All of us on this board have seen JFB's game enough over the past three years to know the skill and heart he has. After getting "sunbbed" (in my opinion) of at least an All-Big East Second Team selection, it made me wonder how others around the country viewed Jimmy, most importantly NBA scouts. It just seems that for some reason, maybe the lack of scoring or real killer instinct, he's viewed as a nice player who plays hard.
I believe this week will be Butler's chance to sneak in as a second round draft pick. With all of the attention ESPN is giving the BET, he is getting more national exposure and giving NBA scouts a chance to really see his game up close. Sure we are on national TV fairly often, but very rarely is the spotlight so bright as it is now.
I will use these tweets as an example:
"@NBADraftInsider: Marquette produces those guys you don't think will make it, then they do. Solid program"
Draft Express responded with, "Agree 100%. They look very good"
Draft Express also talked a bit about JFB: "Jimmy Butler =outstanding tonight. Smart, tough, unselfish, great D. Wish he were 2 inches taller or a better shooter but he can really play."
A little later Jay Bilas praised Jimmy as well on Twitter: "Marquette's Jimmy Butler played a complete game v. PC. Butler had 19 points, 10 rebounds and 8 assists; and guarded Marshon Brooks."
Clearly he's perked some attention for himself after two weeks of very strong basketball, both on offense and defense. I believe if MU can get past WVU tonight to get at least one more game for Jimmy to shine, he will sneak into the second round. Thoughts?
My thoughts are that he is going to havbe to work on his outside game because he just isn't tall enough to play inside in the NBA. He very well could do this in europe or in the nbdl. Wouldn't put it past him.
I think the biggest compliment to Butler for last night is guarding Marshon Brooks all evening.
Remember when Jerel would be called on to lock down a guy all night? And his offense would suffer mightily because he was so exhausted from containing his man?
Butler didn't blank Brooks, but he did him one better. He contained him while filling up the stat sheet on the offensive end.
Before the season this was Butler's team to take over. During the season Butler seemed like he was playing too passively to lead. The last 3 games Butler has turned into the Senior leader this team has been needing desperately, and that effort finally got us a solid win! It's a great time for Butler to keep streaking for MU to start to string together wins at the time of year that the NBA guys actually start paying attention to college bball :)
He needs to perform well in the individual workouts...especially the shooting drills.
Quote from: pux90mex on March 09, 2011, 07:38:03 AM
All of us on this board have seen JFB's game enough over the past three years to know the skill and heart he has. After getting "sunbbed" (in my opinion) of at least an All-Big East Second Team selection, it made me wonder how others around the country viewed Jimmy, most importantly NBA scouts. It just seems that for some reason, maybe the lack of scoring or real killer instinct, he's viewed as a nice player who plays hard.
I believe this week will be Butler's chance to sneak in as a second round draft pick. With all of the attention ESPN is giving the BET, he is getting more national exposure and giving NBA scouts a chance to really see his game up close. Sure we are on national TV fairly often, but very rarely is the spotlight so bright as it is now.
I will use these tweets as an example:
"@NBADraftInsider: Marquette produces those guys you don't think will make it, then they do. Solid program"
Draft Express responded with, "Agree 100%. They look very good"
Draft Express also talked a bit about JFB: "Jimmy Butler =outstanding tonight. Smart, tough, unselfish, great D. Wish he were 2 inches taller or a better shooter but he can really play."
A little later Jay Bilas praised Jimmy as well on Twitter: "Marquette's Jimmy Butler played a complete game v. PC. Butler had 19 points, 10 rebounds and 8 assists; and guarded Marshon Brooks."
Clearly he's perked some attention for himself after two weeks of very strong basketball, both on offense and defense. I believe if MU can get past WVU tonight to get at least one more game for Jimmy to shine, he will sneak into the second round. Thoughts?
I agree with the sentiment that he has a lot of eyeballs on him for the Big East tournament and some standout performances could definitely get him noticed. However, what I think assures him to get drafted is if we make the second weekend of the dance with some great all-around games like last night or a scoring effort like he had against Cincy. Those type of performances put players on the map nationally and turn scouts' heads. Here's to hoping we get a good draw for not only for MU's sake, but to put another one of our players in the league. If anybody deserves a shot, it's Butler.
You still have to show out for the draft camps and individual workouts....
Quote from: Stone Cold on March 09, 2011, 08:00:47 AM
You still have to show out for the draft camps and individual workouts....
O no doubt, I'm not saying he's a "stone cold" lead pipe lock simply by beating WVU. My point was that getting the extra media attention is only helping his reputation. Like Skat said, JFB seemed a bit too passive earlier in the season and didn't assert himself as JFB. He played well, no doubt, but never to the point where ESPN was talking about him. This week, and of course the next week in the Tourney, is a perfect opportunity to show that he is most definitely NBA material.
With that said. I definitely agree with you that he has to do well at the Portsmouth Invitational and in the other draft combines.
Jimmy's game last night was the best individual performance I've seen from a Warrior since Wade's triple double. Novak's 41 and 16 is tough to top, but I think Jimmy did.
19, 10, and 8. On 8 shots. In 31 minutes. All while locking down the second leading scorer in the country.
He was silly good last night.
I hope with the shedding of contracts by many NBA teams, they're looking for yeoman like Butler who can play at a high level but at non-superstar prices.
Like Wes did his first year in the L.
Buzz is quite high on Jimmy's prospects with regard to an NBA career. Buzz has said Jimmy's athleticism is much better than most people think.
In my opinion, Jimmy is more athletic than Wes and Lazar. Wes and Lazar probably shoot it better from distance. Jimmy's efficiency is remarkable, however. I believe Jimmy will get drafted as Buzz will give him glowing reports to all scouts who inquire (as does every coach about their own players), but given Wes's success...teams still don't want to "miss" on a potential solid prospect in the 2nd round. The fact NBA teams can talk with Buzz and get his assesment/comparison to Wes - will help Jimmy's case..as Buzz feels Jimmy is almost a clone of Wes with regard to basketball IQ, skill set and character..
Regarding how much the next 2-3 weeks can help Jimmy's draft stock.....I totally agree! The best and more recent example I can think of a situation like this was Joe Alexander. He was a nice player that year, but nobody really took notice until WV went on that run in the tourney and Joe tore up Duke. I believe he went from a borderline draft prospect to eventual lottery pick (by the Bucks of course). 2 weeks of elite play made Joe millions.
But, but, but...Jimmy's not a leader! He doesn't scream and yell in people's faces!
If I have to read that again I'll puke.
Butler does need to work on the outside shot, but if he makes it to the league its because of his defense and ability to work in a system.
His ability to get to the line I am sure is also intriguing.
Quote from: OhioGoldenEagle on March 09, 2011, 09:18:30 AM
Regarding how much the next 2-3 weeks can help Jimmy's draft stock.....I totally agree! The best and more recent example I can think of a situation like this was Joe Alexander. He was a nice player that year, but nobody really took notice until WV went on that run in the tourney and Joe tore up Duke. I believe he went from a borderline draft prospect to eventual lottery pick (by the Bucks of course). 2 weeks of elite play made Joe millions.
+1
Regards,
Tyrus Thomas
Quote from: NickelDimer on March 09, 2011, 09:18:40 AM
But, but, but...Jimmy's not a leader! He doesn't scream and yell in people's faces!
If I have to read that again I'll puke.
A-freaking-men.
Thankfully, we'll only see that two more times. Because he's only a bad leader when MU loses.
EDIT: From the JS recap- "I'm not going to sleep tonight," Butler said. "I want to win every single game. So tonight I'm going to go back and watch film, see what (West Virginia) did against us, against other teams - everything I can possibly do to try to make sure Marquette has more points than West Virginia at the end of the game."
Really wish he'd be a damn leader already.
so you're saying there's a chance buycks makes the association?
One thing Jimmy has going for him too - He's very young for his class. He only turned 21 right before this season began. The NBA usually hesitates to draft seniors because they fear they've peaked and they won't be able to capture their "upside." That's not the case with Jimmy.
Jimmy will still be a few months shy of 22 on draft day this year, meaning a normal age for a rising senior. By comparison, Lazar was 23 and a half, so was Diener, Novak had just turned 23, Wesley was almost 23, and Wade was a couple months younger than Jimmy.
On second thought, screw the draft, let's petition the NCAA to get Jimmy another year of eligibility!
For JFB to make it in pros he must bulk up/increase his strength. And his D must also improve. He does have a chance, if he keeps working at it.
Jimmy is 6'7. He is athletic enough. To make it to the league, he is going to have to improve his outside shooting. If he had range like Lazar, it would be a no-brainer.
Jimmy's build and his game remind me of Jamario Moon (who I believe is now on the Clippers). He's long, wiry and athletic. He's not great at anything, but he does a lot of things well. He's likely not going to be a star of the team, but he's a solid role player who can rebound, D up and hit from the outside at a respectable clip.
I see Butler comparing to a Wilson Chandler type player in the NBA
Whether or not he's drafted, I think JFB gets on an NBA roster within the first 2 years, and probably the first. His basketball IQ, unselfishness, and work ethic will be what gets him there.
Hope his stock is rising. He is Standing Tall on the NCAAB page on ESPN
http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/ (http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/)
I firmly believe Jimmy will be a 2nd round draft pick for many of the reasons stated. If the GM's slip up and pass on him, with his work ethic, athleticism and all-around ability at worst he should make a roster in the NBA in the next 2 years. Gotta Love JFB