"Unstoppable" is a figure of speech and an exaggeration. In this case, it denotes that the individual is really good.
Again, I've made my points about Cook based on facts and have shown you his importance statistically because you can't see it with your own eyes.
But that's not enough for you. You're convinced that this team is better off with him being a garbage player, not having the offense run through him and instead letting shooters shoot. He bogs down the offense.
I can't make you understand how basketball works when you have a dominant player in the post that draws fouls and is the focus of the other teams' scouting reports; how it opens everything up when you run the offense through him.
Go back and look at the Rutgers film of Iowa's first two possessions. After the ball was delivered to him in the post and he was doubled, he kicked it out to open shooters behind the arc who missed wide open threes. So, he didn't get assists, which was another thing you've harped on recently.
It's great when you're the Golden State Warriors and can splash shot after shot from the outside from some of the greatest shooters to every play the game. The problem is that it's the exception, not the rule.
Working an offense through a strong post presence is an old and proven concept. And the best player on this team happens to be a post player. That's why you run the offense through him. You don't look at it and say he can't do this or he can't do that. You go with your best attack option.
Ok, you were exaggerating when making your case for Cook. Got it, I agree. That was easy enough.
I wouldn't refer to him as a dominant basketball player either. Dominant players have the ability to shoot the basketball outside of 3 feet.
I don't think he is a "garbage player" either, but getting some easy "garbage shots" would be a strength of his but that isn't much of a strength at this point in time, he stands around too much, either isn't interested in boxing out or doesn't understand how important it is. This is often typical of someone like him, who is an outstanding athlete. He tends to rely upon his physical talents, rather than maneuvering his way into positions of strength. This is similar to offensive and defensive linemen. Those who have a background in high level wrestling have the skill of knowing how to gain leverage and positioning and don't merely rely upon brute force of physical talent. The same is true of dominant post players. Post play is about gaining leverage, position, advantage, not jumping.
I am aware a player doesn't get "an assist" if the shooter who he passes to misses the shot, but that is true for every player, not just Cook.
Yes, I agree, working the ball through a post player is a good move, my point was, again, when it becomes "too much" Cook it bogs down the offense and lessens Iowa's chance to win games. This is also tried and true coaching.
You continue to talk about the most recent game and how Iowa "got it to the shooters too much" and how it "didn't work." Perhaps so, but it is only one game. In the world of averages, it was a terrible night of shooting for shooters who are proven to be talented shooters. That happens in sports. Good shooting teams lose, even Golden State.
Cook is an outstanding talent, but is below average in the fundamentals of BB, and is far below average in his shooting abilities. He needs some "tuning" to reach his ceiling, a coaching staff who is competent, a coaching staff that will demand fundamentals, but in the end, how much better Cook can be is up to him. I hope he becomes a well-rounded beast for Iowa, and if not Iowa, for an NBA team.
I would like to see Cook dominate some games. Perhaps he will now that the most important part of the season is approaching. Get to the Big Dance, see what happens. I am hopeful, for him and for the team.
Cook is still a diamond in the rough, with a high ceiling, if he is polished up he will shine brightly.
