Justin

[Pakuni]

Did DJ Carton get appreciably better in the G League this year? He had a nice finish versus a limited start but he was pretty much what he was at MU with less minutes.

On the other hand, JLew markedly improved, especially his pro game. Maybe having Nevada Smith running the offense is a great option to get noticed on the Bucks floor versus playing in front of a few in Greensboro? I don't think it's so cut and dried especially with NIL potential.

DJ's G League stats per 100 possessions:
January: 17.7 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 3.5 turnovers. 1.1 steals, 0.8 blocks, 47.9 FG%
February: 20.0 points, 7.4 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 3.6 turnovers. 1.9 steals, 0.9 blocks, 48.3 FG%
March: 21.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 2.9 turnovers. 2.9 steals, 1.1 blocks, 44.7 FG% 

Seems like there was at least some improvement from DJ in the G League.
And that said. I'm not sure it';s fair to compare one's improvement in college vs any pro league. Justin played against the same level of competition he did a year ago. DJ went from college to the pros. It would be unrealistic to expect similar statistical leaps.

[wadesworld]

"Vested interest" was probably the wrong term. I should have said better coaching for a future in the NBA is available if he goes pro now.

Is there a difference in just sending guys to the NBA and sending successful guys? Jarrett Allen is the only Shaka guy having success as of now.

However, like you, I think there is a decent chance that he returns.

Mo Bamba and Jaxson Hayes are having nice years.  Greg Brown is having a fine year for a 20 year old rookie.

[dad's couch]

I think the biggest factor in Justin's jump was health and opportunity.  He undoubtedly improved as a player, but we saw glimpses of it his first season.

What everyone is missing is that Justin didn't have the off season workouts and conditioning as a FR. If I recall, the team didn't get on campus until mid September and then a month later had to shut down for a couple of weeks due to Covid.

[PVMagic]

My neighbor played hoops and his wife volleyball at Ohio State and is in financial services now...I was talking to him a few weeks ago and he was talking about how there were multiple groups starting up in Columbus that were setting up funds for this purpose.  Didn't sound like small donors but bigger fish pulling there money to spread it beyond the stars and even beyond football and hoops.  Next time I see him I will try to pry a little more info out of him.

https://www.dispatch.com/story/sports/2022/03/31/ohio-state-football-basketball-players-launch-nil-nonprofit/7218602001/

I'm an Ohio native/Buckeye fan so I've been paying close attention to this- if anything OSU is behind a few of the other power football programs in getting this organized. I would think the MU fan base would be capable of doing something like this on a smaller scale.

[GoldenEagles03]

His take is pretty terrible. A homer college bball fan take. Because without a doubt, G-League basketball is much closer to the NBA game than the college game.

The college game has made strides over the past few years. Pace and spacing have improved, as has freedom of movement. But, it still has a way to go.

You're wrong. I want Justin to go to the NBA even if that is this year. However I want him to get a real shot.

Getting drafted in the 45-60 range isn't ideal. I think he is a 1st round talent and he isn't being valued as that.

[JWags85]

On the other hand, JLew markedly improved, especially his pro game. Maybe having Nevada Smith running the offense is a great option to get noticed on the Bucks floor versus playing in front of a few in Greensboro? I don't think it's so cut and dried especially with NIL potential.

This implies that fan involvement/interest is equivalent to NBA evaluation.  I can assure you there is just as much attention paid to G-League games and players as a random Big East matchup.  There is a noted tweet or blurb when NBA scouts are at college games watching Lewis or someone else.  There are NBA personnel and evaluators at LITERALLY every G League game.

[cheebs09]

This implies that fan involvement/interest is equivalent to NBA evaluation.  I can assure you there is just as much attention paid to G-League games and players as a random Big East matchup.  There is a noted tweet or blurb when NBA scouts are at college games watching Lewis or someone else.  There are NBA personnel and evaluators at LITERALLY every G League game.

I think people have missed the investment the NBA has made in the G-League. It went from a pretty disorganized league to a true minor league for the NBA.

[CTWarrior]

I think there is something to be said for being THE GUY on a college team regularly playing before 10,000+ people and that should not be dismissed, but by and large I agree the the G League is probably better for a players development. 

Shaka needs to win basketball games, whereas the G League is all about prepping players for the NBA.  People here have said we'd be better with Lewis at the 5 spot, for example (and I agree), but Lewis at the 5 isn't helping him prep for the NBA.  Shaka could potentially decide to do that to help win games, but a G League coach is less likely to have someone with potential in a position he won't play in the NBA, because his job is to prep guys for the big team, not win games.

[brewcity77]

I think there is something to be said for being THE GUY on a college team regularly playing before 10,000+ people and that should not be dismissed, but by and large I agree the the G League is probably better for a players development. 

Shaka needs to win basketball games, whereas the G League is all about prepping players for the NBA.  People here have said we'd be better with Lewis at the 5 spot, for example (and I agree), but Lewis at the 5 isn't helping him prep for the NBA.  Shaka could potentially decide to do that to help win games, but a G League coach is less likely to have someone with potential in a position he won't play in the NBA, because his job is to prep guys for the big team, not win games.

Not sure I agree with that. Lewis isn't particularly quick when compared to NBA athletes, but he's strong and has good length. I think playing small-ball 5 could be an ideal role for him in the NBA. I'm sure he'd love to be a JFB-style wing, but I don't know that he's built for that.

[muwarrior69]

Justin has played 2 years of college ball. He's entering that no man's land in the NBA eyes where he may have reached his "potential". IMO, he is out of here.

So this is the new reality. I don't think MU will ever win another NC if we lose our best players after year 2.

[The Sultan]

You're wrong. I want Justin to go to the NBA even if that is this year. However I want him to get a real shot.

Getting drafted in the 45-60 range isn't ideal. I think he is a 1st round talent and he isn't being valued as that.

From what I saw last year, 45-60 is pretty much where I would place him.

[GoldenEagles03]

From what I saw last year, 45-60 is pretty much where I would place him.

Maybe, but he has 1st round talent. As hinted at by many scouts, he is the age of most Freshman so age isn't a concern.  He's still very raw and inexperienced.

[The Sultan]

Maybe, but he has 1st round talent. As hinted at by many scouts, he is the age of most Freshman so age isn't a concern.  He's still very raw and inexperienced.

Then why is he projected in the second round?

[GoldenEagles03]

Then why is he projected in the second round?

If you read my last sentence...


He is raw and inexperienced. He isn't very good defensively and is slow on his feet. Talent is great. Mechanics need work.

[The Sultan]

If you read my last sentence...

He is raw and inexperienced. He isn't very good defensively and is slow on his feet. Talent is great. Mechanics need work.

If he indeed has first round talent, but his mechanics simply needed work, he would be drafted in the in the first round and coached up.

[MU82]

Justin's a Wojo guy. We don't need him. Cut his azz!

[RJax55]

If you read my last sentence...


He is raw and inexperienced. He isn't very good defensively and is slow on his feet. Talent is great. Mechanics need work.

Unless you're John Paxson and Gar Forman, NBA teams don't care about experience. The draft is about potential, measurables, and athleticism. Besides, Justin being slow on his feet is an athleticism issue, not an experience issue.

[Jockey]

Mo Bamba and Jaxson Hayes are having nice years.  Greg Brown is having a fine year for a 20 year old rookie.

Yeah, they may turn out fine. Getting a lot of minutes for bottom feeders. Would very seldom see the court on a contender.

But that was kinda my point. They are better off for their futures in the league by having gone pro and getting NBA instruction. Most guys like that are only going to get minutes on bad teams, but they improve more going against NBA players with NBA coaches. It's a completely different game to learn. Might as well get started.

Especially if he is gonna be in the Top 40 or so players that get guaranteed contracts.

[Jockey]

So this is the new reality. I don't think MU will ever win another NC if we lose our best players after year 2.

Yes - Duke and Kentucky are proof of that. Oops, I was wrong. They lose their best players after year 1.

[4everwarriors]

Justin's a Wojo guy. We don't need him. Cut his azz!

Eye'm wit ewe, Nads. Hope he takes his talents elsewhere, aina?

[MU82]

Eye'm wit ewe, Nads. Hope he takes his talents elsewhere, aina?

Abbsolootley. Wee don't need know Enn-Bee-Ay-level tallent at Emm-Ewe, nu?

[The Equalizer]

By the looks of a mid-first contract versus a mid-second from last year's draft, Justin could double to triple the size of his initial contract by waiting a year and moving up into the 1st round.

Players picked in the 40ish range averaged $1.2 to $1.5 million per year for their initial contract. Players 15 to 20 made between $3 and $4 million/year.

If NBA teams think he's got the talent of a 1st round pick with only some "mechanics" issues to coach him on, I would think they will do everything in their power to encourage him to leave this year because they can steal him for a 4-year contract for $5 to $6 million guaranteed.

If Justin thinks he's got the talent of a 1st round pick and can show that he's fixed those mechanics issues, he should stay because if he can move into the middle of the first round, maybe 15th to 20th, he'll increase his first contract value to $12 to $16 million. 

The biggest reason to leave now is if he thinks he's peaked and won't improve his draft position next year.  The next biggest is that you're risk-averse and are okay with potentially giving up half to 2/3 of your first few years of compensation in order to lock something in now.

[The Sultan]

If NBA teams think he's got the talent of a 1st round pick with only some "mechanics" issues to coach him on, I would think they will do everything in their power to encourage him to leave this year because they can steal him for a 4-year contract for $5 to $6 million guaranteed.

This is 100% accurate.  Mechanics can be fixed.  NBA teams aren't skipping on a player they otherwise see as talented because their mechanics are off.

[wadesworld]

By the looks of a mid-first contract versus a mid-second from last year's draft, Justin could double to triple the size of his initial contract by waiting a year and moving up into the 1st round.

Players picked in the 40ish range averaged $1.2 to $1.5 million per year for their initial contract. Players 15 to 20 made between $3 and $4 million/year.

If NBA teams think he's got the talent of a 1st round pick with only some "mechanics" issues to coach him on, I would think they will do everything in their power to encourage him to leave this year because they can steal him for a 4-year contract for $5 to $6 million guaranteed.

If Justin thinks he's got the talent of a 1st round pick and can show that he's fixed those mechanics issues, he should stay because if he can move into the middle of the first round, maybe 15th to 20th, he'll increase his first contract value to $12 to $16 million. 

The biggest reason to leave now is if he thinks he's peaked and won't improve his draft position next year.  The next biggest is that you're risk-averse and are okay with potentially giving up half to 2/3 of your first few years of compensation in order to lock something in now.

But are 2nd round contracts always 4 year contracts?

[NCMUFan]

Quote from: 4everwarriors on Today at 08:53:53 AM

Eye'm wit ewe, Nads. Hope he takes his talents elsewhere, aina?

Abbsolootley. Wee don't need know Enn-Bee-Ay-level tallent at Emm-Ewe, nu?

Is there a cognitive disorder going around on MUSCOOP?