I know Kendall has his deficiencies, but I don't understand how he isn't in the game during the sequence when Smotherman took that shot. In general, I still think he needs more minutes. He is one of the only guys who is a threat from the outside, can spark a run, and opens the floor for the big guys down low. Ohio State was just sagging in on Hammons because they knew Scott/Smotherman, etc weren't real threats from out there.
Stephens' minutes
- Thread starter BoilerDeac
- Start date
I agree, he didn't play well. But he still need more minutes. Smotherman didn't do much at all today, and against this team, Stephens would have been more effective.
and Stephens played 13 mins, missed two shots and a free throw, and had one assist. Played ok defense but Loving made a nice play to draw the foul. I don't think you can say he played 'just awful.'
Basil just came off the game of his life so a little leeway was granted. Plus given OSU's athletic ability it made more sense to give him more playing time tonight. Stephens looks lost - like a guy who has never played organized ball before. Stephens is the worst "good shooter" I've ever seen. People keep clamoring to put him in the game to score - his shot is broke.
Re: Painter makes his players earn minutes.
The main reason why Stephens needed to be in at the end on offensive possessions was to keep the defense spread to open the lane. Doesn't really matter if he had an off game. They would not have sagged on him like they did Basil.
The main reason why Stephens needed to be in at the end on offensive possessions was to keep the defense spread to open the lane. Doesn't really matter if he had an off game. They would not have sagged on him like they did Basil.
Stephens played a stretch in the first half when he successfully fed the post several times. He had a lot to do with getting Hammons and Haas going.
He barely got any minutes in the second half which I thought hurt Purdue.
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He barely got any minutes in the second half which I thought hurt Purdue.
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I need to see the play again to see if they were sagged off Basil or rather the play broke that way and he was left wide open. Either way, the play was certainly to get it inside or take it to the hole and Basil is fairly decent at feeding the post and good at getting to the rim. Plus there was plenty of game left and defensive stops to get and Basil was needed on that end. Ball was on line just didn't fall. I had no issue with the 5 on the floor at that time and score.
He played 13 minutes; missed both of his shots; missed his only free throw; had 0 points, 0 rebounds, 1 assist; 1 turnover; 2 fouls; 0 blocks; and 0 steals.
Re: Painter makes his players earn minutes.
I do not disagree that Stephens needs to play better. Now Mathias hit some threes tonight, has played well at times, but it is not like he is lighting the world on fire. Mathias turns the ball over too, is a defensive liability too, struggles in his inbounding role, has missed 4 of last 6 ft. That is the main guy Stephens loses minutes too.
They are really pretty similar, and sure stops matter, but Purdue was down 1-2 and needed a bucket. Stephens is >Smotherman in that situation.
I do not disagree that Stephens needs to play better. Now Mathias hit some threes tonight, has played well at times, but it is not like he is lighting the world on fire. Mathias turns the ball over too, is a defensive liability too, struggles in his inbounding role, has missed 4 of last 6 ft. That is the main guy Stephens loses minutes too.
They are really pretty similar, and sure stops matter, but Purdue was down 1-2 and needed a bucket. Stephens is >Smotherman in that situation.
Re: Painter makes his players earn minutes.
Scott should of played down the stretch at the 2 for defensive purposes he was out best defender last night while Dakota struggled.
Scott should of played down the stretch at the 2 for defensive purposes he was out best defender last night while Dakota struggled.
Yet, in the 13 minutes Stephens played, the offense clicked, for 27 points. He not only fed the post repeatedly to Hammons and Haas, but when he delivered the post feed his man was reluctant to double down. He really helped get the big guys going. He did have a turnover, but it was attempting to feed the post, so I can live with it. I didn't see him make an glaring errors on either end of the court. He wasn't forcing shots, either.
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You're wasting your time with this guy. Remember in his infinite wisdom when he said Haas should be the starter over Hammons?
None of us know for sure what is going on with Kendall. To speculate is silly IMO.
Kendall's dad did enough to advance Purdue basketball to warrant a break here and even more all the way down to great grandkids if need be.
None of us know for sure what is going on with Kendall. To speculate is silly IMO.
Kendall's dad did enough to advance Purdue basketball to warrant a break here and even more all the way down to great grandkids if need be.
C'mon.....give the kid a break. And everyone is entitled to their opinion and even to criticize.....but let's be careful about threads when they start "calling out" players or at least appear to do so.
I still think Kendall Stephens is going to be a very good player for Purdue, and it will show. He's come off a major shoulder injury in high school.....two times dislocating a finger.....learning to play defense, and up until recently was the only legitimate long-range threat on the team.
Has he forced some shots? yes
Has he made some bad passes and defensive mistakes? yes
Is he improving? I think so. Yes, his lack of production at times has been frustrating, and I'm sure he'd be the first to admit it. This team is still growing, but they are going to need him if they really want to open some eyes and be a surprise come March. I do understand why CMP may have limited his minutes recently, but yes, I agree with Pete.....silly to speculate on a lot of other issues.
But when he's in the game, yes, the defense still has to key on him.
Go back to last year.....remember the Michigan game and the only missed free throw......what was he doing after the game? In a season that had already spiraled downward.....he was shooting free throws late at night.
These players aren't professionals......they are young men.....and students.....they represent the University.....and are doing it with class......they are learning. They deserve respect. Am I disappointed when they lose? Yes; we all are, but sometimes maybe we take winning and losing a little too seriously. JMHO
Go Boilers.
I still think Kendall Stephens is going to be a very good player for Purdue, and it will show. He's come off a major shoulder injury in high school.....two times dislocating a finger.....learning to play defense, and up until recently was the only legitimate long-range threat on the team.
Has he forced some shots? yes
Has he made some bad passes and defensive mistakes? yes
Is he improving? I think so. Yes, his lack of production at times has been frustrating, and I'm sure he'd be the first to admit it. This team is still growing, but they are going to need him if they really want to open some eyes and be a surprise come March. I do understand why CMP may have limited his minutes recently, but yes, I agree with Pete.....silly to speculate on a lot of other issues.
But when he's in the game, yes, the defense still has to key on him.
Go back to last year.....remember the Michigan game and the only missed free throw......what was he doing after the game? In a season that had already spiraled downward.....he was shooting free throws late at night.
These players aren't professionals......they are young men.....and students.....they represent the University.....and are doing it with class......they are learning. They deserve respect. Am I disappointed when they lose? Yes; we all are, but sometimes maybe we take winning and losing a little too seriously. JMHO
Go Boilers.
And Haas was in the starting line-up about a week after I suggested he should be. And he stayed in the starting rotation until AJ figured out the only way he was going to get it back was to finally play the way we all knew he was capable of.
Look Pete - the OP called out Painter (as have others) for not playing Kendall more minutes or in certain situations. Kendall has done nothing to warrant more minutes so any criticism for Matt over his playing time is laughable. You have to admit that Kendall does some of the most head scratchingest things ever seen on a basketball floor. Lazy passes, lazy defense, unforced turnovers, shot selections are ridiculous at times (did you see his two last night - good lord), and just overall demeanor suggests something is wrong with this kid. I know he has some finger issues but a couple of jammed fingers cannot be the cause of all of his poor play.
Hunk...I didn't 'call out' Painter. Am I not allowed to disagree with Painter's decision and just leave it at that? Also, you act like Stephens doesn't care about playing defense by calling his effort "lazy." Personally, I just don't think he's a great defender, He doesn't have very quick feet, has a skinny frame, and those two aspects can make it tough for someone to cover quicker 2 guards or stronger small forwards. It's unfortunate, but he is what he is as a defender. He can improve, but he'll never be an above average defender most likely. The way I see it, Stephens is one of those guys who is a 'threat.' He has the ability to open up a lead, and again, opens up the floor for everyone else. Maybe I'm being too lenient on the kid, but I think this team needs him if they are going to make a run.
This post was edited on 3/2 9:53 AM by BoilerDeac
This post was edited on 3/2 9:53 AM by BoilerDeac
The issue is when it came down to last minute. Ohio State had a talented offensive swingman to make THE plays down the stretch. Purdue does not have that. At least right now. Yes Purdue plays hard, good defense, has post players etc... But they have no Go to Swing player on a star label. You saw that at end of game. A player missed a decent outside shot would have given them 3pt lead. They then missed a drive to basket to tie not being able to draw a foul. Purdue then missed another drive to the basket. Notice no consideration was made to kick the ball out for a 3. Not criticizing just laying out not alot of cofidence in the 3 and rightfully so considering teams overall 3 pt shooting.
As for Stephens. The guy is frustrating. He will hit 5 or 6 3's one game then put up lines like 1-8 etc... On a team desperate for 3 pt shooting. You'd think he could just focus on being able to hit the open 3's. Plus he is what 6'2. Stephens plays like a 6'5 player but he is only 6'2. Hopefully Ryan Cline comes in next year filling that 3pt role and plays well. He is a pure 3pt shooter and is 6'5.
As for Stephens. The guy is frustrating. He will hit 5 or 6 3's one game then put up lines like 1-8 etc... On a team desperate for 3 pt shooting. You'd think he could just focus on being able to hit the open 3's. Plus he is what 6'2. Stephens plays like a 6'5 player but he is only 6'2. Hopefully Ryan Cline comes in next year filling that 3pt role and plays well. He is a pure 3pt shooter and is 6'5.
Not sure where and how you draw conclusions about Stephens. First, his is 6'5" tall, and that is conservative. I think he might be closer to 6'6". Second, he has been injured for the past several weeks. I would also hazard a guess that last night he was not feeling well. He looked ill. I would not draw too many conclusions from one game. He has been the best 3-pt shooter we have, and he is very good both passing, offensively, and defensively as well... when he is on his game.
His defense isn't great, but it's much better than it was a year ago and he's generally on the same page as his teammates, which counts for a lot. He also is effective at running three point shooters off the line.
I see a young man who is his own worst critic and I believe that it can be hard for that kind of player to play loose all the time. He needs to gain his confidence back. His overall game is progressing, however. He's the best post feeder on the team and when he is on the court his presence opens up a lot of opportunities for his teammates.
I think that he is a key player for the remainder of the season. If he can break out of his slump, I think that this Purdue team has a chance to make a great run in the NCAA tournament.
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I see a young man who is his own worst critic and I believe that it can be hard for that kind of player to play loose all the time. He needs to gain his confidence back. His overall game is progressing, however. He's the best post feeder on the team and when he is on the court his presence opens up a lot of opportunities for his teammates.
I think that he is a key player for the remainder of the season. If he can break out of his slump, I think that this Purdue team has a chance to make a great run in the NCAA tournament.
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Let me start by saying that I hope KS wakes up as I believe BS has now done. That said, I really don't think he's going to make or break the Boilers for the rest of the season. Most players have stepped up and accepted their roles, even BS and PJ.
I think the Boilers could use his shot if he had a shot to use....he's lost it and he's not finding it. Again, that said I think the Boilers will be just fine if he gets 15 or 2 minutes a game. They've done it in the B10 so far and I see them doing it the rest of the year.
I agree that Purdue has been good without him finding his shot, but I also don't think this team has come close to reaching its potential.
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Stephens is the best on the team at feeding the post to Hammons and Haas. His passing can get lazy at times but he is one of the only ones that activly looks for hammons and executes the post feed pass. He needs to keep shooting too.
I'm still hoping Kendall turns into a shorter version of that tall, lanky kid that played at UK ( think his name was Prince) who also had a nice Pro career I believe.
i absolutley agree that KS needs to keep shooting and play more minutes. KS and the big guys are the only ones that demand being guarded. octeous because he will drive and DM a little bit as he is starting to hit. look at wiscy and see the room their bigs have to operate because everyone has to be guarded. boilers need KS to do what he does
Well put spradecki. When they have to guard all 5 positions it opens up the middle for opportunities. For example, Kaminsky is so successful because he's able to go one on one so often without getting doubled. And I agree with those that want Stephens in there because he has to get the range sometime soon, right? Potential? If this team would be better at the stripe and have that outside threat we would be even more formidable. There's a lot going right right now. But we can be better. Btfu!
Kendall's minutes don't need cut if we want a miracle run in the NCAA's it is because he gets his stroke back.
Yep. This team cannot make a deep run without Kendall contributing. They need his shooting. Have to let him shoot out of his 'slump.'
Do we really need him to shoot his way out his his "slump?" We've won 5 games against top 50 RPI teams. KS is 5 for 33 from the field in those games. Maybe we just need for him to stop shooting.
after you actually see crean on the sidelines a few times in person, it has a way of shaking you to the core. i'd say this is what happened
Re: Painter makes his players earn minutes.
All of our 3 point "specialists" need to start picking it up from 3. Stephens is shooting 34% in the B1G. Octeus is shooting 30%. Edwards and Mathias are at 28%. Davis is the leading the way shooting 38%.
All of our 3 point "specialists" need to start picking it up from 3. Stephens is shooting 34% in the B1G. Octeus is shooting 30%. Edwards and Mathias are at 28%. Davis is the leading the way shooting 38%.
Re: Painter makes his players earn minutes.
Mathias has in the last 2 games, but the game before that he was 1/6 or 1/7. Edwards didn't even play 2 games ago. Who are these "ALL" you speak of? I'm just saying that Stephens isn't the only one that needs to step up from 3.
Mathias has in the last 2 games, but the game before that he was 1/6 or 1/7. Edwards didn't even play 2 games ago. Who are these "ALL" you speak of? I'm just saying that Stephens isn't the only one that needs to step up from 3.
