008 at 1:33 AM ^
Fuck Villanova. That is all.
December 10th, 2008 at 10:14 AM ^
hear hear. bunch of scumbag coke-addicts.
December 10th, 2008 at 2:11 PM ^
Same to you.
December 10th, 2008 at 1:56 AM ^
i dont know anything about LLP, but people who seem to know things about basketball are excited. therefore, i am excited
December 10th, 2008 at 6:04 AM ^
I want to be a bit cautious about how he will influence the current chemistry of the team. Of course it is great to get a good player available. Rivals had him ranked #138 in the nation, the #22 point guard, the #6 player in the state, 3 stars and they say that he can attack the basket well. He had offers from Arizona, Boston College, Wisconsin, Iowa, Penn State and Michigan.
December 10th, 2008 at 11:44 AM ^
Keep in mind that he is free to practice with the team, so they are used to playing with him. They just don't get the chance to do so during games.
December 10th, 2008 at 7:10 AM ^
does anyone have a link to LLP's mixtapes/highlights/whatever? thanks.
December 10th, 2008 at 10:31 AM ^
http://www.goazcatsserver.com/basketballvideos/llppickup07.wmv
not sure if its free or not. I got the link through a posting on a subscription service, but it seemed to work when I pasted the link into a different browser too.
looks very promising.
not sure if the music is SFW.
December 10th, 2008 at 9:56 AM ^
i'm pumped for LLP although grady was the higher rated guard coming out of hs. i just found that to be a bit weird.
December 10th, 2008 at 10:13 AM ^
I attended the open practice/scrimmage after the northwestern game this fall (I think I get a double black belt or something...anywho) and this kid is legit.
Notes on the scrimmage - He absolutely drained a three from the top of the key. nice stroke and very confident. He also jumped into a passing lane, stealing the ball, taking about three dribbles and jamming it home on the other end before anyone really had time to react. My friend turned to me eyebrows raised and said 'shot out of a cannon'. Notably - he 'ran with the ones' as they say the whole time as well, which was a little surprising to me, but obviously speaks to what Beilein thinks he will contribute.
On to the impact for the team:
To address some points above, first is chemistry. He has been with the team for about a year. He gets along with everyone and has been practicing and lifting and working with them that whole time. If anything, I think the team will be really happy that he finally gets to play because they all realize he is going to make them a better team.
Second - Offensive Impact - he is a 'combo guard' meaning he will play both the 1 and 2. He is a very good shooter and a scorer. He can drive and is a good passer. He will be the best guard on the team. (this excludes Manny as he is playing wing this year). Will he score 20 a game? no. Can he? yes. He will take a significant amount of pressure of Manny and Sims and will be that third consistent scorer contributing probably 8 to 12 points a night.
Third - Defensive Impact - this has been the most talked about aspect of his game is his voracity on the defensive side of the ball. He will immediately give the team the ability to play significantly more effective man-to-man defense if he is in at the two gaurd and Grady is at the one. If he is at the point, he also gives the baseline man in the 1-3-1 significantly better height/more of a presence running out to challenge the corner three pointer.
Fourth - minutes - He will take minutes from Merrit, Lee, Novak and probably a lot of Douglass' minutes. I don't think any one person will be affected to the point where they become disgruntled, except for maybe Douglas if he takes that starting spot.
To sum up - LLP will have a tremendous impact in upgrading the team's performance in games and being able to consistenly score within games and also on a game to game basis. He has ALREADY had an impact by making practices more challenging and has positively affected the other guards games' by pressuring them in practice and providing competition for their minutes.
December 10th, 2008 at 10:20 AM ^
...if LLP's defensive voracity has been verified?
December 10th, 2008 at 10:11 AM ^
I think he can play as soon as 12/20. Also any concern that Georgetown beat Sav State by 62?
December 10th, 2008 at 10:16 AM ^
HOYA SAXA!!!!!
December 10th, 2008 at 10:26 AM ^
I think the biggest testament to the turnaround of the Basketball team is that we have Georgetown fans hanging out at MgoBlog. Bizzaro world...
December 10th, 2008 at 11:18 AM ^
Dumbest slogan in college basketball.
Go GW!
December 10th, 2008 at 12:22 PM ^
Salivating to see LLP take the court. BleedingBlue...def report.
December 10th, 2008 at 1:45 PM ^
I'm very pleased with Grady's play this season. Aside from his one or two (or 3...) missed layups, I thought he has played exceptionally well. Am I the only one who is concerned that if LLP plays the 1, we'll be putting a great player and a team leader on the bench? Or will they simply be used interchangeably and Merritt will see a significant time cut? Is it possible that LLP will see time at the 2 or the 3?
December 10th, 2008 at 1:51 PM ^
Remember - Merritt is playing 19 minutes a game. LLP will likely split time between the 1 and 2 - which means he'll take minutes from Merritt, and either Novak or Douglass (more likley Douglass). It wouldn't shock me to see Merritt and Douglass reduced from the 18/19 minute range to the 6/7 minute range, and CJ Lee vanish from PT.