There is definitely some sort of tension between Caleb and Luka. Sat front row in Atlanta and it was glaring
48 Replies
Hubert's Edge Up
Dec 22, 4:00 PM
No
Albert_Onestone
Dec 22, 4:04 PM
Oh yeah? Details? picture? video? proof at all other than your feelings?
roymaboy
Dec 22, 4:11 PM
Care to elaborate? After Henri picked up an and-1 foul under the bucket on a loose balI rebound, he jumped all over Caleb for leaking out early before UNC secured a defensive rebound. Heat of the moment stuff happens all the time.
Just curious to know the context of the OP observation.
DoubleGambler
Dec 22, 4:15 PM
Disconnect is a better description, IMO. And, yes, others have noticed it (including Rob Harrington mentioning it in the Ohio State Postgame)
theseareheelswheels
Dec 22, 4:21 PM
I will say…after one of the big late baskets (not sure if a Trimble make to cut to 1 or the Henri dunk), but the bench went nuts and Luka didn’t flinch. It was glaring to me…but I also remember Ed Davis so stopped playing this game!
HeelYeah2012
Dec 22, 4:28 PM
There have been numerous plays this season where one of those two guys should’ve passed it to the other on the fast break and didn’t. I texted my buddies about this way back on 11/25 that something seemed off between them. Hoping it’s just both of them are used to making plays and both need to learn to have their head up on the break, rather than truly bad vibes between them.
RaiGuy
Dec 22, 4:39 PM
I think, if anything, it's that Luka has been frustrated with himself because he hasn't shot it well lately.
DoubleGambler
Dec 22, 4:54 PM
HeelYeah2012 said:The looking off each other (passing wise) has been obvious watching live in the Smith Center for the last number of weeks. It's been a conversation point amongst multiple persons in our section (shoutout to 204).There have been numerous plays this season where one of those two guys should’ve passed it to the other on the fast break and didn’t. I texted my buddies about this way back on 11/25 that something seemed off between them. Hoping it’s just both of them are used to making plays and both need to learn to have their head up on the break, rather than truly bad vibes between them.
DoubleGambler
Dec 22, 4:56 PM
DoubleGambler said:I'll add that it’s not only in transition opportunities, but in the half court as well. Disconnect for sure. Though Wilson did find Luka for a crucial 3 in the corner in front of Carolina bench at Rupp.The looking off each other (passing wise) has been obvious watching live in the Smith Center for the last number of weeks. It's been a conversation point amongst multiple persons in our section (shoutout to 204).
TNTARHEEL
Dec 22, 5:00 PM
Albert_Onestone said:This didn’t age well for you. Other than proof you haven’t watched the gamesOh yeah? Details? picture? video? proof at all other than your feelings?
Albert_Onestone
Dec 22, 5:05 PM
TNTARHEEL said:I do watch the games. I haven't noticed anything. That's why I was asking for a clip or something.This didn’t age well for you. Other than proof you haven’t watched the games
1vatarheel
Dec 22, 5:10 PM
I sure hope this is not the case because we don’t need any team drama this year!!
Calheel
Dec 22, 5:17 PM
Albert_Onestone said:I mentioned this in the post-game show thread, but if you go to the second half of the Ohio State game, Luka takes a fairly open 3 FG in the far corner and misses, rather than feed Caleb in the post. As Caleb starts to run up the court, he is visibly frustrated that Luka didn't feed him. It was a good shot from Luka, but it missed. I think Caleb is frustrated at the gunner mentality, which is common in the Adriatic league but not what Caleb is used to.I do watch the games. I haven't noticed anything. That's why I was asking for a clip or something.
FanaticalHeel
Dec 22, 5:18 PM
I don't know if I'd call it drama, but there's a clear disconnect on the court (as others have mentioned). Not passing into the post, not kicking it back out...I don't know if you can quantify it as personal, but it's noticeable.
Albert_Onestone
Dec 22, 5:23 PM
Calheel said:Idk, that's pretty common stuff between big men and guards, especially if the guard misses the shot. I trust HD to nip anything in the bud that might be brewing. As long as they're playing within the offense, I don't care if they get along or not. I just don't want either one of their confidences to be affected. Lord knows hitting 3's at a better clip is the only thing keeping this good team from being an elite team. They need to keep firing, within the offense of course. But if HD clearly said in the huddle, let's work the ball inside out and they're not doing that, I fully put it on HD's shoulders to correct that. I just haven't noticed it myself but I'll look at the video you mentioned when I get home.I mentioned this in the post-game show thread, but if you go to the second half of the Ohio State game, Luka takes a fairly open 3 FG in the far corner and misses, rather than feed Caleb in the post. As Caleb starts to run up the court, he is visibly frustrated that Luka didn't feed him. It was a good shot from Luka, but it missed. I think Caleb is frustrated at the gunner mentality, which is common in the Adriatic league but not what Caleb is used to.
Calheel
Dec 22, 5:28 PM
Albert_Onestone said:Caleb had a similar issue when Powell (I think) took an open corner 3FG when Caleb was wide open under the basket. It is not a great look for Caleb to be showing bad body language on the court. I get that he is an emotional player and is frustrated. But he is the team leader and that is not great leadership. Hopefully, Hubert is having some long heart to hearts with the guards and Caleb to work through this.Idk, that's pretty common stuff between big men and guards, especially if the guard misses the shot. I trust HD to nip anything in the bud that might be brewing. As long as they're playing within the offense, I don't care if they get along or not. I just don't want either one of their confidences to be affected. Lord knows hitting 3's at a better clip is the only thing keeping this good team from being an elite team. They need to keep firing, within the offense of course. But if HD clearly said in the huddle, let's work the ball inside out and they're not doing that, I fully put it on HD's shoulders to correct that. I just haven't noticed it myself but I'll look at the video you mentioned when I get home.
MJistheGOAT23
Dec 22, 5:30 PM
This seems like a nothing burger. We don’t gossip right ?
Ben Washburn
Dec 22, 5:32 PM
I've actually felt like maybe Caleb was become somewhat frustrated in general; never really particularized it to Luka though. It's sort of strange in that he's a somewhat 'quiet' player in that he doesn't have the ball in his hands a lot; he has that Jamison effect. He's the reverse of ball dominant, whenever he gets the ball he does something with it fast, even if every now and then it's just a forced shot. And he's drawing so much attention it's hard to get him the ball--which is a big part I think of why Veesaar has exploded so much.
But I have sensed a little bit of frustration/irritation from him at times. Not so much against tOSU though, which was good. I think maybe in some of those cupcake games he's wanting to score 29 points or something and it's not really happening.
Hartley11
Dec 22, 5:40 PM
JOB1937
Dec 22, 5:40 PM
DoubleGambler said:Same in 228A and multiple text groups. There have been words and gestures between the two of them. They both want to win so it’s not necessarily bad but it is noticeable and concerning.The looking off each other (passing wise) has been obvious watching live in the Smith Center for the last number of weeks. It's been a conversation point amongst multiple persons in our section (shoutout to 204).
RadarHeelNC
Dec 22, 5:40 PM
TNTARHEEL said:Impossible not to notice. CW takes some tough shotsThere is definitely some sort of tension between Caleb and Luka. Sat front row in Atlanta and it was glaring
Albert_Onestone
Dec 22, 5:40 PM
Ben Washburn said:I think you're probably getting close to the heart of the matter. Caleb knows that most people trying to guard him can't really do it, so he wants to go at them everytime the ball is in his hands. But the other team knows that too and they are trying to force him into traffic, double teams, etc. So he's being reminded to be patient, play within the offense, your baskets will come. But for a young player as talented as he is, that can be hard to do. Especially when you're watching Henri and other players get off because the defenese is showing you so much attention. He seems like a good kid, and he seems to love Hubert, so hopefully he just learns to continue to embrace it, and get his when the moment comes and enjoy the wins.I've actually felt like maybe Caleb was become somewhat frustrated in general; never really particularized it to Luka though. It's sort of strange in that he's a somewhat 'quiet' player in that he doesn't have the ball in his hands a lot; he has that Jamison effect. He's the reverse of ball dominant, whenever he gets the ball he does something with it fast, even if every now and then it's just a forced shot. And he's drawing so much attention it's hard to get him the ball--which is a big part I think of why Veesaar has exploded so much. But I have sensed a little bit of frustration/irritation from him at times. Not so much against tOSU though, which was good. I think maybe in some of those cupcake games he's wanting to score 29 points or something and it's not really happening.
Tar2Patriot
Dec 22, 5:41 PM
Calheel said:Wilson is our best player but he’s not our leader. That’s Seth Trimble.Caleb had a similar issue when Powell (I think) took an open corner 3FG when Caleb was wide open under the basket. It is not a great look for Caleb to be showing bad body language on the court. I get that he is an emotional player and is frustrated. But he is the team leader and that is not great leadership. Hopefully, Hubert is having some long heart to hearts with the guards and Caleb to work through this.
Carolina Blue Heaven
Dec 22, 5:48 PM
DoubleGambler said:It’s been noticeable on TV as well, and I definitely noticed it in the first half in person during the OSU game. Hopefully, they start to mesh and jell because the team cannot reach its ceiling without all parts on the same page and producing.The looking off each other (passing-wise) has been obvious while watching live in the Smith Center for the last number of weeks. It's been a conversation point amongst multiple persons in our section (shoutout to 204).
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