Taj Gibson

[marc90007trojan]

I hate to say this 'cause I like Taj Gibson personally, he's a good kid.

But he is an offensive liability, and the Trojans don't have any big men as it is. I know he gives SC a defensive presence inside, but besides that we just can't rely on him to score a bucket.

And his b-ball IQ doesn't seem very high. He has picked up his share of silly, untimely fouls the last 2 years. He got his 4th foul today, with what, 15 minutes remaining in the second half??:bash: Beasley was going to get his, anyway. Why waste a foul?That was just a killer.

He definitely needs to come back for another year at least.

[TrojanMan108]

I wouldn't call him an offensive liability, but he's certainly inconsistent. He goes through spurts where he blows past defenders and drops a bunch of easy layups and dunks.

But he misses too many FT's, and he also goes through spurts of Kwame-like hands.

That being said, no way we win 21 games this year without him.

[diakonos]

But he misses too many FT's, and he also goes through spurts of Kwame-like hands.

That's a low blow, bringing Kwame back. :bad:

[LeftNoDoubt]

Averaging 10.8 points and 7.8 rebounds is a liability? He had an average of 2.5 turnovers per game, while OJ Mayo averaged 3.8 turnovers per game. Beasley averaged 2.9 turnovers per game. Kevin Love, 2 turnovers per game. Taj's assist:turnover ratio was better than Beasley's this year. Free throws: He had a 58% free throw average, which is obviously bad, but he is our big guy, and you can't expect 80% from a BIG guy. While nobody disses his defense, it does make up for his under average free throw shooting. 2.5 blocks per game is pretty impressive. (Kevin Love's average- 1.1. Beasley's average- 1.7 and Hansbrough- 0.7) Say anything you want about Taj, but he is NOT a liability.

Fight On Taj! :scb:

[scottyhottyol]

Averaging 10.8 points and 7.8 rebounds is a liability? He had an average of 2.5 turnovers per game, while OJ Mayo averaged 3.8 turnovers per game. Beasley averaged 2.9 turnovers per game. Kevin Love, 2 turnovers per game. Taj's assist:turnover ratio was better than Beasley's this year. Free throws: He had a 58% free throw average, which is obviously bad, but he is our big guy, and you can't expect 80% from a BIG guy. While nobody disses his defense, it does make up for his under average free throw shooting. 2.5 blocks per game is pretty impressive. (Kevin Love's average- 1.1. Beasley's average- 1.7 and Hansbrough- 0.7) Say anything you want about Taj, but he is NOT a liability.

Fight On Taj! :scb:

Neither is he ready to play in the NBA

[LeftNoDoubt]

but that's not what I am arguing.

[JBS2007]

Averaging 10.8 points and 7.8 rebounds is a liability? He had an average of 2.5 turnovers per game, while OJ Mayo averaged 3.8 turnovers per game. Beasley averaged 2.9 turnovers per game. Kevin Love, 2 turnovers per game. Taj's assist:turnover ratio was better than Beasley's this year. Free throws: He had a 58% free throw average, which is obviously bad, but he is our big guy, and you can't expect 80% from a BIG guy. While nobody disses his defense, it does make up for his under average free throw shooting. 2.5 blocks per game is pretty impressive. (Kevin Love's average- 1.1. Beasley's average- 1.7 and Hansbrough- 0.7) Say anything you want about Taj, but he is NOT a liability.

Fight On Taj! :scb:

Considering they don't handle the rock much, big men aren't known to turn the ball over much... Lol

[LeftNoDoubt]

explain to me how he is a liability...

[abc789]

I think Floyd should start recruiting more big men! He need to stop recruiting these 8th gradeers and recruit someone like Love or that really tall guy that Hansborough dunked on from UNC Ashville.

What killed us was the lack of a big guy in the middle to get those rebounds, esp when we were on defense. Kansas just had too many offensive rebounds therefore had many 2nd and 3rd chances.:bash:

[LeftNoDoubt]

Recruiting 8th graders is a big part of college basketball these days. Plus, Floyd is a great recruiter and knows what he is doing. Telling him how to recruit big men would be like telling Pete how to recruit linemen. We lacked them last year, but look at the next few years. Lets hope Floyd can do the same.

2nd and 3rd chance shots killed us this year, in all 11 losses. We make up for missed rebounds in other ways, for example, Taj and Davon's blocking abilities.

Fight On! :scb:

[Conquestluvr]

In 40 years, I do not recall one big,tall,and wide body that has come to USC, and it pisses me off.

We need them ,and we need them NOW!

[veredia2]

Taj a offensive LIABILITY???

He is known to have one of the best low post game in the Pac 10. He may not have the big numbers that Lopez has but he doesnt get as many touches either. Taj got into foul trouble and it is hard to be consistent when you spend half of the game on the bench.

I dont know how often you watch games but he is definitely a threat if you watched UCLA among other teams double him consistently. It is tough drawing double teams down in the post, there is no where to go cause you are in a phone booth.

He may not have the NBA body but most college kids dont, especially incoming freshman. The years of the Mournings, Ewings, Akeem (no "H" at that time)...etc have not been common and were more like a freak of nature at that time. Hopefully we can find some big bodies with some skills. A rebounder would be great... that is what ultimately loss the game today. 20 Offensive boards is ridiculous to overcome.

[jefmc59]

If Sam Clancy can't play in the NBA, Taj Gibson certainly is not going to be able to play in the NBA.

Taj is simply too small to play underneath in the NBA. Maybe he can have some kind of a career in Europe or somewhere. He should stay at USC and try to get a degree.

[darkmoebius]

But he is an offensive liability, and the Trojans don't have any big men as it is. I know he gives SC a defensive presence inside, but besides that we just can't rely on him to score a bucket. Put down the crack pipe and back away from the table.

First, he was injured the first half of the season.

Second, take a look at his stats from 1/05 on (http://www.sportsline.com/collegebasketball/players/playerpage/1143271)

And as veredia2 mentioned, there's a reason why every team double-teams him and it's not because he's a "liability". Did you forget that he put up 20 pts on #7 Stanford just two weeks ago?

[BD1969]

......, ThE TaJ-MaN,---IssZ The REaL DEaL!!! I HAvE NOOO DoUbTs!!!!!!


:bash: :football: AMEN!!!!!!!!!BD#9 :scb:

[darkmoebius]

......, ThE TaJ-MaN,---IssZ The REaL DEaL!!! I HAvE NOOO DoUbTs!!!!!! No one can ever doubt that Taj gave us his all - playing way beyond his actual size.

6'9" rejecting 7'1", that's MONSTER!

http://assets.espn.go.com/media/apphoto/c1ce7cfd-e632-4cc2-ab1e-cd6bbb40bfda.jpg

http://assets.espn.go.com/media/apphoto/9821bb2f-c430-480d-a064-dc3e58479eae.jpg

[BD1969]

......, HaSZZE A NeVeR-DyInG MOtOr!!! WEEE NeED A CoUPLe MOOORRE,
JUsT LIkE HiM!!!!!!


:bash: :football: AMEN!!!!!!!!!BD#9 :scb:

[TrojanMan108]

I agree dark. Taj busts his ass, and he shows emotion on the court when seemingly no one else will. I really want OJ to come back (though I don't see it happening), but I actually think Taj is the most important player that we need back.

DeRozan can fill a similar role to OJ (though not exact) -- we don't have another Taj.

[darkmoebius]

I really want OJ to come back (though I don't see it happening), but I actually think Taj is the most important player that we need back.

To quote OJ in today's LA Times - "We could definitely use another inside player other than Taj [Gibson], who is a great player but really needs some help," Mayo said after sixth-seeded USC lost to 11th-seeded Kansas State, 80-67... He's our anchor and any team hoping for a chance has to focus on him first. We just need another banger inside and it's off to the races.

Mayo said the Trojans could get the help they need from DeMar DeRozan, a 6-foot-6 swingman from Compton High who will join the Trojans next season.

Asked whether he would consider coming back to play alongside the fellow McDonald's All-American, Mayo said, "DeMar's a good player. . . . I'll look at that."But, this quote from Davon also gives me a lot of hope: Freshman forward Davon Jefferson appeared to be leaning toward returning, at least publicly. Asked if he had a decision to make, Jefferson said, "Not really. Finish school."Maybe OJ, TAJ, and Davon will make a pact to return much like a few guys on the football team did last year.

[jjlsvtroy]

We all love Taj, he's a key to our success, just look back at last year's tournament run.

My only criticism of Taj is he has very weak hands. I've Tivo'd most of the games this year, and it's amazing how many times a game he get the ball stripped away. He needs to spend some time this off season with Carlisle beefing up.

[darkmoebius]

My only criticism of Taj is he has very weak hands. I've Tivo'd most of the games this year, and it's amazing how many times a game he get the ball stripped away. He needs to spend some time this off season with Carlisle beefing up. I noticed he gets stripped a lot bringing the ball up from waist level for a dunk with both hands. A friend made the same observation as you about arm and hand strength. I never thought about it that way, but makes sense.

[TrojanMan108]

Yes, that's true. He's not that big of a guy to be playing the 5 spot, and occassionally it shows. If Kevin Love or one of the Lopez freaks hangs on his arms, he won't be able to finish the shot.

But he has great instincts and quickness, which more often than not makes up for his smaller size.

I'm still hoping that, as has been said, he, Davon, and OJ look at what Florida did last year and decide to come back together and make a serious run at it.

You take what we had this season, and add DeRozan, Cunningham, and Diarra --- plus all of this year's guys are one year more experienced, and we've got a VERY dangerous team.

[veredia2]

I have seen Demar play in person and in some pick up games. This kid is EXPLOSIVE. He has some bounce, and will get to the rack. He can hit fade aways and the high degree of difficulty shots as well. He needs to work on getting a consistent jumper, which depends on how much time he is willing to put it.

The one thing I would like to see more of that OJ really didnt display as much as I thought he should of is getting to the rack and getting to the line. I feel that he settles too much for the jumper. Demar can do this and is his strength. OJ needs to follow closely on what KOBE does by using his body to draw contact and still put up a high quality shot. Free throws are a difference of atleast 4 ppg. if he add that to his artillery.

With all this said, and hearing how competitive Mayo is, I feel that he has unfinished business at the college level. Not so much individually but winning a tourney game and making a run at the title, maybe a PAC 10 title, and his "stamp" on the college game.

He is also a lottery pick so who the hell knows??

[TrojanJP]

I think Floyd should start recruiting more big men! He need to stop recruiting these 8th gradeers and recruit someone like Love or that really tall guy that Hansborough dunked on from UNC Ashville.

What killed us was the lack of a big guy in the middle to get those rebounds, esp when we were on defense. Kansas just had too many offensive rebounds therefore had many 2nd and 3rd chances.:bash:

Better yet, recruit Hansbrough. Kenny George is big and all but he is probably the slowest player in D1 up and down the court.

I am crossing my fingers for Renardo Sidney to be a Trojan. That 6'10 230 build would look great in Trojan colors.

[FelixTheCat]

I agree dark. Taj busts his ass, and he shows emotion on the court when seemingly no one else will. I really want OJ to come back (though I don't see it happening), but I actually think Taj is the most important player that we need back.

DeRozan can fill a similar role to OJ (though not exact) -- we don't have another Taj.

:ditto: nailed it, Taj is the guy we really need back next year.

[SCBIGTIME]

The problem is that Taj is practically our whole front court. Davon still needs to work on his post offense and Wilkinson has not shown any post offense at all. If we had more than one front court guy who could reliably post up, the effect would be amazing on our half court offense.

[BD1969]

......TaJ, AnD DaVoN, NEEED ThaT REEEAL BIIIG-STuD-CeNTeR, InnN
ThE MiDDLe, TOOU HeLP-OUUUT OnnN "D", AnD ReBoUNdInG, AnD TheN,
ThE TROJAN'S, WOULd BEEE, ALLL SeT!!!!!!


:bash: :football: AMEN!!!!!!!!!BD#9 :scb:

[veredia2]

I hope Diarra will work his ass off to get some post game. He has great height but talk about being raw....

[caliman]

Free throws: He had a 58% free throw average, which is obviously bad, but he is our big guy, and you can't expect 80% from a BIG guy.


Why not? Being big men has not stopped Hansbrough or Love from shooting near 80% from the foul line. It hasn't stopped Patrick Patterson from Kentucky from shooting in the mid 70's. Free throws is about practice and reps. Taj needs to get in the gym and stay there. There's no excuse for not hitting 70%.

My only complaint of the Tim Floyd regime has been the lack of big man recruiting, especially when there are so many in his back yard. It kills me to watch UNC on TV and see Stevenson and Thompson from right here in LA tearing it up. Now you have the Wear twins also heading to Tobacco Road. Those players need to stay home in order for SC to take another jump up the pecking order. Floyd has another opportunity with Renardo Sidney, let's hope he can get him signed.

[darkmoebius]

My only complaint of the Tim Floyd regime has been the lack of big man recruiting, especially when there are so many in his back yard. Don't you think he's tried to get high quality big men?

Floyd is saddled with the school's history of being a lower-tier choice for basketball. Especially in the "big man" category. We haven't had a truly dominate/physical inside presence(besides Taj) since Clancy and crew.

My bet is that TF has been busting his ass trying to get a quality big man.

[caliman]

I didn't say that he hasn't tried, but he has to deliver also. SC is not stuck in the dark ages where they were a few years ago. They are on the upswing in basketball and any one of the 2 UNC guys could have put them over the top. Same thing happens with the Wear twins. Somehow, someway he has to convince these kids that getting PT at USC is just as good as the PT at UNC and Duke.

Like I said, he has another chance with Sidney let's hope he can get him signed.