How's your team looking for '14-'15

• reclegend22

  

  Azubuike24;1603797 wrote:I don't buy this. If you play at Kentucky or Duke, you're more than prepared for it. You're going to be more scrutinized by the media and fans at one of these places than you will in the NBA unless you're a top of the line lotto pick or a superstar player.

  I agree with that for the most part, which is why I didn't think it applied to McGary or Plumlee. But there are definitely certain kids that are not ready for dealing with being a professional athlete -- both emotionally and physically -- in addition to the responsibility that comes with that much money. There are countless examples of extremely talented guys who just couldn't handle life in pros for whatever reason.
  
  Chris Washburn is probably the best example of this. But former Duke Blue Devil William Avery and Cincinnati Bearcat DeMarr Johnson are more recent poster children for young guys who were just not ready. A couple of more years in school might've done wonders for those two kids. Johnson left Cincy as a freshman and was out of the League in five years. Avery played one year in the NBA after leaving Duke as a sophomore.
• Laley23

  

  reclegend22;1603793 wrote:And maybe not. It's unknowable either way. Just pointing out that staying in school, finishing up his education and working on his overall game actually worked out alright for a guy like Mason Plumlee. While it's true that Plumlee could've developed his game just as easily spending his first couple of seasons on the bench in the League, he did do that at Duke and was ready to play and make an impact right away, while accomplishing whatever he set out to do in college.

  Im not saying it does either way. Which is my point on hating the argument. Its not known, so the argument cant be made either way.
• Terry_Tate

  

  reclegend22;1603802 wrote:I agree with that for the most part, which is why I didn't think it applied to McGary or Plumlee. But there are definitely certain kids that are not ready for dealing with being a professional athlete -- both emotionally and physically -- in addition to the responsibility that comes with that much money. There are countless examples of extremely talented guys who just couldn't handle life in pros for whatever reason.
  
  Chris Washburn is probably the best example of this. But former Duke Blue Devil William Avery and Cincinnati Bearcat DeMarr Johnson are more recent poster children for young guys who were just not ready. A couple of more years in school might've done wonders for those two kids. Johnson left Cincy as a freshman and was out of the League in five years. Avery played one year in the NBA after leaving Duke as a sophomore.

  I don't disagree with what you're saying, but DerMarr Johnson is a bad example. He had a terrible car wreck after his second year in the league and was never the same. Don't know how good he would have ever been and his first 2 years he didn't tear it up, but his career was derailed at that point so he gets an incomplete for this situation, haha.
• Laley23

  

  On the same note, all of these guys were said to be too young and not ready after year one.
  
  - Lance Stephenson
  - DeMarr DeRozen
  - Shawne Williams
  - Thad Young
  - Spencer Hawes
  - DeAndre Jordan
  - Eric Bledsoe
  - Brandon Knight
  - Tobias Harris
  
  There may be more, and certainly Im sure there are also some 1 and dones who everyone said shouldnt leave and did bomb. But I think this list proves you dont have to be ready to make the right choice. You can, and will, get better in the NBA. All these guys have or will make more money on their 2nd contract then the rookie contract and are better in the league now then they would be as rookies. The right choice was made, even if it took till their 3rd year for it to "click"
• Azubuike24

  

  All of those guys except maybe 1 or 2 were first rounders, most in the top 20. Who cares if they aren't ready? Get that NBA clock ready and go for it!
• Laley23

  

  Azubuike24;1603831 wrote:All of those guys except maybe 1 or 2 were first rounders, most in the top 20. Who cares if they aren't ready? Get that NBA clock ready and go for it!

  I understand that, but the consensus was "they are too young, let them mature, etc". People said that about GR3 and McGary last year, saying it about a few others this year. Point is, they are usually wrong and it works out for the player lol.
  
  Im not talking about guys who arent gonna get drafted or are boarderline. Im talking about guys who are late 1sts and everyone always says come back and move into the lottery, or top 10, or top 5, etc. Its ridiculous. Just go get paid if thats what you want.
• reclegend22

  

  Terry_Tate;1603824 wrote:I don't disagree with what you're saying, but DerMarr Johnson is a bad example. He had a terrible car wreck after his second year in the league and was never the same. Don't know how good he would have ever been and his first 2 years he didn't tear it up, but his career was derailed at that point so he gets an incomplete for this situation, haha.

  That's fair regarding Johnson. Will Avery, on the other hand, is a shining example for young players that the grass isn't always greener and that just getting drafted doesn't mean you've made it. Even as a top 15 pick, Avery's career lasted just 140-some odd games until his lack of overall development resulted in the Timberwolves "trading" him to Jerusalem. He toiled around in pro leagues in both the Middle East and Europe -- where I'm sure he made pretty good money -- before retiring in 2012, but never made it back to the NBA. With the talent he had, though, I still believe had Avery stayed at Duke he would've been more prepared for those first couple of seasons in the League and had a better shot at making a go of it. JMO.
  

  Laley23 wrote:You can, and will, get better in the NBA.

  As you yourself admitted, that's obviously not always true. But as I stated before, I'm only speaking to the small amount of players who hurt their futures by leaving college before being "NBA ready." It's something that certain guys should consider, though, before making the jump. Each player is different.
• Azubuike24

  

  If by some chance Andrew Harrison returns to UK, be on the lookout for this picture to be used a lot next year.
  
  UK's PG in 2013-14 (Andrew Harrison) going against UK's PG in 2014-15 (Tyler Ullis). This was 3 years ago...
  
  
• Azubuike24

  

  http://www.courier-journal.com/story/uk-beat/2014/04/13/espns-chad-ford-breaks-down-kentuckys-nba-prospects/7672515/
  
  Potentially EIGHT UK players leaving for the draft. Insanity.
• robj55

  

  Azubuike24;1604587 wrote:http://www.courier-journal.com/story/uk-beat/2014/04/13/espns-chad-ford-breaks-down-kentuckys-nba-prospects/7672515/
  
  Potentially EIGHT UK players leaving for the draft. Insanity.

  AAU factory
• vball10set

  robj55;1604605 wrote:AAU factory

  That be Cal
• Laley23

  

  Azubuike24;1604587 wrote:http://www.courier-journal.com/story/uk-beat/2014/04/13/espns-chad-ford-breaks-down-kentuckys-nba-prospects/7672515/
  
  Potentially EIGHT UK players leaving for the draft. Insanity.

  Going back to my point before...this is just not even close to other programs.
  
  Even if they dont all go, the fact its possible is enough for me (and others) to hate the style. You dont have to agree, but I am sure you can understand where we are coming from. This is just not good for the game, imo of course.
• robj55

  

  Laley23;1604659 wrote:Going back to my point before...this is just not even close to other programs.
  
  Even if they dont all go, the fact its possible is enough for me (and others) to hate the style. You dont have to agree, but I am sure you can understand where we are coming from. This is just not good for the game, imo of course.

  Coach Cal is by far the best AAU coach in the country.
• wildcats20

  

  WCS will be coming back.
• GOONx19

  

  wildcats20;1604946 wrote:WCS will be coming back.

  Glad to hear. Wichita State was a pretty good team, I would hate to see them leave the NCAA.
• Terry_Tate

  

  GOONx19;1604948 wrote:Glad to hear. Wichita State was a pretty good team, I would hate to see them leave the NCAA.

  Didn't expect that when I saw you were last to post. Well done, lol.
• Azubuike24

  

  Love that Cauley-Stein is coming back, and it makes sense given the way his season ended. Even still, if Dakari Johnson and Alex Poythress return, you have a frontcourt that is unbelievably crowded. Already Cauley-Stein, Lee, Lyles and Towns.
  
  What UK needs is more guard depth...
• centralbucksfan

  Azubuike24;1604587 wrote:http://www.courier-journal.com/story/uk-beat/2014/04/13/espns-chad-ford-breaks-down-kentuckys-nba-prospects/7672515/
  
  Potentially EIGHT UK players leaving for the draft. Insanity.

  Insanity that a coach can't win a national title with THAT much talent.
• SportsAndLady

  

  centralbucksfan;1605037 wrote:Insanity that a coach can't win a national title with THAT much talent.

  Uhh he lost in the title game, seriously gonna rip on him for that?
• Azubuike24

  

  Lets be real too. Cauley-Stein was out. Marcus Lee and Alex Poythress even being discussed about being NBA picks is a joke. They aren't any more coveted than probably 25 other guys we haven't even heard are making a "decision." That's the product of the UK system. Some guys become elevated and have higher stock than they objectively should.
• robj55

  

  centralbucksfan;1605037 wrote:Insanity that a coach can't win a national title with THAT much talent.

  They only started playing really well when he basically stopped coaching them and let them play one on one.
• Azubuike24

  

  robj55;1605050 wrote:They only started playing really well when he basically stopped coaching them and let them play one on one.

  I'd say the opposite. That's the reason they were so inconsistent. Also, they hit outside shots in the tournament. It always help when a drive first and great rebounding team can also make outside shots.
• robj55

  

  Azubuike24;1605053 wrote:I'd say the opposite. That's the reason they were so inconsistent. Also, they hit outside shots in the tournament. It always help when a drive first and great rebounding team can also make outside shots.

  Just a casual observation, but they ran little to no offense, which allowed their athleticism to shine through and took away the mental part of the game which helped them.
• wildcats20

  

  robj55;1605057 wrote:Just a casual observation, but they ran little to no offense, which allowed their athleticism to shine through and took away the mental part of the game which helped them.

  They don't "run an offense".
• wildcats20

  

  And that is obviously an overstatement. But Cal's offensive philosophy is unlike any other coach out there. The dribble-drive offense looks like street ball, but there are definite intricacies that are hard to pick up from watching on TV.
  
  
  
  
  And I'm done defending Cal for the rest of my life.