Illini in the Pros (Basketball)

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#201      
Mobi
the juiceman cometh said:
Absolutely. TSJ on a team like the Wizards gets chances to play and we see a lot more games like this. We see how beneficial that has been to Riley.

I will also die on the Hill that Malcolm (pun very much intended) was an NBA player, evidenced as much in the limited opportunities he got as a 2-way player, but things just never broke his way opportunity wise.
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They can trade TSJ to Wizards and then Wizrads pick Wagler that we have a 1-2-3 Illini lineup in NBA. LoL!
 
#202      
the juiceman cometh
Emerson Bigguns said:
TJ's day will come, as long as he keeps showing out when given opportunities. There is a lot to be said for being on a veteran team that knows how to win, when you are tying to find your way in the league. We know how hard he works, but the NBA season grind is a different beast. Playing behind Ant and Ayo isn't ideal for this year, but Ayo will be a UFA after the season. Someone is going to make him a BIG offer, and I doubt Minny will be able to match... Ayo definitely has had to wait his turn, now its paying off. TJ just has to follow his example. Continue to work on his weaknesses, and gain confidence. It's coming. I guarantee we aren't the only ones who are taking notice.
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TSJ has played 814 minutes in his two years at Minnesota. Ayo eclipsed that number on January 19, 2021, 43 games into the Bulls season, in his rookie year. He went on to play 2,110 minutes for the Bulls that rookie season, in 77 games, getting 40 starts. These situations are polar opposites.

As another point of comparison, both Riley and KJ have already played more minutes in their rookie seasons than TSJ has played in his entire NBA career. Playing in Minnesota has not been a good thing - it's been a disaster. He is almost 26 years old and has not had the opportunity to show he can hang in a rotation night in and night out. If they keep him around for 2 more years as an occasional rotation player, racking up more DNPs and single-digit minute games than games where he has a solid role, he's going to be a 28-year old FA with more questions than answers. That's not ideal.
 
#203      
Illini2010-11
the juiceman cometh said:
TSJ has played 814 minutes in his two years at Minnesota. Ayo eclipsed that number on January 19, 2021, 43 games into the Bulls season, in his rookie year. He went on to play 2,110 minutes for the Bulls that rookie season, in 77 games, getting 40 starts. These situations are polar opposites.

As another point of comparison, both Riley and KJ have already played more minutes in their rookie seasons than TSJ has played in his entire NBA career. Playing in Minnesota has not been a good thing - it's been a disaster. He is almost 26 years old and has not had the opportunity to show he can hang in a rotation night in and night out. If they keep him around for 2 more years as an occasional rotation player, racking up more DNPs and single-digit minute games than games where he has a solid role, he's going to be a 28-year old FA with more questions than answers. That's not ideal.
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Agreed.

Unfortunately, it seems part of the curse of going late in the first round compared to early/mid first round or early second round. When drafted in late first round, you generally end up on a very good team that does not have many available minutes. Teams in the early/mid first round or early second round, tend to have a lot of available minutes to compete for, as they tend to be middle or bottom feeding teams. TSJ was also hurt by being much older than many other rookies drafted in the first round (and most of those young players have had a chance to develop on the fly in the league).

It did not help TSJ that he went late in first round to a team that has a coach that does not like to play the young guys. Seemed to be a double whammy. When he has played, he has looked pretty good, but he is definitely not getting the chance to showcase his skills. He has a chance to win a championship, but it does not necessarily translate into his individual best interests.
 
#204      
Mobi
the juiceman cometh said:
TSJ has played 814 minutes in his two years at Minnesota. Ayo eclipsed that number on January 19, 2021, 43 games into the Bulls season, in his rookie year. He went on to play 2,110 minutes for the Bulls that rookie season, in 77 games, getting 40 starts. These situations are polar opposites.

As another point of comparison, both Riley and KJ have already played more minutes in their rookie seasons than TSJ has played in his entire NBA career. Playing in Minnesota has not been a good thing - it's been a disaster. He is almost 26 years old and has not had the opportunity to show he can hang in a rotation night in and night out. If they keep him around for 2 more years as an occasional rotation player, racking up more DNPs and single-digit minute games than games where he has a solid role, he's going to be a 28-year old FA with more questions than answers. That's not ideal.
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I hope they trade him ASAP. They don't have a newbie friendly coach.
 
#206      
Goillinikobd
TJ's day will come, as long as he keeps showing out when given opportunities. There is a lot to be said for being on a veteran team that knows how to win, when you are tying to find your way in the league. We know how hard he works, but the NBA season grind is a different beast. Playing behind Ant and Ayo isn't ideal for this year, but Ayo will be a UFA after the season. Someone is going to make him a BIG offer, and I doubt Minny will be able to match... Ayo definitely has had to wait his turn, now its paying off. TJ just has to follow his example. Continue to work on his weaknesses, and gain confidence. It's coming. I guarantee we aren't the only ones who are taking notice.
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I love the guy, but he has to stay healthy for a season, age is creeping up.
It would be a shame if he never gets his shot. It happens.
 
#211      
Goillinikobd
When oh when are our NBA star alumni going to get the recognition that they have already earned or have the potential to earn
 
#219      
chibar
I know this thread focuses on nba, but does anyone have a comprehensive list of former Illini playing any type of pro ball today?
 
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