Kolek planning to go pro
I'd say just the opposite. Having a Marquette alumni team in TBT (coached by a current NBA player in Wes Matthews) is great exposure for the MU program and the university. We also advanced to the Midwest regional final two years in a row. I'd say that's a pretty strong on-court performance.
I don't think how the TBT is performing has any impact on recruiting whatsoever. It's a pick up basketball game played by alumni who aren't good enough to make the NBA and is only on television because it's July.
TAMUI do know, Newsie is right on you knowing ball.
That awkward moment three of the players on our team have played in the NBA.
Oh sure it does. Recruits were watching this and any positive exposure for the program is a good thing. Is it going to be a deciding factor for a recruit? Hell no. It was as tiny of an impact as an impact can be, but it is still a positive.
My statement was unstated teal
The last one was...what...over two years ago? Nothing awkward at all about my statement.
So what if it was two years ago they were still good enough to get a cup of coffee which is more than most get. Now had you said at this point or be more thanbench players in the NBA you'd have a point.I'm just arguing that there's plenty of guys in that tournament who have been NBA players in the past.
I'm curious to see what TBT looks like in another few years if the prize money continues to increase.Two years ago it was $500,000. Then $1 million. Then $2 million. If organizers can get that into the $5-10 million range (or bigger), you could see a lot more interest from current NBA players. For someone making the league minimum — between $600,000 and $1.6 million this upcoming season — the chance to double your yearly earnings could be a strong incentive.Once you have NBA players in the mix, TBT could really start to generate some attention. Maybe the NBA actually gets behind it as an offseason marketing tool.And what happens if top players like Lebron or Steph Curry decide to join in? Like a professional AAU league. Their participation could drive viewership through the roof, possibly justifying a prize pool of $50+ million (on the level of the World Series of Poker today). They're working out and playing pickup ball in the offseason, anyway. Why not play a handful of games with your friends for a chance to earn a few extra million?
The best part of today was all the interviews with Jen Hale. It would be nice if we could get her on Fox Sports. Smart and Sexy.
3) I'm guessing that big money NBA players would have it in their contracts that they can't play in this type of exhibition, not that they would anyway. It'd be a no-win situation.
Wow, I'm very concerned for Benny. Being able to mimic Myron Medcalf's writing so closely implies an oncoming case of dementia.
I'd bet even the low-money NBA players probably have it in their contracts... there might even be some sort of ban to that effect in the collective bargaining agreement.
The NBA and the players association came to an agreement on the Olympics. The players don't even get paid for that (outside of endorsements). And the league recognized that it was an incredible opportunity to market the NBA worldwide.If enough players like Lebron decided they wanted to participate in an informal tournament like the TBT, I think the commissioner would find a way to help make it happen. The NBA might even invest in TBT or buy it outright. It could mean huge ratings (and broadcast rights) for the league during a time of the year when they're barely generating any revenue.I'm not saying it's going to happen. Purely hypothetical. But I could see it if the interest is there and the money is right for all parties involved.
I think you think more of the TBT than even the TBT organizers do.
A few scattered thoughts on the TBT's Golden Eagles ...When we couldn't get a fastbreak going or couldn't get the ball in to Davante, our offense was pretty frustrating to watch all tournament long. Our guards would just dribble awhile and then jack up a shot. Sometimes it went in, but often it didn't. When Davante wasn't involved, it was kind of a "worst of the NBA" offense much of the time.Buycks apparently did well during the summer league. I didn't see one second of it, so I'll take others' word on it. But I did see all 4 TBT games, and he was mostly bad, and occasionally awful. If I had to take one MU guard based on the TBT, it would have been DJO. He was tough on D and he made some big shots. Buycks mostly dribbled between his legs for 15 seconds and then chucked up fade-away 3-pointers. He didn't go to the hoop very often and hardly ever set up his teammates. I was amazed he spent any time in the NBA when he got up there last time, and I'd be amazed again if anybody would take him.Though I've doubted Jamil has a real chance at the NBA, in part because I don't think he's as good an athlete as his body type would suggest, I do think that if he could be a 40% 3-point shooter some team would find a spot for him. He's a good enough athlete to hang in against many NBAers, and every team needs shooting. His stroke looked good, even when the shots didn't go in. I can see why the Clippers are taking a flier on him.Loved watching Davante's work in the first 3 games. Still so fun to watch. But given that Sullinger pretty much dominated him, I'm guessing that Dirk still isn't in fear of Davante.Along with Buycks, pretty unimpressed with Jerel and can see why he hasn't gotten a sniff from the NBA. Yet another example of a very good college player who isn't good enough for the NBA. This just in: It's hard to be a pro!Aside from Davante and DJO, I was most impressed with three role players: Mo, Juan and Trend. Watching Trend in this tournament, I'm surprised he could hardly get on the court during his time at MU. I really don't remember much about his time there. Was he hurt? Or could he simply not play back then? Too skinny maybe? He has length and pretty darn good timing on defense, and his shot isn't bad. Mo helped the team every time he was on the court, and Juan definitely provided a spark.