That's probably the gold standard for a player from a small school but I didn't add him since nuraman said "other than Pippen and Rodman". Otherwise, he's the gold standard with Rodman making a case for #2
Just asking a question. What would your criteria for major program vs not a major one be?
If I look at Butler, from the above list, would it be # of Sweet 16 appearances? Or March Madness appearances?
They have a lot of March Madness appearances. A decent amount of Sweet 16's, but maybe there's a lot of other schools with about the same number too.
Would Butler be the biggest of the above list?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butler_Bulldogs_men%27s_basketball
Davidson also appears to have been pretty good in the 1960s and 70s. Then there was a huge drought, which I agree should have made them drop a few tiers.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Davidson_Wildcats_men%27s_basketball
But now, it seems like they've been making March Madness often since even after Curry left, so maybe they're a little better now.
For those that don't know, "KANGZ!!" is a term that was developed by the
Sacramento sports fans as a way of describing a typically lousy Sacramento
personnel decision. It's supposed to mimic that sound of someone dropping a bunch
of dishes and it making a clanging or breaking sound. 
What's the difference between Thomas Robinson and Zion Williamson?
Why is the difference between them so great?
Why is the difference between them so great?
Character and skill level.
Robinson is just as athletic and even 2 inches taller. Better build as well with less chance at injury due to less weight. Those are the only advantages that Robinson has.
OTOH, Zion is a much better ball handler, shooter and driver. Post game is more advanced as well and that's where his girth and low center of gravity help as well. He's almost impossible to guard one on one. Nifty footwork in the post is an added plus.
Lastly, Zion is just a high character guy with a love for the game. He wants to be out there regardless of whether he gets paid or not. Robinson just came off as aloof and with a chip on his shoulder. Cheap shots against opponents from time to time and just wasn't the greatest teammate. Not surprisingly, he's been out of the league for awhile now.
If I look at Butler, from the above list, would it be # of Sweet 16 appearances? Or March Madness appearances?
They have a lot of March Madness appearances. A decent amount of Sweet 16's, but maybe there's a lot of other schools with about the same number too.
Would Butler be the biggest of the above list?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butler_Bulldogs_men%27s_basketball
Davidson also appears to have been pretty good in the 1960s and 70s. Then there was a huge drought, which I agree should have made them drop a few tiers.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Davidson_Wildcats_men%27s_basketball
But now, it seems like they've been making March Madness often since even after Curry
left, so maybe they're a little better now.
Great question. With me, it usually goes towards conference. If you're in a small conference, you're most likely not a major program.
There are exceptions. Gonzaga is an obvious one. The WCC is a mid major conference at best who once in a blue moon has a powerhouse. LMU in the late 80's was a powerhouse but that was due to the coach and 2 great players, the late Hank Gathers and one time Clipper draft choice Bo Kimble. Once the 3 of them were gone, LMU went right back into the tank and hasn't been heard from since.
Robinson is just as athletic and even 2 inches taller. Better build as well with less chance at injury due to less weight. Those are the only advantages that Robinson has.
OTOH, Zion is a much better ball handler, shooter and driver. Post game is more advanced as well and that's where his girth and low center of gravity help as well. He's almost impossible to guard one on one. Nifty footwork in the post is an added plus.
Lastly, Zion is just a high character guy with a love for the game. He wants to be out there
regardless of whether he gets paid or not. Robinson just came off as aloof and with a
chip on his shoulder. Cheap shots against opponents from time to time and just
wasn't the greatest teammate. Not surprisingly, he's been out of the league for
awhile now.
Now that you mention it, agree. When Williamson makes his drives to the basket, he is in more control.
Speaking of center of gravity, what is preferred? A big man wants to be tall, but have a low center of gravity? So that means his upper body should be bigger than his lower body?
I guess players with long legs aren't as successful?
I will pay more attention to Zion's post game, to see what I think and compare it with your evaluation. Thanks.
For Robinson, how can one be both aloof, and have a chip on his shoulder?
There are exceptions. Gonzaga is an obvious one. The WCC is a mid major conference at best
who once in a blue moon has a powerhouse. LMU in the late 80's was a powerhouse but that
was due to the coach and 2 great players, the late Hank Gathers and one time Clipper
draft choice Bo Kimble. Once the 3 of them were gone, LMU went right back into the tank
and hasn't been heard from since.
Ok, looking at the conferences of Butler and Davidson:
Davidson is in the Atlantic 10. I barely know much about those schools, other than George Mason a little.
Butler is in the Big East. Isn't that decently strong? Or is it not as good, recently?
Davidson is in the Atlantic 10. I barely know much about those schools, other than George Mason a little.
Butler is in the Big East. Isn't that decently strong? Or is it not as good, recently?
Good point on Butler. For the longest time, Butler was in the Midwestern Collegiate Conference but moved their way up. Not sure if they were already in the Big East when Hayward was there though.
Speaking of center of gravity, what is preferred? A big man wants to be tall, but have a low center of gravity? So that means his upper body should be bigger than his lower body?
I guess players with long legs aren't as successful?
I will pay more attention to Zion's post game, to see what I think and compare it with your evaluation. Thanks.
For Robinson, how can one be both aloof, and have a chip on his shoulder?
Being tall is definitely what a big man wants to be but if you're gonna be short and a wide body like Zion, the advantage that he has is better balance.
As for Robinson, he was aloof when he should've been more focused and when I say a chip on his shoulder, I mean it in a negative sense. You can have a chip on your shoulder and channel it in a positive way, sort of like how Kobe and MJ were but Robinson had it in a negative way where his negative demeanor caused him to again lose focus which led to cheap shots that led to ejections and technical fouls. It's all about how you channel those emotions.
As for Robinson, he was aloof when he should've been more focused and when I say a chip on
his shoulder, I mean it in a negative sense. You can have a chip on your shoulder and
channel it in a positive way, sort of like how Kobe and MJ were but Robinson had it in a
negative way where his negative demeanor caused him to again lose focus which led to
cheap shots that led to ejections and technical fouls. It's all about how you
channel those emotions.
Thanks for explaining. I definitely agree there's people that have a negative chip on his shoulder.
I can't recall which player I'm thinking of, but I remember during some player's intro draft press conference (not this year), he spent more time talking about the teams that passed him up, then about joining the team that drafted him. I don't like that kind of negative energy.
I also think Deron Williams had a negative chip. He was mad at Utah management, because they cut his former Illinois teammate Dee Brown, after a year.
Also, when I was mentioning body proportions, I was thinking in terms of someone longer legs and smaller top half, vs. someone having shorter legs and bigger top half.
It sounds like the latter is preferred, because it creates a lower center of gravity?
Conference re-alignment is too confusing to keep track of. Lol.
Seems like every 2 - 3 years, there's a major change. Then on top of that, sometimes only one particular sport is impacted.
I can't recall which player I'm thinking of, but I remember during some player's intro draft press conference (not this year), he spent more time talking about the teams that passed him up, then about joining the team that drafted him. I don't like that kind of negative energy.
I also think Deron Williams had a negative chip. He was mad at Utah management, because they cut his former Illinois teammate Dee Brown, after a year.
Also, when I was mentioning body proportions, I was thinking in terms of someone longer legs and smaller top half, vs. someone having shorter legs and bigger top half.
It sounds like the latter is preferred, because it creates a lower center of gravity?
Paul Pierce actually did that for awhile but he channeled it into a positive way obviously.
Jalen Green is doing it now towards Detroit. Talking about how the city sucks and that they made a mistake in not taking him. My attitude would be to be happy I went #2 and if the city of Detroit sucks so bad then all the more reason why it worked out well.
Jalen Green is doing it now towards Detroit. Talking about how the city sucks and that they
made a mistake in not taking him. My attitude would be to be happy I went #2 and if the city
of Detroit sucks so bad then all the more reason why it worked out
well.
Good logic, lol. I am now getting turned off a little toward Green, and he hasn't even played a real game.
Yes, I think both Paul Pierce and Paul George did it for a little while, but it didn't persist, and it wasn't constant reminders, from what I recall.
A bit of a reach here but hard working, defensive type who played college ball nearby fits the Grit and Grind culture.
It wasn't a reach. Herbert Jones has the 3rd highest VORP for rookies, and is probably a top 8 rookie. In some ways, he might have been undersold as both the projected 17th mock draft pick, and his actual 35th pick.
Was Alvarado anywhere on your radar, as a first or second round pick (even though you didn't do the second round)?
While I'm always one to make fun of any blooper draft picks that I've made such as Obi Toppin over Anthony Edwards, I'll pat myself on the back for this one. Herb wasn't on very many first round mock drafts so I always love seeing him do well.
I'm liking how things went for that 2021 draft. If you were to do it over, the teams may have been better off going with my suggestions, at least for the top 3. I had Cade 1, Mobley 2 and Barnes 3. If Houston were to do it again, I'm betting that they take Mobley and then with Mobley off the board, Cleveland would be wise to take Barnes at 3.
I must admit that he wasn't on my radar. I remember hearing the name as a great defensive player in college but had no idea that he was an NBA prospect. As long as he keeps playing D like that, he'll be in the league for awhile.
Another talented free faller who will spell Booker with spot minutes early on.
He just won summer league finals MVP.
He thanks Trueblood for believing in his talent. He knows that implies that he "should" have been picked earlier.
As opposed to someone being called a "reach" or a "wait and see".
He thanks Trueblood for believing in his talent. He knows that implies that he "should" have been picked earlier.
As opposed to someone being called a "reach" or a "wait and
see".
I'm happy for him but I'm more fond of how well Herbert Jones has been in the NBA. When watching him in the NCAA's that year, he reminded me of Stacey Augmon. Like Bball Paul, I had a good feeling that he would surprise some people and unlike Bball Paul, he is a mainstay with his current team. Although in fairness to Paul Reed, the Sixers were doing everything they could to maximize their cap space after way overpaying for Paul George. Sadly, Bball Paul was the one to go
For those that don't know, "KANGZ!!" is a term that was developed by the
Sacramento sports fans as a way of describing a typically lousy Sacramento
personnel decision. It's supposed to mimic that sound of someone dropping a bunch
of dishes and it making a clanging or breaking sound.
The sound of breaking a bunch of dishes is back. KANGZ.
Cunningham, Mobley, Jalen Green will be making their first playoffs.
Jalen Suggs will be making his second.
Jalen Suggs will be making his second.
Will Jalen be healthy for this post season?
I knew there was something I was forgetting when I mentioned his name in my last post.
No, he won't be healthy. So then it doesn't count.
Also, too bad we're not seeing Jalen Johnson. If Atlanta wins on Friday, this would have been Johnson's 3rd playoffs in 4 years, but this time as someone who was being considered for the All-Star team.
