The Picture Clears

Posted on: March 9, 2018 at 08:35:50 CT

The team lacks a leader.

Robertson, despite being 24 years old, has never played on a big stage or a big game prior to this year. He never ran an offense for his team prior to this year. He has bone-head turnovers, misses critical free throws at the wrong time.

Barnett, despite being a senior, has never really had to lead a team. He has the talent level and the physical gifts to dominate a game, and command the will of the game - but lacks the mental tenacity to do so. He disappears too often.

Puryear’s mind cannot make up for his lack of physical skill and he lacks the mental maturity to be a team leader. Sometimes effort isn’t enough.

Geist serves as an afterthought. He plays hard. He fills his role. He has 1 game where he scored 28. But he isn’t a team leader.

Porter Jr is at about 70% of where he could be physically. But he is out of place on this team because he hasn’t played with them. His presence caused others to not play like they had all season.

Jontay has had great flashes of quietly scoring, rebounding, altering or blocking shots. But he isn’t a leader - yet.

So, unless Martin does a better job of game management (like who thought he should have called a TO or two during UGA’s 16-0 run?!?) and coaching, this team’s best days are behind them.

Nonetheless, it has been a good, but not great year.