Ray Sanchez, the sports guru of El Paso Sports history wrote this excellent article that posted on November 23, 2015 on El Paso, Inc. I hope all you basketball junkies read it. If not, you had better check it out. Sanchez has been covering UTEP sports since probably the 40's or 50's - a very long time folks. In this article, he expresses his thoughts on seeing Artis perform for the 1st time at the Don - thought he was a prolific basketball player and immediately compared him at the same level of excellence with Bobby Joe, Nate Archibald, and Tim Hardaway! Bobby Joe died young, Nate and Hardaway became NBA legends. I am very fortunate, having seen all four play in their collegiate prime. I could not agree more with these comparisons by Mr. Sanchez
UTEP'S Artis: Another Hill, Nate or Tim?
- Thread starter sweetlou#1
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I hope the greatness manifests itself on the court tonight. He's had a couple rough games but I said in another post that he will be key if the Miners are to win in Cruces tonight.
In my opinion he isn't in the Fili category yet much less to be named with those legends. Maybe he will be by the time he is done here but so far not in their league....
So, I take it that all you folks that disagree with the comparisons must have also seen Bobby Joe, Nate, and Tim perform in their collegiate prime!
So, I take it that all you folks that disagree with the comparisons must have also seen Bobby Joe, Nate, and Tim perform in their collegiate prime!
I don't disagree with the comparisons, I never saw Bobby Joe Hill, I did see Archibald, Bob Doyle et al (but was young) and saw Hardaway for all four years. Artis I've seen now 4 or 5 times, hard to compare with such little observation. And to be truthful to me Artis is not anything like Hardaway, who would pound and come at you with so much aggression you just got out of his way. Artis isn't that kind of player, he doesn't force contact, he avoids it. To be truthful he reminds me more of Jeep Jackson but with a better ability to pass. He has the flare for the game that Jeep had and from what I've seen he is trying to position himself as the take charge player, kinda like Jeep. Artis has a load of talent but to early to anoint him the next TIm Bug, Nate the Skate, or Bobby Joe.
I don't disagree with the comparisons, I never saw Bobby Joe Hill, I did see Archibald, Bob Doyle et al (but was young) and saw Hardaway for all four years. Artis I've seen now 4 or 5 times, hard to compare with such little observation. And to be truthful to me Artis is not anything like Hardaway, who would pound and come at you with so much aggression you just got out of his way. Artis isn't that kind of player, he doesn't force contact, he avoids it. To be truthful he reminds me more of Jeep Jackson but with a better ability to pass. He has the flare for the game that Jeep had and from what I've seen he is trying to position himself as the take charge player, kinda like Jeep. Artis has a load of talent but to early to anoint him the next TIm Bug, Nate the Skate, or Bobby Joe.
He's a good player, but it bugs me when he starts to dribble between his legs and behind his back when he's being defended closely. He's lost the ball on several occasions and in a tight game, it's gonna bite us in the ass in a big game. He didn't look confident out there tonight.
I saw Bobby Joe on tv and tape only. Saw Archibald and everyone since. Like I said, the pedigree is there for Artis. There's a whole lot of basketball to be played before I put him with those names. I think he can get there. Better yet, I hope he does. No disrespect to Mr. Sanchez, but I think he's jumping the gun here.
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He's a good player, but it bugs me when he starts to dribble between his legs and behind his back when he's being defended closely. He's lost the ball on several occasions and in a tight game, it's gonna bite us in the ass in a big game. He didn't look confident out there tonight.
Exactly, he got away with that with NAIA guards, but from here on out D1 guards will pick his pocket or force a mishandle just about every time he tries it. Last night he got picked once, but they forced him to mishandle several times.
Exactly, he got away with that with NAIA guards, but from here on out D1 guards will pick his pocket or force a mishandle just about every time he tries it. Last night he got picked once, but they forced him to mishandle several times.
Three plays over those last two games have gotten me really pissed off. One again NMSU. He threw a pass to Flaggert that Flaggert mishandled. Artis just stood there and stared at Jake while the Aggies were on the break. Tonight, he missed the break away layup and just stood on the baseline while UTA was making a fast break three. And, a couple minutes later, he gets beat on defense, the ball kicks out, he's the only one that can close out, and just sits there and watches while they shoot. I think we got scored on on all three occasions. Not saying they don't score if he gets his ass in gear, but it's not a good look for your point guard. Just really pissed me off watching it.
I agree with you. Artis has an attitude of entitlement and my-shit-don't -stink.
The way I see it when people make premature statements is to say they were the first ones to call it if it pans out. No need to really make anything out of it.
