drgnslayr said:
Someone told me a unique description of Sam...
"He's Klay without the trey!" (meaning Klay Thompson)
But I've heard he has improved his trey shot in a big way since coming to Kansas. It also sounds like his defense is much better. He is definitely very athletic!
He is super athletic, that's definitely not an issue.
If they told Michael Porter SR to pound sand, I doubt they'd do anything for Sexton's dad. Given the current climate, I'd say this was a good decision.
Sexton is REAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL good though, no doubt.
KU definitely has a really good chance if Vick goes.
drgnslayr said:
Good post on concussions. Truth is, we don't know how that concussion is going to impact Malik's play for a while.
Look at the NFL... specifically, the KC Chiefs. They were 5-0 and their offense was outrageous. Since then, they have gone... 2-6! A complete flip and a big part of that has to do with the accuracy of Smith. He doesn't even look like the same player today. I wonder if he took a hit to his head since the 5-0 mark. His judgment, passing accuracy, ability to read defenses, ability to scramble... all of his game declined. He clearly is having mental issues.
I hope Malik's game comes around. He does need a lot of work, especially on his defense. He also gets caught being a spectator on defense. Also, his ability to finish on his drives needs a ton of work. He often plays like a freshman. Either he isn't able to absorb enough of the coaching or the coaching just isn't there for helping him with his individual issues.
Players accept coaching at various levels.
Look at Doke. I think we all now realize that Doke is a very rough diamond. But he is transforming in front of our eyes and he is doing so RAPIDLY! I've never seen a ball player change his body this fast. Truly impressive! And he is learning the basics of the game right now. We should continue to see huge improvements this year!
Concerning Malik... I don't know. He may just need more time to "get it!"
Andy had drawn up some new stuff in the offseason, the rest of the league figured it out. The early production was largely a byproduct of Andy Reid.
Also oline injuries impacted the running game.
Blown said:
His comments about it 'clicking' just these last few weeks after having been here for 1 year also surprised me. What has he been paying attention to the last year that is just now realizing Bill's defensive approach and Offensive philosophy of ball movement.
Not that surprising to me. For whatever reason it does seem to take kids awhile to get used to Self. We seem to hear this a lot.
I assumed this would be about Trae Young before I opened it. But yeah this kid is the best PG in the country. Not sure it's close.
BeddieKU23 said:
BShark said:
I think it's part of the plan for Malik to go. Would he be okay with coming off the bench? Might be really difficult for him. I expect him to go and not get drafted.
That's sad, I hope he reconsiders if his play continues as it is.
Does Self still want him though? Current commits were signed assuming he was leaving. It could actually mess stuff up if he stayed.
I would expect Silvio at this point given his tweet. Can't imagine he tweets that if he didn't get a good test score. Kids tho...
JayHawkFanToo said:
I don't dislike him but I expected more from the #5 player in his class on his third year in college.
On one hand I agree but on the other hand it was clear from his one year at MSST that he was not a top 10 player in that class.
FREE BILLY
BeddieKU23 said:
I'll be shocked if Lightfoot is in the rotation next season with what we should have at the 4 next season. The Lawson's are so much better then Mitch is currently. This would be the perfect scenario to redshirt him.
Just having the 5- Doke, Dave, D Lawson, KJ Lawson & De Sousa is a lot of mouths to feed. Some serious size and skill among those 5 guys.
The ever rare junior season redshirt. I think it would be best for everyone though.
I think it's part of the plan for Malik to go. Would he be okay with coming off the bench? Might be really difficult for him. I expect him to go and not get drafted.
Get em Q.
Was just hopping on to post this. Sounds like great news.
HawkChamp said:
BShark said:
HawkChamp said:
@BShark based on the first nine games, what are the odds Dok stays? He isn't really even on any draft boards.
Not sure. We are already oversigned by 1 though and Self has talked about wanting to add more players.
If we see only Newman and Billy go early and add a random, non-contributing/developmental recruit, that would be pretty awesome.
Dotson, Grimes, Vick, Dedric, Doke
Bench: KJ, Garrett, Silvio, McCormack, Cunliffe, Mitch
Yeessssh.
What other players could we sign besides Langford?
It would be someone not on the radar right now.
Before Frank we had Tyshawn, as inconsistent as he was, that was something he was pretty good at.
wissox said:
@BShark Like Frank for example?
Yeah.
Also like Dotson and Jacobs.
So at least it appears to only be one year where we lack this.
My hot take: basketball is easier when you have a PG that can penetrate and get to the rim.
@HawkChamp Read so many different things there. Clemson seems to be the favourite currently. I certainly wouldn't give KU high chances.
HawkChamp said:
@BShark ok thank you for the intel. I'm not as up on recruiting as I should be.
Langford shoots the crap out of the ball. He doesn't generally defend as he isn't interested in defense. He has the rep of someone that can "coast" a bit on that end. Allegedly Calipari wasn't all that interested because of that.
He's an NBA talent though and a kid you take if he wants to come here.
Langford is a better player long term but for one season under Self I think I'd take Vick's SR year. It will be interesting to see how things shake out.
Since Langford is a rent a player I would rather have Vick. The impact is only for next year, so it's better to have the SR player that knows the system well.
Hell if OAD gets blown up, Langford might be straight to the NBA.
HawkChamp said:
@BShark I love that roster and all the sixe but I would like it better if we could get Langford.
I don't think it's possible to have Vick and Langford. It's loaded either way.
@Texas-Hawk-10 Well said.
This is a coping thread. If you want to focus on this year, feel free to do that. :wink:
HawkChamp said:
@BShark based on the first nine games, what are the odds Dok stays? He isn't really even on any draft boards.
Not sure. We are already oversigned by 1 though and Self has talked about wanting to add more players.
If we see only Newman and Billy go early and add a random, non-contributing/developmental recruit, that would be pretty awesome.
Dotson, Grimes, Vick, Dedric, Doke
Bench: KJ, Garrett, Silvio, McCormack, Cunliffe, Mitch
Yeessssh.
HawkChamp said:
And I forgot to mention Marcus Garrett who I think will turn into an old style Bill Self guard. Man I miss the days of Chalmers, Robinson, Releford and Tyshawn.
Dotson, Grimes, Garrett, Moore is a great guard rotation. There will be some growing pains early. If we see a second year of it watch out (Grimes being the main candidate to leave early and prevent the 2nd year of this rotation).
The real kicker though is how much the post situation improves with or without Doke. Dedric is the best scoring post we've had in awhile. He is a complete player. Hell even KJ right now would be our second best big. Then you also add Silvio and McCormack. I don't expect a ton from McCormack next year but he should be the 4th big if Doke does leave, that's pretty awesome.
Kcmatt7 said:
Time to put in and commit to zone.
We can’t keep people out of the lane already. We suck at rebounding already. And our bench sucks.
Time to slow the game down and try to keep Doke on the floor for 35 minutes.
I totally agree but will Self's pride prevent this from happening? Or even being considered in the first place?
KirkIsMyHinrich said:
Let's just put Lightfoot's jersey on DL and play him. Nobody will notice. No one say anything.
We should definitely do this.
It's gonna be real nice trotting out two bigs and a true PG again.
KirkIsMyHinrich said:
The talent is there for Kansas, but it seems like they lack grit. Grit that they had last season from Mason, Jackson, and Lucas. Especially Mason.
Graham, Vick and Doke are our only decent players right now.
KirkIsMyHinrich said:
I ultimately think losing early like this will benefit Kansas later in the season. But man, between Bill Walton calling the game, Kansas losing back-to-back games to a former Syracuse assistant coach and an obnoxious former Duke player, and Kansas "fans" leaving AFH early today, it's hard to be positive right now.
Have to give ASU credit, they made a lot of tough shots. A lot of low-percentage shots. Some games they won't hit those, today they did.
I'm afraid we just suck this year dude. No NBA talent and our best players are mostly not athletic enough when going against better college teams.
We need more evidence but I lean towards @Kcmatt7 side for now. Hopefully today I am proved wrong.
@jayballer54 If you had to pick one....
Walton or Vitale? :joy:
kjayhawks said:
I honestly hope Sam pushes these guys for playing time.
I wouldn't count on it.
HighEliteMajor said:
@wrwlumpy You are exactly right about how Newman appeared vs. the zone.
That "Dog" thing Self is referring to (many different ways to say it) is part DNA, part learned or acquired. But there are some, no matter what you do, they don't have it. Others have it from birth. If DG doesn't have it yet, then I wouldn't bet on it. I'm a bit surprised/disappointed that is the way Self sees DG right now.
If you were picking the five you wanted on the floor at the end of a game, would it include Garrett or Newman right now? I'd say Garrett now. But I'm a bit torn because of the composition and lack of depth on our team. If Cunliffe is a player, then I think that makes a move by Self to Garrett at some point easier because we would not be totally reliant on Newman. I think that's why Self probably has to stick with Newman now as a starter. I think Newman can get out of this funk. But it is an interesting thing to monitor.
I know you aren't their biggest fan, but KJ Lawson has a lot of that dog in him, Dedric too but not quite as much.
kjayhawks said:
Predictions for the game anyone?
ASU 90 KU 70
ASU is very good though and Vick has an ailment.
I'm grumpy don't mind me.
HighEliteMajor said:
I'm going with @Dylans on this one. I personally LOVE Bill Self's new demeanor. It was apparent last season too. You know why? Do you all want to know why?
Three pointers. He's accepted the devil. It's calming. So no need to flop around like a newly hooked Mackerel. He still blisters guys a new one, but the gyrations during the action are much more limited.
It's really terrific in my opinion. I like three pointers, too.
By the way, the WU coach said they were trying to stop Graham. Meaning, anyone beats them except him. Just saw that.
I like it too.
Self is not stupid. His being a bit of an ogre was impacting recruiting.
This team kind of barely deserves to be in the top 25 right now. Paper tiger that will lose again Sunday.
@JayHawkFanToo Makes sense, he needs to learn stuff. Thanks.
@BeddieKU23 It's the worst kept secret around local AAU ball.
There is also waiting to announce so that your team mates get looks. That's definitely a thing that happens sometimes.
@jayballer54 You have nothing to worry about with JRE. He could very well make it official this year.
He is a top priority. The KU staff will be over to watch his game on Friday.
kjayhawks said:
You know Self got some flack on here about these transfers, some even wondered if he was slipping in the recruiting game (before the big class for next year). But he may end up looking like a genius before the next 2 years are up. Thinking about how good of a team this years gets to go against daily but also thinking about next years guys going against a top 5 team in practice everyday as well. We will be full of new faces a year from now but lots of those faces have not only that practice time but time spent with other D1 schools. Bravo coach Self I see what you did there.
Whole lotta misses on top targets in 17. I do like how it worked out though where despite having to likely replace all 5 starters we will be able to put guys out there with a year in the program.
dylans said:
@HawkChamp It’s the 30% from 2 that’s disconcerting. His advanced stats are not nice. I’m hoping he gets his skills on par with his athleticism.
^^^
This is right. He needs to learn to be a basketball player and not just an athlete playing basketball.
HawkChamp said:
@BShark averaged 10 and 5 and 40% from 3 as a frosh. Doesn't sound bad to me.
35% from the field overall and an 89 Ortg (Chris Teahan/Clay Young territory). An atrocious 10 PER and -4 box plus/minus. Admittedly it's a very small sample size where he was able to chuck because ASU was a very thin team. Also of course I'm also just going off of having watched him play at ASU plus the Italy trip.
Yeah what a fun feeling.
I see JRE as immediately being the #3 post player in the rotation. Maybe even starts next to De Sousa depending on McCormack's development.