Studying the game
Hi guys,
For the past week I’ve been studying the game thouroughly, learning about some great point forwards. I’ve watched some old tapes of Paul Pressey when he played with the Milwaukee Bucks with coach Don Nelson. I’ve also watched a lot of the old Grant Hill when he played brilliantly with the Detroit Pistons. Also some of Penny Hardaway with the Orlando Magic.
I’ve watched a lot of tape about great defensive stoppers as well. Shane Battier has been a great defensive forward from Day 1. He can contain small guards but also small power forwards. I also like to watch how well Tayshaun Prince plays. His all-around game is awesome.
Trying to learn how these very talented players do on the court will help me improve my game. I’ve especially trained my pull-up off the dribble this week.
My feelings are still the same about making the Nets’ roster: very good. I think I have a good chance to make it.
I really appreciate the good feedback I’ve had in this diary. That said, in my last post a couple of readers talked about one incident I had with Chris Paul years ago. CP3 hit me in my groin area and they won the game. Then he was suspended and we played against them soon after. He didn’t play and we won. That’s it… Something that is part of the game.
Everybody is talking now about the Mario Chalmers/Darrell Arthur situation at the NBA’s rookie transition program. It was a very unfortunate situtation and the reaction of our commissioner David Stern was a good one. These guys will learn from this and I’m sure they will not committ the same mistake again.
Got to keep working out. Talk to you next week. Bye!
HowieD Said,
September 6, 2008 @ 6:34 pm
Didn’t you study theater at NCState? So, you probably were exaggerating the punch incident. Just like in practice, acting is what you do! You said it man not me.lmao Fool the GM’s and coaches however you can to get back in the door. I think this is what wakefan meant in his post
Stevie Said,
September 6, 2008 @ 7:42 pm
GL man hope you make the Nets roster .
Sky Said,
September 6, 2008 @ 8:47 pm
Julius, I know you will make it. People that work hard to achieve there goals always get reward and the Net will reward you for your hard work. Because I know first hand from the Saint Raymond and NC State day you have worked hard. HARD WORK PAYS OFF! so keep working.
Smokingun7 Said,
September 6, 2008 @ 9:05 pm
Arent you forgetting the best point forward of all-time and maybe best SF of all-time, Also member of the 50 greatest players list. Yes Scottie Pippen, yes he did it all, Head of the Triangle O. Hes a 20/6/5/2 guy..the best period
MATT LEAMAN Said,
September 6, 2008 @ 9:23 pm
That Punch showed how weak chris paul was on a shitty team now on a half decent team he looks like a superstar hes an above average point guard he shouldnt be compared to gilbert arenas, deron williams or steve nash. Mario chalmers and Darrell Arthur will not even be in the league in 5 years. If Julius plays like he was expected he should sign with a contender rather cheap and be a role player.
Nic B Said,
September 7, 2008 @ 1:03 am
Hey Julius,
Good to hear that you’re working so hard. That’s what i like to see in players.
I loved watching you ball in the NBL, I really hope you find a niche in the NBA. You’re my kind of player - hard-nosed do-it-all kind of guy. I love seeing that in players. But they may just be your downfall. I think that if you hard a specialized ability you’d find a spot in the NBA much easier. Because you’ve got the talent, but the thing with you is, you’re good at everything but seemingly great at nothing. Maybe if you had a money jumpshot or something. Anyway I love do-it-all team players, so i hope you find your niche in the NBA real soon. But you know what they say, the harder you work, the luckier you get. And it looks like you’re on the right track. I’m really rooting for you. Good luck…
Peace!
Nic.
Michael Jordan Said,
September 7, 2008 @ 10:26 am
hmmmmmmm……. If LeBron James isn’t considered a point forward, what exactly is he? He starts at small forward, plays pretty much every position at one point, mainly PG, and averages 30-32 ppg 7-8 rpg, and 7-8 apg, with over 1bpg, and 2spg.
Coach Godwin Said,
September 7, 2008 @ 10:54 am
Julius, working on your pullup jumpshot is the best thing you can do. On my website http://www.jumpstarthoops.com the 1st drill in the video will help you pullup on a dime. If you can develop a solid Sam Cassell step back that would be even better. I say work on the moves that are unstoppable. I wrote about this on my weekly column on http://www.hoopsaddict.com. Every Tuesday. Be Blessed!!!
PoppaPushCpumper Said,
September 7, 2008 @ 11:49 am
HowieD_____ did you by chance watch that game with CP3 and julius?? thats was a full on groin shot. Im a big fan of CP3’s game but it doesnt take away from the fact that it did acting. If you punch marlon Brando in the Richard would it be less significant because he is an actor? cmon brah. Best wishes Julius wish you were playing for the C’s they could deff use some bench help w/o Rockin Rolsie Posie
Cameron Said,
September 8, 2008 @ 12:15 am
Keep at it man, can’t wait to see you rockin’ a Nets jersey this season
Ominous Clouds Said,
September 8, 2008 @ 3:04 pm
Chalmers and Arthur are going to still be in the league the next 5 years. Chalmers is a good shooter who hits clutch shots, and plays very good defense. He knows when to pass and shoot, and makes quality decisions on the floor. Arthur is a fantastic athlete who can run and score points, and will be an active body for a team. If Kwame and Darko are still in the league, so can Arthur. An NBA team is always gonna be looking for bigs. Also, smoking weed isn’t that bad, compared to the effects of alcohol, getting caught with it is. With alcohol, one can get a liver disease, DT tremens, and be prone to being an alcoholic, yet it is legal for those over 21. Weed just gives you the munchies, the want to go to the bathroom the next morning, and temporary forgetfulness. It’s way better than cigarettes, because of all the chemicals poured into it. I’d rather smoke weed since it’s from the herbs than cigarettes, being all tar and 2000 chemicals, but I guess since it’s illegal you can’t smoke it. And if one is smart, it is definitely not a gateway drug. But I guess weed is an expose issue for people, not to me though. Hopefully, they can put this behind them and prove they can be solid role players in the league.
J Lyles Said,
September 8, 2008 @ 9:02 pm
Wow, I’m so glad that you got my letter! I still collect your cards religiously and I am wishing you the best. When you make the Nets, I can’t wait for you to come and play the Mavs so I can see you live! Thanks for being such a great role model, Julius!
Paul Erstein Said,
September 8, 2008 @ 9:48 pm
Lots of new players on the Nets, lots of potential, maybe some surprises. I hope you are one of the surprises. It will take everything you’ve got in camp, pre-season and practices to get playing time. It is a crowded roster. I wish you the best of luck!
Anon Said,
September 10, 2008 @ 4:35 am
Hey Jules, its a shame you won’t be in a Tigers uniform this season (they signed Ebi Ere; Im sure you heard) but I can’t wait to see you tear it up in a Nets jersey.
Best of luck man
Peace
Anon
devin Said,
September 10, 2008 @ 6:08 am
Coach Godwin could u teach me to shoot a line drive jumpshot too???? can u really?
Findek Said,
September 10, 2008 @ 10:39 am
hmmm… In my 2k8 celtics franchise [
] I signed you as back-up for Ray Allen, you are my sixth-man now, in the middle of the season with 14ppg, best scorer of the bench and 4th best in the team (maybe MIP award ?) I hope you will play as good or even better for nets this year… I know this post is idiotic, I just had to say it 
Simmo Said,
September 11, 2008 @ 2:29 am
Hey Julius - just found your blog, great stuff.
Letting you know that you picked up a bunch of fans during your time with the Adelaide 36ers - awesome balling, and we’d love to see you back in Oz - but you deserve to be in the Show.
Good luck, and you’ve got plenty of support from down under …
God Shammgod Said,
September 12, 2008 @ 12:37 am
Hey Julius,
If you’re studying the great point forwards - what about Scottie Pippen?!
WulfTown Said,
September 12, 2008 @ 10:31 am
Julius - you are the man! Keep up the hard work! You are going to be very successful.
Thomas Said,
September 16, 2008 @ 12:05 am
Hey, Julius. You were my favorite player for NC State, and I have been keeping my eye on you in your professional career. Last year I picked up the video game NBA live 07, and in that game the best a player’s ranking can be is a 99. They can be ranked from 1-99. You were at 66, which disturbed me, so I got you up to a 92 and then won the NBA championship with you leading the way. In the championship game you had 44 points, 5 rebounds, 21 assists and 4 steals. You also hit an impressive 8/12 for 3-pointers. But you did commit 8 turnovers and 4 player fouls. 21-8 isn’t a very bad assist-turnover ratio, though, is it? I would take it!
Isn’t it weird knowing that you are in a video game?
Hope things go well in New Jersey.
-Thomas
Evan Said,
September 22, 2008 @ 10:18 pm
mate good luck hope you make the nets roster if you don’t hope you come back to the NBL in Australia you were the most exciting player ive ever seen in the NBL! all the best mate