#25
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1055679-thomas-robinson-and-24-breakout-stars-this-season-in-college-basketball (http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1055679-thomas-robinson-and-24-breakout-stars-this-season-in-college-basketball)
"Don't let his statistics fool you. While he won't wow anyone on paper, this has been a breakout season for Wisconsin native Vander Blue. While playing second fiddle to teammates Jae Crowder and Darius Johnson-Odom, Blue is playing his role as an athletic game-changer who sparks his team both offensively and defensively. His game translates well to the NBA. The 6'4" sophomore has the ability to become a first-round draft pick."
Bleacher Report - The worst site on the Internet.
It's for bloggers that can't figure out how to set up a Wordpress site.
Nice to see Van getting some recognition, but it's still just Bleacher Report. For all we know, this was written by Kevin Jones' mom, who didn't want to overrate her son by putting him ahead of Robinson, and felt it'd be nice to get some other Big East guys mentions at the end.
That said...how does Tony Wroten qualify? He was a 5-star freshman. Is it really a "breakout" when a guy is great in his first year? If so, why isn't Anthony Davis on this list?
Yeah, I think it is embarrassing that we are even linking to Bleacher Report.
Quote from: WISportsmaniac on February 15, 2012, 07:34:17 AM
#25
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1055679-thomas-robinson-and-24-breakout-stars-this-season-in-college-basketball (http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1055679-thomas-robinson-and-24-breakout-stars-this-season-in-college-basketball)
"Don't let his statistics fool you. While he won't wow anyone on paper, this has been a breakout season for Wisconsin native Vander Blue. While playing second fiddle to teammates Jae Crowder and Darius Johnson-Odom, Blue is playing his role as an athletic game-changer who sparks his team both offensively and defensively. His game translates well to the NBA. The 6'4" sophomore has the ability to become a first-round draft pick."
If he's "playing second fiddle" to two guys, doesn't that mean he's playing third fiddle?
But hasn't he been the "breakout" player for us? Look at our last five games. Has he made enough improvements for this streak to continue for the rest of the year going into a biger role for him next year?
"Don't let the statistics fool you." Oh, no, the statistics don't fool us. They have been very good....
....please no Bleacher Report links.
EDIT: And, ironically, his game does everything very well EXCEPT translate to the NBA game. He still doesn't have a consistent jump shot and can't create his own shot. Everything else he does very well, but he doesn't have an NBA game right now. My guess is this "journalist" took one look at Blue's stat line, saw a few dunks on SportsCenter, and wrote this junk.
Quote from: MerrittsMustache on February 15, 2012, 08:54:05 AM
If he's "playing second fiddle" to two guys, doesn't that mean he's playing third fiddle?
+1
I don't think he is NBA ready now, at all. I think he has the potential to be an NBA player, no doubt.
Quote from: MerrittsMustache on February 15, 2012, 08:54:05 AM
If he's "playing second fiddle" to two guys, doesn't that mean he's playing third fiddle?
Correct. Vander is 3rd fiddle. Gardner is 3rd cello.
Quote from: MerrittsMustache on February 15, 2012, 08:54:05 AM
If he's "playing second fiddle" to two guys, doesn't that mean he's playing third fiddle?
I live for the Gradgrindian discipline on this board insisting on precise definitions.
This is absurd. He's not a "breakout" anything. He's an average Division I NCAA player. To call him a "breakout star" defies all logic.
If we, indeed, had a "breakout star" it's Jamil Wilson or even Mayo.
Maybe by the time he's a senior averaging 11 or 12 points, people will stop thinking he's an NBA player. He isn't and he won't be. Sorry.
The sooner people stop posting links to the "Bleacher Report" the better off we'll all be.
If we, indeed, had a "breakout star" it's Jamil Wilson or even Mayo.
You can't be serious?! Mayo...... You mean Oj right?
The highlight of Vander's season are two free throw. Mayo had 16 huge points at Wisconsin. Neither are stars but if anybody has "broken" away it's Mayo. No doubt about it. He's our best freshman since Hayward and it was completely unexpected.
The highlight of Vander's season are two free throw. Mayo had 16 huge points at Wisconsin. Neither are stars but if anybody has "broken" away it's Mayo. No doubt about it. He's our best freshman since Hayward and it was completely unexpected.
He actually had 14, and Vander had 9. I'm not arguing your point that neither have broken out, it's hard to understand how you put Mayo ahead though with the troubles he's had all conference long..and Vander is a big reason we've been winning without De' De' in my opinion.
Quote from: PuertoRicanNightmare on February 15, 2012, 06:41:04 PMThis is absurd. He's not a "breakout" anything. He's an average Division I NCAA player. To call him a "breakout star" defies all logic.
Honestly, PRN, this has to be the most ridiculous statement you've ever made. Yes, there are flaws in his game, but Van is definitely above average. That doesn't make him a star yet, nor does it make him our best player, but he's averaging close to double figures, is in the top-5 in the league among guards in rebounds, is in the top-20 in the league in assists (despite not being a lead guard), and has a very solid 1.2 spg and 1.5/1 A/T ratio.
You may not like him, you may not think he has an NBA future, but it is beyond stupid to say he's an "average Division I NCAA player". My guess is that if you go across the NCAA D1, the "average player" wouldn't get 10 mpg at Marquette, much less start and play 25+ mpg and put up solid numbers.
Quote from: PuertoRicanNightmare on February 15, 2012, 07:17:44 PM
The highlight of Vander's season are two free throw. Mayo had 16 huge points at Wisconsin. Neither are stars but if anybody has "broken" away it's Mayo. No doubt about it. He's our best freshman since Hayward and it was completely unexpected.
Man, you're determined to give Vander the same treatment you gave DJames, aren't you?
Who has had the better conference season?
A.) 7.8 PPG , 49.3% FG, 33% 3P, 61% FT, 4.7 RPG, 3.0 APG, 0.6 SPG, 1.9 TO
B.) 7.2 PPG, 43.1% FG, 26.5% 3P, 89.7% FT, 2.8 RPG, 1.0 APG, 0.4 SPG, 1.5 TO
Who has stepped up since Davante went down?
A.) 14.5 PPG, 56.8% FG, 40% 3P (5 attempts), 73.7% FT (19 attempts), 6.3 RPG, 2.3 APG, 0.5 SPG, 1.8 TO
B.) 3.5 PPG, 23.1% FG, 0.0% 3P (7 attempts), 100% FT (8 attempts), 2.8 RPG, 1.0 APG, 0.4 SPG, 1.5 TO
I like both players, but I'll let you draw your own conclusions as to which one has "broken out" as of late.
Quote from: Jamailman on February 15, 2012, 09:33:37 PM
Man, you're determined to give Vander the same treatment you gave DJames, aren't you?
I'm curious where I was wrong about James? Vander Blue is an average contributor on a good team. James was much more than that but was NEVER an NBA prospect. Not even close. Mayo has more potential than either one because he can put the ball in the basket. You can argue if you want, but you'd be wrong.
Mods,
Can you create a filter similar to hairy wet cats?
Whenever someone posts 'Bleacher Report' can it be filtered to 'Some random dude on a blog'?
Quote from: PTM on February 15, 2012, 10:14:41 PM
Mods,
Can you create a filter similar to hairy wet cats?
Whenever someone posts 'Bleacher Report' can it be filtered to 'Some random dude on a blog'?
yes!
and a filter for http://www.bleacherreport.com (http://thechive.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/herp-derp-durr-20.jpg) too?
Quote from: PuertoRicanNightmare on February 15, 2012, 10:06:19 PM
I'm curious where I was wrong about James? Vander Blue is an average contributor on a good team. James was much more than that but was NEVER an NBA prospect. Not even close. Mayo has more potential than either one because he can put the ball in the basket. You can argue if you want, but you'd be wrong.
You just said that Mayo could be considered a "breakout star" but Vander can't. Look at those two stat lines I posted and tell me who has had trouble putting the ball in the basket of late. And Vander definitely has more potential. He's a year younger, taller, more athletic, and does everything else better aside from shoot the ball (which is coming around lately). I really like Todd, but Vander is already the better all around player (defense, passing, rebounding), and I think he will make an even bigger jump next year than he already has from the start of this year.
Quote from: PTM on February 15, 2012, 10:14:41 PM
Mods,
Can you create a filter similar to hairy wet cats?
Whenever someone posts 'Bleacher Report' can it be filtered to 'Some random dude on a blog'?
Probably the best way to handle this.