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Post by JB Southpaw on Aug 3, 2020 6:38:53 GMT -5
I was really surprised Phil was float serving late in set 2, His difference maker all weekend was his top spin serve.
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Post by stephenasinjin on Aug 3, 2020 8:59:05 GMT -5
I couldn't decide who I was rooting for during most of the final, but I was really happy for Tri and Trevor when they closed it out. This win really meant a lot to both of them! It's also nice to see that they are continuing to improve as a team. I thought their defense was noticeably improved from last season throughout the three tournaments, and this tournament they finally put it all together. They are the only one of the top US men's teams that still has real upside, so hopefully they can keep getting better. (I guess Budinger/Schalk also has upside, if they count among the top teams.) It was also great to see Phil and Nick rejuvenated over these three weeks. Hopefully they can continue to find that passion and motivation if/when international volleyball comes back next year. I thought ChaCha made a pretty good case they are the 4th best, they beat Casey 2 out of 3 and Billy/Stafford twice. I think Chase has a lot of room to still grow so they can get better, and Chaim may also improve. I felt like he was a stronger player with Saxton so maybe now that he is back on the FIVB he can get back to that level. That said its a distant 4th and anytime they got near a top 3 team they usually took a beating, although they did push Jake/Taylor once. I’m pretty convinced as well that ChaCha is distinctly #4. However, I don’t think any teams outside the top 4 played them correctly. I would give Budinger every single ball to tire him out, his offense is more predictable, and eliminates a lot of potential option plays/spread offense that they have been so successful on when Chaim is served. Chase was already running out of steam for his jumper, imagine how much faster that’ll happen when he’s getting every ball. Chaim needs to develop more ways to score reals for this partnership to improve. Doesn’t generate service pressure, doesn’t present an imposing defensive presence. When Casey got dumped by Budinger he felt like “why make this move now, it’s not even the next quad.” The answer was to test the waters with Chaim to have a better answer if Taylor makes the call. Stars are aligning for a Budinger/TCrabbs partnership.
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Post by stephenasinjin on Aug 3, 2020 9:02:56 GMT -5
To clarify, I obviously mean after the 2021 Olympics and Gibb retires
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Post by JB Southpaw on Aug 3, 2020 9:42:34 GMT -5
I thought ChaCha made a pretty good case they are the 4th best, they beat Casey 2 out of 3 and Billy/Stafford twice. I think Chase has a lot of room to still grow so they can get better, and Chaim may also improve. I felt like he was a stronger player with Saxton so maybe now that he is back on the FIVB he can get back to that level. That said its a distant 4th and anytime they got near a top 3 team they usually took a beating, although they did push Jake/Taylor once. I’m pretty convinced as well that ChaCha is distinctly #4. However, I don’t think any teams outside the top 4 played them correctly. I would give Budinger every single ball to tire him out, his offense is more predictable, and eliminates a lot of potential option plays/spread offense that they have been so successful on when Chaim is served. Chase was already running out of steam for his jumper, imagine how much faster that’ll happen when he’s getting every ball. Chaim needs to develop more ways to score reals for this partnership to improve. Doesn’t generate service pressure, doesn’t present an imposing defensive presence. When Casey got dumped by Budinger he felt like “why make this move now, it’s not even the next quad.” The answer was to test the waters with Chaim to have a better answer if Taylor makes the call. Stars are aligning for a Budinger/TCrabbs partnership. IF Taylor were moving to the right, The way Theo played over these tournaments, not sure I'd put Chase above him. Of course, Theo may not make it to the next quad. He'd be 39. Chase will be 36. Would Trevor or Tri leave if Taylor called? Does someone go after Partain or Benesh (not so) early?
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Post by haze on Aug 3, 2020 10:45:41 GMT -5
I thought ChaCha made a pretty good case they are the 4th best, they beat Casey 2 out of 3 and Billy/Stafford twice. I think Chase has a lot of room to still grow so they can get better, and Chaim may also improve. I felt like he was a stronger player with Saxton so maybe now that he is back on the FIVB he can get back to that level. That said its a distant 4th and anytime they got near a top 3 team they usually took a beating, although they did push Jake/Taylor once. I’m pretty convinced as well that ChaCha is distinctly #4. However, I don’t think any teams outside the top 4 played them correctly. I would give Budinger every single ball to tire him out, his offense is more predictable, and eliminates a lot of potential option plays/spread offense that they have been so successful on when Chaim is served. Chase was already running out of steam for his jumper, imagine how much faster that’ll happen when he’s getting every ball. Chaim needs to develop more ways to score reals for this partnership to improve. Doesn’t generate service pressure, doesn’t present an imposing defensive presence. When Casey got dumped by Budinger he felt like “why make this move now, it’s not even the next quad.” The answer was to test the waters with Chaim to have a better answer if Taylor makes the call. Stars are aligning for a Budinger/TCrabbs partnership. Taylor's going to find out just how great of a player Gibb was when he retires and Budinger is his next best available option. I would not put Budinger and Crabb as even a medal contender in FIVB.
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Post by txbvb on Aug 3, 2020 10:58:10 GMT -5
I’m pretty convinced as well that ChaCha is distinctly #4. However, I don’t think any teams outside the top 4 played them correctly. I would give Budinger every single ball to tire him out, his offense is more predictable, and eliminates a lot of potential option plays/spread offense that they have been so successful on when Chaim is served. Chase was already running out of steam for his jumper, imagine how much faster that’ll happen when he’s getting every ball. Chaim needs to develop more ways to score reals for this partnership to improve. Doesn’t generate service pressure, doesn’t present an imposing defensive presence. When Casey got dumped by Budinger he felt like “why make this move now, it’s not even the next quad.” The answer was to test the waters with Chaim to have a better answer if Taylor makes the call. Stars are aligning for a Budinger/TCrabbs partnership. Taylor's going to find out just how great of a player Gibb was when he retires and Budinger is his next best available option. I would not put Budinger and Crabb as even a medal contender in FIVB. You're right about that. Is it possible one of these fringe indoor guys that has been mentioned would make the switch to sand for an opportunity to play with Taylor? A la Klineman making the switch to play with April. That's assuming they'd be a better option than Chase..
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Post by guest2 on Aug 3, 2020 11:07:20 GMT -5
I’m pretty convinced as well that ChaCha is distinctly #4. However, I don’t think any teams outside the top 4 played them correctly. I would give Budinger every single ball to tire him out, his offense is more predictable, and eliminates a lot of potential option plays/spread offense that they have been so successful on when Chaim is served. Chase was already running out of steam for his jumper, imagine how much faster that’ll happen when he’s getting every ball. Chaim needs to develop more ways to score reals for this partnership to improve. Doesn’t generate service pressure, doesn’t present an imposing defensive presence. When Casey got dumped by Budinger he felt like “why make this move now, it’s not even the next quad.” The answer was to test the waters with Chaim to have a better answer if Taylor makes the call. Stars are aligning for a Budinger/TCrabbs partnership. Taylor's going to find out just how great of a player Gibb was when he retires and Budinger is his next best available option. I would not put Budinger and Crabb as even a medal contender in FIVB. Agree on this, but to be fair, Gibb/Crabb haven't really been that much of a medal contender either. In three years and 25 tournaments, they have one medal. If you take out matches against qualifiers and forfeits they are almost exactly .500 on the world tour. For reference in 2019, I counted 16 teams that medaled in 4 stars. Gibb/Crabb did not. Hopefully Chetumal was an indicator of an improved level of play for them, but I think it was more likely an aberration. I think US fans overrate Taylor a lot. He is a great defender but when he has to sideout against the mobile behemoths you see on the FIVB, he often struggles.
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wisco
Sophomore
Posts: 247
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Post by wisco on Aug 3, 2020 11:26:35 GMT -5
Couldn't agree more, to me seems like huge difference between FIVB Taylor and AVP Taylor. When he plays world class defenders/blockers he looks a lot more normal. Still think Phil/Taylor could have been something special this quad and would even have chance at medal contention in next quad if Phil was motivated to stay another 4 years which we know he won't. Sad we never got to see what most people think would have been the best US team.
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Post by ajm on Aug 3, 2020 12:16:16 GMT -5
Taylor's going to find out just how great of a player Gibb was when he retires and Budinger is his next best available option. I would not put Budinger and Crabb as even a medal contender in FIVB. You're right about that. Is it possible one of these fringe indoor guys that has been mentioned would make the switch to sand for an opportunity to play with Taylor? A la Klineman making the switch to play with April. That's assuming they'd be a better option than Chase.. To be fair, Klineman didn’t make the switch to play with April. She started out in the qualifiers with various partners and mixed success her first year on the beach before April called. Can’t imagine Taylor taking a chance on an indoor guy without seeing what he can do on the beach first.
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Post by guest2 on Aug 3, 2020 12:26:09 GMT -5
You're right about that. Is it possible one of these fringe indoor guys that has been mentioned would make the switch to sand for an opportunity to play with Taylor? A la Klineman making the switch to play with April. That's assuming they'd be a better option than Chase.. To be fair, Klineman didn’t make the switch to play with April. She started out in the qualifiers with various partners and mixed success her first year on the beach before April called. Can’t imagine Taylor taking a chance on an indoor guy without seeing what he can do on the beach first. Id love to know how good Klineman would be if April had stayed with Kerri. Im sure she would be a one of the best US players, but, unlike when Kerri came out and was an absolute sure thing based on her incredible physical skills and ball control, I am not sure she would have achieved anything close to her current success if she had to pick from the non-April US defenders.
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Post by JB Southpaw on Aug 3, 2020 13:01:01 GMT -5
To be fair, Klineman didn’t make the switch to play with April. She started out in the qualifiers with various partners and mixed success her first year on the beach before April called. Can’t imagine Taylor taking a chance on an indoor guy without seeing what he can do on the beach first. Id love to know how good Klineman would be if April had stayed with Kerri. Im sure she would be a one of the best US players, but, unlike when Kerri came out and was an absolute sure thing based on her incredible physical skills and ball control, I am not sure she would have achieved anything close to her current success if she had to pick from the non-April US defenders. Well, who would April have? She wouldn't be as good as Alix is. Best thing for Alix is she plays right, so she could have any option. It would have to be Flint or Sponcil? those 2 along with Hughes have the most 2nds over the last 3 years. April would be with Fendi? Day? Claes? Would you take Alix/Flint over April/Claes?
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Post by guest2 on Aug 3, 2020 13:24:39 GMT -5
Id love to know how good Klineman would be if April had stayed with Kerri. Im sure she would be a one of the best US players, but, unlike when Kerri came out and was an absolute sure thing based on her incredible physical skills and ball control, I am not sure she would have achieved anything close to her current success if she had to pick from the non-April US defenders. Well, who would April have? She wouldn't be as good as Alix is. Best thing for Alix is she plays right, so she could have any option. It would have to be Flint or Sponcil? those 2 along with Hughes have the most 2nds over the last 3 years. April would be with Fendi? Day? Claes? Would you take Alix/Flint over April/Claes? In this scenario Kerri. But I am not sure that Kerri/April is still the US' best theoretical team. Alix has improved so much and Kerri isnt 2015 Kerri, much less 2008 Kerri anymore. Thats a great question. Id probably take Alix/Flint, but who knows how much April's consistency and steadiness would benefit Claes. Actually, never mind, April/Claes. I think Alix might be a more dominant blocker though. She hasnt needed to be as much because of how she and April play so maybe with a less steady partner, she would have had to do more? I also wonder how much it would have helped Sara/Kelly if they had each gone with veterans as opposed to the year they spent together
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Post by haze on Aug 3, 2020 13:25:11 GMT -5
Couldn't agree more, to me seems like huge difference between FIVB Taylor and AVP Taylor. When he plays world class defenders/blockers he looks a lot more normal. Still think Phil/Taylor could have been something special this quad and would even have chance at medal contention in next quad if Phil was motivated to stay another 4 years which we know he won't. Sad we never got to see what most people think would have been the best US team. I actually think Taylor has been good on the FIVB. IN all the matches I have seen, the struggle has been with Gibb's inability to contain the net against the big physical powerful bigs. He just can't compete with them anymore. I have seen Gibb get worked big time from the dude from Quatar even. I personally wouldn't count Taylor out on the FIVB yet until I see him play with a big that can hold his own (which we may never see). I don't see Taylor get served much at all on the FIVB.
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Post by JB Southpaw on Aug 3, 2020 13:33:39 GMT -5
Couldn't agree more, to me seems like huge difference between FIVB Taylor and AVP Taylor. When he plays world class defenders/blockers he looks a lot more normal. Still think Phil/Taylor could have been something special this quad and would even have chance at medal contention in next quad if Phil was motivated to stay another 4 years which we know he won't. Sad we never got to see what most people think would have been the best US team. I actually think Taylor has been good on the FIVB. IN all the matches I have seen, the struggle has been with Gibb's inability to contain the net against the big physical powerful bigs. He just can't compete with them anymore. I have seen Gibb get worked big time from the dude from Quatar even. I personally wouldn't count Taylor out on the FIVB yet until I see him play with a big that can hold his own (which we may never see). I don't see Taylor get served much at all on the FIVB. In 2019, There was a stretch from April to August, 8 tournaments where 9th was their best finish. I thought Jake wasn't playing great.
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Post by stephenasinjin on Aug 3, 2020 17:08:51 GMT -5
I’m pretty convinced as well that ChaCha is distinctly #4. However, I don’t think any teams outside the top 4 played them correctly. I would give Budinger every single ball to tire him out, his offense is more predictable, and eliminates a lot of potential option plays/spread offense that they have been so successful on when Chaim is served. Chase was already running out of steam for his jumper, imagine how much faster that’ll happen when he’s getting every ball. Chaim needs to develop more ways to score reals for this partnership to improve. Doesn’t generate service pressure, doesn’t present an imposing defensive presence. When Casey got dumped by Budinger he felt like “why make this move now, it’s not even the next quad.” The answer was to test the waters with Chaim to have a better answer if Taylor makes the call. Stars are aligning for a Budinger/TCrabbs partnership. IF Taylor were moving to the right, The way Theo played over these tournaments, not sure I'd put Chase above him. Of course, Theo may not make it to the next quad. He'd be 39. Chase will be 36. Would Trevor or Tri leave if Taylor called? Does someone go after Partain or Benesh (not so) early? I’m putting chase in 2 years over Theo in 2 years, not necessarily currently. After 2021, only way Taylor picks Theo is if he decides he’s ok with being a 2nd rate FIVB team. Chase has the potential to get to a much higher level. With only 3 years between Olympics as opposed to 4, chase seems like the only viable option to get the necessary fivb points. Unless Tri and Trevor split up which I don’t think will happen. Benesh wont get the fivb points playing with Beranek, Partain doesn’t even belong in the conversation as a blocker. Budinger has demonstrated the ability to run a varied offense as a setter. If he gets his blocking up to speed as well, they would quickly become world class. No one else not names Trevor or Tri can get there by 2024.
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