Lazy? Malik Dow is lazy? I dont think so! I payed close attention to Malik Dow over the weekend and to me he doesn't seem happy playing with Hoop Dreams anymore. Dow is a slasher, super athletic and likes to get up and down the floor. His ball handling does need work but he can beat his man off the wing with 1 to 2 dribbles due to his explosive first step. He can hit the 10-15ft jump shot. Maybe not consistently but you have to respect it. Coach Mike Scott has changed up the offense and I don't think Malik is feeling the new style of play. It could be that the offense no longer flows through him or the style of play and pace is just too boring. Of all the players I saw in the tournament, he was the only kid that looked like he wasn't having any fun on the court. In my opinion, Dow simply does't fit with this team. I just feel Dow's potential and strengths are not being maximized by Coach Scott. Dow has been with Hoop Dreams for 6 years but with good AAU programs such as The Ville, Louisville Magic and the KY Heat (just to name a few) based in his hometown Louisville, makes me wonder how long he'll stay with the HD program. I will not be surprised if he jumps ship.

 

I am assuming this is all speculation on your part? I'm not going to claim to be in the know on this situation but I'd be shocked if he wasn't happy with Hoop Dreams.

I agree that Dow isn't "lazy." That said, the rest of Slim's comments appear uninformed (at best). If you watched that team play at state, they press most all of the time and attempt to create transition buckets - and speed up the game - by doing so. If a team zones them, which is what happened against the Magic this weekend, that's naturally going to slow down any half court offense. Why do you think the Magic zoned them? They attack the rim well against man, including Dow. So, if the other team is smart, that's what Hoop Dreams will see. Not sure how that style of play doesn't fit Dow.

 

The biggest issue I saw with Dow was the ability to stay in the game. He seems to stay in foul trouble. That being said, don't you think that's going to affect the perception of whether he's playing hard/attacking? And the perception that he's frustrated? I'm sure he was, but not for the reasons Slim cited.

Don't know particulars with Malik but know he has been with Mike a long long time. Mike Scott is the best I have seen with skill development and with his practices. A lot of coaches who had a Malik Dow 6 years ago would have stuck them in the post and only worked with that. Mike is good about trying to develop all players to have guard skill sets no matter size. Mike runs a good program and is very loyal to those that have been with him for a while.

 

I dont know anything about Coach Scott. Have heard phenomenal things, and his teams are always competitive. Im sure he does a great job.

 

I disagree with your statement in saying that any other coaches would have just stuck dow in the post and not allowed him to work on his guard game. Good coaches work to enhance all around skill in practice. Working on things from ball handling, to shooting, rebounding, footwork (offensively & defensively), post play,communication, defense, passing, creating your own shot, etc.

 

Any good coach is going to do all of this and more. A good coach, doesn't pigeon-hole a player into one position. Let the guards post up, and let the bigs pop.

 

Balance is a major factor.

Looks like these boys are garnering some national and regional attention.

 

Well done fellas!!!!!!

 

 

 

 

After the spring season, Hoop Dreams 16u is ranked #5 in the southern region according to IndiHoops.con

Wait a minute. Isn't that about where folks on here had them ranked among 16U STATE (KY) TEAMS just prior to the AAU season starting?

Eli Wright, Ben Moss, and Javeion Eaves have joined Hoop Dreams. 16u team is stacked with talent. July is going to be fun for the Hoop Dreams family

Eli Wright, Ben Moss, and Javeion Eaves have joined Hoop Dreams. 16u team is stacked with talent. July is going to be fun for the Hoop Dreams family

 

Given how that team performed in Atlanta, with that much more talent added, the only concern would be getting the chemistry right in a short period of time. If that all works out, that's an unbelievably talented team that legitimately goes 12 (+) deep.

When/where is their next tournament?

Eli Wright, Ben Moss, and Javeion Eaves have joined Hoop Dreams. 16u team is stacked with talent. July is going to be fun for the Hoop Dreams family

 

Have they lost anyone from the first post? If not, are they carrying 14 players? No doubt that is a very talented bunch, but going into the July evaluation period it may be difficult to get all of them the amount of exposure they are looking for.

Have they lost anyone from the first post? If not, are they carrying 14 players? No doubt that is a very talented bunch, but going into the July evaluation period it may be difficult to get all of them the amount of exposure they are looking for.

 

I know that Emany Malumba left the team after the state tourney. Don't know about anyone else.

Kevin Kirby has said he also be playing with Hoop Dreams in July.

Kevin Kirby has said he also be playing with Hoop Dreams in July.

 

Not sure where you heard that, but that is false.