Large and small are equally important...
Trevor Releford and JayMychal Green have several things in common. They love basketball more than anything else. They both play for the Alabama Crimson Tide. They are both team leaders. Releford's leadership came from Grant's bouncing the ball to a true freshman, and letting him start at point guard. Green's leadership role took a more circuitous route. It involved a doghouse and a dose of humility. They both want the same thing - to help Alabama become a championship team. Beyond that this unlikely duo is about as far apart as two teammates could be. Releford is from a big city. Green is from Montgomery which in Alabama is a big city but to most is a nice place to stop for lunch or drop off a bribe. Releford played at a huge high school. Green played at a small single A school. One is a prototype power forward. The other couldn't be a power forward on the All-Smurf team. One can dribble through a cornfield. The other had better not try. One can throw down slams dunks like thunder. The other one couldn't climb a ladder and dunk. You get the idea.
Separately they are each really good players. Together they are great, and the might just lead Alabama to the NCAA Tournament for several games. Truthfully, Green gets a lot of negative press for his "moods" and his "work ethic". The reality is that Green is a hard worker, and every player on the team knows who leads the team. Releford is the floor captain. He's the sparkplug and has done a great job in leading Alabama to a 13-4 record. Alabama is just a blink of the eye from being 15-2 and a top ten team. The great thing about basketball is that it has very little to do with where you are today. It only matters where you end up later. As Grant molds a team of four freshman who contribute major minutes, a senior who wasn't expected to play, and the hope that a 7 foot mountain of a man returns, he looks to Releford and Green. I haven't overlooked the rocket man. What I'm saying is that Grant has taken a few bits and parts of a team, some total strangers, and has already won 13 games. Give them a little more time and that number will go up in the 20's. It may involve a lot of travel outside the Southeast. There is this little get together in New Orleans at the end of the SEC season. Seems to me the Tide does well in that town.
This Thursday night the Tide will play Vanderbilt who is finally well and is playing outstanding basketball. The Commodores are a terrific shooting team, have the three NBA prospects, one a first round pick, and a seasoned head coach. This team is as good as Mississippi State. The Tide plays at home and that might help. A lot will be coming up on this game here in SEC OPINIONS.
Separately they are each really good players. Together they are great, and the might just lead Alabama to the NCAA Tournament for several games. Truthfully, Green gets a lot of negative press for his "moods" and his "work ethic". The reality is that Green is a hard worker, and every player on the team knows who leads the team. Releford is the floor captain. He's the sparkplug and has done a great job in leading Alabama to a 13-4 record. Alabama is just a blink of the eye from being 15-2 and a top ten team. The great thing about basketball is that it has very little to do with where you are today. It only matters where you end up later. As Grant molds a team of four freshman who contribute major minutes, a senior who wasn't expected to play, and the hope that a 7 foot mountain of a man returns, he looks to Releford and Green. I haven't overlooked the rocket man. What I'm saying is that Grant has taken a few bits and parts of a team, some total strangers, and has already won 13 games. Give them a little more time and that number will go up in the 20's. It may involve a lot of travel outside the Southeast. There is this little get together in New Orleans at the end of the SEC season. Seems to me the Tide does well in that town.
This Thursday night the Tide will play Vanderbilt who is finally well and is playing outstanding basketball. The Commodores are a terrific shooting team, have the three NBA prospects, one a first round pick, and a seasoned head coach. This team is as good as Mississippi State. The Tide plays at home and that might help. A lot will be coming up on this game here in SEC OPINIONS.
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