🏀 KuBuckets Archive

Just popped.

Graduated High School in 2017...this covid and transfer stuff is dumb

Good pick up for ku

Hope he’s NSYNC with our offense.

Give me about 8 ppg with 38% from 3 and I'll be happy with Timberlake. He's not a good defender so don't expect much on that end from him, but not a bad pick up as tge guy you can kick it out to and expect him to make an open shot.

Really happy about this one! I think people sleeping on his game outside being a legit elite shooter

@BeddieKU23 said in Welcome Nick Timberlake!:

Really happy about this one! I think people sleeping on his game outside being a legit elite shooter

Bill thinks he is Tyrel Reed-ish from what I've heard.

I have not followed his recruiting.

Can he perform at P5 level competition and compete at the same level as he did when playing in a mid major.

@AsadZ no

@FarmerJayhawk said in Welcome Nick Timberlake!:

@AsadZ no

Haha Farmer not happy with this one

I think he'll be good. We need another Remy to come off the bench.

@kuballin10 he's a fine player, I'm probably just cranky that people are getting over their skis on his impact. There's a portion of basketball fandom now that thinks if you're not 40% from 3 you can't play and it filters into every single discussion. I think @Texas-Hawk-10 is spot on, he's a fine contributor but if we're counting on him to be much more, YIKES

@FarmerJayhawk said in Welcome Nick Timberlake!:

@kuballin10 he's a fine player, I'm probably just cranky that people are getting over their skis on his impact. There's a portion of basketball fandom now that thinks if you're not 40% from 3 you can't play and it filters into every single discussion. I think @Texas-Hawk-10 is spot on, he's a fine contributor but if we're counting on him to be much more, YIKES

You want him to be the 3rd (or 4th) best guy in the transfer group. Good to get the ball rolling though.

He looks pretty good to me... Somewhere in between Braun and a young Greg Gurley

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@DanR said in Welcome Nick Timberlake!:

He looks pretty good to me... Somewhere in between Braun and a young Greg Gurley

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He's got some wheels. The fact he uses the backboard for some shots speaks volumes to me. The dude is a smart player. He's the type of guy that if we were playing against him, he would go off against us and score 30. That said, I'd be surprised if he averaged more than 10 a game. He's going to be in for a crash course in learning how to play enough defense to stay on the court.

Sorry this one caught me ttally off. Thought for sure he was a U Conn commit - -welcome aboard big boy.- -Now get Ingram and Hunter --- - -good to go

Does getting Timberlake knock any candidates from the KU list?

Is he better than Bobby or Joe?

@dylans said in Welcome Nick Timberlake!:

Is he better than Bobby or Joe?

Yes and yes. But, he isn't better than Gradey. We need to replace 3 double digit scoring starters. Timberlake seems like a solid roster addition, but is he a starter? If not, at this point we're relying on one of the incoming freshmen.

@DCHawker said in Welcome Nick Timberlake!:

@dylans said in Welcome Nick Timberlake!:

Is he better than Bobby or Joe?

Yes and yes. But, he isn't better than Gradey. We need to replace 3 double digit scoring starters. Timberlake seems like a solid roster addition, but is he a starter? If not, at this point we're relying on one of the incoming freshmen.

Worse Gradey is exactly what he will be for us IMO. Probably starts at the three. Let's wait because there is more coming.

UNC fans are truly something else. I don't think this guy is a home run by any means but they are acting like Cormac Ryan is the far better player since it's who they are more likely to get now. KU had contacted Ryan fwiw but preferred Timberlake. It's also not a stretch to guess the UNC staff felt similar, given they took Timberlake in for a visit first and their people thought he was a lock for them after that visit.

@BShark

Like any fanbase, optimism about those you may land and pessimistic about those they don't.

It's entirely valid to suggest Cormac with plenty of P5 experience is better then Timberlake jumping up a level but the tape tells a different story.

Timberlake is a very solid addition. Will be 25 years old so a grown man in the rotation. Sounds like a high character kid from what I've seen written about him and he seems like a great fit for a team like this with so much attrition. We got the most confident and best shooter in the portal, no complaints. Exactly what they needed to replace with Jalen's alpha mentality no longer here

Gradey didn't have a 7 footer playing behind him to make up for defensive lapses. Timberlake will have Dickinson at the rim.

https://towsontigers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/nicolas-timberlake/19288 ↗

Did well at the lower level. Projects as a solid role player 6/7 guy up. Hope he doesn’t get too many minutes unless my expectations are wildly off.

@dylans Plan is starter.

@BShark Oh boy. It’s gonna be one of those years huh? Where Bill leans on his security blanket players that don’t mess up while getting killed by athletic teams. Ugg. Hope I’m wrong. DaJuan deserves better.

@dylans said in Welcome Nick Timberlake!:

@BShark Oh boy. It’s gonna be one of those years huh? Where Bill leans on his security blanket players that don’t mess up while getting killed by athletic teams. Ugg. Hope I’m wrong. DaJuan deserves better.

Dajuan/Elmarko/Timberlake/Ingram/Hunter Bench: KJ/Arterio/Udeh/Marcus Deeper bench: the rest of the roster

This would be a top 5 team in the country without question. Still a lot to play out.

@BShark said in Welcome Nick Timberlake!:

@dylans said in Welcome Nick Timberlake!:

@BShark Oh boy. It’s gonna be one of those years huh? Where Bill leans on his security blanket players that don’t mess up while getting killed by athletic teams. Ugg. Hope I’m wrong. DaJuan deserves better.

Dajuan/Elmarko/Timberlake/Ingram/Hunter Bench: KJ/Arterio/Marcus Deeper bench: the rest of the roster

This would be a top 5 team in the country without question. Still a lot to play out.

No Ernest???

@BeddieKU23 said in Welcome Nick Timberlake!:

@BShark said in Welcome Nick Timberlake!:

@dylans said in Welcome Nick Timberlake!:

@BShark Oh boy. It’s gonna be one of those years huh? Where Bill leans on his security blanket players that don’t mess up while getting killed by athletic teams. Ugg. Hope I’m wrong. DaJuan deserves better.

Dajuan/Elmarko/Timberlake/Ingram/Hunter Bench: KJ/Arterio/Marcus Deeper bench: the rest of the roster

This would be a top 5 team in the country without question. Still a lot to play out.

No Ernest???

Went brain dead on that. He'd play some. Fixed.

It's tough enough to cheer for obvious one and dones. Going to be tougher to cheer for 25 year old men who will only be in a Kansas uniform for a year over a 19 year old who WANTS to be there for 4 years.

It is what it is, I get it but I dont have to like it

@dylans said in Welcome Nick Timberlake!:

@BShark Oh boy. It’s gonna be one of those years huh? Where Bill leans on his security blanket players that don’t mess up while getting killed by athletic teams. Ugg. Hope I’m wrong. DaJuan deserves better.

The staff really likes Timberlake. Wonder what they see in him that you don't. What do you despise about Timberlake?

@BigBad said in Welcome Nick Timberlake!:

It's tough enough to cheer for obvious one and dones. Going to be tougher to cheer for 25 year old men who will only be in a Kansas uniform for a year over a 19 year old who WANTS to be there for 4 years.

It is what it is, I get it but I dont have to like it

Most of these kids are just following the money.

Wants to be at Kansas is like...Mitch, Teahan etc

@BigBad No worse than rooting for all the 18 & 19 year olds that COULD stay at Kansas 4 years but choose to bail.

@Jethro said in Welcome Nick Timberlake!:

@dylans said in Welcome Nick Timberlake!:

@BShark Oh boy. It’s gonna be one of those years huh? Where Bill leans on his security blanket players that don’t mess up while getting killed by athletic teams. Ugg. Hope I’m wrong. DaJuan deserves better.

The staff really likes Timberlake. Wonder what they see in him that you don't. What do you despise about Timberlake?

Unathletic. 25 year old. Kinda creepy having a grown ass man in the dorms. OAD that doesn’t move the needle. Most likely taking a roster spot and development away from a 3-4 year player that would end up doing more for KU in the long run.

I’m fine with adding transfers, just hoped for something more impactful than Timberlake is advertised as being. Given the cost of that roster spot.

@dylans JCL was pretty cool last year at 25. Grown ass man who acc to some reports was very helpful in educating the young 'uns about lots of things including his software for athlete's finances or something like that.

@dylans said in Welcome Nick Timberlake!:

@Jethro said in Welcome Nick Timberlake!:

@dylans said in Welcome Nick Timberlake!:

@BShark Oh boy. It’s gonna be one of those years huh? Where Bill leans on his security blanket players that don’t mess up while getting killed by athletic teams. Ugg. Hope I’m wrong. DaJuan deserves better.

The staff really likes Timberlake. Wonder what they see in him that you don't. What do you despise about Timberlake?

Unathletic. 25 year old. Kinda creepy having a grown ass man in the dorms. OAD that doesn’t move the needle. Most likely taking a roster spot and development away from a 3-4 year player that would end up doing more for KU in the long run.

I’m fine with adding transfers, just hoped for something more impactful than Timberlake is advertised as being. Given the cost of that roster spot.

Gonna be a lot less development takes going on now. Almost farm system-ish with the way it will work going forward.

@dylans said in Welcome Nick Timberlake!:

@Jethro said in Welcome Nick Timberlake!:

@dylans said in Welcome Nick Timberlake!:

@BShark Oh boy. It’s gonna be one of those years huh? Where Bill leans on his security blanket players that don’t mess up while getting killed by athletic teams. Ugg. Hope I’m wrong. DaJuan deserves better.

The staff really likes Timberlake. Wonder what they see in him that you don't. What do you despise about Timberlake?

Unathletic. 25 year old. Kinda creepy having a grown ass man in the dorms. OAD that doesn’t move the needle. Most likely taking a roster spot and development away from a 3-4 year player that would end up doing more for KU in the long run.

I’m fine with adding transfers, just hoped for something more impactful than Timberlake is advertised as being. Given the cost of that roster spot.

LOL @ Grown ass man in the dorms. I think his maturity and confidence will help. I wonder if we lose Chris Johnson over the signing, though.

@mayjay said in Welcome Nick Timberlake!:

@dylans JCL was pretty cool last year at 25. Grown ass man who acc to some reports was very helpful in educating the young 'uns about lots of things including his software for athlete's finances or something like that.

We need maturity and leadership. I think the kid is absolutely perfect for us- he plays with a chip, and seems to be ultra competitive. Sorry, 25 is still a kid in my books...not a grown ass man...lol.

@dylans What tape have you been watching. "Unathletic"? Perplexing how you came to that conclusion. I think we've all seen him play well above the rim in his highlights. Seems like he takes pride in making those kinds of momentum changing plays. Great elevation on his shot and a high release for the most part.

@mayjay loved that kid/grown ass man!

All I’m saying is the bulk of the very successful folks I work for have 7-11 years of career experience by 25. Personally I took the long route and went to college so just 3 years in my current career. Yes a grown man masquerading as a child, a professional student. At some point it’s just pathetic, wait is he going into medical school? If so I take it back.

@dylans said in Welcome Nick Timberlake!:

All I’m saying is the bulk of the very successful folks I work for have 7-11 years of career experience by 25. Personally I took the long route and went to college so just 3 years in my current career. Yes a grown man masquerading as a child, a professional student. At some point it’s just pathetic, wait is he going into medical school? If so I take it back.

This is basically professional basketball though, at this level. Most really good NCAA teams could compete with some number of teams (not the best ones) in foreign leagues. The pay is good too.

@BShark so adult not a child?

@dylans said in Welcome Nick Timberlake!:

@BShark so adult not a child?

You are an adult at 18 imo. I'd argue possibly you should be at a younger age too but that's a lengthy discourse about society.

It’s why I don’t get season tickets. I might go to a game or two, but semi-pro sports are yucky. Even if KU wins it all it just feels gross. - I am 100% behind Harris, kj Adams, Udeh, Zuby, and any incoming freshmen. oad transfers makes this feel like the Kentucky lite experience. More successful model, but hard to have school pride. It is what it is, I’ll either accept it or move on.

I get what you are saying, even if I disagree. Don't think I really have much to add just wanted to let you know I'm not trying to disparage you for your views.

@BShark I don’t fault anyone for feeling as they do either. To each their own. Not trying to make converts. Just got boxed into a corner by @jethro and had to explain a position I don’t really care that passionately about.

I’m 100% for developing your own talent. I suppose recruiting fails and impatience will do this to a roster though.

I don't see guys going pro as recruiting fails. Maybe Self expected to keep Braun for four years. Hoped to keep Dick for a couple. Wilson still had a year or two. How far can you plan ahead with top talent coming out of high school Gotta fill those holes with something other than greenhorns. IMO.

@DanR I was thinking MJ and Cuffe as the most recent examples. Taking Cam is another. There have been other miscalculations. I really don’t care to defend this position either. It’s not a flattering conversation. Not gonna pump sunshine, but sure don’t want to be a Debbie downer either.

@dylans I basically agree with you. I've never liked the old/senior+ transfers, but I have to admit a few of them have salvaged what would have been horrible seasons. Usually there's a couple guys (Harris/KJ/Udeh etc) on every team to still make it feel like there are Jayhawks on the floor.

@DanR I also understand it’s just the times. I don’t dislike any kid that wants to play for KU. I dislike the entire transfer/free agency/bidding wars for players concept.

@BShark I would argue that adults aren't 18 anymore. Which is absolutely a societal change. They are far too coddled to be adults at that age by-in-large these days. Everyone as parents including me is guilty of this. But let's not BS ourselves. My grandaddy volunteered to get on a plane and go fight japs in iwo jimo at 18. These kids are not adults until 23 plus imo. And. Honestly. Probably thru no fault of their own

@cragarhawk said in Welcome Nick Timberlake!:

@BShark I would argue that adults aren't 18 anymore. Which is absolutely a societal change. They are far too coddled to be adults at that age by-in-large these days. Everyone as parents including me is guilty of this. But let's not BS ourselves. My grandaddy volunteered to get on a plane and go fight japs in iwo jimo at 18. These kids are not adults until 23 plus imo. And. Honestly. Probably thru no fault of their own

I don't think I'm as old as you or @dylans but I feel pretty similarly...

We are going backwards in a lot of ways as a society. Anyway, probably best to veer off this lol.

..just read this old string today about Nick T , in anticipation for game 2 in Puerto Rico today.

Nick, in my humble opinion, is EXACTLY who we want as a transfer. He grew up in Braintree Ma, a few towns away for where I’ve lived for 30 years. His father Jeff is a huge basketball junkie, and played for BU and he got to play in the first round of the NCAA tourney in 1988 ( they lost to Duke). Nick was a standout hard working player at Braintree high school but when it came time for college, not a single D1 or D2 school was interested. Zero. He and his family knew he was D1 capable, certainly a D2 level player, So he went to Kimball Union Academy in NH for a year, and worked incredibly hard to improve every part of his game, especially his shooting, taking between 300 and 500 shots before games.

After that year, Towson was interested, and his hard work paid off. He got better every year, averaged 17.7 a game there, and because of Covid he had one extra year of eligibility. Rather that go overseas to make some money, he wanted to know what it was like to play for a higher ranked D1 program. The memory of no one wanting him out of high school still stung, and he felt he had something to prove. He knew he would draw some interest in the transfer portal, hoping for around 15 schools to contact him but was shocked when over 70 schools reached out, including some blue bloods. Self didn’t meet him face to face, just over zoom. He picked KU essentially because of a chance to play under HOF Coach Self. When he visited the campus he and his family knew instantly they had made the right choice. Obviously, NIL $ is a good incentive, but he most definitely is not here for the Money (Hunter is here for the $). He is here to play for Kansas.

This is the kind of grown-ass kid I will root hard for.

@Bosthawk loved the summary. Excited!

@Bosthawk, that's just awesome.