🏀 KuBuckets Archive

@HighEliteMajor That loss to Oregon still baffles me. Other than Frank Mason our guys did not show up. Was the Oregon defense that good, or were our players entering the contest overconfident from the previous easy blowout? I am a fan of D. Graham; but after that loss and his play I am left with some doubts as to whether he can replace Frank Mason as a determined force to overcome adversity in close contests this season. He seemed to let Frank down in that disappointing loss.

@Crimsonorblue22 Ah Crimson, you had best beware. That guy is reputed to be a retired attorney; and everyone knows that those guys are as tricky and pernicious as hungry Washington Post and NY Times investigative reporters working the D.C. political beat!

Man, this entire site would go bland w/o lumpy's steady supply of pics!

@drgnslayr Coaching staff MUST bring in one more big guy, a kid who can score from the line as well as pass the ball back out to our 4 "little" scorers.

LJW article today quotes Self in praise of Marcus Garrett, especially accentuating his selfless play in willingness to fill positions 1-4, blending in well with the old timers, making them better. Self appears to be sending a direct message to newcomers who have chosen more selfish play. Dedric must have really rustled some coaching feathers. If his transgression can be transformed to an immediate turnaround this punishment might be a momentous occurrence for his own future in basketball...and for this current squad as well. If not, he will sit or quit. There exists 18 months of time for that in-house adjustment to take effect; which is a good thing unless a slow painful adjustment should become an ongoing program distraction or a threat to teammates.

@REHawk Isn't Dedric the older and steadier Lawson? Not the one who applied the F word to Tubby? Whatever, newcomers will soon learn that Jayhawk hoops under Bill Self is a far cry from Memphis basketball...or recent Duke basketball, in terms of the responsibility for self discipline and team unity. The Lawson Brother Project appears to be yet in question. Dad had best accentuate the rule of law.

@SlickRockJayhawk Hard to imagine Dedric taking on Doke. He might get stuffed through a basket!

Svi appears to be a very hearty competitor, not prone to injury considering his many months of game minutes winter/spring/summer. Seems as though injuries have always been a contributing factor for KU and so many schools, come NCAA Tourney time. He has survived some brutal play.

I hope that Preston fully comprehends just how important his development is in terms of this squad's advancing to the Final Four. If he is mature and determined, capable of handling Bill Self's coaching, this team is bound for glory.

Looks as though Svi will eventually earn some big bucks, whether NBA or European circuit. I really look for him to do some fine things for BIll Self's Jayhawks this season. I can envision fast pace play with him, Vick, Newman and Graham on the floor with one dominant big man this season. Doke, get yourself in shape to run the court!

All this ceaseless and sustained boot licking of Mr. T in the presence of Mr. P., it has been suggested that their might exist unsightly videos or snapshots of Mr. T capering around in some backstage dressing room or Moscow bordello, nickers dropped to his bony ankles, backalong during Mr. T's Moscow beauty pageant. How about that for a colorful scenario and plausible explanation for the current presidential kowtowing to the sly individuals currently perched in persuasive Soviet power?

@DoubleDD I'm one of these convoluted duplicitous persons, a guy who thinks liberally but lives very conservatively. Not particularly a democrat or republican; although I will add that republican behaviors caught my very negative attention back in the days when Ken Starr was running his nasty special prosecutor attack on Clinton's reprobate actions. Even so, I voted for Dubya Bush in his first election. I have grown very tired of party divisions affecting the forward mobility of this great nation. And yeah, I view Donald Trump as an absolute tramp in his current position of national prominence. I was/am not particularly fond of Hillary, either; but I do feel that she possesses the experience and know-how to have set political wheels in forward motion from Day 1, but for probable obstructions by opposing forces in the House and Senate. As I see it, the problem with Trump is that he wallows enthusiastically in the desire to throw monkey wrenches into the wheels of forward progress; and is consumed with promoting his own family fortunes offered up by the forces which helped him gain power. He claims that he has pen in hand, waiting and prepared to sign any health care bill which the legislature places before him. A mean spirited bill or whatever....

When Mueller was appointed it was said that this investigation could take well over a year, maybe 18 months before conclusion. Dispiriting as it is that the Russia Issue seems to have curtailed the agendas of Congress and the Senate, much of the public focus would recede if the president would back off from his ceaseless attacks on the media and truth. The guy is a showman who chooses to dominate the limelight and to try to dominate his sphere. As for the health care agenda, does anyone doubt that he knows very little about the current details considered by the legislature? He just wants a victory. If that is too difficult or far reaching, then he would prefer to engage any and all opponents in weekly attention gaining battles of his own personal creations and psychological urgings. The guy is not designed for his current position and brazenly disregards the work and maneuverings necessary to move our nation forward. I would assume that his faithful fan base, for the most part, are the same folk who got swept up in his amusing hire 'em/fire 'em TV spectacle. Mr. Mueller and team appear to be moving forward with focus upon FOLLOWING THE DOLLAR.

Aw, shucks, five practices and only one little old broken nose. Steam on, Bill!

Kansas fans should really appreciate Svi's decision to return. He and Devonte are absolute rock steady contributors to the Jayhawk program. Vick, Newman, Preston and Doke are rising stars, but all 4 present varied questions about dependability. Hopefully all of them stay healthy and trouble free and upwardly productive, gelling into a smooth progression. With Svi and Devonte, we pretty much know precisely what to expect; and that is POSITIVE PLUS!

I am no authority of current federal spending wastes, but I do know this: current trends have led to extremely stingy federal investments in U.S. higher education. I recently read that we are even at verge of cutting Fulbright award money by 47%. Deeply disturbing trends for a great nation which already trails many countries in accountable statistics regarding the effectiveness of school education at all levels.

Well, if Jack was destined not to gel smoothly, now is probably the best time for him to sign off. Whether we sign another player before the international trip or not, is best not to waste playing minutes with a recruit who would return to Lawrence, then depart. With so many new players at the current 2, 4, 5 slots, the coaching staff must get a handle on future lineups pronto.

@wrwlumpy A warm tribute that Frank paid to Aaron in this article. Aaron now another name of prominence added to the Kansas lineage as possible future ascendants to the "throne."

@jayballer54 Thanks for unearthing these Svi stats. Have you his shooting percentages for those games?

@HighEliteMajor I'm right with you on the bit about following Self's recruiting with a passive outlook. Again and again the guy pulls short or long term rabbits out of the recruiting fold. I now tend to focus more on the intricacies of chemistry, temperament and conduct of team dynamics and untested newcomers. If attitude and determination are there, almost any top 150 recruit can grow into a major contributor over time in the current Jayhawk schematic. The mix of high school talent levels which Self and Co. continue to bring to Lawrence is absolutely astounding. And now the coaching staff appears to be leading Division 1 units in luring talented transfers and early grads....

Kings won. The two big guys played well after Frank went to locker room early on with bad sprain. Here's hoping Frank got at least a one year guaranteed contract and does not get cut midway (as did Aaron Miles his NBA rookie year).

@BeddieKU23 "Graduate transfers and de-commits." I predict that Bill Self will continue to lean on such. Maybe Svi will help the coaching staff locate and recruit up and coming foreign talent. Although our Adidas draw base sometimes falters, Self has been masterful in filling specific slots. He seems to squeeze the max from players not listed as Top 30 hopefuls.

With that 4 year contract for the 27 million dollars, Josh will have time to develop his outside shot. I would imagine that the Suns have hopes of his becoming the face of that franchise. Good to see his freethrows dropping last night.

Unless one of the two really outshines the other, I think it might depend on our opponent as to whom Self throws into the starting lineup. Just another possible change up to keep opposing coaches from structuring defenses. But heck, even as a coveted 6th man, either is bound to play lots and make major impact. Vick might frequently shift to the 2 position more fluidly than Svi, so at times they both might be on the floor effectively.

Mighty hard to believe that Svi is just turning twenty! He has really spent much of his teen years growing up in Lawrence. We are fortunate that he chose to stick around playing NCAA ball for this last eligible season. He and Vick are a very experienced pair, returning this school year to share that 3 position. Comforting to know that positions 1,2,3 are occupied by such experienced and gifted athletes. Now lots of coaching focus can be placed on developing the 4, 5 guys, adjusting their roles in Bill Self's ever changing dynamics. We need one more of our new guards to step up big time for relief minutes, then be available and experienced to help lead the future 2018-19 returning squad.

I just read that Josh's deal with the Suns is for 4 years, probably $27,000,000.00. WOW! Were the Celtics on board to offer him that kind of money? Looks to me as though he and his agent made a very wise move, skipping that Celtics workout. What kind of contract will Tatum get with Boston? Guaranteed 3 years, maybe $16,000,000.00?

@Texas-Hawk-10 Yeah, you are probably right re Perry. One of my favorite KU players in the Bill Self years, but if he does find a slot in the NBA it will probably be a long shot as a backup player who earns rare minutes. Heck, even TRob struggles to glean minutes on an NBA court
(although he has clocked millions of dollars, to date), and it looks as though he might be moving off from the Lakers...to what, his 6th or 7th franchise?

Another factor: Recruits who have to spend a year in college hope to avoid injuries. If they can play for and get exposure with an annual top ten program, remain injury free and not expose their warts, a win-win thing, even if they play only 22 minutes. Their McD's status doesn't get tarnished and they don't sustain injuries which might curtail their future pro earnings. Selden and Ellis might have improved their draft status if they had been picked up by Calipari; might have gone to the league earlier. Oubre might have moved up a slot to lottery numbers. Kinda sad, to think so.

@mayjay Thanks for the JT update. I hope that he is clocking some decent dollars.

@dylans I think you have offered a sound premise re exposure of weaknesses. Kids who are cast in the 34 minute role are bound to display every wart. Those who can be shuffled in and out of 20 minute production, their blips can be shielded.

I presume that TRob is still with Lakers? Wonder if he once again will hit the trade trail....

Tarik has done so well that he is bound to clock a few more millions before departing the NBA.
I reflect fondly on the year he finished his collegiate eligibility at KU. He did a super job, patiently helping young Embiid to rise and shine. The guy might have a coaching future in his prospectus. He certainly chose wisely, matriculating to KU, and was well worth his scholarship.

@Red.Rooster Best of all good luck, Man! What a pair of crosses to bear! I always admire and appreciate your good will in the daily upvotes and occasional commentary. You are a main cog in this Buckets machinery.

@jayballer54 The kid is a class act...one of the best persons to appear in a Jayhawk uniform in the past 30 years or so. Bill Self has provided the KU fan base with some top quality recruits, and Frank is among the finest. As recent past citizens of the KU campus Frank Mason and Perry Ellis are about as good as it is ever going to be. Those two certainly help cancel out a bevy of former miscreants and mischief makers.

@stoptheflop Man O Man, I'm looking forward to that Italian hoops jaunt, too. Am hoping that nutty former Mizzou chancellor doesn't appeal to the current Supreme Court to strike a wedge into egomaniac Bill Self's late summer international travel plans.

@jaybate-1.0 Good and timely idea, moving in on the St. Louis market with exciting exposure to Eastern MO high schoolers and fan base. Currently ripe for the pickings, esp. if Cuonzo crashes and burns, flailing Tigers losing again to Illinois in that annual replica of a Border War.

I'm sticking with my guns on this issue. KU should not schedule those traitors! If the NCAA chooses to match us up in late March, then so be it. We must thump them by a 30 pt. margin, at least. Bill Self, continue to stand tall and show those miserable downtrodden tigers no quarter. As for the current state of declining enrollment and empty dormitories, MU might doll up the buildings with witches and goblins, rent them annually to the city of Columbia as Halloween haunted houses. Poor ol' displaced Norm Stewart might roam the foyers with grim masks, pitchfork and sickle.

HA! If Self's stance is "ego," then kudos for ego! Mizzou athletics shot itself in the foot when bolting from a century-old league association...and that miserable institution was careless about the possibility of bringing the entire league down to the gutter with them. The Tiger hoops program has crashed and burned for several seasons. Yeah, yeah, they are said to be at verge of sudden upswing this year. I'm a Missouri taxpayer who awaits the next negative Mizzou sports debacle. How long before Cuonzo and Co. go up in flames?

@ParisHawk Man, that quote packed POWER! I have not been much of an NBA follower, and esp. not a Kings fan (but for an eye on Ben Mac). But if their staff does right by Mason I plan to focus much more than usual on that program. Although lottery pick Fox was coming off an injury he certainly did not outshine Frank last year when the Jayhawks won in Lexington.

I breathed a sigh of relief when Frank's name was called. But was quite disappointed that he did not get automatic contract from possible first round selection. Might take 3 years, but his lockdown determination will pay dividends for him and some franchise. He is a quality kid with his head in the game. I would be absolutely shocked ever to hear or read of his stepping out of line legally or socially. 3 inches taller with the same credentials and stats, Frank would have had us cheering for another Jayhawk lottery pick. The NBA was not listening carefully to one of the topflight coaches in the college ranks. Frank Mason was the best guard whom Bill Self ever coached. And Self has proved that a bevy of games and titles can be won without rosters filled with 5-star recruits. For the right coach at the next level Frank Mason will be an absolute dream bargain.

Now WHAT was the name of that coach whom Bill Self and Co. outwitted and defeated last season in Lexington, Kentucky? Didn't that guy play with the advantage of multiple 5 star Rivals top rated athletes, including a heralded point guard performer outclassed by Frank Mason that particular night?

This bit about who comes off the bench, Malik or LaGerald, I think Self will get a good read on this by January and that he will play it to the optimum result in terms of team unity and individual prodding. If both are healthy they are each headed for 26+ minutes, regardless. As is Svi. And they all are eventually headed to the NBA as probable first round selections, sooner or later.
The Whitman/Preston debate: who knows? Gotta see these guys work, within the framework of Doke and our fine speedy guards. Two very different types of 4 men...which is a real gem for the coaching staff, by way of throwing change-ups. Bill Self moves forward incrementally as an NCAA change-up artist. He did some super stuff with Jackson last season. Josh might indeed owe some of his future millions to the program which guided him to such noteworthy versatility. Individually, there are some under radar players now vying for minutes in the Jayhawk program. IF they evolve into unified unselfish team players this squad can make some huge noise by March. And a bunch of these guys will be recognized nationally.

I took a recent peek at Draft Express predictions for next year's 2018 draft. Neither Udoka or Billy Preston are listed, top 60. Svi, near end of first round. Devonte', early second round. Vick not on the list.

I think that Josh probably needs some solid good mentoring, needs to hang with pro players whose histories are on the straighter and narrower. His inclinations tend toward self mutilation. If he should run with one or both of the Morrii, I'd expect calamity. That said, there are facets of Josh which are most pleasant and well received. Perhaps a wise personal agent will serve him well. Maybe Mom should plan to move to the franchise city where he eventually lands?

I view Josh as a future NBA All-Star, perhaps as early as Year 3. If he can manage his fiery temperament off the court he is set for a brilliant career.

@jaybate-1.0 Well, Frank Mason is an absolute gem. If no league team recognizes his game and his potential, then American professional basketball is definitely being managed by a cluster of numbskulls. At this stage I see him as a very capable second point guard on an annual top 8 squad, a player who could step right in as a dependable replacement if a starter goes down. Give him 3 pro years at 15-20 minutes per game, and that experience could make of him a 6th man award on a Final Four squad. He is a very determined competitor who proved at the collegiate level that he could play with the best of the super OADers; and he just keeps a'pumping. I wish him the very best and know full well that he will grab a brass ring wherever offered.

If Mitch can manage to up his game minute average to 9 or 10 this season, that might signify a very good thing for all concerned. I am thrilled to see him adding weight and beginning to "get it."

@chriz Heck, if Doke sets a screen and should splay his feet, his toes would probably extend at least six inches beyond his shoulders! But on second thought, if that were true, his feet would probably have to grow another few inches...to size 26.

@jaybate-1.0 Aw, shucks, Self's salary demands ultimate pressure from the Jayhawk community. If he can't produce at least one more win than 30, then you will be forced to recuse yourself to allow me to step up as special prosecutor. Now that he is figuring out how to stock + win THE ADIDAS WAY we should all just kick back to enjoy the production. (That being said, if Wily Bill should take up adversarial early morning tweeting, then I plan to abort my current claim to super fandom. One of the facets which I cherish most about our current coach is that he stays quiet or remarkably sane and sensible in front of a mic or reporter's urgent newsmaking.)

If these pro fools don't draft Frank I hope to see him give the League a hopping and fly off to Europe to join Keith Langford in pocketing a few million as an independent operator. The kid deserves more than a D-League trial or an idle spot at the end of an NBA bench.