Illini in the Pros (Basketball)

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#226      
Well he had 10pts/5rebs/4blk/2stl.

Mine was mostly a joke about how Kaluma was almost an Illini and “legend” of this board. I’m not overly interested in over analyzing nba summer league.

But 10 and 5 and being a -22 (with 7 fouls at halftime) when the other guy you’re defending is 36/5 and beats you by 20+, you’ve been dominated.

I am starting to wonder if you’re Austin Brown or Aaron Mintz though.
 
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#227      
I very intently watched TSJ's summer league games, each of his 2 years.

First year was a brutal watch. There were so many ball hogs on the team. TSJ would keep passing to them and they'd never pass back. He still put up numbers, but as an observer, it wasn't very pretty.

Second year, alot of those players were gone. The basketball played was a lot more fundamental / better. It felt very different compared to the previous year.

With Keaton, he's just not the type to jack up lots of bad shots. Wouldn't be too quick to judge since it's just one game, but if he's playing alongside such players, he'll likely see those opportunities dwindle. I do think he can be more aggressive overall, but there's obviously levels.

When he does get those shots though, he needs to knock them down. His shooting is his superpower, IMO.
I hope I'm wrong because Id like to see Keaton succeed and then every Illini that goes on to succeed in the NBA helps the program with future recognition/recruiting.

However, I genuinely think Keaton will really struggle to transition at first. I think he might be a guy that doesn't really look like an NBA until year 4 or 5 when he can physically catch up.

He just physically isn't ready yet, and that showed up in his first summer league game. Everything is going to be difficult on ball early because he he isn't quick enough to blow by guys and he isn't strong enough to create space.

I actually think he has a lot in common with Kasparis and early success will come via off ball spot up shooting. Live off the shooting early and develop as a guy that can catch and shoot coming off screens and then grow his game as he fills out and matures.
 
#229      
I love KB.
Check This Out GIF
 
#233      
Riley is playing great tonight. 4 3's and just got fouled on one and made the free throw.
I took my 11 year old girl who never cared about sports to her first game this year. Traveled back to illinois to watch minnesota game. Since then we caught the first 2 rounds of the ncaa tournament, per her request shes going to a basketball camp this week, and shes gotten into collecting sports cards.

I chipped in with her paying the rest to start her graded card collection last week. It wad down between a pca auto rookie card and Will Riley signed card. She went with the will Riley card and hasnt missed a minute of his summer league play. No matter where I am in the house im getting the play by play yelled out.
 
#241      
It’s going to be a long year for Keaton. I hope he can work through the physicality of the NBA. I get summer league is ref’d a bit streetbally. But he’s struggling to get practically any separation or be a POA defender as a combo guard.
 
#244      
I don’t get why Will Riley is playing summer league. He pretty clearly showed he is a more than capable nba player during the second half of last season. How many 20-30 point games did he have? Just seems like a risk for injury
32 points 6 rebs 3 assists tonight on 9-14 (6-8 3p)
Jimmy Fallon Comedian GIF by The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
 
#246      
Keaton struggling, but I'm not sure Darryn Peterson looks any better
 
#247      
Peterson is an outstanding talent.

I feel like the reason Wagler's struggling is because he's playing against the other top lotto picks. That's different if you're not a lottery pick.
 
#249      
Keaton struggling, but I'm not sure Darryn Peterson looks any better
He definitely does. He’s cooked Keaton several times on defense. Obviously that’s not Keaton’s game. But Keaton is clearly a minus defender at the NBA level at the moment. His offense is also heavily reliant on the PnR. His game resembles how he looked vs. UConn. Jacking up quick 3s moment he has a tiny ray of space.
 
#250      
Just had on ESPN and saw the highlights

Showed all dybantsa and Acuff. Not a single riley highlihgt despite scoring 32 on 60+% shooting ha. Dybantsta was 1-6 from 3 but they made sure to show the 1 he hit. SMH

Almost as if Dybantsa and Acuff are high draft picks.
 
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