The next great Purdue defender

[reswat]

I was surprised to hear the announcers quote Matt Painter as saying that Ethan Morton has the potential to become the next great Purdue defender, in the tradition of Chris Kramer, Rapheal Davis and Dakota Matthias.

That's quite a statement.

If that's true, why not start him at the point guard position?

 

[DAG10]

I was surprised to hear the announcers quote Matt Painter as saying that Ethan Morton has the potential to become the next great Purdue defender, in the tradition of Chris Kramer, Rapheal Davis and Dakota Matthias.

That's quite a statement.

If that's true, why not start him at the point guard position?

There is an incredibly LONG way to go before his name should be mentioned in the same sentence as either, or, others.

Mathias ultimately turned into a really good defender, and, I see similarities with Morton, but, he is not even in the same realm as any of those guys at the moment.

 

[Chi-Boiler]

I was surprised to hear the announcers quote Matt Painter as saying that Ethan Morton has the potential to become the next great Purdue defender, in the tradition of Chris Kramer, Rapheal Davis and Dakota Matthias.

That's quite a statement.

If that's true, why not start him at the point guard position?

I heard the same thing. CMP has been effusive in his praise of Morton over his time here. I'm not sure it's quite warranted right now. He had the primary second half task of guarding Ron Harper Jr and Johnny Davis in those respective games.

 

[DAG10]

I heard the same thing. CMP has been effusive in his praise of Morton over his time here. I'm not sure it's quite warranted right now. He had the primary second half task of guarding Ron Harper Jr and Johnny Davis in those respective games.

Having those assignments, despite them not going well in the moment, will ultimately help him and be of value to him.

He definitely works at that end...he is committed to the cause...but, he did not stop, much less shut down, either of those guys, and, he had a couple of lapses at times today as well.

Like say...I can see it happening at some point along the lines of what Mathias turned into over his time, but, Kramer literally eliminated someone from the opposing team, and, Davis was almost as good...it would be quote a feat if Morton got to that point, and, it would be impressive...and very much welcomed.

 

[johnboiler123]

I heard the same thing. CMP has been effusive in his praise of Morton over his time here. I'm not sure it's quite warranted right now. He had the primary second half task of guarding Ron Harper Jr and Johnny Davis in those respective games.

Yeah, morton has been an ok role player, but painter seems to go way over the top whenever he talks about him.

 

[Emartin70287]

Its crazy to think, but Nojel might have fit on a team like this. Don't need his offense, just D.

 

[DAG10]

Yeah, morton has been an ok role player, but painter seems to go way over the top whenever he talks about him.

I like the guy for sure, as much as anyone probably, and, more than most likely as well...but, right now...he is getting WAY too many minutes seemingly, especially at the 4 where Purdue has two quality options already. Like say...if it were at/for the 1...I could get it and buy into it, but, as it stands, it raises some questions.

 

[DAG10]

Its crazy to think, but Nojel might have fit on a team like this. Don't need his offense, just D.

Yeah, that is pretty much just crazy (kidding of course)...I am not sure that Nojel at the end fits on any team, which, is why he ended up not even being on one after he made the decision to quit at Purdue.

 

[New Pal Boiler]

Yeah, that is pretty much just crazy (kidding of course)...I am not sure that Nojel at the end fits on any team, which, is why he ended up not even being on one after he made the decision to quit at Purdue.

All he needed was a jump shot. NBA level perimeter defender.

 

[Gman544]

I know why Painter says that. When asked about his D on Davis Morton talked in specific basketball jargon exactly how he messed up on a couple plays. Detail you won’t hear from others. So, he gets it and perhaps that is why he has the potential in Matt’s eyes. Probably not Kramer or Rapheal who walked in the door very good On D. More in line of Mathais who evolved over a few years into a good defender… not great.

 

[Smokestack91]

I know why Painter says that. When asked about his D on Davis Morton talked in specific basketball jargon exactly how he messed up on a couple plays. Detail you won’t hear from others. So, he gets it and perhaps that is why he has the potential in Matt’s eyes. Probably not Kramer or Rapheal who walked in the door very good On D. More in line of Mathais who evolved over a few years into a good defender… not great.

As I recall, Rapheal did not start out as a very good defender. He worked his butt off and became one, but didn't start off as one.

 

[Gman544]

As I recall, Rapheal did not start out as a very good defender. He worked his butt off and became one, but didn't start off as one.

Maybe true, my memory is… well, not the best.

 

[DAG10]

Maybe true, my memory is… well, not the best.

I don't know if he was elite necessarily to begin with, but, he initially found his way to the floor and in the lineup because of his contributions at that end rather than the offensive one, I do remember that.

 

[Boileratthebeach]

Maybe true, my memory is… well, not the best.

My recollection is he worked his way to be a superior defender and by senior year he had an shot to complement it.

 

[mryankee2397]

with hunter, thompson and morton all being liabilities on offense, painter should play the one with the best defensive skills. that would probably be morton at this point. hunter and thompson are doing nothing at both ends which is surprising for upper classmen who have shown they can play in the past.

 

[Kelkel1972]

There is an incredibly LONG way to go before his name should be mentioned in the same sentence as either, or, others.

Mathias ultimately turned into a really good defender, and, I see similarities with Morton, but, he is not even in the same realm as any of those guys at the moment.

Not true, he just doesn't get the minutes. I was a HUGE Mathias, Davis and Kramer fan. Morton could be something very special.

 

[MLB007]

I know why Painter says that. When asked about his D on Davis Morton talked in specific basketball jargon exactly how he messed up on a couple plays. Detail you won’t hear from others. So, he gets it and perhaps that is why he has the potential in Matt’s eyes. Probably not Kramer or Rapheal who walked in the door very good On D. More in line of Mathais who evolved over a few years into a good defender… not great.

he has to make do with what he has! And that's going to take the right mind set and a lot of work by Morton.
Matt SEES that Morton wants to be that guy so he HAS to do everything in his power to keep Ethan motivated and wanting it.
Defense is no different than any other skill. The more you work at it the better you get. Rapheal was NOT a defensive player when he got to WL, he learned it and worked his ASS off. Same as Chris who did come with some skills there. Dakota had none of that, but the will to do the job that was needed by his team. He did an amazing job given his physical limitations. Matt sees the same self sacrifice in the name of TEAM in Ethan.
He will get better.
That said, I expect some signing(s) for defensive minded players in the upcoming year.

 

[MLB007]

I heard the same thing. CMP has been effusive in his praise of Morton over his time here. I'm not sure it's quite warranted right now. He had the primary second half task of guarding Ron Harper Jr and Johnny Davis in those respective games.

has to start somewhere. Even if it's the ground floor.

 

[MLB007]

As I recall, Rapheal did not start out as a very good defender. He worked his butt off and became one, but didn't start off as one.

yes, and he'll tell you that.,