@@diradosveta I agree, I always ask myself how Taylor and Phil would perform together. Jake and Taylor have such a good synergy that it would probably not be as good although the individual players might be the "best"
So many raves about Taylor but Phil is still the best...possibly in the world. Just does it without the flash. To be that big and still so incredibly athletic gets easily overlooked. Notice the amount of blocks, aces, perfect sets, altered shots, big plays in critical moments.
In case anybody was wondering, I heard that Nick Lucena was injured during the event and only operating at about 80%. I think it was a lingering groin issue.
All 4 are amazing, TC for sure was on fire and PD isGOAT but Lucena also deserves a lot of credit, passing setting digging setting Phil up every time, it’s great watching defenders that size and seeing how the elite play, so fast on their feet and digging everything
Phil’s set at 9-9 was fucking ridiculous! And this is probably the best I’ve ever seen Taylor play. Too bad about the freeze or the would’ve won the match
Lol all the comments be about Taylor.. and I agree his play was mindblowing this match. But set 2 you can just the moment when Phil is like, nah Taylor youre good but I'm still the best player on this court and he takes over the match
the difference is digging all those hits and then putting them away against Phil is much more difficult than being 6'9 and blocking Jake or Taylor. So give Taylor some credit! The problem here was that Jake got hesitant. Look at all those half-assed hits by Jake at the end of the second set. You're not gonna win a tournament like that.
2Swift4u How many players do you know of at 6'9" with the type of skills, touch, and setting Phil has? Taylor is an incredible player, but let's not down play how good Phil is. He's still the best American player and arguably even the best player in the world.
Gibb blew it. After Taylor dug a ball and gets set from 20' out it's pretty tough to see the blocker going for the ball.. lol everything he passed of a serve he went around Phil like he wasn't even there. Phil can hit block and set Taylor can do everything minus the big block. Taylor is the best all around skilled volleyball player and athlete @ 6' tall
Sure but this game was almost entirely won by Phil. Heck, it was basically Phil against Taylor to be crucially honest. And with very young teams already at an absolute top level from Europe (think of the Norwegians) waiting to fob off ineffective teams, all these easy-to-read sideout attempts from Nick are just too costly. At times, I feel like he has only two hits in his repertoire and doesn't even care what the opponents are doing. Just look at how often Taylor doesn't even bother to move, that's ridiculous. I don't know about their personal relationship but I kinda expect Taylor and Phil team up sometime next season in order to be able to perform at international top level. Either that or Nick starts to improve his sideout game big time.
Ricardo Diaz the thing is they are not winning anymore on the FIVB tour. If Phil wants to go for another olympic gold medal he needs to get rid off Nick.
I am not at all saying Nick's a bad defender as in he doesn't get enough digs. On the contrary, I think he might be one of the most skilled, maybe the top one defender in the world when it comes to reading the attacker and running down shots. But his sideout game is so inconsistent compared to other top defenders. And if you think, there are quite a few top teams that decide to rather serve Jake Gibb instead of Taylor, that says a lot about Taylor's spiking qualities. So just as 2Swift4u said, when it comes to competing at the very top international level (always keep Tokyo in mind), I think Phil needs to look for a more aggressive sideout player. Just my 2 cents of course.
Gibb fails again pops out and makes horrible shots...Taylor dug almost every ball there was. Lucena been in the limelight for years only because of Phil...Phil only wishes he could trade his partner Ben Stiller for the best short player around TAYLOR! Taylor best pound for pound player around minus the block just a badass
