🏀 KuBuckets Archive

I'm not sure what the maximum amount of official training hours is allowed per day. It's important to keep in mind that SA will have practice, weighting training, and tutoring all mandatory. Than the coaches and us fans expect them to put in hours a day on their own to get better and make strides as a basketball player.

Again, I'm not sure of the official time that is allowed for a team. But lets simply say there is a 2 hour practice, 1 hour weight training, and some days they get tutored for an hour. Lets add another 2 hours a day for shooting around/pickup games on their own time. And how many of them do extra conditioning on their own? What about studying the playbook or watching film? We are looking at the SA doing roughly 4 to 5 hours a day on just basketball related activities.

Than to be a full time student, we are looking at a minimum 12 class hours but to graduate in four years, they will be taking a minimum of 15 class hours (depending on your degree, it's probably more).

Add those numbers up and their life is at least an 8 hour day. Like a normal work day. I can't imagine working 20 hours a week on top of that! That means they are putting 12 hours a day not including homework! For the sake of argument, lets assume they are good students like we expect them to be and putting in at least 2 hour a day doing homework or studying. That means if they start their day at 8 a.m. their day will be done at 10 p.m. Kind of a crazy week, isn't it? Not to mention we are asking a 19 year old to have no social life.

Those numbers of working how much they make per hour to me seems misleading.

To me, I view college basketball as a great internship for the NBA. Great experience and a resume builder to get a higher paying job in the workplace.

@drgnslayr I agree that I have not seen very many sites that have knowledge of the game like many people do here. Most people here aren't just basketball fans. They are basketball analyst. Which is why I enjoy this site and reading from people who know much more than I!

@JayHawkFanToo Perhaps I have been on different sites. But it seems that we talk about UK unequivically more than what UK fans talk about KU. Unfortunately, I do believe we have a complex similar to what some Big 12 teams have with us. My opinion just very well be wrong. In fact, I hope I am!

But lets say I am right. That UK cares less about KU than we do about them. It is only that way because we let them. One of the biggest compliments as a fan is when another team knows just as much about KU then they do their own team. One example is a Missouri fan once listed all the mid majors that have been KU in the past ten years, yet could tell me who beat Missouri in their NIT losses and had trouble remembering who they lost to in the Big 12 that season. At that moment, I knew KU had gotten so far inside his head, that he became less of a fan of Missouri.

I am not saying anyone here is guilty to that extreme. But I wonder why we talk about UK more than any other Big 12 school (outside of KU of course)? ISU and OU are top 10-15 teams in the nation that have the potential to win the Big 12. And in my opinion, it's because we hate UK more than they hate us. And that is never a good place to be in.

@HighEliteMajor It's definitely because of their national championships. But I also believe that the tournament is a mixture of luck, getting hot, and health. A couple early losses is to be expected. But to only get to 2 final fours with the players Self has had, that must be a reflection on coaching.

Still love Self and wouldn't want anyone else. I am proud he is a Jayhawk. But you cannot ignore the glaring results.

@JayHawkFanToo Talking and comparing is fine. But when our success equals putting a middle finger to Kentucky, then we are most definitely developing an inferiority complex. Or when our failures gets compared to UK's success.

Do you know what the difference between UK fans and KU fans? Kentucky couldn't care less about what the Jayhawks do. Aside from the usual banter of "Your team sucks", UK is busy talking about UK. Same with Duke. When Duke lost in the first round in 2012, you didn't see them looking at our National Championship runner up and complain. Sure, they complained. Not because of how well UK and KU did that year, but because they are Duke.

But for some reason, we cannot achieve success or experience failures without bring up UK. This thread was talking about a story of Cal and turned into yet another pissing contest on coaches and whose better. And that discussion is not uncommon.

To make my point, I challenge you go back and look at how many topics/comments get turned into talking about UK. Then compare them to how much UK talks about KU. You will see how much less they care/talk about us. That is why we have become a little brother.

I made a commitment to stop talking about UK awhile ago. I have tried to stay away from this one but I can't hold it in any longer.

For the love of everything that is holy, lets stop being the little brother of UK!

It's like Duke and Kentucky are going at it for dominance and we sit on the sidelines saying "Hey! Look at us too!"

The original post about Cal was alright. We can see his arrogance and poke fun. Great. But why should it reflect KU when UK does well or vise versa?

UK is on a great run and Cal has made the right coaching moves, and we turn it into a pissing contest on how well Self would have done with that talent. Would he have achieved greater? Or would he have underachieved because he is to rigid? WHO CARES! Their success doesn't take away from ours, and their failures doesn't add to our season.

KU wins the world games and we reek of jealousy when one of the first comments is about UK. And when UK made it to another final four, we complain of our situation in light of UK.

Remember how little and dumb Missouri sounded when their season magically became better after KU got bounced early in the tournament? Like it added wins to their season total? That is what we are beginning to sound like.

We have all been frustrated every year since 2012. But for heavens sake, we are a blue blood program, the second most winningest program, and are constantly a 1 or 2 seed in the tournament. We should not accept early exists from the tournament, but not because UK has been successful. But because we are Kansas and we don't need to compare ourselves to anyone.

I personally enjoy @Kcmatt7 fresh personality. Sometimes his tone can be taken the wrong way, but I like the way he thinks.

@JayHawkFanToo "Lebron is great because Lebron could play with any other historical great and still be an incredible player because he can do everything well." Wish I could like that ten times over.

And @Texas-Hawk-10 if that's the case about championships, than isn't Russell the greatest ever? It shouldn't be a discussion. Because Jordan is not the modern day Russell with 11-6 in championships. That's not even a poor mans Russell. That is half the greatness of Russell! That's like saying Wade is the modern version of Jordan.

@drgnslayr I'm smelling what you're stepping in.

When we look at Lebron, he isn't as sexy because sometimes he doesn't play with the grace of other greats. He doesn't dribble through the legs 7 times over and float up for the midrange as beautifully as Jordan. He doesn't do the turnaround fade away while doubled teamed with consistently like Kobe can.

But with his size and strength, he gets to the bucket whenever he wants. He learned a post of game when a smaller players are guarding him. And he is now an above average shooter.

Though is he very potent offensively, the best thing he does is makes everyone better. It goes from guarding any position when there's a weak spot in the defense to making bench players into valuable players.

To put into perspective, Bulls with Jordan won 58 games during the regular season. He retires for a year, and they won 55 games and Scottie was up for the MVP! Talk about an all star team! Not to mention everyone else stats went up.

Now fast forward to LeBron in Cleveland. He makes it to the finals with Mo Williams having a career year and being the second option of the team. Then when he leaves for Miami, Cleveland gets the first pick of the draft because they were so bad and Williams the surrounding players have worse stats.

First year in Miami, Lebron fell a part and that was inexcusable. Something Jordan would NEVER do. Got it. But then wins two Championships when Wade could barely finish a game. Look at the stats for the playoffs the rest of the three years with Wade and Bosh. Anyone want to say his team was stacked? No way.

Now this year is self explanatory. Everyone knows what Lebron did. Turns Mozgov into a one of the top Centers when the man couldn't get ten points before Cleveland.

All this in saying, what makes Lebron great isn't the beautiful offense, but everything else he does. His overall package of a player has never been seen and it's impossible to keep him out of the top 5.

@drgnslayr you can't take away what kind of player Lebron is because of his size and speed. That's like taking away Jordan because he was more athletic than everyone else. They both are superior athletes to everyone on the court.

The frustrating part when talking to Jordan lovers is they want to hang championships as a measurement to being the greatest player. But if you bring up Russell, it's because of the all star team he had. Their equation for championships/pure talent just happens to match up perfectly with who they watched growing up.

If you think championships measure the greatest, than it's Russell. If it's pure basketball talent, then you can't automatically count out Lebron.

I openly admit, I grew watching Jordan and absolutely hated him. If people call Lebron arrogant, they must not remember Jordan's post game comments and commercials. But personal opinions about the individual shouldn't matter when discussing performance on the court.

When people ask "Which Lebron are we going to see? Magic or Jordan"? 2 of the top 3 players of all time in many people's opinion, how can you keep him out of the top five?

I don't know about top 3 but Lebron is definitely top 5.

Jordan, Wilt, Oscar Robinson or Lebron (those are interchangeable), and Kareem.

I'm not sure how you can keep Lebron out of the top 5.

I could go on and on about this one. Jordan is the greatest ever. But he's not untouchable. Couldn't win with an average team but got help then took over the league.

I always find it amusing that people say "Jordan, Magic, Bird, Kareem are easily top 5". And they just happened to play around the time the media exploded and just happened that they were the ones they watched growing up. Get some perspective people! 4 of the greatest players to ever play the game just happened to play in the same decade by coincidence? Come on now.

I would not be opposed to him leaving. Of course I would love for him to stay selfishly, but after seeing the how Embiid's health has turned out, I am very glad he left when he did and got a paycheck and a lot of guaranteed money.

If he is a lock for the first round, I will not grumble in the slightest if he enters the draft. I will be happy for him.

@JayHawkFanToo from what I've seen, all his points are because of his motor. When you use all athleticism to score in high school, it becomes very obvious at the division 1 level.

Now I hope I'm wrong. But I can't imagine him scoring more than 10 ppg.

@Statmachine does the lack of offensive ability scare you from making such predictions? From what I've heard, he doesn't possess any face up game and lacks a consistent back to the basket move.

Granted, he could be a ten rebound and 2 blocks a game type of player. But don't we need more than a slightly better Sophomore Thomas Robinson to be a championship contender?

Ladies! You're both pretty!

Now to the real issue, I have a tough time buying into Graham will be great this year. I believe he will be solid, but to expect anything more than a Sophomore still learning to lead and become more consistent might get disappointed.

"Tolerance is such an overused word.

First off, when is it good to "tolerate" anything? "Okay fine. I'll tolerate you." It is actually pretty offensive.

And you can't preach "tolerance" without tripping over yourself. Let's say I am being intolerant. If you demand that I be more tolerant, you are being intolerant of my intolerance.

Tolerance is used terribly. What it's saying is be tolerant of everyone and their views, unless they disagree with you.

I have no problem with Sams kissing his boyfriend on TV or Jenner using her money how she wants. But let's be consistent here. If everyone has the right to believe what they want, then let Tebow take a knee. If you believe there are right and wrong ways to live your life, that's fine as well. Argue against Jenner, Sams, Tebow, Duck Dynasty, or whoever. But don't hide behind the hypocrisy of tolerance while you do it.

Off my soap box! Have a nice day!

@HighEliteMajor You made it very easy for my simple mind to grasp. You are a teacher at heart!

But it would be tough for Selden's man to fight throw the pick to execute a good double team. I guess you could switch on the initial pick on Selden as well. But then you would have a big running and not fouling on the double. But I definitely get what you're saying.

Thanks for the analysis! I have a more wholistic view of the play now.

@HighEliteMajor I'm smelling what you're stepping in. I can see how it can be overused now. What are your feelings on the chop play as a last possession play?

When you say you would double hard on the handoff, isn't that the beauty of a chop play? There can be a hand off, but if the defense is playing that way, that is when the wing fades behind the pick. If they anticipate the fade, that is when the back door cut is used.

But as we see when Elijah exploded against ISU, they hedged hard on the hand off and Elijah simply kept dribbling because another pick is set at the top of the key and got another open look.

@Lulufulu Sherron's stock did drop after his senior year. Don't jinx him! 😬

@Kcmatt7 I also didn't mention the plethora of times it worked in less dramatic situations.

I have just seen way to many last possessions with a pick and roll that gets trapped and throw up a 36 foot guarded shot. Granted, the chop play has failed before. Which play hasn't? But from what I've seen, it gets a decent look more times than not.

People far more knowledgable about basketball than I have been against the chop play for awhile. I am still a believer as long as you need a two or three instead of just a three.

From what I've seen/gathered, the chop play has so many variations based on what the defense gives.

We see the hand off in the Mario's Miracle. The back door cut dunk for Taylor late in the MU game, and fade from Bmac in the ISU game (lucky bank shot but still got a clean look), one of the late 3s by Frankamp in the tourney, a decent look when Elijah drove. He passed it to Tharpe of course for the missed 3.

Am I missing something? I thought about starting a thread to analysis the chop play but I figured if everyone was against it, then I could be set straight in a reply lol

@Crimsonorblue22 if Mason was 6'2 then yes. But his size will prevent him from being a no brainer early exit since we won't be in the lottery.

But he could run into a situation where his stock will be as high as it can go and make for a nerve racking offseason just waiting a announcement.

Wayne going 6 for 28 is a great sign.

How many times in the previous two years did we see him miss some shots, stop attacking, and finish the game going 1 for 7?

This is similar to Perry at the end of last year before he got injured. He wasn't shooting a great percentage but the defense always had to account for him because he was in constant attack mode.

Hopefully, we will see the Wayne we have always wanted and he can be a top 20 pick.

Guys relax, they did a clip on ESPN after they won gold for 15 WHOLE SECONDS. We would have to watch Dickie V climaxing after every win if Duke was representing to USA.

Who hit the big shot!?!?

Can't watch it. Score check and time left?

@HighEliteMajor you would be incorrect my friend. WSU simply kicked our butts. I was referring to why WSU didn't look as tired.

@HighEliteMajor you think so? WSU plays in a lesser league and takes less lumps throughout the season. Going up against a Rico Gathers is much different than the Northern Iowa bigs. Frank was not the same player at the end. Even Self raved about Franks athleticism after getting rest at the beginning of this year.

@Statmachine with all do respect, the type of games they play and the physicality of their games are much different than the pickup games at the park.

Look at Frank last year. I doubt it was the sprinting that made him worn out, but the bumps and bruises that comes with driving and getting slammed. Or playing D and getting a hard pick set on you.

The NBA can do it because they don't go 100% on every possession. It would be impossible to do that for 82 games. You can see the difference when playoff time rolls around. In college, almost every game is played like a playoff game because one loss can have a major impact on seeding.

Austin Nichols has been released finally. Is this someone Self should go after? With the likely mass exodus of big man after this year, shouldn't we throw our hat in the ring ? What are your guy's thoughts?

I am kind of worried about Self's response. Where is the down attitude that we usually see at this time of the year? Usually we get the "We aren't very good yet at all" from him.

I know it's weird to complain over positive comments, but it seems he is over compensating a little. Is he really that happy to be a coach for this team! Is he getting burned out? I don't know.

The most likely explanation is this is a more battle tested group and is simply further along. And he really is excited for this upcoming year. But there is a nagging voice telling me differently. Is it too early for pessimism? Lol

@CRH107 I would have to agree with you on Kelly. The words he described himself with we're not what I saw in a KU uniform. If he had a stellar march Madness and carried KU a few games, then sure.

But he wasn't diving for balls, his motor was questionable, and you didn't see the fire he had in the middle of the season. I was very disappointed in his interview.

The key to post scoring isn't having two awe inspiring post players. It's having one post player be an effective threat, and the other being a "good enough" scorer. Ala Robinson and Whithey.

Now I am not saying that Dallio is as great as Jeff was defensively, but there's no reason Perry can't put up 17 and 8 a game while Dallio rebounds and feeds off Ellis on the offense.

The real question mark isn't the post, but the 2 and 3 position. In 2012, Releford was one of the best lockdown defenders and Elijah was a great scoring punch alongside Taylor.

Can Selden provide the scoring punch? Can Svi become the all around stud we hope him to be?

I sure hope so. Until then, I'll hope for the best and expect another final four run like every year!
RCJH my friends!

Great win to save face against the Rangers. Get some momentum before we play the Cardinals again!

The Royals have been looking pretty crappy recently. If we keep on back sliding, that great start was for nothing😔👎

@konkeyDong I thought UT wanted Shaka over Marshall.

@globaljaybird Never minded Shaka like most hawk fans. I was always under the impression that we came in cocky, and Shaka's team simply gave us the business.

Up until his comment went he took the UT job and arrogantly mentioned how his style worked well against KU. Like one game means he will be able to push around the Big 12. Now I can't wait for his rec league ball to come into AFH and wax his shiny cocky head against the big Jawhawk on the floor.

According to Yahoo, Perez is wanting to renew his deal?

He obviously got a basement deal getting a 7 million in 5 years.

I am torn. On one hand, Perez definitely deserves a better deal considering the level of player he is at such a crucial position. Not to mention how much of a leader he is to the organization.

But it is a double standard. If he wants a bigger contract because of the player is has become, would it be expected to take a pay cut if he under performs? Of course not! It's the same double standard when organizations and fans want loyalty and a hometown discount yet will cut the player if he isn't worth the contract.

How do you fellas/ladies feel about the situation.

Oh gosh. I don't need anymore reason to despise ISU.

@elpoyo Easy there killer. Just stating his opinion.

Now considering Jordan and Lebron are top 5 to ever play this game, I would have to agree that Wiggins won't be on the same level. But considering the last half of the season where Wiggins put up 25 points consistently, his young age, winning ROY award, and once in a lifetime athleticism, no one can rule out how great he can become.

Way to start your posting here man.

@approxinfinity I have to agree. I have said all along that this trade will hurt them in the long run.

You can't blame a team that can get a top 5 big man for a player who hasn't proved himself yet. But Lebron has maybe 3 years at most to dominate competition. And with Love, they were never guaranteed more than one year with him.

If they kept Wiggins, they might not be as good this year but imagine what would happen in 5 years? Because of their win now philosophy, James might get one championship rather than 2 or 3. He could have been an excellent third option in years and rode Irving and Wiggins for more championships.

@HighEliteMajor I agree. As much as I want the Jayhawks to represent USA well, the KU season still number 1 priority. So adding a Heild would work against KU in the long run.

But what about Cousins? The graduate from OU? Good jumper and a lock down defender that has experience. Help the younger KU players and jump start his career.

@Crimsonorblue22 Unfortunately. The NBA for role players are widely based on being in the right spot at the right time to cement a future in the league. Jeremy Lin could obviously play but had to have the right time with the Knicks after being waived a couple times. You can't tell me that Taylor can't do everything he can. Other than shooting, he is longer, faster, more bouncy, finishes around the time better, better defender, better rebounder, and the handles are pretty even.

Danny Green took awhile before he got in the Spurs system and there are many others.

Granted, there are also reasons that deal with maturity and leadership. There is a reason Nick can see the floor with a top team like the Thunder and Darrell hardly can get off the pine.

But when players don't see the floor, they get let go. And other coaches who pick them up don't want to risk their job by letting players who hasn't been proven yet. It's a vicious cycle.

@JayHawkFanToo preach it brother! One of the biggest pitfalls people make in life is having the perception that someone else's success takes away from our own.

As KU fans, we should by all means strive and expect excellence. That is why we are so heartbroken when we lose. But the tired old story of UK out recruiting us or Duke winning a NC shouldn't take away what we have accomplished. I have said it before and I'll say it again. We are too good to compare everything we do to someone else. That is something KSU are professionals at and reeks of little brother syndrome.

I would trade our Big 12 streak for a couple titles in a heartbeat. But that doesn't mean losing in the tourney makes our success obsolete.

Morningstar, Reed, and Teahan were all good KU players.

Did we win a NC with them? Well nope. But we also didn't win a NC with Wiggins, Oubre, Henry, Bmac, Selby, Wright, Alexander, JoJo, and the list goes on and on.

The point is that NCAA tourney is simply a chaotic crap shoot that needs luck no matter who you have on the team. There is no special formula to win it all.

At the end of the day, we want talent and we want to win. Morningstar, Reed, and Teahan were crucial when their number was called and Mitchell could be the same. Is he a "must get", I'm not sure. But we do need guys like him just like we need the Bmacs. Let him sign with KU (hopefully) and let his development speak for itself rather than his vertical.

Oh thank goodness I can comment about this kid! I can't say much but when my boy was 14, he played against Mitchell. He was only ten at the time and tearing everyone up. Dropped 26 and didn't break a sweat.

Almost exact same player and situation as Reid. Tyrell was 12 and played against my oldest son when he was 15 in summer ball. He did very similar things that Mitchell did but Ried was a lot more quiet and a better shooter at that point. Mitchell was more aggressive and liked to throw his body around.

Of course, everything has changed a lot since then and impossible to tell how he will develope or how his talents translate. But still a cool story!

@nuleafjhawk how about to stop looking in the future and focus more on immediate gratification like everyone else. Gosh. Lol

I think you are exactly right on needing the money. But it must be awfully hard to turn down the thought of being a millionaire in a few months.

@DoubleDD I would have to agree with you. When you have the core group of players that are upperclassman, you will get a mass exodus. Which then you need immediate impact guys to fill the void. Or if you are particularly weak in one area, these OAD do the trick by putting a finger in the leak. But it rubs me the wrong way when we recruit over guys with players who are on campus or 9 months.

At the same time, it's impossible to predict which players leave or get injured. So you have to get the most talented players available. It's a vicious cycle.

Any link to the announcement?

Well agree to disagree! Haha I believe was the most dynamic player in the class