[i]Originally posted by Florida49er[/i]@May 4 2005, 10:30 AM
[b] For a kid who didn't play basketball all his life (and if he did, it was overseas/in the midst of transfers), I thought Iti had some potential. He could pass w/in the post and you can't teach his length.
That said, he wasn't a beast, he wasn't real aggressive and he lacked fundamentals in the worst way. I'd like to see guys like this hang around and buy into the program and get better, but it seems like most of them just want to leave. I guess that's the way it is with most players who are just looking for PT.
[/b]
Agree.
Iti was getting really bad advice. He should have gone to a big man camp last summer and not to the draft camps. He was trying to be an offensive player and he just doesnāt have the skills.
I would have loved to see him develop into a Ben Wallace type. Tenacious in the paint, rebounding and blocking shots, getting his points on clean up. But when the guy is practicing jumpers all summer long and not developing a post game thatās not going to happen.
Part of the problem with Iti wasnāt his own doing ā all the hype surrounding him coming out of Mount Zion. From the exaggerated height (heās really 6-9, not 7-0) to ESPN.comās top center prospect, we really had our hopes up for something that didnāt exist. If Iti had come in to Charlotte a la Jermain Parker ā unheralded but showing potential, then much of the venom directed his way over the past 2 years would have been nonexistent.
A couple more thoughts on Jenaās piece. She sort of said he wasnāt 7 foot, but didnāt really admit that The Observer had spent all of last season giving out bogus info on that even after the NBA Pre-Draft Camp proved him to be 6-9 in shoes and 6-8 barefooted. Also, she wrote that he didnāt start the last game of the season, implying that it had to do with coachās dissatisfaction, when, in fact, Iti didnāt start against Southern Miss so that Chris Sager could on Senior Day.
[i]Originally posted by run49er[/i]@May 4 2005, 11:19 AM
[b] A couple more thoughts on Jena's piece. She sort of said he wasn't 7 foot, but didn't really admit that The Observer had spent all of last season giving out bogus info on that even after the NBA Pre-Draft Camp proved him to be 6-9 in shoes and 6-8 barefooted. Also, she wrote that he didn't start the last game of the season, implying that it had to do with coach's dissatisfaction, when, in fact, Iti didn't start against Southern Miss so that Chris Sager could on Senior Day.
Just being picky, I supposeā¦ [/b]
Well Iti may not be 7ā0 but if heās 6ā8 barefooted, what are Curtis and the other big men on our team?
I wish Iti well and think this is a good decision for him personally. If his eventual goal is to play in the NBA, he needs as much time to develop as possible. Transferring gives him another year to build muscle and to develop. I think his best option is to go to a lower tier Division 1 school (John Calipari take note) where he will get much more playing time and develop more confidence around the basket.
Say what you wantā¦but Iti leaving is not good for the Niners. I can see other coaches using this against us in recruiting in years to come.
[b]I would have loved to see him develop into a Ben Wallace type. [/b]
:lmao:
Yeah, me too. I also would have loved to see him develop into a Lew Alcindor type.
Anyways, thank the lord this guy is gone. It would kill me (and tons of other fans) watching him play, imagine how disheartening it would be playing with this bum. Seriously.
[i]Originally posted by run49er[/i]@May 4 2005, 12:19 PM
[b] Also, she wrote that he didn't start the last game of the season, implying that it had to do with coach's dissatisfaction, when, in fact, Iti didn't start against Southern Miss so that Chris Sager could on Senior Day.
[/b]
I think she was talking about him not starting against NC State. I think Drayton started instead. I donāt know if it was due to coachās dissatisfaction or not, but I was happy to finally see it. This move was long overdue.
[i]Originally posted by ninermike[/i]@May 4 2005, 12:26 PM
[b] Say what you want...but Iti leaving is not good for the Niners. I can see other coaches using this against us in recruiting in years to come. [/b]
Good point but we do well with versatile big men who can play: Johnson, Price, Stephens, White, Withers, Drayton. There just aren't that many talented post men in college basketball. Lutz likes long guys who can run and shoot. We'll continue to do well with those. See Keith Clark, Mike Beasley, Courtney Williams.
[b]We picked up a center a couple of years ago (Jaaron Greene) whose main claim to fame was that he was the backup to the great Martin Iti at Mt Zion. He barely sniffed the court in his freshman season and wasn't with the team the second half of last year.[/b]
Breaking newsā¦ Martin Iti has decided to transfer to the west charlotte womens team, apparently a starting position is not guaranteed. More info as it develops.
[i]Originally posted by run49er[/i]@May 4 2005, 11:19 AM
[b] A couple more thoughts on Jena's piece. She sort of said he wasn't 7 foot, but didn't really admit that The Observer had spent all of last season giving out bogus info on that even after the NBA Pre-Draft Camp proved him to be 6-9 in shoes and 6-8 barefooted. Also, she wrote that he didn't start the last game of the season, implying that it had to do with coach's dissatisfaction, when, in fact, Iti didn't start against Southern Miss so that Chris Sager could on Senior Day.
Just being picky, I supposeā¦ [/b]
I thought he didnāt start against UNC-Raleigh and thatās what she was implying.
[i]Originally posted by dax[/i]@May 4 2005, 03:05 AM
[b] it does take point guards a year or two before they become great point guards. Bobby will get him in the right mold here sooner or later. [/b]
What? Bobby doesnt have a mold for a point guard! What the hell are you talking about? He also doesnt have a mold for a center. Lutz really doesnt mold anybody. He gives them access to the facilities and free will on the court. Charlotte players develop themselves.
Martin Stinks. Rosegreen Stinks. Lutz Stinks.
Why the hell did this kid come here in the first place? Oh yeah, to lead us to a final four. :rolleyes:
[i]Originally posted by NinerLoudNProud[/i]@May 4 2005, 11:14 AM
[b] I think Iti has been playing organized basketball longer than Eddie. Seriously. [/b]
According to espn.com, Iti started playing bball at age 14. There's tons of kids like that who have potential and never pan out - now we know another one. Tim Duncan would be the obvious exception to that rule.
[b]Breaking news............. Martin Iti has decided to transfer to the west charlotte womens team, apparently a starting position is not guaranteed. More info as it develops. [/b]
Are we talking about the softball team. They could use the help.
