Henry and Luke; Two Future NBA Players?

[GOO]

Watching Luke, not just this year overseas, but even last year with the bad shoulder, reminds me of a guy that will probably develop into an NBA player.  He moves well, has good footwork, can run the floor, soft hands, effort, can shoot, etc.

I think we have two future NBA players at the 4 and 5 positions. 

[wadesworld]

Yes.

Thanks, Tom.  For not knowing how to use a big, and for having no control over your program.

[esotericmindguy]

Really? I think you're forgetting about how he played last year. Luke Fischer averaged 4.8 rebounds in 30 minutes of action. On a team that didn't have 1 other player over 6'7. Steve Taylor averaged 5 rebounds a game in 22 minutes and the guy can't jump. I know he was slightly injured, but I cannot see him in the NBA. Guys his size can take the ball up the court in the NBA and shoot out to 19-22 feet. I don't see the shooting and footwork you do.

[JakeBarnes]

Really? I think you're forgetting about how he played last year. Luke Fischer averaged 4.8 rebounds in 30 minutes of action. On a team that didn't have 1 other player over 6'7. Steve Taylor averaged 5 rebounds a game in 22 minutes and the guy can't jump. I know he was slightly injured, but I cannot see him in the NBA. Guys his size can take the ball up the court in the NBA and shoot out to 19-22 feet. I don't see the shooting and footwork you do.

The thing about rebounding: you kinda have to have shoulders that don't flare up in pain whenever you come into contact with people.

Luke resolved that with shoulder surgery this offseason. The results on the court so far have shown a much more fearless offensive and defensive player slowly coming into his own.  I'm not saying NBA. But I am saying he looks a lot better than he did last year.

[willie warrior]

A little early yet on Luke, but he has the potential. Henry--Yes!

And since we are speculating, how about Duane Wilson?

[tower912]

I refuse to be drawn into irrational exuberance based on 4 exhibition games against Dll level talent.    They looked good.    If they still look good at the end of January, let the happy dancing begin. 

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

I was just thinking about that and I say yes to Luke. 1, you can't teach size, and two he is so athletic and runs the floor incredibly well. Add another year of strength with todd smith and a 15 footer and you have yourself a second rounder.

[naginiF]

I was just thinking about that and I say yes to Luke. 1, you can't teach size, and two he is so athletic and runs the floor incredibly well. Add another year of strength with todd smith and a 15 footer and you have yourself a second rounder.

I'm not an NBA fan so I won't opine on what skills translate to that level but one of the two things you listed is much more difficult to develop than the other.  I hope both he and the coaching staff can develop it though.

I think the "runs the floor incredibly well" aspect of his game (not to mention the rest of the team) is going to be huge for us the next two years.  Today that 7'2" center was a shell of himself by the 2nd quarter.  Against better conditioned (and younger) opponents it won't be so drastic but it'll pay off in the last 5 minutes of games.

[source?]

I remember some dude out of UWGB got drafted last year based on the fact that he was big. Seems like Luke could have a legit shot.

[79Warrior]

I refuse to be drawn into irrational exuberance based on 4 exhibition games against Dll level talent.    They looked good.    If they still look good at the end of January, let the happy dancing begin.

I agree with you. The team we played today was particularly bad. No defense and launching basically nothing but three point shots. Our guys got a great trip and some time to play together. Coach knows what he needs to work on. Good experience all around but there is no way to draw conclusions on the upcoming season.

[MU82]

Until I see Luke become a consistently good college basketball player, I won't speculate for a second about a possible pro career.

[warriorchick]

Too early one way or the other.

Who was predicting Jimmy Butler would be an NBA all-star at this point in his college career?

[brewcity77]

FWIW, I believe every big man at Duke while Wojo was coaching them positionally ended up playing in the NBA.

Henry, barring injury, will definitely play in the league. Fischer will have the chance to prove his worth the next two years. There were some flashes last year through injury, but as MU82 said, I want to see more before being ready to put that label on him. This tour was encouraging, but averaging 18/10 (or whatever he averaged) in Euro friendlies and doing the same in the Big East are two totally different animals.