Michael Hurt. Okay, so much to say after reading the man from the 60s, I don't even know where to begin.
First, Osseo. You just made fun of Osseo's coach, trashed Tim Theisen and his coaching. He is one of the best coaches in the state and when I read that, it lead me to understand that the rest of the words could come from any direction. Yes, Osseo is way down in talent from what they have been. But you are talking about one of the best coaches in the state as if he is lost.
Let's get the obvious out of the way. The likes of Minnesota, Nebraska, and Northwestern offered before Michael's junior year because of what they saw in the last 12 months.
In the last 12 months Michael has showed the ability to be a third ball handler at a high level of AAU play, at a high level against the top Adidas competition at the Chicago event in early July that pretty much a who is who of hoops attended coach, scout, and even player wise. Especially scouts and college coaches.
Michael has always put up strong rebounding numbers which is huge because in college and in AAU he is a SF so rebounding at 7 a game for a SF, that's pretty dang good.
Passing. When Michael was playing with some of the elite 2015 and 2016 Adidas players, Michael rarely shot. Yes he was the second or third leading scorer on the team because of work rate off the ball and because of efficiency, but he moved the ball with great decisions, with great pace against a rotating, shuffling D.
Defense. Michael's position defense, his ability to use length to get deflections, his consistency of excellent position defense that results in opponents consistently instantly moving the ball away or taking contested shots, it's all better. Michael also continually steps up to defend the other team's best player. Who tried to guard JP Macura from JM last year? Yep, Michael. Now, JP destroyed everybody in state to win a state title, but Michael's effort there, and into the summer was definitely noted.
And the thing about Michael, he's an excellent shooter. And for a small forward he's very crafty at creating space around the basket to score over bigger and/or stronger players. Those are things that were seen on the AAU circuit, at Pitino camp against the best teams in Minnesota, against top players at the AAU camp. What also made a big impact? When Michael has a bad shooting day creating shots, he still scores a bunch off the ball because he moves so well without the ball, because he's good getting to second chance baskets, because he runs the floor hard in transition etc.
Leadership. I spent three games at Pitino camp watching Michael direct his younger teammates, talk on defense, and direct his team on the floor. Defensive talk is a major part of basketball and few do it. Michael was one of the only guys at Adidas Unrivaled camp who did it. That is leadership.
Michael improved in Ball handling, rebounding, passing, defense, leadership, and attitude in the last summer. That is why Minnesota, Northwestern, and Nebraska are amongst the many to offer. That's why dozens of others a high major are interested. That's why Stanford will offer soon. That's why he's a nationally ranked kid by Rivals, by 247, by Scout, by ESPN. That's why he has moved to being the second best prospect in his class in Minnesota.
But you Mr 60s guy are the man that doesn't see it. You are the guy that has routinely taken time out of his day to write long reports on why you don't think the kid is god enough and are now coming up with theories.
It's one thing to watch and think different. That's fine, everyone has an opinion. But to have these long essays about it, just weird to me. Especially considering you are somehow seeing things that are completely opposite of what people that do it for a living are seeing.
