Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (May-June 2018)
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I’d say best fifth year we can get regardless of position
Would be nice but I think, it's pretty slim pickings. I would like another big if that possible , not much there. Okoro commits, we could save it later, not just pick anyone.
I just...can't.....resist....
Not sure I could move something that size with a forklift. Man he moves for a big guy, though.
I would love for us to be able to recruit a 5 with the abilities of Jahil or better. However the reason he isnt a stud in the NBA is not because the game has changed. He just isnt good enough. Kareem, Ewing, Akeem, Parrish, Chamberlin, Robinson, Moses Malone, Shaq,Russell, and on and on would all thrive today or in any era. They would likely be selected #1 overall. They would eat Jahils lunch.Today's players arent better as a whole. If I were making an all time team the only post 2000 player on it would be Lebron and my 5 certainly wouldn't be from today's 5s.
I'd love an NBA 5 at center but a good college 4/5 will suffice. I hope we hear good news from Okoro soon.
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And back in my day we walked to school in 5 feet of snow. UPHILL BOTH WAYS!
No its pretty flat in Urbana from Carl and Florida to Leal Elementary. Not much has changed along that path either although it did snow a lot.
Jahil was just a bad pick. Embed is a back to the basket player and when healthy could play in any era too. That was my point. That and a solid college 4/5 doesnt need to be an NBA player.
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Is anyone?
skyIdub
Winged Warrior
8
I was placing an emphasis on 5s. There are only a few very good ones today. We can disagree. I'll take the ones from 75 to 2000 and you can have today's. I dont see it as even close. Maybe I'm wrong about Shaq, Kareem, Ewing, Akeem, Robinson, and several others.
I did just toss in the all time team and I assume yours would all time team would be vastly different than mine of Lebron and old school studs that would still kill it today.
Great players could play in any era. The game isn't nearly as physical as it once was so players can attack the rim much differently today than in the past. The rules are the main reason how the game is played not its skill level.
I hope the Illini can get a good college center that can fulfill the role we need in the B10. If he happens to make the NBA that's great but I'm much more focused on what a incoming 4/5 can accomplish here for 3 or 4 years. That's why I want Okoro in orange and blue
I was placing an emphasis on 5s. There are only a few very good ones today. We can disagree. I'll take the ones from 75 to 2000 and you can have today's. I dont see it as even close. Maybe I'm wrong about Shaq, Kareem, Ewing, Akeem, Robinson, and several others.
I did just toss in the all time team and I assume yours would all time team would be vastly different than mine of Lebron and old school studs that would still kill it today.
Great players could play in any era. The game isn't nearly as physical as it once was so players can attack the rim much differently today than in the past. The rules are the main reason how the game is played not its skill level.
I hope the Illini can get a good college center that can fulfill the role we need in the B10. If he happens to make the NBA that's great but I'm much more focused on what a incoming 4/5 can accomplish here for 3 or 4 years. That's why I want Okoro in orange and blue
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We really really need Okoro . Would absolutely be sick to my stomach if he chooses Purdue . Someone on Twitter needs to send Okoro this cringeworthy Purdue rap video . No way would he hang with these dorks .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JD6FAscGpoY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JD6FAscGpoY
I never saw Cousy play other than video. Nor did I see Russell play. I just go by what respected coaches said about each of them. I dont recall the coach that said Russel was a top 3 center just recently. I would imagine Cousy to have a similar skill set to John Stocktion based on tapes and coaches. Maybe you have seen him if so then perhaps I am incorrect in Cousy's case.
The main reason the game has changed IMO for the worse is due to several rule changes and how it's called. It's easier to drive and score now more than ever. Much of the physical nature of basketball has been removed allowing more movement and easier scoring. I dont feel athletes are born any different now than they used to, so much is about self promotion. People always say training or development is better for decades but is it really? Is it about team basketball and development or highlight reels?. I could argue they arent as good anymore because players dont stay and develop in college as long as they used to.
I really love Okoro's game and would love to have strong rebounding, some offense and defensive presence again. I think he can develop maybe into an NBA 4 but it will take time. Too many players dont stay and develop. I hope we land him and he stays. Okoro can already can do a lot that could help next season if he reclassified.
Unfortunately I dont think players at the University of Illinios are better than they once were.. I hope we are on the right path with Ayo, Trent, and hopefully Okoro Speaking of Ayo I hope he stays and puts in the work and doesnt try the NBA until he is developed and ready too.I think BU is moving towards being as good again. I'd love to be able to say Illini Hoops is better now than ever.
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sacraig
- The desert
Agreed it's better, and it's different. The reason it is better is because of differences. That being said, I still has the one on one aspects, which back in day, if you had a great you ruled. There just wasn't as many. Celtics ruled because of Russell, but he was good because of great guard play, and teamwork .
The speed has changed everything so much, but the media has had it's impact too. Guys having a brand has made everyone more conscious of the great ones. TV input having more commercial ads running makes these guys bigger than life. Older era players didn't have all the world wide attention, but they were still great.
Back to our situation, Okoro is a good player, but will only get better when he has others to help him. Coaching will help, but his play improves with group to let him elevate his game. He has said he is tired of being double teamed. It will be interesting to see how he does, once he gets in college game. Hopefully it's in the B1G, and hopefully in Orange and Blue. Things seem to being looking better on his decision , ready to have this a done deal.
We can disagree. No way are athletes better just due to time. Their are so many other factors the effect sport. Cell phones, video games, coaching, life choices. Parks are not full like they once were without adults around. . It's hard to let your kids grab a ball or glove and go to the park. I also disagree with your notion that athletic ability is primarily something we can create with hard work or when you are born.. It's not, its god given. Whether you use it is up to you.
To me Ali, Nicholas. Jordan, Lebron,Kareem, and Barry Sanders are the greatest and the year they were born had very little to do with it. There were factors that influenced it but being a gifted athlete has more to do with God than anything. Hardwork or when your born doesnt give you that gift.
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I wish Illini football and Basketball applied to your theory as well. I know our facilities are the best they have ever been. We have a good staff in place. I believe we are in the process of getting some top players and I just hope they have God given athleticism and the heart and desire of Kenny Battle and Dee Brown. Or passion and ability of Butkus. I feel it we are on the right path and when we get there in 20__. The date will have little impact on it.
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it's a piece of cake
and players had to go to college for 4 years and learn SOMETHING
No way he would have been as good, sports is science in our days. Not only today's physical training, but all the aforementioned factors (nutrition, training, medical care, equipment, facilities, resources, opportunities).
You have recruits at 17-18 now that look nothing like recruits of the past, and only get better with much improved regimes in the NBA.
God gives athletic ability. People dont just get it through technolog, hard work, facilities, and nutrition. If that were the case our facilities and nutrition and strength program would have illinois basketball the best it's ever been. The same applies to the NBA. I think when you think about high school players I remember several large elite high schoolers from the 80s until now. That hasn't changed at all. Thomad Hamilton jr, shawn Kemp, shaq, Wayman Tisdale, Sullinger, Ewing Magic, and our own Big George and Efrem Winters. There are recent players like that still and there were guys like Okoro too. I dont recall many with thighs like Winters had, he was explosive. You can believe athletes are made by men all you want but God makes them and will continue to. Otherwise players like MJ, Lebron. Kareem. Magic, Akeem, Duncan would be produced by labs and programs everywhere.
This years big man should be specail and was described as the best since Shaq or Akeem But God made him not the university or Arizona and he will again but it won't mean those before him were not just as good or even better players. I am done beating this horse. We clearly disagree with what makes great players great and why can do the things they do. Heart and God given ability dint come in a bottle.
I hope Okoro signs soon because our program needs players like we had again back in the day. He has unique god given ability. We cant make them with just nutrition, lifting weights and great facilities. That just enhances it
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So true, and take it one step farther, Okoro commits, Fletch will take him to the next level, with his regment of diet, strengthen and conditioning. God does give talent, Fletch can make it the best it can be.
So true, and take it one step farther, Okoro commits, Fletch will take him to the next level, with his regment of diet, strengthen and conditioning. God does give talent, Fletch can make it the best it can be.
Fletch can certainly help but I hope BU can teach more of the mental aspects of the game that make players great. Heart and mental toughness. God gave Lebron elite physical talent but MJ had that too but it's his heart and toughness that makes him the GOAT imo. Lebron is close though. Trent has ability but he also has the "it^ factor. I think BU will build that in players or they will leave if they cant hack it. Our great teams had both.
One of the best big-man athletes i have ever seen in person.
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