I know we were having all kinds of discussion about how we needed Schepherd? If we could have a redo would we really want Schepherd or the guys HCBS has landed?
I will take our guys any day even without seeing what Diallo can do at the college level!
I forgot to add in Bragg. Sorry
As a freshman Shepherd averaged about 9 points, 7 rebounds 1.5 blocks and 1 assist. Shot just 41%.
Last year he averaged 6 points, 6 boards, 1 block and 1 assist. Shot almost 43%.
I think we are seeing Shepherd's ceiling. He could probably average 10 points and 7 rebounds on 45% shooting at his peak. On a better team, that would likely fall to 8 points, 5 boards on 48% shooting.
Point is, Shepherd is a decent player, but not someone you should be passing up bigtime talent for. He's a legit D1 player, but not much beyond that.
Karviar Shepherd, IMHO has not set the world on fire and has been an average player at best
Last season, his second, his number went down from his freshman year
With his promising freshman year you would think his numbers would go up, instead they went down. Considering that Freshman Link Kabadyundi that averaged just over4 MPG is the only player taller than him, it is surprising that Shepherd's numbers went down.
he seemed to show up when playing KU. always seems to be the thing to do..
I am not so sure about that...
Pretty much his average for the season. I believe Sepherd is a solid role player but not one that will lead his team or be a difference maker. Just my opinion and I am sure others think he is much more than that.
I probably didn't see enough of his other games to notice, I just clearly remember Shepherd chucking borderline 3 point shots with ease and making them. I didn't know he had that range and just chalked it up to the "oh i'm playing KU, I must make something". The stats say I'm wrong, won't be the last time.
I bet he steps up with all that they lost. Anderson is gone so the dynamics of the team will shift to their front-court.
Agree. This coming season will determine if Shepherd is a potential NBA prospect or just another role player.
No doubt, Karviar Shepherd .. IF you believe that coach Self would have developed him better than TCU. This is also a system thing. How would he be utilized here vs. TCU?
We regularly suggest that bigs should come here because we will better prepare them. I believe that. If you think coach Self and his staff are better with big men than Trent Johnson and his staff, then that should answer the question.
Maybe Shepherd's numbers are 20% better, I don't know.
Embiid? Great player. Much better than Shepherd. Not even a question. But, Embiid was hurt quite a bit, and out when in counted in March, and left after one season. Cliff? Excellent player. His travails are well documented. Again, out when it counted.
We lost in the 2nd round both seasons in the NCAA tourney.
I cannot even conceive of an argument to suggest that one would rather have had Embiid and Cliff for the two seasons we did, over Shepherd. Look what we got for it? What do we have now?
I'm not talking the publicity and any of that stuff. I'm talking purely on the court. Heck, we got some bad publicity on Cliff.
We would now have Shepherd heading into his junior season. We have no idea what Diallo will be. That could change the discussion. But as of now, it's easy.
It will be nice to have Embiid, Wiggins, and possibly Diallo (future all stars) to sit down in front of future recruits and boast about how great KU is. These guys will be someone these kids will be talking about and looking up to in a few years. I can only imagine the kind of impact these guys could have helping out with recruiting. Embiid already spoon fed Diallo this year and is already impacting our ability to land top recruits! Its been a long gap since we had a super star come through KU and when their NBA path is done they will probably come back and coach like Manning did. I will take the hand HCBS has dealt us all day long!
@Statmachine Well, remember, Self wanted Shepherd. He just committed to TCU over Kansas before Embiid. He would have dealt you that hand.
If your argument is publicity, I mentioned that. If that's what we're about, signing guys so we can get the next guy, I don't agree at all with that.
I want to win the NCAA tournament. So far, Wiggins/Embiid and Oubre/Cliff = 2nd round exits. Lots of circumstances, but that is the ultimate result. Not a definitive argument, but part of the discussion.
Not to change the subject... but...
I'm not a Cavs fan... though I have been enjoying Tristan Thompson stepping up! Seems like he fell into the perfect situation at Cleveland. I like how they have him focused on where his current skill set is... rebounding and defense! At times he even plays decent d against Curry on the switches.
I always liked that kid.
Kevin Love who?
@drgnslayr I like him... until he's competing with Sasha for big man minutes.
@approxinfinity Sasha would be competing with Mozgov for those minutes and Mozgov is a better player than Sasha. A front court with Love/Thompson at the 4 and Mozgov/Kaun at the 5 is not a bad front court.
I'll never understand the Shepherd hype. I vaguely remember him giving KU a sniff. He then stayed in Texas, which is fine and understandable. But as someone posted, he didn't live up to his hype. Yes, he had flashes, but he never really gained consistency. So, I was never really comparatively impressed with him. He seemed to have skills, good attitude, and overall good player, but he's a should've, would've and a could've. We'll never know...will we?
@drgnslayr Love really let that whole Wiggins thing down for the Cavs. Love is not thriving in the Cavs system like many ie. LBJ wanted. Wiggins actually became the best of that deal.