The Hokies decimated No. 7 Miami 77-62 on Saturday. Virginia Tech wrapped up ACC play on a five-game winning streak, as such there is GIFTORY.
Basketball and figure skating intersect.
Zach LeDay succinctly summarized Justin Robinson's stellar 15 point and 8 assist performance.
"He just grew big balls," joked forward Zach LeDay. "He's taking big shots. Making great moves. I told him the whole game that he had control of the other point guard on Miami...He was crisp. He didn't turn it over. He made the right plays when he had to. He's really growing up."
When you're scooting, but not going to make it to the bathroom in time.
Butt bucket.
Clapping dot GIF.
That pass though.
Enhance.
Throw it down.
The Hokies tucked Miami in, and Shane Henry kissed Cassell goodnight.
Comments
Great, awesome, and hopefully we get another one after the first win in the ACC tourney.
Justin Robinson is such a good player. Some of these passes he's made throughout the season have me very much thinking he might be one of our best next-level prospects we've had in a while.
The Shane Henry thing really gets me. He's been, all things considered, a pretty inconsequential player for us for two years. But, damn, the ceremony with his "14 Brothers" and kissing the VT really shows not only how important VT is for him but how important he is to that team. Maybe he is symbolic, overcoming his weaknesses to contribute, being a part of this team that comes together. He seems like such a nice guy, with his beautiful (and tall!) wife.....just a really nice component of Saturday afternoon.
This team is really, really close. It's hard to remember, but next year, we may see the next composition of a VT basketball team not be as close. Teams don't normally support each other like this. It's pretty unusual, but this "15 Brothers" has made their whole greater than their parts.
Shane Henry kissing that VT just gets me right in the feels.
The "14 brothers" thing had me really confused at first. I thought, damn, that's a huge family, and they're all really tall guys. Then I noticed, hey, 2 of 'em are white guys. Mama Henry must have adopted at least a couple to get such a huge family. Then I figured out what was going on and felt really, really dumb.
Buzz's point: it's his energy, unselfishness and willingness to do the dirty work and play his role with such passion that made him valuable as Buzz helped change the culture and his teammates see it every day and recognize how important he's been in the turnaround.
I've said before that there's nothing I love more than a player who loves Tech as much as we do. Imagine being Shane Henry. You go from being an unknown in highschool, to a relatively unheralded juco player, to an ACC role player. I'd be extremely appreciative if I was given that opportunity, and I can tell he is very appreciative. Going to miss his energy, blocking prowess, and vicious put-back dunks.
Two GIFs I would like to see:
1.) Zach LeDay blocked shot from behind on Jekiri under the Basket. Zach was guarding him pretty good, but Jekiri got by and Zach batted his shot from behind...With a scowl.
2.) Justin "little man syndrome" Robinson, pushing Rodriquez to the ground around half court and passing the ball up the field to his teammate for a three.
edit: you know I think the 6th gif down is that play. I see Rodriquez having to get off is rear in the bottom right. Such a great play
Second. That play was absolutely savage.
When Coach Buzz said #5 has little man syndrome I thought of that play, and I was like, You know, I can see that, he pushes back that much harder.
I think Buzz has worn out the "little man syndrome" thing. I have heard him say it a number of times when discussing Robinson, now it just doesn't bear repeating. Don't know why it bothers me, it didn't the first two or three times I heard him say it. I know, I'm picking at nits. Slow day here at the Bay.
I agree with you, but have assumed Buzz places a different "better" meaning to it, like lefty's "Dude", so left it alone. Just like his frequent references to us or the players not being that good irk me a little, though I write that off as trying to hard to stay and be humble when we are blowing expectations and ranked teams out of the gym.
We're in synch here. I didn't take it as a slur, just got tired of the frequent reference thing. Yes, just like his description of LeDay as being an "OK player" never seemed like a slur to me, either, because of his praise following the comment. I guess I just have to get used to Buzz's way of relating things, and my post wasn't meant as a complaint, just the observations of a more than invested fan. I get the humble thing, and relate to that. I'd love to humble every one of them out of the brackets.
It doesn't bother me. I know exactly what he is talking about, being an old gym rat at 6'2" 240, and it defines a personality type perfectly. When I used to do Jiu jitsu, before my last two kids, it wasn't the people bigger than me that I was afraid of training/drilling with. It was the little guy around 160 or less with something to prove. I had to be quick on my taps, or they could do some serious damage. It is so important to prove that they are just as hard/tough/strong as the "big boys." But in reality, they go too far sometimes trying to prove something that isn't really an issue.
To me it give an explanation as to why Robinson gives that extra pushback, and plays with an extra chip on his shoulder.
I have no problem understanding what he's saying, and like I said, I know it is meant as praise. Just tired of hearing it every time I see Buzz interviewed after a game. Like I said, I am definitely nit picking. I, too, have known Napoleonic sorts who some might say overachieved because of a chip on their shoulder about not being taller, but making an issue of it didn't seem necessary, or prudent in some cases, but I'll just cringe slightly and as long as Buzz is being interviewed after winning yet another game, I'll live with it. Happily.
leg for opinions. Your different one, makes this place better :-)
As a 33-yr-old, 5'2", 155lb man, I can tell you for sure something like this can be said with love or it can be said in derogatory way, and sometimes it is hard to tell. When in doubt, default your reaction to the trend of your relationship with the person who said it. If Justin thinks it's cool, then I do too. Although I find it odd that someone who is 6'1" is being labeled with little man syndrome. Hell, he probably couldn't even conquer Finland at that height, much less all of Europe.
Somewhere, some young internet savvy filly is going
Looks like HOAT lost laptop privilege.
Found a picture of HOAT
You also need to take into account that Buzz is his coach, and he emphasizes teamwork, and putting the team in a position greater than yourself. "Little men syndrome" defines a person who can be quick to take things personally and react. Buzz might be saying this frequently because he feels it is important to remind Justin that he needs to keep those tendencies in check for the overall productivity of the team. One thing is for sure. He plays with an attitude, and he is easy to root for.
everyone wanted a blocking call so bad for about 3 seconds. Then we were just losing it for the trey.
2.) PREACH. Seeing Rodriguez on his butt and Robinson already inside the arc is the best part of that GIF.
I really wanted to see #13 fouled out. That guy was a dick all game.
I love how LeDay refers to Rodriguez as "the other point guard on Miami"
that last gif...
Leday with that mean mug. Looking like he is training to be KG jr.
In the GIF where Robinson passes to Bibbs for the trey, I love how Zach is swarming in from the corner about ready to dunk the crap out of it if he got the rebound.
This is so f-king beautiful. I love everybody! Everybody is just great!
Are you drunk?
I was so excited by the giftory that I instantly went and joined the Key Players Club. Thanks Joe and the rest of the team for all of the great work.
Very much appreciated, thank you very much for your support of TKP.
This team has me watching basketball! I never watch basketball! They don't always look super sharp but they never look tired on the court. I love that.
Justin Robinson is the best freshman by far
dude's gonna be a star. I can't wait to see how much he improves
Heh... Bibbs went all Bogut on this one...
See?
I can't watch this enough. He passes the ball to Curry, then the whole team heads back before he even shoots!! There's no one on the Warriors within the arc, and only one on that half of the court when he shoots. The other team doesn't know how to react. Jaw dropped.
The little dribble like he's about to shoot a free throw just kills me on that Curry gif.
Interestingly, he had to move over because Bogut was lifting his hand in celebration and was going to block the shot
Well that's just even funnier.
The team is finally firing on all cylinders and has really turned into a "TEAM". It has been great to watch them this season. I feel bad that we are losing Shane Henry, but awesome that we have about 99% of our scoring back next year plus potentially Hill and Outlaw. Maybe LeDay will actually be able to take a breather.
Hopefully Buzz will be able to settle on a rotation earlier in the season (or off season).
Do you mean Shane? I mean...wait...no...what?