Damian Lillard GM

[Chex]

Honestly not entirely sure what GM role is for college hoops, but this should bolster recruiting.

 

[oldrunner]

Honestly not entirely sure what GM role is for college hoops, but this should bolster recruiting.

I feel that it is mostly symbolic, but with his expanded contacts it should help in the fund raising area as well as in recruiting. In fact, it has already helped in both of those areas. From what he had to say at the alumni event, I am glad to have him more formally involved with our community. It can only help.

 

[AlumniWSU]

It can help & hopefully shows positive results in competitive play. Just hope that it doesn't lock in a struggling HC, as Duft demonstrated last season, that lingers for years if it continues.

 

[oldrunner]

It can help & hopefully shows positive results in competitive play. Just hope that it doesn't lock in a struggling HC, as Duft demonstrated last season, that lingers for years if it continues.

This is just a 'for what it's worth' from me, but my observations from seeing just one practice and watching the team at the alumni event. This team seems more together and enthusiastic than the teams over the past 3 years. It remains to be seen, but I'm hopeful that enthusiasm carries over to more wins on the court. What I am seeing is that we will be smaller, but more athletic in the front court and also in the backcourt. We are a little bit deeper in the guard positions and seem to have a bevy of shooters. The hiring of a big man centric coach, in Vandiver, is a verry good addition to the staff. From what I have seen, he is a great coach and has already developed strong relationships with all of our players.

Yes, last year was not good, maybe the worst in the last 20 years. I'm hoping that was just an aberation and that the rebounding we lost with Jones going to the NBA is made up for with this new group.

 

[BigWaldO]

This is just a 'for what it's worth' from me, but my observations from seeing just one practice and watching the team at the alumni event. This team seems more together and enthusiastic than the teams over the past 3 years. It remains to be seen, but I'm hopeful that enthusiasm carries over to more wins on the court. What I am seeing is that we will be smaller, but more athletic in the front court and also in the backcourt. We are a little bit deeper in the guard positions and seem to have a bevy of shooters. The hiring of a big man centric coach, in Vandiver, is a verry good addition to the staff. From what I have seen, he is a great coach and has already developed strong relationships with all of our players.

Yes, last year was not good, maybe the worst in the last 20 years. I'm hoping that was just an aberation and that the rebounding we lost with Jones going to the NBA is made up for with this new group.

Camaraderie is always high in the summer. New team these games haven’t started hating each other yet and/or the coaching staff yet. There is always going to be a lack of trust when they make the same coaching mistakes every year.

It’s never a question of talent. It’s can these guys invest in a staff they don’t trust at the end of the year. By the end of next season you are going to tell me that half of these guys you are high on now weren’t good enough to play on our team. When is it ever going to be that Duft just isn’t good enough to be a head coach?? Most boosters, fans and even past and present players know it

 

[oldrunner]

I feel that we are all hoping that every one of these guys are good enough to play for us and that the coaches make all the right choices, that everyone feels they are being treated fairly. I guess time will tell on all of that. The stark realities of athletics is that the end of the bench will never be as happy as the main rotation group. In this day and age, players often don't have the patience to wait on their own development and some times the coaches lose patience as well. I hope that none of that happens, but reality says otherwise.

Sounds like Mr Waldo has spoken to all of the boosters and has been given the go ahead to speak for all of them. Mr Waldo must be the head of the Wildcat Club or maybe he is the Prsident of the University. He certainly must be a very powerful, powerful man.

 

[talhadfoursteals]

Love Dame! His loyalty to Weber State is second to none. We are very fortunate to have him. His role as GM should be very positive for the program. Thank you Damian for all that you do. You are awesome!

Also, grateful for everyone who was involved in this successful event. Glad to hear that Coach Crompton has been instrumental in Dame's involvement and evolution into the GM role. Guy gets bashed a lot. Including by me. Still think the world of him. He's a great guy and feel he came into the AD role at a really unfortunate time for mid-majors like Weber State. He's had to deal with one seismic change after another over the past five years.

As for basketball...not sure how next season is going to go. Hoping for a good one. Really feel Duft has to win the conference crown to keep his position. It is an all or nothing kinda arrangement. I agree with Waldo, right now camaraderie is great. School hasn't started, it is summer (by the way, really hate that the team practices for 5 months. The NCAA has to get that one fixed. The guys are going to be burned out by December. Injuries are going to occur more readily and their bodies will be done by the end of January. More practice doesn't equate into better teams.), and actual games are still almost three months away. Its fun right now. That changes really quickly once the season starts. Also, I don't see how this team is better than last years team. I just don't. Really hope I am wrong.