Don't think I've ever been this excited about a new player

domination122 · Unread post by **domination122** » 11 years ago

Not sure if anyone has seen this video yet, but a couple of months ago E.C did a plastic bag workout in which you place the ball in a bag. Makes it much harder to control.

Anyway, I know a lot of you guys have watched his HS games and there's a lot of tweets from guys like Rothstein talking about how good he's been in practice so far. But out of everything I've seen, this video had me in awe. His handles are unbelievable. Great shot (got to love the dunks as well). This is a very difficult workout.

He has all the tools, and under coach Hurley I believe the skys the limit for Matthews.

I don't think I've ever been this excited about a new player and a new season for our Rams. E.C is going to take the A10 by storm. I'm still shocked we got him. Can this season start already??

Rhody72 · Unread post by **Rhody72** » 11 years ago

Wow! He never misses. Recruiters would rather see 5 minutes of continuous competitive play than a video such as this. I've been told this by top college coaches.

ace · Unread post by **ace** » 11 years ago

This was also posted on his recruitment board post. Check out that thread for some great clips.

No one misses on an edited highlight tape!

bressler3south · Unread post by **bressler3south** » 11 years ago

Man, why don't you just change your handle to : "RhodeKill."

ramster · Unread post by **ramster** » 11 years ago

Agree that these highlight clips are hard to judge.
Got to like his work ethic and his upside potential. EC improved considerably from his Junior to Senior year and the became the Top Player on his team as he led them to the State Championsip. Will be interesting to see him matched up against Mr Dunn of the Catholic 7 this year.

bressler3south · Unread post by **bressler3south** » 11 years ago

That's why they are called "Highlight" clips….The "highs" of performance, shedding some illumination…
Anyway, I'd rather watch -- in person -- a whole game; yet, since I can't be there for every freakin' game, I'll watch the various media outlets available. Just like everyone on this board clamoring for "highlights" of recruits, game-links, etc.,
Don't we all, to follow our teams??????????
And as far as "recruiters…coaches" told you this, who-the-hell would recruit someone SOLELY via Internet clips?!?
(Not even the CFL-IPhoneVoyeuer Marriage was "virtual!")
You needed to be told?????

Rhody74 · Unread post by **Rhody74** » 11 years ago

If they start playing with two balls, we're all set!

bressler3south · Unread post by **bressler3south** » 11 years ago

Ask Blue Man!!!

Billyboy78 · Unread post by **Billyboy78** » 11 years ago

No you can't tell everything from tape. But some things are obvious from watching EC's tape....the athletic ability, the body control, the lateral movement, the vision. He is plus plus in these areas. Obviously mixtapes are not going to show players missing shots. But you can analyze a shooter's form. I actually don't like EC's form on his outside shot. Does that mean he's not a good shooter? No. On the other hand, I love Butler's form and his lift on his jumper. Does that mean he's a good shooter? No.....so, no, tape does not tell you everything, but it can tell you something(if you know what to look for).

Miramfan · Unread post by **Miramfan** » 11 years ago

E. C. had a few games this past year that looked as though they were a mix tape. One of the games was the quarter finals game against great competition. E. C. Proved that he was the best player in the building. I would love to watch the game again and have the ability to rewind.

reef · Unread post by **reef** » 11 years ago

This kid looks like a natural

bressler3south · Unread post by **bressler3south** » 11 years ago

Didn't Coach Hurley say that, "…expect him to be one of the better freshmen in the country."
I'll trust Coach Hurley's evaluation….

bigappleram · Unread post by **bigappleram** » 11 years ago

from what i have heard no one can stop him in practice. and he is "nasty" in the open floor. no one knows if he can play D yet, but he has the right build to be a menacing defender. i agree with 78 that i dont love his form from the outside, but not nearly enough observation to judge that. very excited to see the 13-14 rams, 4 weeks and counting.

bressler3south · Unread post by **bressler3south** » 11 years ago

Thanks for the report, bigappleram!
If his work ethic and desire are as good as have been reported by Coach Hurley (same with Martin), then he'll dig down deep and "learn" to play D.
What's the old adage: Not everyone's blessed offensively, but anyone can become an outstanding defensive player. It's a matter of wanting to do it.

Smokinjimit · Unread post by **Smokinjimit** » 11 years ago

Very soft hands.

hrstrat57 · Unread post by **hrstrat57** » 11 years ago

Thanks for posting that, clearly a super hard worker.....love the baseball t shirt ha ha!

Will be fun to watch this kid in action.

Ramtastico · Unread post by **Ramtastico** » 11 years ago

Rhody72 wrote:Wow! He never misses. Recruiters would rather see 5 minutes of continuous competitive play than a video such as this. I've been told this by top college coaches.

Hey dumbass, this is not a recruiting video but a sample training video from his coach. I would like to see you try one of these drills, even without the plastic bag.
Maybe you can send him a video of your pure free throw form to get him on the right track for his career. I have been told by top college coaches that it is priceless.

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 11 years ago

I have to say, while I'm very excited to see EC and Hassan,
some of us remember Sly Williams, who was exactly as advertised.
20.0 PPG as a freshman, with 32 points vs. number one Michigan.
McDonald's AA and number one high school player in the Northeast, Pappy Owens.
A star from day one.
Silk Owens, NYC POY(when that really meant something) Another instant hit.
Let's not forget the anticipation of NUMBER ONE ranked player, Lamar
Odom.
Perspective, folks.

bressler3south · Unread post by **bressler3south** » 11 years ago

E.C. REDUX. SEE E.C. MATTHEWS RECRUITING THREAD FOR "THE ARGUMENT!"

rambone 78 · Unread post by **rambone 78** » 11 years ago

True, Rod, but it's nice to have high hopes again, after so many years of just hoping that some of you-know-who's recruits would pan out.

This a whole new ball game. These guys are on another level. I was just thinking the other day, that if EC turns out as good as Sly was, we're going places. I also think Hassan will turn out to be one of the best players we've had in a long time.

Baron recruited athletes, but athletes that had low BB IQ. He had no chance to get guys with the whole package. Dan does, and we're going to see more of it in the next few years.

Billyboy78 · Unread post by **Billyboy78** » 11 years ago

Sly is still the best player I've seen at URI...yes, better than Lamar.

hrstrat57 · Unread post by **hrstrat57** » 11 years ago

Billyboy78 wrote:Sly is still the best player I've seen at URI...yes, better than Lamar.

Yep, that kiss off the glass was flat out money.

Garrick and Owens were the most dynamic pair....

We may be on the cusp of better days!

Billyboy78 · Unread post by **Billyboy78** » 11 years ago

hrstrat57 wrote:
Billyboy78 wrote:Sly is still the best player I've seen at URI...yes, better than Lamar.
Yep, that kiss off the glass was flat out money.

Garrick and Owens were the most dynamic pair....

We may be on the cusp of better days!

...not to mention his rebounding, his passing....what a shame, he had a chance to be a great NBA player too.

ace · Unread post by **ace** » 11 years ago

I had no idea who Sly Williams is, just looked him up. Not an enjoyable read.

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 11 years ago

Sly had fire, and played with passion.
Lamar may have had more raw talent, but he coasted through his career.
What Sly became, post URI, post NBA, has nothing to do with our memories of him on the court.
Those memories at mostly very enjoyable for us who saw him play.

For those who are curious, this is interesting reading:
http://www.celticslife.com/2012/05/...h ... liams.html

bressler3south · Unread post by **bressler3south** » 11 years ago

Both had that great charisma, yet while Lamar could direct the outcome of the game by his individually getting the most out of his teammates' involvement, Sly could take over a game by his fierce individual will to get the job done -- at both ends of the court.

ramster · Unread post by **ramster** » 11 years ago

Agree that Sly Williams was the best player I ever say at URI, he was better than Lamar.
Sly had it all:
Shooting
Ball Handling
Rebounding
Passing
Shot Blocking
Dribbling
He was amazing how he would get in the lane and put up a soft, gentle and smooth shot. His shot was very accurate. He often banked the ball in when playing down low. He had great skills.
It was like his game had no weakness.
Most amazing was when he was a freshman at URI and scored 32 Points at the Providence Civic Center with PC Fans booing him profusely as it was a double header at the PCC. Michigan was the #1 Ranked team in the Nation with Rickey Green and Phil Hubbard. An amazing performance.

reef · Unread post by **reef** » 11 years ago

Sly was silky smooth

Boy we had some great leftys

Sly Cat and Lamar

Billyboy78 · Unread post by **Billyboy78** » 11 years ago

reef wrote:Sly was silky smooth

Boy we had some great leftys

Sly Cat and Lamar

...and Tyson and Silk. Great history of lefties, with two more potential great ones arriving now!

Rhode_Island_Red · Unread post by **Rhode_Island_Red** » 11 years ago

Actually, Sly had one huge weakness: he was completely left-handed. Even Bob Ryan said Sly was the most left-handed player he had ever seen. When opposing defenses overplayed his left hand in the latter part of his junior year, he was lost. Dom Perno said as much after his Storrs Leg-humpers beat URI in the finals of the ECAC tournament.

rodfromcranston · Unread post by **rodfromcranston** » 11 years ago

Sly was lost, because URI did not have a point guard.
They were 18-3 at one point and nationally ranked.
Then coaches started to press the Rams and make it difficult to get
the ball upcourt. Even Sly was used sometimes to bring the ball up.
Kraft was so desperate, that he even tried Kevin Whiting, a freshman SG at
point.
That is why the team sagged down the stretch and wound up in the NIT, losing
to Maryland, and why Sly was never the same player as he was until mid season.
Being left handed didn't hurt when he scored 36 points with the Knicks in the NBA.
or any time in his three years at URI.

ramfan85 · Unread post by **ramfan85** » 11 years ago

Little known fact: Sly was a good chess player.

bressler3south · Unread post by **bressler3south** » 11 years ago

Bob Ryan must've forgotten watching Lenny Wilkens, Red…….

hrstrat57 · Unread post by **hrstrat57** » 11 years ago

Kevin Whiting, ha ha there is a blast from the past!

Local I believe, Durfee High do I recall correctlY?

JFrech21 · Unread post by **JFrech21** » 11 years ago

rodfromcranston wrote:Sly was lost, because URI did not have a point guard.
They were 18-3 at one point and nationally ranked.
Then coaches started to press the Rams and make it difficult to get
the ball upcourt. Even Sly was used sometimes to bring the ball up.
Kraft was so desperate, that he even tried Kevin Whiting, a freshman SG at
point.
That is why the team sagged down the stretch and wound up in the NIT, losing
to Maryland, and why Sly was never the same player as he was until mid season.
Being left handed didn't hurt when he scored 36 points with the Knicks in the NBA.
or any time in his three years at URI.

That's similar to what happened to Lamar. When Preston got hurt they were left with him trying to do everything.

Billyboy78 · Unread post by **Billyboy78** » 11 years ago

hrstrat57 wrote:Kevin Whiting, ha ha there is a blast from the past!

Local I believe, Durfee High do I recall correctlY?

Yes, Durfee. I've seen a lot of Durfee games over the years. My brother played there. Whiting was one of the best I've seen there, and there have been a lot of good ones. He wasn't as good as Chris Herren, but he was good.

Rhody72 · Unread post by **Rhody72** » 11 years ago

My prior post was a response to the comments in the lead post. I think EC is a great recruit by Hurley and URI. I hope newbies here enjoy their first rodeo. I'm hoping for a program with some stability through transitions. Next season will be the most talented URI team in over a decade. I'm looking forward to a few over nights down in South County.

reef · Unread post by **reef** » 11 years ago

Whiting could flat out shoot the rock

The Dude · Unread post by **The Dude** » 11 years ago

I like the highlights. Kid looks like he has a great handle on the ball.

Hal Kopp · Unread post by **Hal Kopp** » 11 years ago

Sly Williams Jr. was a top FB and BB prospect out of New Haven a few years ago.
Anyone know what happened to him ?

Rhody74 · Unread post by **Rhody74** » 11 years ago

Hal Kopp wrote:Sly Williams Jr. was a top FB and BB prospect out of New Haven a few years ago.
Anyone know what happened to him ?

Is this him? http://www.goheels.com/ViewArticle.dbml ... =205497733

If so, he's playing for the Denver Broncos ....http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sylvester_ ... _football)

theblueram · Unread post by **theblueram** » 11 years ago

I'd have to say hearing that we landed the Number 1 recruit Lamar Odom was pretty exciting. Cloud 9 is where the program was then.