The last four Illini basketball games offer the intriguing prospect that our reluctant leader and erstwhile point guard may actually be on the verge of finding his groove. Demitri McCamey is the kind of player that drives an”old schooler” like Weber batty as he searches for ways to motivate and direct a player with more talent than sense. DM seems like a nice enough guy and possesses a body type and skill set that makes you want to think that Illinois has stumbled upon the second coming of DWILL . Weber and the faithful are frustrated because there is the fear of promise gone unfulfilled that accompanies so many talented young men in today’s me first world.
Illini Nation desperately needs DM to become the point guard he can be and elevate his game beyond that of a gifted shooting guard bent on “getting his”, teammates and coaches be damned. What we have seen over the last couple weeks speaks to a maturity that has been lacking in DM’s first two years in O&B. His reaction to not starting has been nothing short of remarkable given the indifference and attitude that he has flashed in the past. Fourteen plus points a game and five point nine assists favorably compare to Frankie and Deron, but his assist to turnover ratio at less than 2:1 falls below the minimum threshold we associate with great creators of the past.
Recently, DM’s respect for each possession and his unselfish play has forced many of us to reevaluate whether the kid will lead and succeed at the highest levels. We saw flashes of a warrior attitude when that Schnauzer of an Indiana guard rapped his legs around DM and tried to hump our Doberman. DM looked as if he wanted to bite Hulls head off and then proceeded to play with a fire and intensity that ignited the Illini and helped will us to victory. DM’s defense in the second half at IU left us wondering whether the taste of blood and the thrill of the kill will propel him to another level as the Big 10 season roars into high gear.
Ultimately, Weber and most recent Illini coaches define greatness by winning atIllinois and it starts with a defensive intensity that sends the Krush into a frenzy and makes the most skilled of opposing point guards (Chris Paul in 04-05) wilt in the snow white heat of the Hall. Tailor Battle and the perplexingly thorny Nittany Lions come calling tonight and Demitri and the boys best beware. Attack the head of the snake from the get go and throw doubles at their diminutive magician from the moment the first whistle sounds. Don’t expect greatness, demand it and be the player that we all believe you can be. Get ready for the Battle; for tonight we see if Demitri becomes Grand Master DM.
0 comments:
Post a Comment