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JayHawkFanToo
13427 posts
World Cup Odds • Jun 26, 2018 09:22 PM

@Barney

Playing for a tie in the World Cup happens occasionally in the first stage when the object is to finish in the top two and advance but it is certainly not the norm. No more ties after that, you win and advance.

3.2. billion people tuned in for the 2014 World Cup and over 1billion watched the final. This edition of the cup is expected to draw 3.6 billion people or half the world’s population and the Final will be watched by ~1.5 billion people.

Herrera • Jun 26, 2018 02:55 PM

Kcmatt7 said:

@HighEliteMajor Without Greinke to trade from the previous regime, he never makes the World Series.

...and yet, he did it...twice, back to back. He obviously made some good decisions.

Herrera • Jun 26, 2018 12:35 PM

@Kcmatt7

Every team misses players in the draft because they are basically selecting unknown players that may or may not work at the higher level. Same in every sport, sometimes you pick an Anrio Adams and sometimes you pick a Mason or Graham, sometimes you pick an Oden and sometimes you pick a Durant. OKC drafted back to back to back Durant, Westbrook and Harden that became back to back to back NBA MVPs and only Westbrook is still and did it with OKC which has not title to show for it.

You showed what the current line up would be, can you list the salaries for the players on it and the total payroll?

World Cup Odds • Jun 25, 2018 04:58 PM

Uruguay wins big over Russia; I though the game would be closer. Past the stage where the crowd is a big help and now contender move ahead of the pretenders.

Interesting factoid: Out of 23 players for the Iceland team 22 players (except for the backup goalie) have last names that end in "son."

!0_1529945815772_upload-e1a2b31d-51ac-486f-abd6-66aacb12eebf ↗

Five Big Questions • Jun 25, 2018 04:30 PM

I am not sure if this is the right thread but here it is anyway....looks like Coach K is expanding to soccer...

!0_1529944222439_upload-933e4fbf-5ea6-47bb-908e-0aabf0857965 ↗

Five Big Questions • Jun 25, 2018 04:22 PM

Here is an interesting ESPN story ↗ on the Lawson family...

Five Big Questions • Jun 25, 2018 04:12 PM

@Kubie

Nice reporting. Looks like Doke has listened to what he probably heard at the combine and is working on a mid range jumper and free throws.:thumbsup_tone3:

Five Big Questions • Jun 25, 2018 01:56 PM

@drgnslayr

Last season Coach Self did not have the luxury of mixing and choosing player to get optimal chemistry since the roster was extremely limited. Fortunately Coach Self has now a number of players he can use in various combinations to get the perfect chemistry going.

Five Big Questions • Jun 25, 2018 01:53 PM

@BeddieKU23

Dedric will likely be a college basketball star but he is also a "tweener" with limited athletic ability that hopefully Hudy has helped improve over the last year. In the NBA he would be overpowered by bigger, more athletic players so his NBA potential is very limited.

TOP 10 4 year players under Self • Jun 25, 2018 01:41 PM

I am with @KUSTEVE. It would be very close but when you look at all 4 years Perry should be at the top.

@HighEliteMajor

Nice and succinct summary. Although KU has a lot of tradition, it is still in a small market state in the Mid West which places it away from the big market and prime time programming and yet it manages to recruit very well.

Some people tend to forget that Coach Self's job is primarily to maintain a good and clean program and win "college" games; sending players to the NBA is a secondary goal that helps recruiting but not his main role. Naturally, some of the players he recruits are destined to be great college players but not necessarily NBA material' KU (and every othre school) players are drafted by the NBA based on their potential to be NBA players and not because of the school they attended or the shoe they wore. KU has the third-most players in the NBA with only Kentucky and Duke havinmg more and just placed 4 more players in the League. KU is doing just fine.

The talk of Wright's record suddenly improving because a perceived shoeco impact is just silly, his record improved not because suddenly he became a good coach (which he always was) but because the Big East 2010-2013 realignment weakened the conference and competition quite a bit.

Here is the final ranking for the Big East at he the end of the 2010-1011 season:

!0_1529932115395_upload-611042a2-55b7-4b60-a401-bf0d7535916d ↗

It shows the top 4 and 7 of the top 9 teams and 2 additional teams in the conference left during the realignment and in the last 8 years those teams collected 3 national titles...that is a lot of very good teams... and by default Villanova became the best basketball program. The Big East used to be the top conference with 16 teams and now is till decent conference with only 10 teans but no longer the top. The equivalent would be having OU, OSU, Texas, TCU, WVU and Baylor leave the Big 12 and the conference adding a few weaker teams and KSU becoming the top dog in the conference...in football of course.

Sometimes teams go through what I call the "perfect storm" when a combination of recruiting and development of lower ranked players creates a unique winning formula; Wichita State just went through a great 4-5 year run that allowed it to move to a better conference and appears to be ending now. Likewise, Villanova had a great run in the last few years but now it is starting to abate.

Some of my comments above are related to the thread topic in general and not necessarily to your comments.

NBA draft • Jun 25, 2018 12:33 AM

Does any one know the type of contract Preston signed?

NBA draft • Jun 24, 2018 12:50 AM

@BeddieKU23

Kevin Pritchard also picked #34...

World Cup Odds • Jun 23, 2018 02:16 PM

@approxinfinity

Interesting game. Tunisia dominated the first part of the second half and with a little luck the score could have been 3-2 or even 3-3. After Belgium settled it missed at least 3 more point blank goals. It would not have surprised me if the final score was 7-3.

Next, Mexico to prove if it is a contender or just another team with a lucky win over a powerhouse.

Five Big Questions • Jun 23, 2018 02:07 PM

Yes, yes, likely, yes, yes.

NBA draft • Jun 23, 2018 04:57 AM

Apparently LBron's people told the Lakers that if LeBron ends up with them Lonzo must go.

When do his kids finally tell daddy Ball to stop hurting their chances?

!0_1529729728074_upload-a39183db-1534-433b-bd49-f76fffb7d41a ↗

How many years do you give Lue? • Jun 23, 2018 04:27 AM

@approxinfinity

He was handpicked by LeBron and once he is gone Lue is gone as well, although he might stay an extra year so the team and Lue can save face.

NBA draft • Jun 23, 2018 04:13 AM

@justanotherfan

Kobe Bryant will be a Hall of Famer and he spent exactly 0 seconds playing college basketball. Kevin Garnett will be a Hall of Famer and he spent exactly 0 seconds playing college basketball. Lebron James is either the best or second best player of all time, and he spent (one moment, let me check to be sure) yes, zero seconds playing college basketball.

...and all 3 player joined the NBA BEFORE the NBA rule requiring players to be 19 and one year after their graduating classes, right? Currently that path is not available so it is disingenuous and misleading to bring it up. Should it be done way with it then a direct jump to the League by a few selected top players might indeed be the best path but until such time, college is still the best way and better, in my opinion, than the G League, which is backed up by all the top prospects that select college over the G League or overseas play. If college would not be the current best path, all the top players would be doing something else instead of playing college ball.

As far as Perry Ellis, how does he fit in this analysis? He could have stayed 10 years in college, which many claim he did anyway, and things would not be any different. He is the stereotype tweener that is a good or even great college player but whose game does not translate to the NBA. TRob has the same issue, he could have gone directly to the NBA (unlikely) or play 4 years in college and the result would be the same even whe he was a great college player (runner-up POY to the Unibrow).

By the way, I did not say that 4years of college is the best path, I said that until the NBA changes its rules, college is indeed the best path.

Herrera • Jun 23, 2018 03:54 AM

@Kcmatt7

The Royals are the 3rd lowest valued baseball franchise and while the owners have equity the revenue is not high, in fact one of the lower one, baseball is still a business and the Royals are currently operating in the red which is not a sustainable business model. What do you suggest the owners do? Continue pumping and losing their own money? Borrow money to increase payroll? If they cannot meet the current payroll how are they going maintain a higher payroll and service the debt?

The Royals have the 19th highest payroll at $115M (St Louis is 13th at $247M) and yet the went to back to back World Series with many players developed by the team minor league affiliates which made the players that much more valuable to the point the team could not keep them; it is a catch 22 situation.

So yes, the Royals have developed good players and the back to back World Series appearances would indicate they maximized payroll. However, this is a situation thst will continue to repeat, the team will develop prospects, became very good until the success makes the player too expensive and the team goes back to rebuild mode.

Herrera • Jun 22, 2018 06:25 PM

@Kcmatt7

...and St Louis had the NFL Cardinals as well and lost it. It is a baseball first city and the Cardinals have been there for well over 100 years and are one of the most successful franchises in sports.

The Cardinals are the top team in a market that is over 40% larger than KC with no football competition and derive $75M more income per year where the Royals run a distant second to the Chiefs in KC which is football first town. Think about it, with an extra $75M, the Royals could take 5 players with $5M salaries and replace them with 5 players with $20M salaries...a huge talent differential. While both teams are in the same state, the market size, fan preference and revenue are quite different and this is why the franchise is worth twice as much as the Royals. Apples and oranges comparison.

NBA draft • Jun 22, 2018 06:06 PM

approxinfinity said:

@HighEliteMajor tbh I expected it to be Porter with the history of Embiid and Simmons.

Porter select by Denver which is owned by Kroenke who is a MU graduate and big donor...perhaps saving Porter further embarrassment?

Porter could be the steal of the draft or the next Greg Oden.

NBA draft • Jun 22, 2018 05:16 PM

Chalmers #34, Mason! #34, Graham #34...KU’s lucky number?

NBA draft • Jun 22, 2018 04:33 PM

Crimsonorblue22 said:

Billy and Mitchell Robinson were really dumb, or I stand corrected, I still think it was Billy's mom.

Agreed. The Prestons took the short term little (relatively speaking) money and blew the long term big money and security. Robinson had what NBA teams look for and had he played somewhere and anywhere near his potential he would have been a lottery pick. Maybe NBA teams are finally starting to factor character and judgement; hopefully this creates a cautionary tale for future prospects. There is no question that college basketball is still the best path to showcase talent and move up.

NBA draft • Jun 22, 2018 04:23 PM

@justanotherfan

Preston was projected to be lottery pick in many if not most of the pre-season mock drafts because he has/had the tools that the NBA likes, unlike other higher ranked HS players that are good or even great college players but whose game does not translate to the NBA. Even with a decent, not great, season he would have been a first round pick and with a good to very good season likely a lottery pick. The Summer League, if he can hook up with a team, will be his best chance to show what he can do and, gIven his lack of exposure and unknown durability (he was injured playing 3 games in Croatia after all), his most likely destination will be the G League with maybe a 2-way contract...or Croatia.

I still think that Preston was one of the bigger losers in the draft and a cautionary tale for future players. I just cannot see how he is a winner, no way, no how, no ma’am.

NBA draft • Jun 22, 2018 02:41 PM

@justanotherfan

I mentioned that not being picked late was better for Preston because he has some choice with whom to sign. However, I would not call him a winner at all, he will probably sign a minimum, non-guaranteed contract instead of the multi-million guaranteed contract that lottery picks get. A #10 pick gets a contract wort well over $13M over 4 years where the minimum contract is around $550K. Considering that Preston has played a grand total of 3 games (in Croatia?) chances are he will get a 2 way contract like Newman did and is is worth $70K plus pro-rated money when he is called to the League...no way he is a winner. I will guess coaches will be using him as an example of what happens when you take money under the table and risk eligibility.

@HighEliteMajor

Alexander/mom should warrant at least an honorable mention. :smile:

NBA draft • Jun 22, 2018 06:30 AM

Biggest loser of the draft is Billy Preston. The money he/mom took costed him millions since with a good season at KU could have made him a lottery pick. Not being picked is probably better for him than being picked up in the bottom half of the second round and now he can select the team where he fits best; his agent will really have to earn his money.

NBA draft • Jun 22, 2018 06:23 AM

@JAYHAWKFAN214 @Gorilla72

The two way contract is not a bad deal insofar that players are allowed a max of 45 days in the League and if he gets decent playing time they might offer him a regular contract. The problem with Lakers is that there will be a lot of changes if LeBron signs with them, which looks likely, and apparently will result in big changes including Lonzo Ball leaving since LeBron does not want daddy Ball anywhere near.

Herrera • Jun 22, 2018 06:09 AM

@HighEliteMajor

I get that but the value of a franchise and the revenue it produces are two different things. Look at the revenue they produce ↗ and the operating income; the Cardinals generate $74M more revenue and operate in the black while the Royals are in the red. Also, the Cardinals don’t have a football franchise in town to compete for entertainment dollars while the Royals have the very successful Chiefs.

Not getting the Doncic hype • Jun 21, 2018 04:29 PM

@justanotherfan

Excellent summary. People tend to underestimate the top Euro Leagues where players tend to be less athletic than their NBA counterparts but in many ways more skilled precisely because of the lesser athleticism.

I've got the fever • Jun 21, 2018 04:20 PM

!0_1529598078746_upload-289bcebc-2345-4012-9924-21f2a7b278cd ↗

Herrera • Jun 21, 2018 04:17 PM

@Kcmatt7

KC is the # 29 market and St Louis the #29 and 47% larger.

The Royals current TV contract is for 12 years (2008-2019) and is worth $240M. The St Louis current TV contracts is 15 years (2018-2032) and is worth $1B.

The royals payroll is #20 at 129.9M and St Louis Payroll is the #10 at $161M or 24% bigger.

Not exactly apples to apples, wouldn't you agree?

@HighEliteMajor

Agreed. I posted before that if Vick comes back he will be on a very short leash and with zero tolerance. Since his announcement about testing the NBA he has gotten a harsh lesson on reality and the real world and he probably knows that one more year at KU is the best opportunity for him not only basketball wise but hopefully earning a degree to fall back on. Hopefully he makes the best of it

@BShark

Worst case he does not play much or he is dismissed so there is little downside but he could also go on to have a good or even great season and contribute heavily. Considerably more potential upside than downside.

Not getting the Doncic hype • Jun 21, 2018 02:49 PM

@dylans

He has been with the Real Madrid, one of the better teams in Europe, for 4 years and he was the Euro League and Tournament MVP. He is indeed skilled, smart and with good basketball IQ but athletically he is average but he does maximize what he has.

I've got the fever • Jun 21, 2018 02:35 PM

@jayballer73

The only date I mentioned was the one for Late Night in response to a request...and it was correct.

I've got the fever • Jun 21, 2018 06:36 AM

@jayballer73

I believe the KU basketball website ↗ is the more credible source and it says the 28th...

I've got the fever • Jun 21, 2018 02:39 AM

@jayballer73

September 28...

Lagerald Vick: The Pool Is Closed • Jun 21, 2018 02:32 AM

@SkinnyKansasDude

A returning 30+ mpg player from a Final Four team with high upside can only help. KU has now a number of quality players at all positions so his contribution is somewhat diluted.

Mystery Recruit • Jun 21, 2018 02:27 AM

@BShark

The good thing about Vick coming back is that it does not interfere with the 2019 recruits, does not tie a scholarship beyond next season and it is a pretty well known commodity with a potential high upside.

Lagerald Vick: The Pool Is Closed • Jun 20, 2018 09:48 PM

@jayballer73

if and it is a big IF he comes back he will be on a very short leash or probationary status.

Lagerald Vick: The Pool Is Closed • Jun 20, 2018 08:06 PM

@HighEliteMajor

I agree. Like i said in my post above, the door might have been shut before but Coach Self openedit just a little bit, whether some thing happens is another issue.

The Summer Leagues will start in a couple of week and a decision will likely come before then since Vick not coming back to KU means either the Summer League (more likely) or a transfer and sit one year (less likely).

Puma signs Bagley, looks to sign others • Jun 20, 2018 05:49 PM

Jay-Z to become "Creative Director" for Puma, although earlier reports had him as President of basketball operations.

Herrera • Jun 20, 2018 04:52 PM

@Kcmatt7

It is the equivalent of the KU-UConn basketball conundrum that has been discussed before. Do you rather have a team like UConn that wins a national championship every few years and the rest of the time sucks and misses the dance altogether or a team like KU that wins consistently including the conference title but not a national championship nearly as often?

I know a couple that both went to UConn and would take KU's record in a heartbeat but there are KU fans that would prefer the UConn record.

Mystery Recruit • Jun 20, 2018 04:43 PM

@FarmerJayhawk

Frankly, I much rather have Vick instead and the schoolie is tied up for one season only .

Mystery Recruit • Jun 20, 2018 02:09 PM

@FarmerJayhawk

I thought he committed ↗ to St. Louis....

Lagerald Vick: The Pool Is Closed • Jun 20, 2018 03:04 AM

Looks like Coach Self opened the door ↗ just a bit...

Silvio • Jun 19, 2018 10:42 PM

@jaybate-1.0

To most of us it would be unethical but to the best of my knowledge it is legal and used frequently in the same way that police detectives can lie to a suspect during interrogation which has been ruled at all levels to be permissible and legal.

If you want unfairness look at how a grand jury operates. One prosecutor and members of the grand jury selected by the prosecutor with no judge present and no defense attorneys allowed in the room and the prosecutor can present selective evidence and does not have to inform the jurors of any exculpatory evidence...and the jurors are sworn to secrecy. Talk about a one sided affair.

Silvio • Jun 19, 2018 10:26 PM

@justanotherfan

How can the NCAA penalize a shoe co? The NCAA has really no power to do anything outside making players/programs/coaches ineligible, retroactively and proactively and forfeiting money and maybe imposing fines that are usually appealed and settled.

It could potentially sue in Civil Court but the members schools would most likely not allow it because you don’t bite the hand that feeds you; shoeco money drives college sports.

World Cup Odds • Jun 19, 2018 04:11 PM

@approxinfinity

With James healthy, Colombia is a very different team with a top notch finisher.

Lots of surprising results so far. With Germany losing, Argentina, Portugal, Spain and Brazil tying, France and Belgium appear to be the favorites now. Of course it is way too early and even a loss in the first game does not eliminate a team.