I have red flags on Stumpy Miller's recruiting. What has he done to project himself as a top recruiter?
He's not exactly the new kid on the block. He's been in coaching for quite some time and he's never made it to the FF. He hasn't revolutionized anything in coaching. He doesn't have a record of developing lower ranked players into NBA players. What exactly has he done?
His Wiki page is tiny, smaller even than Honey Boo Boo!
I've always seen him as a "Calipari Lite."
"You're saying Adidas told/swayed/influenced/encouraged Wiggs and Beed to come to KU? "
Let's just call it "influence."
First... these are kids in HS and they can change their minds on a dime or take being pushed into something with unpredictable reactions.
But... we've seen the people who do often influence players... HS coaches... AAU coaches... etc... and why wouldn't these people be manicured by ShoeCos? It's almost ridiculous to think that they would be left alone.
With shoe contracts now reaching and passing $100 million it becomes obvious how important it is to influence players as early as possible. I'm amazed it isn't even in a lower gutter, like mob controlled. Maybe it is on the east coast, they still have mega influence in everything else.
Right now, as we go about our blogging and summer vegetable gardens there is a reporter (or wannabe reporter) entrenched somewhere who is gathering insane evidence for a book that will explode this entire topic. You can count on it... you just can't predict when that book will hit the shelves and media outlets.
"I saw that interview with Traylor + Ellis, and Ellis was doing his best to sound vocally a lot like street-tough kid Traylor (who is a blossoming success story in his own right)."
This may sound shocking to many in here.... but it is not unrealistic to think that Traylor could bypass Perry for minutes and end up having more pro potential than Perry.
Traylor clearly is the better defender, and he showed a tremendous amount of improvement at scoring last year. If he can stay on that same path of offensive improvement, he'll challenge Perry for more minutes.
This is all good for Perry. Perry needs to be pushed into playing more aggressive and especially improving his defense. His poor defense is a glaring deficiency in his game.
There is no reason why he can't improve his d and overall aggressiveness. Now... he'll be pushed to do so more than he ever has been pushed in his life.
I am of the belief that the real competition for minutes this year will be highlighted by Perry vs Bam-Bam.
"Ray Allen has always been a scorer, best pure jump shot ever hands down."
Spot on! Television never does sports justice, but I've sat court side and sat just a few feet away from watching Allen shoot and it was worth the money to experience that. I've never seen anyone with such a fluid and lightning quick release. He looks like a machine.
If anyone in here gets that opportunity to sit close for a heat game please, please go for it! You won't be disappointed! It is one of my greatest moments I've ever experienced in the game and watching Allen shoot up close should be on every basketball fans bucket list!
I'm not really a Heat fan, but I like Mario and I like their venue in Miami so I take in a game now and then.
I've always felt there is some friction between Mario and LeBron. I've seen LeBron really go after Mario in a violent manner (like he wanted some). Mario has absorbed quite a bit, but he got sick of it and started fighting back. I even saw a clip where Mario went after LeBron like he wanted some of him.
It is easy to think that all of that bantering is bad for team unity and chemistry... but who knows. Maybe it helps them all stay on edge. I think the seasons are way too long and after winning a few rings what is left? Is it really a big deal to win so many you are compared to other great teams from the past? In a certain way it has an eerie feeling... like retirement is coming up quick for these guys.
I didn't used to like LeBron. But in recent years he has earned plenty of respect in my books. There is no question he has an ego and plenty of swagger... but isn't that what we want to see with players?
What really bumped Miami into a higher caliber of ball wasn't the big three.. it was Riley carefully going after extra pieces to round out the team. Ray Allen was a huge snag. He clearly won them a championship last year. Now there is a guy I have total respect for. And no one can challenge the fact that Riley belongs at the very top of basketball accolades. He knows the game as good as anyone ever to coach, and he's played it right as a GM, including hiring Spoelstra to do the impossible... get a team to operate at a high caliber with egos in all corners, from players on up to the GM.
And how about the bird man Andersen? That guy knows he has to bring energy with him and make plays to jack up the team... and he does. Another big piece for that team.
I could see Mario going elsewhere for the right kind of deal. The thing is... where is he going to find a better deal? Mario is a great player but he isn't one of the league's premiere PGs. He is more of a role player, making everyone else look better. In some ways he reminds me of Collison with OKC. Different position, but same hustle and same team attitude and unselfishness.
"Playground play is overrated and the downside is greater than the upside. I have heard lots of coaches indicate that they spend the first 3 month of practice getting playground players to rid themselves of all the bad habits they acquired and to learn to play team basketball the right way. This is why coaches will not allow players to play ion summer leagues. Perry Ellis would be better served playing against Michelson, Lucas, Traylor and other former KU players (including NBA) that routinely spend time in Lawrence during the summer."
You may be right on that one... as long as those guys can forget they are teammates and push hard on each other.
Street ball does produce bad habits... but I'm not sure Perry's designer mold can be changed so far into bad habits at this point. The main reason I'd like to see him play street ball is for the attitude. There is no place else where guys dish plenty of cr@p on each other and there is a power hierarchy. If a player comes in too cocky, everyone goes after him. If a player comes in too soft, everyone goes after him.
It might work well to see if Bill could get a few of his old players from the league to come to Lawrence over the summer to play some pickup ball with the current roster. Might be good for all of them to get a taste of ball played by players who have to earn their wage at the next level.
I'm for whatever it takes to get Perry to play more aggressive and not to back down when the going gets tough. He needs some swagger. It's important for his game, but also his teammates. Constructive swagger is contagious, so is giving up and carrying your head low walking up the court with shoulders slumped.
I think we all appreciated players like TRob and others who held their heads high all the time and didn't back down.
Recruiting Thon was a big reason I was hoping we would land Turner. Turner could have been the proof Self needed to show Thon that he can take a footer and do more with him than shove his back to the basket in the low post.
I'm not liking our chances on Thon right now... but Self does work magic sometimes so I still have some hope.
A guy like Thon can be a mixed blessing. Yes.. he's a footer who has guard-like talents. But does he win the guard spot over another highly-touted guard? If not... do you force him to play low-post basketball and get pushed around by thicker players? He doesn't look like a guy who wants to play with his back to the basket.
Thon can create a dilemma for his coach. Sort of like Turner could (but even more so with Thon). Even though Kansas could have put some beef on Turner, I'm not sure Kansas was a good fit for him (or Thon). Few coaches try to use as much set structure and discipline Self uses. And it is all built for players fitting in their positions. Footers are in the paint, back to the basket.
Maybe for Self, he'd have to look at a player like Thon and try to forget his height and run him at the 3, if Thon can develop an explosive first step....
I've never seen it, but I'm going to watch it now because I'm curious.
Perry is a tweener because he plays soft. The height argument is a cop out.
I'll give you an example.
Perry is 4 inches taller than one of the best power forwards to ever play in the NBA.
Charles Barkley.
Perry plays soft and unless he changes, he doesn't have a NBA career, period. He plays soft for a 3... for a 2... and even for a PG.
I hope he figures it out. He has two more years to do it.
@jaybate had some good points. The Designer is still the Designer... but maybe he'll go off and develop some aggression. Withey was a perfect example. He also came to KU and was not only frail and weak, but he also played soft. He left KU a man, no question. How many times did he bleed his senior year and still finish games with fire?
I've been a Thon fan for quite a while now. KU is on his radar and vice versa.
The challenge for Self is to prove he can go with the flow and adapt his offense to take advantage of Thon's unreal abilities. The kid is a phenom, and barring injury, he stands to become a real phenom at the highest level sooner rather than later.
Essentially, he's a tall version of Durant.
@jaybate 1.0
I'm all eyes and ears for your words on the ShoeCos....
Guess in the past, I lived in denial because I didn't want to believe it. But I'm there with you now.
I wonder how much of the pressure is on the coaches versus the players? Self could only bring them to the tournament... but the players had to go out and win. A coach can only do so much.
Isn't the pressure on Wiggins and Embiid now?
I can't imagine what the pressure must be like on these kids. When I was 19 my only worries were beer and girls.
I hear you. I've been a Perry fan since he was in junior high.
You said it right... Perry can do it all. Why he takes heat is because sometimes he doesn't do it. Sometimes he's completely invisible on the court. Sometimes he lets his man overshadow him.
Anything I push on Perry is for his own good. He has NBA potential but he hasn't proven yet he is ready to duke it in the man's league. Most of the time, players get their cred and their swagger from playing street ball. Because on the street you have to earn your talk and your walk.
Perry spent too much time in quiet gyms working on his shot and his moves... too often like a boxer shadow boxes.
If he would spend a summer playing rough ball on the streets, he'd get pushed around until he learned to stick up for himself. Once he would do that, a big light bulb would go off in his head and his future would become a light brighter real quick. It would also come a lot easier for him.
I'm not challenging his toughness. Perry has plenty of toughness. He has as much discipline as any Jayhawk who has ever worn the uniform. He just needs to develop swagger. He just needs to stop backing down. He needs to come out on the court with a message going off in his head that "this is my court... I own this and I'm ready to prove it."
I likes me some Perry Ellis, too. Less the slacks, more the tops!
If Perry comes back with body scars from playing urban ball on chain nets and asphalt all summer... then I'll believe Perry will lead the team. Anything else... and I'm doubtful on Perry.
@jaybate 1.0
"How about busting some ENRON execs out of the joint to handle financing?"
Love it! A+!
I hear you... it has been depressing. Imagine how awesome it would be if we had an elite football program?
I never thought of it that way... but it makes perfect sense. KU and UK are in the same boat; both with blue blood basketball programs and neither with elite football.
Their best move is to maximize their potential in basketball.
I'm sure conference alignment has something to do with this.
I've been for KU and WSU playing every year from the getgo.
But your hypothetical may be the best argument for Kansas to tell WSU to shove it!
Good post!
In recent years, it has become obvious that KU and UK have been competing head-to-head in men's basketball, both on the court and off.
When UK created luxury dorm rooms to house their basketball team, KU felt the need to respond by approving the construction of their version of housing luxury for Jayhawk players. Was it done in order to remain on the same competitive level? Or was it just one school playing copy cat off another?
Now the targets have been set to upgrading basketball venues. For some time, Lexington town counsel members (along with the Lexington Center Corporation) have been pushing an upgrade to Rupp Arena that would create the most-expensive building in the State of Kentucky, spending over $350 million to accomplish it. Rupp Arena would be encased in glass, with a massive, artistic crystal entombment of beauty and function.
But now it appears that promoters of the project have bit off more than the State of Kentucky can chew, including a choking of support from the UK administration.
Meanwhile, back in Lawrence, the beat moves on in development of the DeBruce Center, the KU response to the UK proposed development (with some similarity in looks) and also the new housing for the recent acquisition of the original rules for basketball.
http://www.gouldevans.com/portfolio/ku-debruce-center ↗
The developers in Lawrence seem to have a more-realistic approach to glass improvements. The KU project will cost a mere $18 million.... pennies in comparison to the Kansas counterparts in Kentucky.
So the arms race moves on... and while it seems the movement in Lexington has come to a standstill, few believe their upgrade development of Rupp Arena will die, but it may have to be redesigned to a more modest proportion.
If the Rupp development comes down to, say, a $100 million improvement, still trumping the DeBruce Center in total mass, will Kansas feel the need to respond with a further addition to stay competitive?
I was around for the cold war pitting America against Russia. We built a bomb shelter in our backyard. It served us well against the threat of tornadoes. But the bombs never came.
How far will this current "blue blood arms race" go? Until one school collapses under the financial or political pressure?
What is left to develop? Where do we go from here?
Are there other basketball blue bloods entering the race?
I guess since we refuse to update needed infrastructure, like our bridges and roads, we should look upon any development positively because it puts people to work.
I'm not sure I'll feel that way if another bridge collapses. Perhaps the issue here is where the development funds come from... public or private sources.
"It is amazing sometimes how the planets align."
I'm afraid I'm as skeptical as you are concerning all of this.
Though I don't think it matters why Tharpe is leaving.
He was a Jayhawk and he'll always be a Jayhawk... and we got his back by supporting him and hoping he finds the right path for himself.
Good luck, Naadir!
Carter is intriguing. Kansas will be his best offer. He's a natural to replace Alexander after he's gone, and he'll have a year to practice going head-to-head with Alexander, and building additional strength with Hudy.
He'd fit in well as a power forward running the hi/lo.
Even if he had a stellar first playing year as a Jayhawk, chances are he would return. He'd be a junior and juniors don't get the NBA buzz freshmen get. We'd get a proven guy for two playing years with one year of practice first to learn Selfball. Heck of a deal for us, too.
"they could be taught basic courses in finance"
I wonder if Self could bring in an investment guy to talk to his team? Is that legal with the NCAA?
It seems that could me made into a recruiting tool.... "come to Kansas and protect your future!"
Even for the players that don't go on to the NBA, what college student couldn't use some help on handling their money right before going out to earn a living?
@jaybate 1.0
"If we don't get on with it, the NBA might cannabalize the D1 game and then clear it from its wake."
That wouldn't be hard to do...
Two small changes:
Allow players directly from HS.
Expand a year-round D-league and start pouring marketing resources into it. First... ditch the name "developmental league" and find a better branding. With seasons of 80+ games, players would make more $$$... and with added teams it would mean fishing out a lot more players directly from HS. This would immediately make players ineligible for D1.
Maybe the best thing is to start having the NCAA and the NBA become competitors. Suddenly... you'd see the NCAA completely loosen their rules (especially on eligibility) and would offer better financial incentives to players beyond the very basics.
There is a reason why the NCAA playoffs and the NBA playoffs don't happen at the same time.
You are right about that... college isn't for everyone.
But... this is about D1... college basketball.
Heck... maybe we should have basketball leagues for trade schools! And what if colleges started offering another area of study (or areas) that are not quite so difficult and have an easier path for a diploma? There is something in place that is simpler.. an associate degree.
So I'd be game for other ways for people to advance besides the typical 4-year degree. Any type of education, or trade schooling, is helpful for our society as a whole. And it helps give individuals more options to be successful.
How about universities (like KU) form relationships with trade schools and so anyone playing for Kansas could also opt to go to one of their connected partner schools and still have it paid for, just like they were attending Kansas directly?
How about universities (like KU) develop community service programs so anyone playing for Kansas could also opt to go to a community service program and gain valuable hands-on experience in a job with superior training?
There must be endless possibilities... if there were few rules and more insight into open-minded thinking.
I think the discussion here has become a bit frayed... so the points made have lost some of their perspective.
Everyone in here has good points. That makes it a tough battle to fight and win.
I agree with those who advise going for the money, because it is available right now and may not be tomorrow... and it tends to be a pretty good sum of money, though, usually, not enough to retire on (in most cases).
But... I respect @DoubleDD 's argument supporting education. Diplomas do not guarantee a person will make more money or even be able to make a decent living... especially these days. However... having an education helps most people in several way, often beyond financial. For one thing, obtaining a diploma is a major achievement, that many never accomplish. It should help one's self-esteem. Obtaining a diploma takes some level of discipline, some level of focus, some level of study and some level of creativity. Exercising oneself in those areas should help build the character of an individual.
If you have obtained a diploma and you honestly come on here and tell us it wasn't worth it, then you should examine back on your college days to see what went wrong.
And as a society, we should always encourage education for the masses. It does our society good to educate as many people as possible.
I used to always support the student-athlete staying in school instead of jumping early. But... there are so many that leave early now and go back and finish their degrees because the schools have created a structure which encourages it.
I laud Bill Self, not only as one of the best college basketball coaches, but for the fact that he instills the value in education to all his players. Because of that reason, it is no surprise that many of his players come back and finish up. Hooray for players like Aldrich!
I think the discussion here should turn towards school (and coaches) that have poor stats on players finishing school. That is where the problem is.
Anyone have a link that shows the stats on many of the college programs (coaches) out there? I want to know... for example... how many of Cal's players end up finishing their degrees?
I'm for any changes that bring freedoms to the average Joe, or in this case, the talented college athlete.
We always like to think America is the "land of the free" and where individuals are empowered to better themselves, including financially. Then why do big corps (NBA) and institutions (NCAA) have the right to limit opportunities for young people who are talented?
How many kids have to lose their opportunity to use their talent and hard work because they made one mistake along the way?
All these regulations create a tiny tiny tunnel athletes have to crawl through to make success and if they ever take the wrong passage (ever so brief) it ends their chances to reach their dreams.
Opening up the game... especially on the college level... not only will bring back a higher level of ball played in college, it will "trickle up" to the NBA and help it play a higher level of ball, too, because it will create the most opportunity for players, which increases competition and keeping good players in the mix for an opportunity.
Imagine both D1 and the NBA having better play beyond just the top teams? It is possible... we just have to create a structure that keeps good players around longer, with more opportunities to find success. Many will come through (eventually) and those that do will be the reason a higher brand of ball will be played.
True... but the kid that gets bumped by the older player also has 10 years to complete his eligibility. And he can always go to another school. Plus... the young kid may go overseas for a year or two and line his pockets, then come back to college and finish his degree.
The idea is to give talented players a big window to finish their education. Plus.. anyone playing D1 ball always has NBA scouts looking on.
Here is an idea...
NBA: Let kids go right from HS into the NBA.
NCAA: Give kids 10 years to finish 4 years of eligibility... and let them keep their eligibility even if they've been paid to play (pro). And no sit out period when they return or if they go to a different university.
So... let's say a Wiggins decided to play 1 year in college, just to lift his stock... then goes pro and has a hard time and gets cut. He can go back and play 3 more years of college ball and earn a degree, and improve his bball skills again and earn another look in the pros.
Why do we have all the tight rules on young people? This is America... and it should have little restriction for anyone to make a living and/or advance their studies and likelihood of making a living.
There is a long list of student/athletes that failed with their one shot... and they can't go backwards and get another crack. What a crock! Reduce the rules and help young, talented people get as much of a chance for success as possible!
And imagine what this would do to the talent level of college sports?
I'm not discounting the damage Tharpe inflicted on himself with the selfie.
I know the selfie thing is generational... I'm surprised I even know what it means. But KU is a special place and students know it. I bet Tharpe faced some backlash even on a student level. I know his selfie ticked off lots of old gas alumnis like myself... and I'm sure it worked its way down to their kids who are KU students now.
From old folks down to little kids... in Kansas, most are familiar with the legacy of Jayhawk basketball, and most don't like anything that can possibly tarnish it.
That seems to be something that pierces the generation gaps...
Me, too. He'll find his role on how to best contribute. Yeah... I'd put him between Hinrich and Collison.
@jaybate 1.0
Interesting take on Devonte.
I'm optimistic about Devonte, even for this coming year as a potential impact player.
His poor ranking related more to where he was as a HS junior.
The thing to watch with HS players is their change in development. Devonte had a gigantic leap in development by the end of his junior year and that is what put him on the radar screen. That's why he wanted out of his early commitment, because the big boys started calling....
That's why I have optimism about him.... I have hope he continues his current high rate of development. Self is pretty good about reading that.
We all bag on Tharpe... but Tharpe did make huge improvements in his game from his days in HS through this past year. He just seemed to have some issues that got in his way and prevented him from making that final step to greatness at Kansas. He is a tragic case... just like EJ was. But I hope he takes a year off and gets the right kind of help to develop that final step in his game, which is mostly about self-confidence and projection.
Concerning Mason and a RS.... I could see it happening. It really depends on what happens between now and next fall. This is his summer for big time development. It is normal that Kansas players make a leap in play after their freshmen year. He's a guy that has great potential for driving the ball, and that is a gift every college team can use. Now... if he learns to tighten down his defense, learn to pass off well during his drives, learn to finish at the rim better and become a better outside shooter... It sounds like a bunch of things that need to happen but sometimes players just click over to a higher level at this age. Some of it must have to do with confidence.... when they lift all aspects of their game at one time.
What I am really loving about next year... is that we will have a bit more experience on the perimeter (except for the loss of Tharpe) and there will be great competition for minutes. That not only gives Self plenty of options during the year and during each game, but also pushes these guys to get better. We have a group of guys that each have their own unique skills and size. So we'll have plenty of options for dealing with match ups on any kind of opponent.
I hope Svi is an impact player his first year. We'll need his size against Kentucky and maybe some other teams. The Harrison twins were just figuring out how to take advantage of their size during the tourney in March... and you can bet they will only improve on that this year. Kentucky is going to be tough.
I totally cracked up on your last post. A+ for comedy and also for some degree of reality.
Yes... Wiggins was nudged to shoot the ball this year, just like BMac was the year before.
The key you hit on several times now... that Self applies too many rules and discipline that college kids just aren't ready to implement yet. He needs to lighten up a bit and look for simpler methods of teaching and executing a strategy.
This is at the core of why we play stiff in March... and don't adjust well to tough situations.
There is a place for discipline and strict rules... including in college basketball. But it has to be applied in a way that doesn't make players get out of the flow and start thinking too much.
I get down hard on Self... but I do see him make changes almost every year and it keeps me having faith that he'll figure out the right formula for making his guys play loose and with confidence. This has little to do with how old the guys are on the team... in 2013, we had a team of mostly 4 and 5-yr seniors and they still stiffened up in March.
The difference between this kid and Wiggins and BMac.... this kid already knows how to create shooting space anywhere on the court.... something both Wiggins and BMac couldn't do. And he has better ball handling skills, giving him the option to move with the ball. This is the type of player that you can go to with 5 seconds left in the game, down by 1, and he'll at least get a good shot up because he'll move his feet and use fakes. Chances are... he'll get fouled!
It may take a little while for him to adjust his game, but what I will be looking at most in his freshman year is the amount of FTs he attempts versus his PT minutes. I bet this kid lives at the line! Something we haven't had from a perimeter player in a long time (except for Wiggins, who got there by brute forcing it in the paint).
Imagine the possibilities for us going with a big lineup or a small (lightning fast) lineup!
I still wouldn't be surprised if we land a big fella out there with that last scholarship.
If he's out there... Self is on him.
There are several foreign big guys...
I heard the same thing... McDermott looked good and he'll go fairly high. I think he will retool his game and make it work in the league.
Give him some time and he'll become a much better defender. Defense wasn't his role in college ball. But he'll have to pick it up on d in the pros, and he will.
A big part of defense is having a high basketball IQ and McDermott has that. Smart NBA players always stick out and always find a home somewhere.
In other news....
There is an excellent chance we will still use that one remaining scholarship.
It could even be for one more Int'l player.
Svia may bring a buddy with him.
Self hopes it stays 35. He couldn't run his offense on a 24 second clock and it would be pushing it at 30.
Love it!
I have to be honest... I'm as excited signing this kid as I was signing Wiggins.
He's going to be an impact player this year and next year.. and we'll see after that.
I guess he grew 2 more inches in the past week or two... or he received the "KU bump" (added height from KU-rigged tape) right after committing.
As soon as this guy adjusts to college ball (which I expect it to happen this coming year) he will be a big time player and his unique name will be bobbled by every sportscaster in America. I can't wait to hear them attempt his name.
We better get a nickname on him quick. Heard it was "Svia."
Guess that is a start until we come up with something to match his play. Maybe "Larry Bird?" Wait.. that's been taken...
Totally agree. Riley is a master at utilizing his best players, then building role players around them to fill in gaps and weaknesses.
You truly nailed it!
Flubber = FLying rUBBER
See the black stuff on the bottom of his shoes....
It's FLUBBER!
Thanks for posting the vid.
In the second part of that clip, Svia was practice drilling his catch-and-shoot. I know this is a small thing... but notice how he intentionally picks a side to move to prior to his shot. Then.. notice the guy beside him firmly planted on his. Svia is all about making scoring space and he even practices the little things that make the difference. The kid has been coached somewhere...
I bet he does the same thing again, but first pumping a shot fake before the shot... something we can never get Jayhawk players to do... something so basic, but wins championships.
"Patience is a virtue most are short on these days. However, look at Kentucky, if you want to talk about a stacked roster, wow. Playing time at KU will be much easier to come by for the star players than at UK."
Everyone in here knows I don't like Calipari. And I've questioned everything about him before. But... I have to hand it to him for getting most of these guys back for another year. I know the argument that this year's draft is too stacked and these players didn't feel they would go high enough... but that hasn't stopped other players from going too soon. Calipari must have advised many (or all) of these guys to consider returning... and they listened to him.
It hurts me to write that long of positive blurb about Calipari... but I did because I like it when kids use their brain and stay when they aren't ready to go.
I totally agree.... but it is harder to get talented players to sit and wait their turn these days. The younger generation focuses too much on instant gratification. There is some kind of balance... It is hard to say where that balance is. I think no one knows that more than Self. We all project like we understand the players and their situations... but we don't. We read news clippings and hear rumors. Self and his coaches are involved with his players every day and should have a pulse on where the players are at.
In some ways... it seems to be tougher to be a college coach than a pro coach. College kids are often immature and unrealistic and they are just in their "coming out" phase of being in the real public eye. Players have a limited contract that binds them, just for one year. It must be tough trying to keep everyone happy and on the same team goal.
I was aware of Spoelstra's path from being assistant coach.
Hey... I mentioned he is the right guy for that job. And I'm sure he is tech savvy... probably more than any other coach. All I'm saying is you won't see him challenge Riley. I also said he handles day-to-day operations.
Spoelstra will one day be inducted in the HOF. And he's been blessed to have perhaps the best GM out there grabbing him mega-talent. That's the situation Calipari needs.... on a team with a talent edge. I'm just not sure he could handle being under Riley's thumb because of his ego. Spoelstra has his emotions under control.
In general, I like Spoelstra... but I don't respect him like I do some of the greats. He shouldn't let his super-ego players run the team like he lets happen. Having all that talent covers up their weaknesses. If they were less talented (and losing) you would see those weaknesses... like team cohesion. LeBron treating Chalmers like his boy is ridiculous. It was great to see Chalmers finally push back. But LeBron took a chunk out of Chalmers' pride, and it shows.
This team couldn't hold oxygen in the room with many of the past great NBA teams that were truly teams.
I equate the Heat with Kentucky and Calipari. Overwhelm with shock-and-awe talent. Brute force over key fundamentals and win with overwhelming talent. Hooray!
"Although some disagree, I think the risk is much greater that he'll leave than a normal player..."
I definitely disagree. I have a great deal of experience with Int'l players... and one thing that is a typical trait with these players is how well they think out their futures. They are methodical with their decisions... so they are not easily swayed out of their commitments and they definitely don't make decisions based on emotions. I really know nothing about this kid... but from overall experience with players abroad I would put him at the bottom of the list of possible transfer early.
Chances are... this kid is a walking encyclopedia in regards to the NBA, Euro-leagues, basketball clinics, coaching schools, everything concerning basketball. He's watched 100s of tape on players like Jordan, James... all the great players and especially the ones he wants to mimic. Literally every player in Europe studies several NBA players games to swipe moves.
I pretty much agree with your entire post.
I think Conner is a KU man all the way. And why would he leave the school that will give him the best path into coaching? No other school is better for developing coaches.
Mason... If I was Self I would take the same path for Frank as he took for Bam-Bam. Don't let that kid leave Lawrence without the skills he needs to make a good living in basketball. Mason has Int'l ball written all over him. He's the guy teams can't find abroad. They have a million dead-on shooters, but what they lack is tough dudes who are willing to shed blood on a drive. Those players almost don't exist anymore in that game and is a big reason most Int'l ball has become flat.
Greene has to feel a bit relieved to have won the battle with AW3. Doesn't mean he will score big time minutes... but I find it unlikely that he won't. Listen to Self. He talks about Brannen like a guy who will leave a big time mark at KU. Self doesn't throw that kind of praise around on players unless he truly believes it.
I'm not worried about Self over-recruiting. We've already been through the Self rut where he under-recruited and everyone (and I mean everyone) started to challenge Self and his ability to recruit.
There are no promises in college basketball. It is competitive, and sink or swim. It's that simple. I miss players that transfer out but I don't feel sorry for them. Having Kansas on their resume is never a bad thing. In some cases, like AW3, I constantly nagged him to transfer because he is too good a player to not get vital game minutes. His skills turned rusty during this past year (during the season) and you never want to see that happen to a player, especially of his caliber. But... he will be fine and I'm sure Self will help him find the right connection.
Spoelstra does the operational part of coaching, and that does include some key decisions. But you won't ever see Spoelstra move the team away from Riley's direction.
How do you think he got that job? How many other situations are there where a video editor gets named head coach of a NBA team?
I give Spoelstra a lot of credit for advancing like he has. He is a success story. But he was in the perfect situation (and only situation) where he could get that job. Riley wanted someone who was intelligent, and was not a previous NBA head coach that would butt heads with him on philosophy.
Actually... I think it was the right move. And it is working out. You have to understand Riley in this deal. He's not your typical NBA GM. Just ask Van Gundy what happens when a coach challenges Riley.
Plus... add in all the egos on that team. Spoelstra doesn't challenge any of the players for top billing.
Spoelstra is a good fit for the Heat.
"Connor is a kind of a shorter version of Curry. I just wish he was around the true 6'2 or 6'3 range. He'd be nasty to handle. But his biggest weakness is his defense and feet. He's just going to struggle with his size, feet, and lack of length. His shot and his IQ are his natural talents. He had to work hard to get his shot to be at this level. I want nothing but success for Connor."
I agree with your post... except that Conner is another Curry. Conner right now is only a catch-and-shoot shooter. He doesn't create his own shot, his own scoring space like Curry did (and does).
You are right on about him struggling with his size, feet and length. He can work hard and improve two of those categories... and that is enough to become a dominant college player. I totally expect to see a different guy next fall. I expect him to add 10 lbs of muscle between now and then. He'll still be a small, thin guy... but when you add some strength onto a frame of a smart competitor (like Conner), he'll make the most of his strength improvements.
Conner showed noticeable improvement in his foot speed already in his freshman year. He couldn't keep up with the game at the beginning... by the end, he was keeping up. Now... if he can learn to move ahead of the game, so he can create his own scoring space and also become a lock down defender, he'll become one heck of a college player!
The odds all work against Conner. So he'll have to fight for everything he gets. That really isn't a bad scenario for a tough, competitive player to be in. I'm not worried about Conner. He's also a smart player. He'll find a way to be productive and a way for him to inject his game into Jayhawk basketball and become a contributor.