Sam Dekker

[NersEllenson]

Anyone else underwhelmed by Sam Dekker?  I keep reading how he's a star waiting to happen, yet the guy rarely seems to show up in big games.  I believe DraftExpress has this guy as the Number 11 pick in 2015 draft.  Believe he turns 21 next May.  So young for his class, yet I just don't see what plus skills he has?  Does he shoot it elite?  Midrange elite?  Score off the dribble elite?  Post up elite?  

[Groin_pull]

And he's losing his hair too.

[MUfan12]

I end up defending Dekker more than I should for a UW player. Would like to see him in a less rigid offense, one where he can make a few more reads and have more iso opportunities. Keep in mind he also has a nagging injury right now as well.

[keefe]

Keep in mind he also has a nagging injury right now as well.

Dekker's married?

[MU82]

Supposedly has a bad ankle. At least that's what Bilas said at one point.

[Nevada233]

I still remember him taking off from the dotted line after faking deonte out last year..... For the 2 hand jam... That was an NBA Move....

[🏀]

I thought the same thing Ners.

I think MUfan12 may have the best point here, the system much be holding him back.

[GGGG]

Yeah I think his game is much more suited to a free flowing offense.  He's 6'9", decent athlete, smart player.  That being said, his 3 point shooting has steadily declined throughout his career.  I can see him being a late first round draft pick.

[JWags85]

I think MUfan12 may have the best point here, the system much be holding him back.

But but but, Devin Harris was a lottery pick! Even more evidence for the swing stifling great, athletic wings.

[NersEllenson]

I thought the same thing Ners.

I think MUfan12 may have the best point here, the system much be holding him back.

I've heard Dekker doesn't like playing in Bo's system, and that it may not be the best fit for him.  Yet, I also feel when thought to be talented guys struggle (unexpectedly) - they blame the system.  See that in football a lot.  Yet they then move to another team and still struggle.  

Not ready to say Dekker won't be an NBA player, yet at some point if you are truly an elite player at the college level, you should absolutely be dominating to be considered a lottery pick.

As Sultan points out - his 3 point shooting has regressed - some guys lose confidence over time when their production doesn't meet their expectations.  I don't like Dekker's form/fundamentals on his Jumper at all, seems to have a very inconsistent release.  See him being like Dom James, who was best as a freshman shooting the ball, but regressed as time moved on.

[madtownwarrior]

bucky fan friends thinks Bo is too much in Dekker's head right now...

[NersEllenson]

bucky fan friends thinks Bo is too much in Dekker's head right now...

Gotta explain it somehow.  Oddly Bo is also the coach who many players have grown and improved with over time.  Kaminsky comes to mind.  Dekker, for whatever reason, just doesn't seem to be improving or not breaking out in a star kind of way YET.  Perhaps he will.  I just don't see what in his game he does at an elite level...Good player?  Absolutely.  Lottery pick?  Hard to see at this point for sure.

[Pakuni]

Gotta explain it somehow.  Oddly Bo is also the coach who many players have grown and improved with over time.  Kaminsky comes to mind.  Dekker, for whatever reason, just doesn't seem to be improving or not breaking out in a star kind of way YET.  Perhaps he will.  I just don't see what in his game he does at an elite level...Good player?  Absolutely.  Lottery pick?  Hard to see at this point for sure.

Probably just coincidence, but it seems like Bo's highest-rated recruits (Butch, Dekker, Krabenhoft, Steimsma) never develop much at UW, while lesser-known guys (Kaminsky, Tucker, Harris) can flourish.

[JWags85]

Gotta explain it somehow.  Oddly Bo is also the coach who many players have grown and improved with over time.  Kaminsky comes to mind.  Dekker, for whatever reason, just doesn't seem to be improving or not breaking out in a star kind of way YET.  Perhaps he will.  I just don't see what in his game he does at an elite level...Good player?  Absolutely.  Lottery pick?  Hard to see at this point for sure.

I think Bo does well with good, not great, HS players who have sound fundamentals who can be brought along slowly and steadily in a system that is designed for efficiency and and highlighting said player's positive traits.  This is not as successful for players with already gifted skill sets who have the ability to freelance and flourish.  I think that is the reason there is limited success at or ability for said players to jump to the next level.  Kaminsky will be interesting as he has a unique skillset that could translate to the NBA.  Otherwise, the scores of players that were low-ranked recruits who turned into All-B10 performers within the system had great college careers but little to no NBA potential.  Can you think of the last "high" rated recruit who became THAT much better under Bo?  Hughes?  Not really. Krabbenhoft? No.  Steisma? Not until after college.  Butch? They'll go crazy over that one, but no.

They'll keep getting the 75-150 guys and making them good players, but top 50 guys that were helped into legit NBA guys, Bo has very little track record

[wadesworld]

Just like Bo makes less talented players out of high school better, he makes more talented players out of high school "worse" (not literally, but in terms of their progression).  Dekker, Butch, etc. come into UW's system ranked highly and people have these expectations that they will be incredible college players, yet if they never went to Wisconsin then the 175th ranked recruit that is their backup would produce relatively similarly to what those 2 actually produce(d).

That's the only reason I wouldn't mind seeing Stone go to UW.  Imagine Stone and his father watching all the guards get the ball in the post as Stone stands outside the 3 point line.  A sure fire, can't miss, dominating big spending 4 years setting screens and swinging the ball.  That would be fun to watch.

[MerrittsMustache]

Just like Bo makes less talented players out of high school better, he makes more talented players out of high school "worse" (not literally, but in terms of their progression).  Dekker, Butch, etc. come into UW's system ranked highly and people have these expectations that they will be incredible college players, yet if they never went to Wisconsin then the 175th ranked recruit that is their backup would produce relatively similarly to what those 2 actually produce(d).

That's the only reason I wouldn't mind seeing Stone go to UW.  Imagine Stone and his father watching all the guards get the ball in the post as Stone stands outside the 3 point line.  A sure fire, can't miss, dominating big spending 4 years setting screens and swinging the ball.  That would be fun to watch.

Bo's system takes average players and makes them good, and takes great players and make them good.

[Groin_pull]

Just like Bo makes less talented players out of high school better, he makes more talented players out of high school "worse" (not literally, but in terms of their progression).  Dekker, Butch, etc. come into UW's system ranked highly and people have these expectations that they will be incredible college players, yet if they never went to Wisconsin then the 175th ranked recruit that is their backup would produce relatively similarly to what those 2 actually produce(d).

That's the only reason I wouldn't mind seeing Stone go to UW.  Imagine Stone and his father watching all the guards get the ball in the post as Stone stands outside the 3 point line.  A sure fire, can't miss, dominating big spending 4 years setting screens and swinging the ball.  That would be fun to watch.

5 years. Stone will redshirt his first year.

[wadesworld]

Bo's system takes average players and makes them good, and takes great players and make them good.

Exactly.

5 years. Stone will redshirt his first year.

Good call.

[MUfan12]

A sure fire, can't miss, dominating big spending 4 years setting screens and swinging the ball.  That would be fun to watch.

4 years... that's a lot of tests. You think he'd last that long?

[wadesworld]

4 years... that's a lot of tests. You think he'd last that long?

At Madison?  You don't even have to be able to read to pass their classes if you're a big time athlete.  Just ask Ron Dayne.

[MUfan12]

You don't even have to be able to read to pass their classes if you're a big time athlete.  Just ask Ron Dayne.

Surely you jest! The Harvard of the Midwest would never stand for such a thing.

[Pakuni]

Bo's system takes average players and makes them good, and takes great players and make them good.

That's excellent, and accurate.

[MU82]

I like Bilas. Might be the best color commentator in all of sports.

But his contention that four current Badgers will be in the NBA -- including effen Gasser -- makes me wonder if he didn't take too many Mark Alarie elbows in the head during practice.

[Stronghold]

I like Bilas. Might be the best color commentator in all of sports.

But his contention that four current Badgers will be in the NBA -- including effen Gasser -- makes me wonder if he didn't take too many Mark Alarie elbows in the head during practice.

I would like to see Gasser try and guard an NBA 1 or 2 guard.

[Pakuni]

I like Bilas. Might be the best color commentator in all of sports.

But his contention that four current Badgers will be in the NBA -- including effen Gasser -- makes me wonder if he didn't take too many Mark Alarie elbows in the head during practice.

You never know. Chris Quinn somehow managed 5+ seasons in the NBA. With the expanded rosters, some guys who'd have never had a chance a decade ago are landing on NBA rosters.