Battle89
- Cary-Grove, the better Trojan team
So he's going to get hit by a charging bull instead?
NBA Draft
Not to mention, tougher, less of an ego, and generally more coachable. That still actually matters to some people…even in the NBA.
I know that sounds like crotchety, old man speak; but it’s also true.
I never got the impression KJ was a discipline issue. I think often he was making the right play, but his teammates were not on the same page.
Certainly the hand injury hurt his shooting. (Saw the same thing with Boswell this year) He was 41% prior to the injury, and never shot above 30% for any month after.
KJ shot 42% from 3 this year in the NBA, though he is much more of a catch and shoot guy up there.
hooraybeer
- Peoria, IL
makes the success of the past couple of years even more impressive given major injury issues
No I’m not saying KJ was a Jayden Epps situation in the slightest. Or say a Matthew Mayer just plain not running the offense. But KJ was on a mission from God to get drafted. (Unlike Keaton) Totally legit…and that’s what you’re supposed to do when you’re that good. But you can’t deny there was certainly more “I’m gonna get mine” in his game than Keaton.
KJ was not a locker room problem that I know of in any way. And I like KJ WAY more than the Mayers and Epp(s)of the world…
But with Keaton & Mirk especially…that’s a coach’s dream.
If Brad told Keaton to run through a wall, he would have done it. If He told KJ…(well….he was clearly a little more complicated.) He might of done it; he might not have. Let’s just say he would have had to think about it first. Brad gave KJ a very long leash. Which is fine. It’s what he wanted to fit the dynamic of that particular team. But I think saying Keaton was more coachable than KJ is a fair statement. And fairly obvious to be 100% honest with you.
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KJ did make some bone head passes but looking at his ast/TO ratio in NBA, it's not an issue.
His main weakness has also been his driving game. So far he has relied heavily on 3 pt to score in NBA. We shall see.
KJ's main problem is not coachability. It's he is not as good as Keaton and that's not a shame. His injury didn't help, either.
He has mostly played SG this season. He carved out a consistent role. The kid is still only 19 years old. He's going to get a lot better.
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
Eh, I have no inside information on what KJ was like in the locker room, but I didn't get that selfish vibe from him at all, and he was and is a terrific and willing passer.
He just got lured into over-dribbling a lot, on a team that was dependent on him to be the initiator more than Keaton's team was. It also seemed like it was a bit of a freshman wall thing from a mental perspective.
KJ's basketball IQ for an 18 year old freshman PG was really high, it's just that Wagler's was like generationally high, an unfair comparison.
They're pretty similar players in general, and Stefan Vaaks is very much in that same package of traits. Body type is really the big difference, KJ is bulkier and broader shouldered than Wagler and Vaaks is that plus taller too.
He is going to be OK. His driving game is going to decide whether he is All star level or not.
A sub story, but I think if Illinois would have lost to Houston or earlier, Keaton probably comes back.
It was a lot closer in the end than most think, there were serious conversations about being back after the season.
It was a lot closer in the end than most think, there were serious conversations about being back after the season.
So if you could give up the FF for a great shot at the natty, would you do it?
I'll take the trade.
I wouldn't haven't been able to be on this board if we lost before Houston.
GrayGhost77
- Centennial, CO
We'd have been no doubt favorites to win it all if that happened. Would Coleman still have committed if that happened, though? Regardless, I'll still take our Final Four run from this year over the scenario where Keaton "probably" comes back. Deep runs are never guaranteed. Also, finally being able to say we produced a one and done will continue to pay dividends.
Do you think that's true?
I think we should be favored to win it all (so i agree with you) - but I think the attention we have gotten nationally for retention has a lot to do with making the final four. On the other hand, Keaton would have been universally regarded as the top player in the sport coming back even with a loss to Penn or VCU, so maybe that alone pushes us to the top. Interesting question.
Illini2010-11
- Sugar Grove
We already did that in last years draft with KJ and Riley both going pro, though Wagler going in the draft lottery would be huge.
Illinicpa14
- Chicago
To your point, We lose to VCU though I don’t think you have the same opinion on Andre (or probably the Twins)
Illini2010-11
- Sugar Grove
There would certainly be many not wanting the #retention campaign. For better or worse, the tournament results always seem to carry more weight than maybe it should.
Never trade a F4. Nothing close to a guarantee that you'll get back.
Illinicpa14
- Chicago
For this particular team, that also would have meant a first round BTT loss after a bunch of losses to end the year.
With the older players atleast.
If Keaton and Mirk came back, i do think that would still get a ton of national love
Of course not.
Illini2010-11
- Sugar Grove
As Duke has shown, a great shot at natty could still end in 2nd weekend, or in Purdue's case a few years back, a first round defeat.
GrayGhost77
- Centennial, CO
Doh! Yeah you're right. Totally forgot it happened just last year. That's said, now we can use the fact we'll have had 3 one and done first rounders in two years!
