And KJ says "Good Bye". None of those guys, as good as they were, can touch what KJ has done so far as a freshman.
Illinois 109, Oregon 77 Postgame
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Curious as how he compares to Jakstys. Didn’t see him last year but tough to believe he was a starter. Looks totally lost and not physically ready for this level. Going to need him against all the big talented 4’s such as Bailey, Flagg, Queen, etc as Rez seems to collect fouls rather he deserves them or not.
Yeah, less than 15 games into his career. I do not think he is banner worthy. Yet. Let him prove himself first. Those guys I mentioned all did. Also, I was talking about Illini career. Since I do not watch the NBA, that is what matters (to me).
Most skilled guard we’ve had and what they have done in Illini jersey aren’t the same thing,
Can someone do an AI version of Harry Caray calling about 5 minutes of one of our games?
The discussion is about "most-skilled." I think the only guard we had that came in as skilled as KJ was Frank Williams.
Kendall might be my all-time favorite Illini. He was a superb run/jump athlete with super long arms and big hands and he constantly worked his butt off to get better. But I don't think he was in the same category as far as skills as KJ and Frank.
flambeed
Depending on how you define skilled but Deron is more like a Boswell with KJ's passing (if not better).
It's just so hard to compare. Just because Deron didn't do something in college doesn't mean he couldn't. We're talking about a guy who scored 57 points in an NBA game. Had 21 assists...twice. 3x All Star. 2x gold medalist. Certainly KJ is our best pro prospect since Deron, but I can't draw any conclusions beyond that.
Now if we're comparing freshman KJ to freshman D-Will, that's an easy one.
This exercise is kinda like trying to compare Pru's NLs. When the term is "skilled," hard for me to remember anyone who had a better combination of court vision, passing expertise, ability to get to and finish at the rim with a variety of moves, and that deadly step-back shot. I'm sure there's recency bias in my head, but KJ has revised my definition of Elite when it comes to his skills.
I think the only way to settle this argument is to have KJ stay 3 years and then do a direct comparison to Deron’s stats. Everyone agree?
all time starting five? Hard to place KJ into that.... I'm old enough to remember Donnie Freeman, Nick Weatherspoon, Nick Anderson (my all-time favorite,) Frankie Williams (second all-time favorite,) Dee Brown (right up there...)
KJ may enter that pantheon of greats but I wouldn't anoint him quite yet. I'm glad we have him and not Demin (maybe averaging 7 points in his last 6 games, one game in double figures.)
KJ may enter that pantheon of greats but I wouldn't anoint him quite yet. I'm glad we have him and not Demin (maybe averaging 7 points in his last 6 games, one game in double figures.)
Agreed, but again we’re talking about ‘most-skilled.”
The fact that we are even having the conversation 13 games into his career is pretty remarkable in it of itself. Regardless of where anyone ranks his Illini career when it’s all said and done, the kid is special and I’m so glad he’s wearing the O&B. I’m sure everyone agrees on that.
The fact he is on everyone's draft board as a potential top 10/ lottery pick says everything you need to know about his skill set. His is not about potential based on physical metrics for the NBA, it is about his current skillset/IQ as a 1 guard on display every game.
I think what we can all agree on that our coach has the innate ability to assemble players with complementary skills and mold them into a dynamic group where the whole far exceeds the sum of its parts. This team can score like almost no other we've had, but he has added guys (Bam, White, KJ, Davis) who excel on defense and make them a tough out. Compare how they're playing now vs their exhibition against Mississippi St. These guys are all picking up skills that they didn't know they had or didn't deem important.
I thought Dra G-L was not a big ten caliber player when he came here (too scrawny, weak, short, not a good enough shooter) and now he's a microwave that comes in and inspires the rest of the team with his hustle, drive, and sheer tenacity. Only one guy hasn't grown (Booth) but either he will...or he won't be back.
Each of the other guys has exceeded expectations.
But KJ is clearly the BEST... and the straw that stirs the drink.
I love that we have three starters in KJ, Boswell, and White that are constantly probing and trying to penetrate. The 3 point shot is a great weapon and we certainly use it, but it can stagnate if players just stand on the perimeter. White might be my favorite in that aspect. He is always looking to take it to the hole and is crazy quick getting there.
I remember the late Weber years where it looked like our players were scared to death to take it to the hoop. I liked Weber, but that was incredibly frustrating to watch.
I remember the late Weber years where it looked like our players were scared to death to take it to the hoop. I liked Weber, but that was incredibly frustrating to watch.
Indeed hard to compare the future with the past but I can certainly see KJ to play at all star level in NBA.
Just going through this thread one last time and missed this. Love these lol...
Another war casualty: Jackson Shelstad 9 pts 1 ast 3 tov 4/11 shooting 0/2 3ptrs
KB has been absolutely brutalizing opposing team's lead scorers, i love it
Harper was comparable.
Matt for Matthew Knight Arena
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